Children at First Baptist Church of Trussville, Alabama, found creative ways to raise money to give to the International Mission Board during Vacation Bible School this summer.

From lemonade stands, to bake sales, to dog hugs, to cups of coffee and more, the kids of FBC Trussville rose to their church’s challenge and raised a total of $10,882.88 in 2021. Combined with the $3,051.08 they raised last year, the children of FBC Trussville generously gave $13,933.96 to IMB in the last two years.

Each year during VBS the church in Alabama selects a missions organization for the children to learn about and support with their offerings. FBC Trussville chose the IMB as the missions organization for VBS last year, but since they had to do VBS virtually in 2020 they decided to continue to focus on IMB in 2021.

The church held VBS June 7-10 this summer. Each day of VBS the kids heard from a different IMB missionary and then learned about Lottie Moon. Throughout the VBS week, leaders  encouraged kids to find creative ways to raise money  in a friendly competition between the boys and girls.

Shelby Claire (back row, far left) and friends from FBC Trussville in Alabama sell lemonade during VBS to raise money for IMB.

“I enjoyed making and selling all of the desserts and knowing it went to spread the word of Jesus made it better,” said VBS participant, Jillian Benzaia.

Shelby Claire added, “It’s fun to sell lemonade with my friends and raise money for the IMB – they tell people about Jesus all over the world!”

At the end of the VBS week, after the gifts had been counted, the winning team got to “slime” members of the children’s and preschool ministry staff. The boys team pulled ahead on the last day and won the competition for the first time in recent FBC Trussville VBS history.

Jillian Benzaia (second on the right) and friends sell homemade baked goods during VBS at FBC Trussville in Alabama. The kids of FBC Trussville raised a total of $10,882.88 in 2021 and gave it all to IMB.

“It’s fun to teach the kids about people who have given their lives to sharing the gospel overseas,” said Matt Galloway, children’s minister at FBC Trussville.

“We wanted the kids to learn about these missionaries and the IMB and understand that they have that same responsibility to share the gospel here at home.”

To join the kids at FBC Trussville in supporting IMB missionaries around the world, visit imb.org/generosity today.