VBS Evangelists Spend Summer Without Soda, TV

“Mr. Robert” and “Mr. Zack” have given up soda, TV, cell phones, and more for the entire summer in their dedication to do their best work with kids and teens in Neighborhood Bible Time (similar to Vacation Bible Schools) across the nation this summer. This summer they have been to Oregon, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and for the week of July 23rd through 28th they will be leading the NBT program at Brookside Baptist Church, in Brookfield.

“We spend from six to ten hours a day singing, preaching, telling stories, talking with children and teens, shouting in games, and we need to take good care of ourselves. It’s been hard at times, but the results are worth it” said “Mr. Zack,” also known as Zack Greene, a college student traveling his second summer as a summer evangelist with Neighborhood Bible Time. He works with the 7th-12th graders at the evening teen rallies.

Many college students spend their summers working or partying, but “Mr. Robert”, the “evangelist” who works with Kindergarten-6th graders realizes that this time can be spent investing in people. “Many kids are hurting, looking for help from someone who cares. Even children from good homes have struggles and need to know that Jesus loves them” said “Mr. Robert”, also known as Robert Parker, who is traveling with “Mr. Zack” as a summer evangelist also for his second summer. “The NBT Program emphasizes Bible memory so when children are faced with bad influences, they can make right choices based on the Bible from the start, instead of rebelling or getting into trouble as a teen.”

While many churches have Vacation Bible Schools, the Neighborhood Bible Time (NBT) program is an incredibly high-energy program that creates an excitement level that draws children and teens. “Often Vacation Bible School is something that children come to for a couple of days, but Neighborhood Bible Time is so exciting that children come back each night of the week. When we had a traditional VBS the attendance would peak on Wednesday and then gradually drop off Thursday and Friday. The attendance for last year’s week of NBT grew each day. Kids and teens love this exciting, high-energy program” said Randy Melchert, NBT Coordinator at Brookside Baptist Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

“Mr. Robert” and “Mr. Zack” will be at Brookside Baptist Church for their Neighborhood Bible Time VBS program the week of July 23rd-28th. Each night from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM there will be stories, songs, activities, games, competitions, snacks, and more for kids and teens from Kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information contact the church at (262) 783-6180 or visit their website at www.brooksidebaptist.org.

Neighborhood Bible Time Fact Sheet

NBT National Stats
• Neighborhood Bible Time began in 1952
• 37 states, Brazil, and Canada had a Neighborhood Bible Time in 2005
• 50 evangelists led the weeks of NBT at local churches in 2005.
• 184 churches had Neighborhood Bible Time in 2005
• Over 8,000 teens attended the “Warrior Wars” – the NBT Teen Program in 2005
• Over 27,000 children and teens attended a Neighborhood Bible Time in 2005
• Over 100,000 ribbons are awarded each year to children for attendance, verse memory, bringing a friend, and more.

NBT at Brookside Stats
• Over 50 members of Brookside Baptist Church were involved teaching classes, running games, baking cookies, leading teams, and more.
• 286 children and teens attended Neighborhood Bible Time at Brookside
• Over 2,000 cookies were baked by members of Brookside Baptist Church

NBT Facts
• Kids in grades K-6 are known as “Boosters”
• Each day, the Boosters do the “Booster Cheer” – an unforgettable event that vaguely resembles an aerobic exercise
• The word “evangelist” comes from the Greek, meaning “bringer of good news”
• Evangelists participate in three weeks of intensive training in Paxton, Illinois, before going to churches and leading programs.

NBT Contacts
• Larry Koontz, Executive Director – (630) 830-4432
• Charles Homsher, Founder - (303) 494-8996

Brookside Baptist Church Contacts – (262) 783-6180
• Sam Horn, Senior Pastor and former NBT Evangelist
• Randy Melchert, Media Director, NBT Coordinator, and former NBT Evangelist
• Jonathan Albright, Music Pastor and NBT Teen Group Leader
• “Mr. Zack” and “Mr. Robert” will be available July 23rd through 28th.