BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — This January, around 4,000 ministry leaders and volunteers will gather in Nashville, Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, N.C., and the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth areas of Texas for Lifeway’s VBS Preview events.
Together, they will get a taste of what Lifeway Christian Resources has prepared for VBS 2026 with its new theme, “Illumination Station: Shining a Light on Who Jesus Really Is.”
“Illumination Station” is anchored in John 8:12, where Jesus declares He is the light of the world. Implementing Lifeway’s 2026 VBS curriculum, churches will guide kids to examine what Scripture reveals about who Jesus truly is and why that truth matters for their everyday lives. Preview attendees will walk through how the daily Bible content progresses throughout the week and how each day consistently points kids back to Scripture.
Previewing the brightest week of the year
Melita Thomas, Lifeway’s VBS specialist, hopes the leaders who attend the conference “discover why it’s more important than ever to shine a light on the truth of who Jesus is to a generation of kids and students who are in desperate need of the light that shines hope into a very dark world.”
During the VBS week, kids will engage in Bible study, music, recreation, missions, crafts and snacks that all reinforce the same truth: Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. At VBS Preview, leaders will experience these elements firsthand as they network, learn, and gather ideas they can bring back to their own churches.
Lifeway leadership hopes churches view VBS Preview as a first step in planning and building excitement for their teams. Thomas wants church leaders and volunteers alike to leave these events feeling hyped up and prepared for the summer VBS season.
“Leaders will experience all the theme has to offer,” Thomas said. “They’ll dig down deep into the daily Bible content (for every age, babies through adults) and get up close and personal with the games, crafts, snacks, music and more.”
Training leaders to lead with confidence
New to VBS 2026 is a daily “Spotlight Question” question and answer that Preview attendees will explore in-depth during their training sessions. These questions reflect common secular misconceptions about Jesus and are paired with clear biblical answers leaders will communicate to kids each day of VBS.
By the end of “Illumination Station” VBS, kids will discover Jesus is God’s promised Son, God’s perfect Son, the powerful Son of God, the proven Son of God and God’s plan for forgiveness. VBS Preview events are designed to equip leaders to confidently guide kids through these truths and clearly present the Gospel throughout the week.
The central purpose of VBS remains unchanged, echoing the goal of Lifeway’s 102-year VBS history: helping kids clearly hear and respond to the Gospel. “Illumination Station” is structured to address common misconceptions about Jesus and lead kids to discover what the Bible teaches about who He is. Each day of VBS is designed to give leaders intentional opportunities to share the Gospel in ways that are both timeless and timely.
Breakouts built for real-life ministry
VBS Preview breakout sessions will encourage attendees to not only understand the theme but also to understand why VBS matters and why their role in it is significant. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools and strategies for the work before them.
Breakout sessions will provide overviews of:
- Teaching resources for every age from infants through adults
- Rotation resources including snacks, recreation, music, missions and crafts
- Strategies for VBS directors
- Best practices for kids ministry success beyond VBS
- Decorating ideas and implementation strategies
There are six breakout session opportunities provided throughout the weekend.
Practical sessions will also equip new and experienced volunteers in areas such as:
- Leading a child to Christ
- Involving the whole church in VBS
- Best practices for behavior management
- Effective follow up strategies
- Creating a safe and secure campus
These two-day VBS Preview events are designed to comprehensively train volunteers who may or may not currently serve in kids ministry at their church. By the end of the experience, the Lifeway VBS team hopes leaders and volunteers leave confident, encouraged and prepared to lead VBS during the summer.
Bringing ‘Illumination Station’ to life
“Illumination Station” offers churches significant creative flexibility when it comes to decorating and environmental design. Some churches may choose to create immersive light exploration environments, while others may highlight different types of light throughout their spaces using mirror balls, spotlights, neon elements or glow-in-the-dark designs.
Churches are encouraged to create a celebratory atmosphere filled with light as they bring the theme to life. VBS Preview attendees will explore various ways to make this theme come to life within their churches’ budget and facilities.
VBS resources will be available for purchase at the Lifeway store located at each Preview site, giving leaders the opportunity to see and explore curriculum and decor materials in person.
Event dates and registration
The two-day VBS Preview events will take place in:
- Nashville, Jan. 9-10, 2026
- Houston, Jan. 16-17, 2026
- Dallas/Fort Worth, Jan. 23-24, 2026
- Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, N.C., Jan. 30-31, 2026
To register for or learn more about these events, visit Lifeway.com/vbs-preview-events. To explore Bible stories, listen to the theme song, download the theme reveal video and learn more about “Illumination Station” VBS 2026, visit Lifeway.com/VBS or vbs.lifeway.com/vbs-programs/vbs-2026-illumination-station.
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