NASHVILLE -- More than 3.2 million kids attended the "Truth Trackers"-themed vacation Bible school at Southern Baptist churches in 2001. More than 100,000 of those accepted Christ, according to LifeWay Christian Resources.
The figures, taken from the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) Annual Church Profile, indicate enrollment was up by more than 400,000 from 2000. LifeWay, which produces VBS and other resource materials, is a division of the SBC.
"We were thrilled to learn that 109,045 people made decisions to accept Christ as Savior because of vacation Bible school," LifeWay ministry specialist Becky Martin told the Baptist Press.
Faith decisions were up nearly 18,000 from 2000, Martin said. Churches gained nearly 290,000 member prospects through VBS, from parents filling out registration cards, according to LifeWay. Nearly 50,000 of those prospects were added to the Sunday school rolls.
Sixty-three percent of SBC congregations held their VBS programs in the evening, making it easier to reach entire families, Martin said.
Statistics for the 2002 "Amazon Outfitters"-themed VBS will be available in July 2003.
