DALLAS — Pitching in pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and single dollar bills, children at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School raised $24,600 for missions this summer. The money — collected annually during the summer VBS program for children 3 years old to grade 6 — will fund a church plant in Detroit, Mich., and a ministry partner in the Amazon.
Though modest at first glance, the fundraising event has become an important component of Prestonwood’s global missions program. Since 2000, VBS children have raised nearly $500,000, helping ministry partners in America and various parts of the world including Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Internationally, funds have helped to build water wells, playgrounds, seminaries and more.
“What’s wonderful about VBS is that not only do the children learn more about the great stories in the Bible, but it’s also an opportunity for them to develop a heart for the world and to love people as God loves them,” said Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church. “Not only are the lives of the VBS children and their families impacted, but also countless lives will be touched by the ministries our children helped to provide funding for this summer.”
Recent surveys have shown that VBS remains a popular program among many American parents. According to LifeWay Research, 6 in 10 Americans attended VBS growing up, and 64 percent of parents said they will likely send their child to VBS this year.
Prestonwood Baptist Church started its Vacation Bible School program in 1979. Today, over 6,000 students participate in the program every summer.
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Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. He is also a noted author, and his PowerPoint Ministries broadcasts are available in 92 countries and are heard daily in more than 740 cities. He has served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the honorary chairman of the 2015 National Day of Prayer.
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