Dear Pastors, Christian Education Leaders, and Bible Camp Leaders,

We hope you have some time to consider long-range planning for summer ministries. We ask that you prayerfully consider having an AFLBS or Home Mission Summer Team assist you in your congregation or Bible camp ministry this summer. We are excited as we look ahead to the many ministry opportunities we all will have through youth events, Bible camps, and Vacation Bible School’s.

SUGGESTED DONATION:
$900. for a summer team to minister for one week.  $1200. where there are two congregations and two Vacation Bible School’s in one week. For Ambassador and Majesty concerts we ask for a free will offering to be taken. Please note that if you are requesting a VBS team we encourage you to still think about hosting a concert as well!

TEAM TRAINING:
All of our summer team members are enrolled in a children’s ministry training class throughout the spring semester and we have an intensive team training week before they go out to serve. This week is planned for May 31- June 4, 2010. Teams will be available for ministry from Sunday, June 6 to Friday, August 13, 2010.  

VBS MATERIALS:   
Each year, the best curriculum is studied and the best material chosen by late January.  Our teams will be trained in this material and prepared to teach, or assist with teaching in your congregation. If you request a team we will notify you of the curriculum chosen

TEAM ATTRIBUTES:   
Please note the uniqueness of each summer team. The Ambassador and Majesty teams perform musical concerts, and can lead worship services.  Cornerstone, Foundation, Timothy, Joshua, and Barnabas teams focus on sound Biblical teaching, puppets, and drama in their VBS presentation. They are also able to serve Bible camps as counselors and group leaders. Each team can share testimonies with your congregation, and lead youth group events.  Unlike our music teams, VBS teams do not necessarily do concerts or full church services.  Please use them for testimonies or devotions, but we advise churches not to plan on them for specific hour-long programs.  Their main emphasis will be the preparation and teaching of Vacation Bible School, sharing testimonies, building relationships, etc.

What We Need to Know if You Want to Request a Summer Team…

• To request a team, please contact us by filling out the online form (link below) no later than Friday, January 30, 2009.
• Send three possible dates (hopefully more!) when your church could use a team.  The team schedule is a week, Sunday-Friday, with Saturdays for traveling.  Our difficult scheduling process requires a minimum of three weeks to choose from.  (Team training is May 26–29, the commissioning service is Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. and team commitment ends on August 14.)  Some churches have made our job easier by saying that “any week in the summer is fine!”
• Let us know if you have a preference for a Bible School team or Home Mission (Barnabas) team. (The Home Mission Congregations have first priority for Barnabas Teams).
  Bible Camp Leaders:  If you are the dean of a Bible Camp this summer, please let us know when and where your camp will be held.  We have it as a high priority to provide teams for camps.  We need that information before we can plan the rest of the VBS itinerary.

Request a team online or mail your request to the address(s) below. 

For a Bible School team:        (Ambassadors, Majesty, Cornerstone, Foundation or Timothy)

For a Barnabas Team:

Teams and team members will be finalized in February.  Please pray that, in the next few months, many AFLBS students will prayerfully consider this important ministry.  We pray that you will have discernment from the Lord as you choose all of the possible dates for having a team.

Sincerely,

Mr. Sam Nash & Pastor Paul Nash

Matthew 9:36-38