Written by Maizie Ferguson | Edited by Evi Wheeler
With the summer catalog out, it is the perfect time to take a look at Backyard Bible Club, or “BYBC.” Even though it has been seven months since last year’s annual life-changing week, no one has forgotten their experience. If anything, Greenleaf teens are already looking forward to this year’s BYBC!
But what is BYBC? Backyard Bible Club has been a beloved Greenleaf staple for over twenty years, and it has endured and expanded due to the positive ripple effects it has initiated.
Here are the what, when, and why of BYBC:
What: For one week each June, teams of teens and their leaders go out into the community to certain sites around the Kansas City metro to perform skits, sing songs, and do activities with children. Many of these sites (or club locations, as the name BYBC suggests) stay the same year by year and are chosen due to their demographic, population, and other needs. This past year, thirty teens participated at eight different locations.
Typically, the BYBC day begins at noon at our Cedar Creek branch. After a time of prayer, each team departs for their club location. Once at a club location, the teens will invite residents down to a common area where the team is set up. Soccer is played, bracelets are made, and songs are sung. Jesus is shared through compassion first. Then, His name is brought forward, with a short message and the skit of the day. Finally, there’s Buddy Time.
Buddy Time is a fast favorite. All the teens line up and the kids are able to pick someone they’d like to spend time with for twenty-plus minutes. And if a child does not have a Bible of their own, they are given one. It is a special and faith-strengthening experience, for there is nothing like the curiosity and faith of a child.
After multiple clubs, the teams meet up at the home of one of the participants and reflect during a quiet Bible time. Each BYBC year has a theme. Some years, the groups focus on a Biblical narrative, such as the 2021 theme — the book of Daniel. For BYBC 2022, the theme was the Holy Spirit. This year’s theme will focus on giving. Jesus showed by His example that we are to love and serve others. We will study keeping in step with the Spirit of God so that we are being filled in order for us to be able to give. After quiet time is completed, everyone comes together for a time of study and sharing.
Another BYBC staple is affirmations. This is when each participant is built up and encouraged by their fellow participants one by one. While this is an incredibly meaningful time, and tears are often shed, 2022 BYBC included something very powerful— affirming Jesus.
“We placed a stool in the center of the room and imagined Jesus sitting there. The Holy Spirit was with us in that room during that time of adoration and affirmation of Jesus.”
When: BYBC always takes place in June. In the spring, enrolled teens receive a Bible skit script to memorize, as well as a team assignment. After a few evenings of training, the participants spend hours each day of the following week loving on kids (who are often in underserved communities) and sharing Jesus with those who may have never heard His name before.
Why: Not only does BYBC give us the opportunity to share and preach the Gospel, but it gives students and leaders the opportunity to strengthen their own faith. They learn so much from their buddies, peers, and leaders. Reliance on God is also necessary during this week. It is our hope that Backyard Bible Club will continue to impact the lives of many for years to come.
After our BYBC week was completed this past year, we sent out a survey, requesting a few student testimonies. Three are included below:
“This year, we focused on the Holy Spirit, and I got to experience sitting in awe and wonder of God and who He is. I got to put the concept of adoration into action, and it brought me to tears thinking about the faithfulness of God in my life and His hand in bringing me to America and giving me a family that loves Him and with that love, loves me as well. The story of Martha and Mary comes to mind when I think about BYBC. We were Mary and we got to sit at his feet and experience him in a real way.”
– Eden Hagerty
“One of the things that I found really impactful was the affirmations. Everyone was so kind and encouraging to one another, and it really showed how much they cared about and listened to their friends! There was one moment where Mrs. Wheeler pointed out that we hadn’t given affirmations to Jesus yet, so we did. At first it seemed kind of awkward, but it ended up being this super sweet moment where we all got to praise the Lord for His friendship, sacrifice, and faithfulness! It was amazing!
We went to three different neighborhoods/apartment complexes each day. On the first day, I met this little girl named Stephanie who ended up being my buddy all four days. She was really sweet and shy, but she warmed up eventually! She hadn’t heard much about Jesus, so each day I talked to her a little bit more about Him, and I prayed for her at the end of each buddy time. On the second day, we gave her one of the Bibles, and I signed a note on the front pages. At the end of the week, I asked her if she would like to pray since she’d seen me pray each day. She said yes, and she also decided to give her life to Jesus! It was so sweet; Jesus is so good!”
– Adelyn Perkins
“I was so privileged to be in BYBC 2022 for my second year! I was in an AMAZING group and I was so blessed by the other young people around me. This year during our afternoon group devotions and study time, we had a time of adoring Jesus. It was a time of telling Him how much we love Him and how thankful we are for all that He does in our lives. We felt the Lord’s presence as we listened and shared. It encouraged me to press on in my walk with the Lord, and it built me up to know I have friends who share my faith unashamedly.
Two young brothers who did not know Jesus came to one of our neighborhood clubs this year. They were ages 3 and 4, and most of the time, it was hard for them to pay attention and understand. After the first 3 days, I was discouraged that we almost seemed unable to reach them. Then, on the fourth and final day, one of them, Gabe, had one thing and one thing only that he wanted to do. He wanted us to keep singing “God is So Good” over and over and over again. Later the mother of the two boys told us that they had come home the night before singing “God is So Good” and didn’t stop! I was so encouraged that one of our songs, simple as it was, had touched this young boy’s heart.”
– Lydia Wiley
We invite you to join us this summer for BYBC 2023! Spots fill quickly, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible. You can register here. We can’t wait for you to join us!