Inter-America Launches “The Treasured Chest” Vacation Bible Experience for 2026

New sanctuary-themed program equips leaders to reach 300,000 children across the territory

February 16, 2026 | 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 during a live online workshop on February 10 from Miami, Florida, United States.

The two-hour training session introduced the new program and equipped thousands of teachers, directors, and volunteers preparing to reach an estimated 300,000 children and adolescents across the Inter-American Division (IAD) this year. Dozens of children’s and adolescents ministries leaders from across the IAD unions also participated in and experienced the live-streamed launch.

Themed “The Treasured Chest,” the 2026 VBE centers on lessons drawn from the Sanctuary—the Ark of the Covenant and the Most Holy Place—highlighting God’s provision, care, presence, and law. The launch showcased the theme song, storytelling segments, crafts, practical tools, tips, and resources designed to reaffirm the love of Jesus through the message of God’s constant provision.

“With this year’s program, we want children to understand that God always provides, that He calls them for a purpose, and that Jesus is interceding for them today,” said Sandra Pinto, children and adolescents ministries director for the IAD. “Children need to know that when we come before God, we do so with respect and consecration. At the same time, we want them to understand that God is close, that He cares, and that He provides even in difficult circumstances.”

The new program is intended to guide children through five key elements associated with the Ark of the Covenant—the cherubim, the mercy seat, the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and the manna—each emphasizing reverence, obedience, leadership, and trust in God’s provision. “In that treasure chest we find valuable treasures for our lives,” she said.

A Call to Reverence and Heartfelt Worship

During the live program, Pinto also shared a devotional thought centered on reverence and worship, underscoring the spiritual foundation of this year’s theme, inviting teachers to examine their own hearts before guiding children.

“How are we worshiping? How reverent are we?” Pinto asked. “Reverence is not an empty formality. It is not external. It is internal. It begins in the heart.”

She encouraged leaders to model worship through their tone, actions, and attitude in the classroom. “When children enter the room, they should feel reverence,” she said. “When we open the Bible, we do so with respect because it is the sacred book. We are not teaching rules; we are teaching them that we are in the presence of God.”

Drawing from the imagery of the cherubim over the Ark, Pinto emphasized that the focus must always remain on God. “It is not about the activities or the programs,” she explained. “It is about God. He is the One who deserves honor and glory. Reverence means recognizing who He is.”

Pinto called on teachers to ensure their lives reflect what they teach. “Children often see more than they hear,” she said. “This is an invitation for us to evaluate ourselves—what testimony are we giving about the worship and reverence God deserves?”

The launch also highlighted new features in the 2026 VBE materials. Leaders will receive the new manual soon, which includes QR codes linking to instructional videos for crafts, food preparation, and games, offering additional practical support. This year, materials have been streamlined into two workbooks rather than four, simplifying distribution and use, she explained.

Impact Across the Territory

Leaders shared how VBE continues to shape children’s lives and often their families’ spiritual journeys.

In the Dominican Republic, where more than 12,000 children participate annually, the program has steadily grown as a strong evangelistic tool, said Kenia Almanzar, children and adolescents ministries director for the Dominican Union.

“This theme has fascinated me,” said Almanzar. “We often think sanctuary topics are only for adults, but this program brings those truths to children in a way they can understand. I’m grateful to God for the work being done through this material.”

Almanzar, who took part as a host during the live program, noted that many children from surrounding communities attend VBE and take the lessons home. “We have beautiful stories of children who didn’t know the message, but after attending, they began sharing what they learned with their families. Over time, parents started visiting the church—and eventually became part of it,” she said.

She also highlighted the involvement of adolescents, who serve as assistants, photographers, drama participants, and music leaders. “They may age out of participation, but they don’t leave the program. They become collaborators,” Almanzar said. “That makes the impact even greater.”

In the North Colombia Union, where more than 5,000 children participate each year, Isabel Aguilar, children and adolescent ministries director, emphasized the importance of restoring reverence through this year’s sanctuary theme.

“One of the things being lost in the church is respect for what is sacred,” Aguilar said. “Recovering that from childhood is vital. If we plant those seeds early, they will carry that reverence into adulthood.”

Aguilar recalled the story of a boy from a marginalized neighborhood in Medellín who attended VBE for the first time. “He went home every day excited, sharing the stories he had never heard before. His parents were impacted, and eventually the whole family joined the church,” she said. “That’s the power of Vacation Bible Experience.”

Even in smaller settings, the impact is tangible. In Nicaragua, where approximately 2,000 children participate annually, the program has opened unexpected doors, said Gloria Ruiz, children and adolescents ministries director for the Nicaragua Union.

VBE programs are usually conducted in local congregations and nearby communities. Ruiz shared how, last year, a local church was invited to present the program at a public school in Punta Gorda, a rural area on Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast.

“The school principal saw the program and loved it,” Ruiz said. “They asked the teacher to return every week to continue sharing those Bible lessons. For us, that was incredible.”

Ruiz described the effort required to reach the remote community, traveling by boat and horse, but said the opportunity demonstrated how God continues to open doors. “Vacation Bible Experience opens channels and creates first contacts. It brings hope, even in the most remote and difficult places,” Ruiz said.

Across the territory, leaders agree that beyond the crafts, songs, and activities, the program leaves a lasting spiritual imprint.

“This experience is not just for the children of the church,” Almanzar added. “It is designed to impact the community.”

Looking Ahead

Anticipation is high for this year’s initiative, Pinto added, noting its potential to impact both children from Adventist homes and those from surrounding communities.

“The Vacation Bible Experience is one of our most effective ways to reach children in the community,” she said. “It doesn’t have to take place only inside church buildings; it’s designed to be presented anywhere and at different times throughout the year.”

As the two-hour session concluded, Pinto expressed gratitude and confidence in the program’s impact.

“These two hours have been well invested,” she said. “We trust that every value, every spiritual theme, and every activity our children and adults learn will be a blessing for character development and preparation for the kingdom of heaven. With your effort and dedication across the Inter-American Division, this Vacation Bible Experience, “The Treasured Chest, will be a great blessing.”

To watch the launch of this year’s VBE launch program, follow:

HERE for English

HERE for Spanish

HERE for French

To view a photo album of the VBE launch, click HERE