Jamie the Go Fish Guy

What's Different About A Go Fish VBS?

The following is the introduction included in our Kickin' It Old School VBS Director's Manual.  It pretty much sums up what makes our approach to VBS so unique.  We thought it would be helpful to post this for those who are cosidering a Go Fish VBS for the first time!

On behalf of the Go Fish Guys, we would like to thank you for partnering with us to impact children with the Word of God.  What an amazing privilege to be used by God to serve in this way.  We are convinced that Vacation Bible School is one of the greatest opportunities we have to reach kids with the Gospel and the Truths found only in the Bible.  It is with humble hearts and the fear of God that we approach a project of this magnitude.  May all the glory go to God and God alone.

Our curriculum is different.  We didn’t do this to simply offer just another option in the overcrowded world of VBS publishers.  We wanted to change the rules and offer you a chance to approach VBS in a fresh, new way.  We reject the notion that kids need a lot of “hype” in order to be effectively reached with the Gospel.  Quite frankly, we believe it’s offensive and arrogant to think we can do anything to improve upon what our holy God has so beautifully laid out for us in Scripture.

The first thing you’ll notice is that our starter kit is small, simple, and easy to navigate. This was intentional. You need to understand that this program does not focus solely on the “extras”. Instead of putting our time and resources into toys and trinkets, we decided to focus on making great music, engaging videos, and Bible teaching that didn’t water down the Gospel.

We’re entertainers.  We’ve sold well over 1 million albums and if you’ve ever seen us in concert, you know that we like to blow stuff up and put on a major show!  We understand how to draw a crowd and get kids excited.  However, vacation Bible school needs to be about more than that.  We have kids coming into church voluntarily for something called vacation Bible school.  Why would we ever pass up the opportunity to dig in and actually teach the Bible?  Kids have plenty of avenues for entertainment, yet they are spiritually starving.  Let’s make the most of this week and give them the one thing the world cannot.  Let’s give them God and His Truth!

We have worked harder and put more financial resources into this project than anything else in our careers.  We do so knowing that when God’s Word is used, it NEVER returns void.  Investing in kids and partnering with churches to teach the holiness of God is something that we do with a joy and a hope that the world will never understand.

We are praying for you as you kick it old school with your kids!  We’ve done our best to give you a solid foundation to build your VBS on.  Just remember that the success of your VBS does not depend upon you, the Go Fish Guys, or our clever ideas.  The Gospel has the power to save and when we are faithful to deliver it, God will take over from there.  Focus on God, the Gospel, and on the Bible and you will have a great week...we promise!

Your partners in ministry,
Andy, Jamie, and Jason
The Go Fish Guys

The Definition Of Going Crazy...

...is doing the same thing over and over expecting to get different results.

If the primary purpose of your vacation Bible school is to share the gospel and teach kids about the Bible, then let me ask you a few questions.  I want you to answer honestly as you reflect on previous VBS experiences.

Do your teachers actively use a Bible during VBS?

Do your kids actively use a Bible during VBS?

Do you present the gospel of Jesus Christ at VBS?  By this I mean a biblical presentation of the gospel that includes the law, judgment, sin, the cross, resurrection, forgiveness, repentance, and a total surrender to the will of God as taught in the Bible.

Is there a possibility that someone outside of the church could be offended by what you're teaching at VBS?  While this isn't our goal, it is a biblical truth that the gospel by it's very nature is offensive to many.  If you've sacrificed hard truths to make the gospel "easier to swallow" for those in the community, you're not following the example of Jesus.

Do your VBS kids know that following Jesus will not be easy?

Do your VBS kids know that Jesus Christ is the only way to God?  (there's that offensive thing again!)

If you answered no to any of these questions then I think you need to choose differently when picking a curriculum this year.  If these items haven't been a priority to your curriculum publisher in the past, chances are they won't be in the future.  Kids need the Truth.  Kids need the Bible.  Kids need Jesus.  There's a war going on for the souls of our kids and it's time for churches to stop playing it safe and enter the battlefield. It's time to put the Bible back into vacation Bible school!

Focus On The Family Go Fish Contest

We were recently featured on the cover of Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr. magazine.  We are also partnering with them to give you an opportunity to win a trip to see us in concert!  Read the article below for information on how your kids can participate or simply CLICK HERE!