One of the biggest outreach successes was our Backpack Giveaway. It didn’t just meet a tangible need—it became a bridge to introduce families to Jesus. Inspired by His example, our goal was simple: to serve. Even if nothing else happened, we wanted families to encounter the love of Christ through practical kindness.
Many families came for the backpacks—but they stayed because they felt the warmth of our church. Throughout the week, we filled the backpacks one item at a time during the program. On the final day, we added a Valdosta Christian Academy (VCA) handbook with school information and registration instructions.
This enthusiasm says a lot. Pastor Daniel Hall once said, “If we can get the children to say, ‘Let’s go to church,’ we’ll get the whole family there.” That’s exactly what happened. The kids led the way—and the parents followed.
On the final day, the kids came up one by one to receive their fully filled backpacks. They were met with cheers, applause, and celebration. After the program, our church hosted a fellowship meal for all attending families.
It was during that potluck that a moment captured the heart of the entire week. A little boy walked up to Vanessa, our VBS director, and asked, “Is today the end?” She gently said yes. He followed up with a surprising question: “Does that mean we got saved?” She smiled and replied, “Yes—Jesus saved us.” He lit up and ran to his mom and friends shouting, “We got saved! We got saved! Jesus saved us!”
Whether he meant the island adventure from our Rescued theme or something more eternal, one thing was clear—Jesus had made an impression that would last long after VBS was over.
Even before VBS began, one of our church kids had asked to be baptized. We planned for the final Sabbath of VBS, but with the decorations covering the baptistry, it wasn’t feasible. That didn’t dim her excitement—she was baptized the following Sabbath, surrounded by church family and friends.
But God wasn’t done.
After the baptism, Pastor Day made a general appeal to anyone who felt called to take the same step. No one came forward right away. But later that day, Emma, one of our VBS servant leaders who led songs and cheered with the kids, messaged Pastor Day. Though she hadn’t stood during the call, she had felt the Holy Spirit stirring her heart. She asked to be baptized too.
Sometimes the seeds planted during VBS don’t bloom right away—but they bloom in God’s timing. And when they do, they multiply.
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Reported by members of Valdosta Adventist church.
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