How Group Publishing and World Vision are equipping the next generation to make a profound difference.
In the summer of 2023, Group Publishing and World Vision came together with a simple yet powerful idea: children helping children. Group Publishing—a leader in creating innovative ministry resources to help people grow in their faith—had already been a longtime partner with World Vision. Beginning in 1998, Group Publishing teamed up with World Vision for important projects like helping communities gain access to clean water and empowering children to reach their full potential. But this new endeavor would do something different: Motivated by compassion, kids would raise funds to send Bibles to other children around the world, intertwining spiritual education with global outreach in a unique and impactful way.
Group Publishing’s vacation Bible school (VBS) curriculum—already a popular staple in many churches—always included a mission component, where students could contribute to a cause larger than themselves. “We wanted to create an experience that extended beyond the walls of the church,” explained Jody Brolsma, executive director of content creation at Group Publishing. “By partnering with World Vision, we provided an opportunity for children to make a tangible difference in the lives of their peers around the world.”
The program was designed with intention and care. Each day of VBS, over 100,000 children, from all over the U.S., had fun exploring themes of the Bible through engaging storytelling, crafts, and activities. Students also learned about the challenges faced by children their own age around the world—and how the gift of a Bible could offer hope and lead to transformation. The students were able to not only absorb biblical teachings but also develop a sense of empathy and global awareness.
The impact was immediate and profound. Churches reported that children were deeply moved by the stories they heard and were eager to help send Bibles to children without one. “Churches so appreciate that we were giving children a chance to make a difference,” Jody noted. “We had congregations telling us, ‘Our kids are now passionate and talking about helping others.’ They were not just passive participants; they were active agents of change.”
For World Vision, the partnership was a testament to the power of collective effort. “We have always believed in the strength of community and the transformative power of education,” said Russ Shumaker, strategy and partnership manager for World Vision. “This partnership with Group Publishing was a perfect alignment of our values and mission. Together, we were able to reach more children with good news and the message of hope.”
The initiative’s success was measured not just in the number of Bibles distributed (and many Bibles were distributed!) but also in the lasting impression it left on the young participants. Parents and church leaders observed a marked change in the children’s perspectives. The children were more aware of global issues, more empathetic, and more eager to contribute to charitable causes. “It’s amazing to see the ripple effect,” Jody remarked. “One small act of giving can ignite a lifelong passion for service and compassion.”
Jody continues, “With the number of churches Group Publishing connects with, World Vision is the perfect partner in these endeavors. They have the integrity and display the long-lasting impact of the work. There is so much reach when working with World Vision.”
The partnership between Group Publishing and World Vision was more than a curriculum addition; it was a movement. It demonstrated how strategic collaboration could amplify the impact of educational programs, fostering a generation that values empathy and action. For many VBS students, this was a tipping point—a small but significant step toward a larger cultural shift where children are not just the recipients of knowledge but the catalysts of global change.
In the end, the relationship between Group Publishing and World Vision did more than just send Bibles to children around the world. It created a bridge between communities and a shared mission that united young hearts in the spirit of giving. And in doing so, it also planted seeds of kindness and empathy that will undoubtedly bear fruit for years to come.
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