GOLA VBS
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GOLA Vacation Bible School Teams is a ministry to help zero-baptism and low-baptism Louisiana Baptist churches have a successful VBS this summer.

The teams of six college students each are chosen from Louisiana Baptist churches and Baptist Collegiate Ministries from across the state and are assigned to churches for a one-week VBS.

There is no cost to the church for a team as their expenses are handled through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering and Cooperative Program. A GOLA hosting church is responsible for their own VBS expenses, such as literature for expected number of children, craft items, decorations, refreshments, and so forth.

For questions, contact Jeff Ingram at 318.448.3402 or email Jeff.Ingram@LouisianaBaptists.org.

What the GOLA VBS Team needs from your church:

  • Pray and prayer walk your community.
  • Publicize your VBS to your community (door-to-door flyers, telephone, signs in community and yards, inviting neighbors, etc).
  • Provide workers from your church to help the team and to build relationships with the children and parents.
  • Provide VBS curriculum for anticipated number of children and/or youth (LifeWay’s Into the Wild: Amazing Encounters with Jesus!).
  • Provide a meal – lunch or supper – for the team.
  • Follow-up with all children and families after VBS – THIS IS CRITICAL!
  • Help make it a great week for the team through cooperation and patience.

We (the Louisiana Baptist Convention) will provide the following:

  • GOLA VBS Team of 6 college students to help  lead your church’s VBS.
  • Train the team prior to their first week. (The students will be prepared to lead worship rally, recreation, crafts, Bible studies, missions; however you need them to help your church have a successful VBS.)
  • Provide for their transportation, hotel, and meals, except for the one meal at your church.
  • Provide honorariums for students.
  • Background checks for the team.
  • In most cases the team will be at your church from Sunday morning through Friday. (Saturday will be a travel day to their next location.)
  • The team leader will contact you at least two weeks out for final details.

Download the application, or fill out the form below.

Download the application for 2020 here.

Complete the application, scan it, and email it to Jeff.Ingram@LouisianaBaptists.org.
Or fax it to 318.449.4213. Or mail it to P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309

GOLA
  • The GOLA Vacation Bible School Team of college students is a partnership with the Louisiana Baptist Convention through the Georgia Barnett State Missions Offering and Cooperative Program gifts. The purpose of the GOLA Team is to serve as a catalyst to churches in the process of revitalization by implementing a successful VBS to discover prospects for the church. The church’s willingness to conduct adequate planning and follow-up of prospects is imperative! The VBS curriculum to be used this summer is LifeWay’s CONCRETE & CRANES: JESUS, OUR STRONG FOUNDATION!

  • Church Info

  • Dates & Preferences

  • Please note: every effort will be made to accommodate the church’s request; however, in order to best utilize the GOLA teams, the proximity of locations will take precedent in scheduling. Assignments will be made in early March 2020 and churches notified of when, or if, a GOLA team will be assigned to their church. Priority will be given to first-time requests.

  • Your Agreement

    By submitting an application, you are agreeing to the following:
    1. Our church will prayerfully enlist workers and prepare adequately for our VBS.
    2. Our church will plan to attend our Associational VBS training.
    3. Our church will intentionally follow-up with prospects discovered during our VBS by enrolling them in the appropriate Sunday School classes for further ministry.
    4. Our church will report the following to the LBC within seven days of their VBS ending:
    • Enrollment
    • Average Attendance
    • Professions of Faith
    • Other Decisions
    • Follow-up Plans
    • Comments & Feedback