Ideas for Following up After VBS

It has been so exciting to see the love of Christ poured out through our churches this summer. The photos, videos, and stories shared on social media have been a beautiful reminder that God is still drawing the next generation to Himself—and He’s using you to do it. We praise God for your faithfulness.

When Vacation Bible School is over - the decorations packed away, the crafts taken home, and the songs still echoing in the halls - the mission is ongoing. For many churches, VBS is the biggest outreach of the year, drawing children and families who don’t attend church regularly. What we do after VBS may be just as important as what we did during it.

The most important thing you can do right now is pray. Before you take the next steps, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your efforts. Pray for the children who came, for the families you met, and for the seeds that were planted. Ask God to give you His eyes to see where He is already at work—and how He might want you to join Him.

We know the challenges are real—burnout is real, and the calendar fills up fast. But we believe that God is still drawing people to Himself through your witness.

Here are some ideas to get you excited about following up with your VBS families:

Celebrate the Work God Has Done: Take time to reflect with your church. Celebrate salvations, gospel conversations, and new connections. Remind your congregation that outreach doesn’t end when the final snack is served.

Make a Plan: Consider recruiting fresh volunteers just for follow-up. A new set of hands and eyes can bring fresh energy. Or ask your VBS team members to personally follow up with the children and families they connected with. Sometimes one friendly face is all it takes to make someone feel welcome.

A Simple Follow-Up: Use your registration forms to reach out. Thank-you notes, personal invitations to Sunday School or small groups, or a small doorstep gift can show families that they were seen, loved, and that Jesus cares.

Invite Families to the Next Step: Host a “VBS Sunday” or a Back-to-School Bash and invite all your VBS families. Give them an easy on-ramp into your children’s ministry, parenting groups, or a family picnic—something that makes it easy to come back.

Pray Specifically for Each Family: Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Create a list of every family who came and ask your church members to pray by name. Pray for open doors, soft hearts, and gospel conversations.

VBS is a fun and meaningful week for kids, and we know you do it out of love for Jesus and your community. Let your follow-up be an extension of your mission to lift up the name of Jesus. May He be made known in every home, and we will be praying for you as your church is faithful in the small, steady steps that make a lasting impact.