The two words I know that best describe VBS are:

VBS is an amazing opportunity to minister to young children and nurture their connection with God at an early age. But it also offers a unique chance to reach adults. Many of the parents of the kids in your building do not attend church and just want free child care.

If your heart longs for the chance to minister to these parents, here are a few suggestions for how to establish a connection and invite them to come back next Sunday.

1. Lay the groundwork

How are you gathering contact information and storing it?

If you're creating your own registration form, make sure to include fields for a parent's email address and phone number. Don't be afraid to ask for their home address as well.

This gives you everything you need to keep in touch with these parents during and after VBS.

2. Send them updates

Stay in touch throughout the week by sending them updates. Below are a few great ideas:

• Send your parents text updates about the event. You can even text them a picture or two of their child. If your church has a closing ceremony for the week, invite them to attend.
• Create a private FB group for the event that parents can join. Share updates, videos, and pictures. Seeing the joy in their child's beaming smile might encourage some parents to keep sending their kid your way after VBS is over.
• If your church has a photographer, consider asking them to take high-quality photos for one or two nights. Those pictures can be sent to the parents, further connecting them to the ministry you provided their child.

3. Promote an upcoming event

If your church is throwing a community event, put together flyers and promote the event to the parents as they drop off and pick up your kids.

Summer is the best time for BBQ! Consider having a BBQ get-together at a local park to invite as many VBS parents as possible. This would give those parents the chance to know the members of the church in a very friendly, relaxed environment.

Pro tip: Use Canva to make great flyers or handouts to give to the parents! Check out their BBQ templates here

4. Get the kids involved, too!

That's right. Tell the kids to tell their parents about the church.

This might be the BEST way to get the parents to darken your door after VBS. Try to plan one or two more events for children that summer and invite the kids to come. Give them flyers to give to their parents and be sure to share the details with the parents yourself.

Those kids will beg Mom and Dad to bring them back!

5. Network them with the rest of the church

Try to have enough volunteers so that as parents arrive, they can chat and get to know the parents. Make it a priority with your volunteers to point them toward any other program or ministry that the parent might appreciate.

This could look like connecting them with a small group in their area or inviting them to another event at your church. If they are a single mom, have your women's ministry leaders reach out to them.

Also, always be ready to pray with the parent. Even if they're not expressing a particular need, some might still appreciate the connection and care shown to them when prayed over.

Bonus Idea: Let your Hospitality shine

Does your church have a "hospitality" ministry? Get that team to brainstorm more ways to touch the lives of the parents in the brief time they're in your building.

If you have room in the budget, consider putting together a care package to give to each family that sends their kid(s) to your VBS this year.

Even if you don't have a team dedicated to hospitality, I'm sure there are people in your church who have the kind of heart for this type of work. Ask them for some ideas.

The Best VBS Invitation is Personal

VBS is an incredible opportunity to reach new people, young and old. A personal touch will always win the day.

Never lose sight of the fact that amidst the chaos, God is moving and real ministry is being done. He has you in His mighty hands and will guide the whole event as it should go.

Matt Church Engagement