Episode 302: How to VBS with Jeremy O'Neill

About this episode

Nick Blevins interviews Jeremy O'Neill about effective VBS planning and execution.

What makes a great VBS, and how do you pull one off without burning yourself out in the process? In this episode, Nick sits down with Jeremy O'Neill to talk all things VBS, from big-picture planning and promotion timelines to volunteer leadership, programming strategy, registration questions, and what actually makes a VBS successful. Jeremy shares lessons from years in local church kids ministry, why he wrote How to VBS , and how church leaders can think more clearly about whether their event is primarily about evangelism, discipleship, or both. They also talk through practical issues every ministry leader faces: when to start planning, whether VBS should be free or paid, how to reduce no-shows, how to measure if your event is really reaching new families, and how to use summer events to build your volunteer team for the rest of the year. Jeremy also shares creative ideas like staggered promotion plans, invite-day strategy, planning grids that reduce stress, and how VBS leadership roles can become a training ground for future ministry leaders. Whether you’re leading a traditional VBS, a summer camp, or any large kids ministry event, this conversation is full of practical wisdom…

People in this episode

Guest: Jeremy O'Neill

Topics covered

• VBS
• children's ministry
• event planning
• volunteer leadership
• evangelism

Keywords

• VBS planning
• volunteer leadership
• registration questions
• evangelism
• discipleship

Mentioned in this episode

Products: How to VBS

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