2012 AFLBS and AFLC Home Missions Summer Teams

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 AFLC Home Missions Summer Team assist your congregation or Bible camp ministry this summer. We are excited for the many ministry opportunities ahead! Our AFLBS students would love to serve with you this summer through Vacation Bible School, Bible Camp ministry, and youth events.

For 38 years, AFLBS has sent out summer ministry teams to reach people for Jesus Christ. Starting with one team in 1973, our summer teams have made countless visits to our 280 AFLC churches. Our teams have served as counselors at Bible camps and FLY Conventions, given concerts, shared music and testimonies, participated in door-to-door and personal evangelism, and assisted churches with Vacation Bible School programs. Over the years, our students have led many youth and children to the Lord and have influenced many students to attend Bible School.

Currently, AFLBS along with AFLC HOME MISSIONS, sends several teams to carry out the ministry of encouraging congregations, reaching young people for the Lord, and making disciples of Jesus Christ. Please find information below about the following teams: Ambassadors, Majesty, Foundation, Cornerstone, Timothy, Joshua, Association Retreat Center Team, and North and South Barnabas. For detailed information on our summer teams or to request a team online, please go www.aflbs.org. 

What You Need to Know…

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, Covenant, and Barnabas teams focus on sound Biblical teaching, puppets, and drama in their VBS presentation. Their main emphasis is teaching Vacation Bible School, sharing testimonies, and building relationships. VBS teams are not necessarily equipped to do concerts or full church services, but are fully trained to share testimonies, lead youth group events, and assist with outreach.

 Suggested Donation: $950 for a summer team to minister for one week.  $1300 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 at the concert.

  Team Training: All summer team members are enrolled in a children’s ministry training class throughout the spring semester. All students participate in an intensive summer ministry training week, held May 28- June 1, 2012.

 Team Availability: Teams are available from Sunday, June 3 to Friday, August 10, 2012.

VBS Materials:   Each year, the best curriculum is chosen by late February.  We send our teams fully equipped to teach this material and assist your congregation in outreach and evangelism.

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

• To request a team, use the enclosed form, or go to www.aflbs.org and click on “Request Teams.” Please submit forms no later than Monday, January 30, 2012. 

• Team schedules are generally one week, Sunday through Friday, with Saturdays for traveling.  To help us in the scheduling process, please include at least three possible dates/weeks that would work for your church to host a team. Some churches have made our job easier by saying that “any week in the summer is fine!” We will notify you when dates have been selected and will confirm them with you. Please Note: In some cases where extended travel between churches is a challenge AFLC HOME MISSIONS may gently request the VBS to begin on Sunday and continue through Thursday to make the next site. Safety for the team, and being able to complete the whole summer schedule is a priority.

•  Please indicate if you have a preference for an AFLBS team or a Home Missions Barnabas Team. (Home Mission Congregations have first priority for Barnabas Teams)

• Bible Camp Leaders:  If you are a Dean of a Bible camp this year and would like a team, please let us know the details as soon as possible! We place a high priority on providing teams for camps, and would like your information, so that we can plan the rest of the itineraries.

For a Barnabas Team:

Teams and team members will be finalized in February.  Please pray that many AFLBS students will prayerfully consider this important ministry. Feel free to call one of us if you have any questions!  We pray that you will have discernment from the Lord as you consider a team for this summer.

 In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Paul Nash and Mr. Chad Friestad