1) Discuss your desire to use the Teaming with Tanzania Vacation Bible School Mission Project with your Pastor, Missions Committee, and VBS Planning Team.
2) Encourage the missions committee at your church to make a matching donation of the money raised by the children during VBS.
3) Use the resource materials available to raise awareness about the Teaming with Tanzania initiative. Customize the project to fit the needs of your local context.
4) Set an achievable goal and then encourage everyone to collect donations using the suggested cardboard bricks or some other container. Decorate the "bricks" or download the Teaming with Tanzania brick stickers.
5) Have classes or age groups compete to raise the most donations. Keep track of your daily progress during VBS. Combine bricks together to build a "church wall" to mark your progress.
6) Celebrate your total on the final day. Also make sure to celebrate your VBS mission project total with the congregation and on social media!
7) Mail a check payable to AWFC for the total collected to:
Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC
Attn: Teaming with Tanzania VBS, General Advance 3021923
4719 Woodmere Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36106
8) The conference will announce a total collected by the end of the summer.
VBS Mission Project Instructional Brochure
Teaming with Tanzania Overview Video - VBS edit (2 minutes)
Learn More About Igombe UMC Video (1:30 minute)
Meet Team Tanzania Video - Day 1 - Eric
Meet Team Tanzania Video - Day 2 - Sarah
Meet Team Tanzania Video - Day 3 - Davis
Meet Team Tanzania Video - Day 4 - Fernando
Meet Team Tanzania Video - Day 5 - Moses
Igombe UMC - Learn more about the church which will be built through the funds raised during the VBS mission project
Children of Tanzania - Singing, Dancing, Playing (Video)
"Brick" Shaped Cardboard Boxes
Brick Sticker Template (Print on Full Page Sticker Paper)
Sandwich Bag Insert (Graphic and Instructions) - Instead of buying cardbroad bricks, some are collecting money in plasitc sandwich bags.
Song: Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe (There is No One Like Jesus) Sheet Music (Version 1)
Song: Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe (There is No One Like Jesus) Audio Example (Version 2)
Do I have to use a specific VBS curriculum with this mission project?
No! This mission project for children is designed to be used alongside any VBS curriculum, even if the VBS doesn’t include a mission element already.
We don’t have a Vacation Bible School. Can we still participate?
Of course! This mission project for children can also be used in children’s Sunday School classes, children’s church or in any other setting which seems appropriate.
Why does this project focus on the construction of church buildings in Tanzania?
God is moving all around the world! Christianity in Africa is growing at a rapid pace and as the Gospel spreads in Tanzania new United Methodist churches are being established. Most of these churches meet outdoors or in temporary, unreliable buildings. [See the picture below!] As these congregations grow, more permanent church buildings are needed to support these congregations. By supporting the construction of a church building, you are helping provide a place for the people of Tanzania to worship and promoting evangelism around the world.
How much does it cost to build a church building in Tanzania?
The cost of church building projects range from $25,000 for a smaller village church to $50,000 for a larger town church. This cost includes the land purchase, church construction, and a parsonage.
What if we do not raise enough to build an entire church?
That is the beauty of the United Methodist connection! Through this VBS project, children all across the Alabama-West Florida Conference are working together to support the building of churches in Tanzania! When we work together we can do great things!
How does this VBS project fit into the larger Teaming with Tanzania conference initiative?
Teaming with Tanzania is a multi-tiered, multi-year missions initiative of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This VBS mission project is just one way that encourages churches, and especially children, to get involved in the initiative and partner with the people of Tanzania.
Is Teaming with Tanzania only focused on building churches?
No. While this VBS mission project only focuses on the building of churches in Tanzania, the Teaming with Tanzania initiative includes two other mission focuses as well: Education and Development Through Wesley College and Training and Development Opportunities.
Where do we send the money that we collect?
Send it to the Alabama-West Florida Conference Office at 4719 Woodmere Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36106. Make your check payable to AWFC with "Teaming with Tanzania VBS, Advance 3021923" in the memo line.
Is there a specific congregation that will receive these funds next?
The 2019 VBS Mission Offering will go to build a church building for Igombe UMC. The congregation is currently meeting in this structure under these tarps:
Click here to see more photos and for more information.
Ashley Davis | ashley@awfumc.org
Director of Mission and Advocacy
Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC
Lisa Bond | LBond@FUMCPensacola.com
Director of Children and Family Ministries
First United Methodist Church of Pensacola
Atmore UMC
Auburn UMC
Chickasaw UMC
Clear Springs UMC - Robertsdale
Daphne UMC
Eclectic UMC
First UMC Crestview
First UMC Ft. Walton
First UMC Monroeville
First UMC Pensacola
First UMC Port St. Joe
First UMC Prattville
Forest Park UMC, Panama City
Gulf Breeze UMC
Jefferson UMC
Navarre UMC
Pine Forest UMC - Pensacola
Point Washington UMC
Providence UMC - Spanish Fort
Shalimar UMC
Spanish Fort UMC
St. Luke UMC - Pensacola
Trinity UMC - Ft Walton
Trinity UMC - Prattville