Our story
It started in one backyard.
Backyard VBS didn’t begin as a polished program or big ministry plan. It began simply: families opening their homes and backyards so kids in their neighborhoods could hear about Jesus. What started small eventually revealed something bigger—more families wanted to do the same thing, but they needed help knowing where to start.
A note from our founder
I never set out to build a ministry.
For years, Backyard VBS was simply something we did in our own neighborhood. We wrote the lessons, created the printables, invited the families around us, and figured out the details as we went. I loved watching kids hear about Jesus right where they lived—and seeing neighbors connect in a way that felt simple, natural, and meaningful.
Then something unexpected started happening: other people saw what we were doing and wanted to do it too. Friends, moms, and families would tell me, “I would love to do something like this in my neighborhood.” They were excited about the idea—but most of them had the same question: “Where would I even start?”
That was when Backyard VBS became more than something we hosted ourselves. I realized the idea wasn’t the hard part. The hard part was turning that desire into something a busy, ordinary family could actually pull off.
So I started building the curriculum, resources, training, and support I wished every host could have—everything needed to take a heart for your neighborhood and turn it into a real Backyard VBS.
I’m so grateful for the people who have helped shape, build, and support Backyard VBS along the way. What started as one family’s yes is becoming something we’re building together.
Built together
Backyard VBS isn’t being built alone.
What started with one backyard is growing through the gifts, ideas, and support of people helping with curriculum, content, technology, host support, and everything in between. We’re incredibly grateful for the people helping make it possible to equip more families to reach their neighborhoods.
Our mission
Backyard VBS exists to help ordinary families confidently share Jesus with the kids God has already placed around them.
To our Founding Hosts — thank you.
Special thanks to the hosts who said yes from the very beginning. Your courage to open your backyards made this possible.(Public recognition is always by permission.)