Adventist Church Unveils It’s ‘Shields and Kings’ Vacation Bible Experience Program

March 3, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

A brand-new Vacation Bible Experience (VBE) program was unveiled by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America this week during an online workshop session. The one-hour-and-a-half training session provided orientation to thousands of teachers, directors, vacation bible experience leaders and volunteers, who eagerly take part in witnessing to more than 300,000 children and adolescents across the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory in the annual initiative.

Themed Shields and Kings, the VBE program highlights lessons and values learned in studying biblical men and women of God who were able to accomplish much under God’s direction.

“Our children are being permeated by so many things advertised in the media, mobile devices or many other avenues in relation to superheroes, and as children and adolescents ministries leaders we want them to learn about real bible heroes and not fictional heroes out there,” said Edith Ruiz Espinoza, children and adolescents ministries for the church in Inter-America.

“We are so excited for our children to learn what God has provided us here on earth, to live under His protection, using His shields and values.”

The new VBE program comes on the heels of a lingering world pandemic that saw children and adolescent ministry leaders scrambling to use or adopt previously featured VBE programs in 2021, she said.

The launch showcased songs, stories, crafts, tools, animated segments, tips and resources that will reaffirm the love of Jesus through the story of outstanding heroes in the bible.

The one-week daily program will see VBE leaders teach about David with his shield of faith, Esther with her shield of courage, Ezekiel with his shield of protection, Solomon with his shield of wisdom, and Jesus with His shield of salvation

The VBE program includes a manual with detailed craft and game activities, recipes, decorating tips and more resources for directors, teachers, and VBE leaders who will be involved in the annual evangelism initiative, said Espinoza.

“Give everything you have, the best of you as you develop this program with enthusiasm to impact the children and adolescents in the church as well as those in the community,” added Espinoza. “We want them to know Jesus and learn about the kings of we read about in the bible and the shields they used,” said Espinoza.

“I want us to be united as a solid team, shoulder to shoulder for the good of the children and be prepared to go, committed to reach every child and adolescent in the church and the community this year,” she said.

The online VBE program briefly highlighted the upcoming resources for the Friendship Club–a program that invites children to take part in weekly learning activities after the VBE program ends. The Friendship Club manual dives more into this year’s VBE program theme with additional activities.

Inter-American’s unions, or major regions, have already put in their orders for this year’s VBE program across their congregations and schools, and will soon receive the materials, Espinoza said.

Inter-American Division President Pastor Elie Henry thanked VBE leaders for their dedicated service in reaching so many of God’s children through the summer initiative. “Thank you for your support, your efforts and dedication as you are filled with the Holy Spirit when you teach every lesson, class and every activity to boys and girls through VBE this year,” Pastor Henry said.

Inter-America’s VBE program this year was launched in Spanish, on Feb. 27, 2022, and the English and French versions of the program will be aired on Mar. 13, 2022, by visiting webcast.interamerica.org

To watch the launch of this year’s VBE launch program in Spanish, Click HERE