Jungle Safari is packed with fun and adventure, teaching kids that God is Creator, Provider, Protector, Savior, and King. During each day of Jungle Safari, kids will KNOW what’s so great about God, EXPLORE the Nature of God, and SERVE God in practical ways. 

“Keeping things super simple for the VBS Director and volunteers was again a key objective for 2014. We also wanted to introduce some new features that align to how many churches are delivering VBS, while making sure we continue to offer the best value,” says Stephanie Woeste, Vice President,  Marketing at Standard. “We’re very proud of this program and the partnerships we have that are true highlights,” Woeste continued. These include:

• – All NEW missions video series featuring Beth Guckenberger of Back2Back Ministries.
• – A NEW Service & Missions site where kids will learn to Serve With A Mighty Purpose through activities and projects that help kids put their faith into action and impact the lives of others.
• – Award-winning artist Yancy provides all new music and videos to keep kids energized and engaged.
• – A NEW Crafts & Music site that encourages kids to sing, shout, praise, and pray as they discover the greatest treasure of all.
• – NEW lesson and activity options to include children with special needs, contributed by expert Vangie Rodenbeck.
• – A Director’s Guide and Leader Guides for all age levels—Preschool to Teen.
• – Associated adult Bible study resources.

The focus on value ensures that churches get everything they need to lead VBS in one super simple kit without having to buy core pieces separately.

“We had a great response to the service focus and structure of our 2013 program, God’s Backyard Bible Camp, and Jungle Safari truly builds on that. We are especially grateful for the heart-warming orphan-care expertise that Beth Guckenberger brings and the extraordinary talent Yancy offers through her music. This year, special needs expert Vangie Rodenbeck has blessed us with guidance on adapting the lessons and activities for children with special needs so they can learn alongside all students,” says Matt Lockhart, Vice President/General Manager, Standard Publishing.

Standard Publishing held a preview announcement on June 18^th for churches on www.blogtalkradio.com. The archive is available at www.blogtalkradio.com/standardpublishing . Additional detail about Jungle Safari is available at www.vacationbibleschool.com.

For more information, please contact Stephanie Woeste, Vice President of Marketing, Standard Publishing at 513-728-6799 or swoeste@standardpub.com.

Thanks New Release Tuesday for featuring the song and it’s message based on God’s Word and promise to keep us safe!

Order yours today! http://www.yancynotnancy.com/product-category/apparel/

Oh and don’t forget you can receive FREE SHIPPING by entering code: yancylovesme

When Yancy recorded her newest album Roots for the Journey she knew these songs were special. The music, organic, unplugged and simple was something that adults of all ages would be eager to listen to again and again. The message in the songs timeless because each song is centered on scriptures from God’s Word. Yancy spends most of her time doing family concerts and making music and worship resources that play in minivans and churches worldwide. So, how could she mix her audience that ranges from preteen all the way down to preschool (through the Little Praise Party series) with this new music she created?

So the idea/dream got a little bigger. What if she made an app to help parents teach their kids these Biblical truths? What if we could give parents tools to make these scriptures come alive to their children. Meet the Roots for the Journey App available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

The app provides family devotions, conversations, activities, prayers and more. Being an app, it isn’t just about being at home, in the living room and having spiritual time for a hour. You could do parts of the devotion on the go, in the car, during dinner or whenever your family is gathered together. There are multiple ways you can talk about and reinforce the truth of God’s Word. The song as you listen will help that message be tied to a melody that kids can latch onto and sing. Music is an amazing way to communicate. We remember songs from long ago. The same is true for your kids. So, having the music is a tool that will reinforce the lessons, conversations, activities and prayers. Most importantly we want to help families hide God’s word in their hearts. Psalm 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)

Yancy asked Children’s and Family Ministry friends from around the world to help her make these Biblical truths come alive. The app contributors are:

·      Sam Luce

·      Ryan and Beth Frank (K Magazine/Awana)

·      Gina McClain

·      Beth Guckenberger

·      Dave & Beci Wakerley (Hillsong)

·      Johnny Rogers (KidMo)

·      Jonathan Cliff

·      Jenny Funderburke

·      Jason Martin

·      Jen Galley

·      Sara Richards

·      Brian Dollar (High Voltage)

Amanda White from www.ohamanda.com did all the activities. You will love the way you can do simple activities to illustrate the truth of God’s Word to your kids.

An added bonus for parents are articles on parenting, from Yancy’s Dad and Children’s Ministry Pioneer, Jim Wideman and the founder of the Orange Conference, 252 and First Look Curriculums Reggie Joiner.

Yancy started off making a lullaby record based on scriptures that she wanted to pass on to her son. Through the recording process she realized the Bible is true whether you’re an infant or a grown up these songs have more potential then to just be lullabies. The musical audience grew larger and broader. “When I meet people in my life that are facing big mountains, fears or need answers I’ve been able to use these songs as a way to help strengthen their faith and help them meditate on what God’s Word says.” says Yancy. The story deepened with the resources provided in the app. “I want to help communicate, underline and reinforce the hope these scriptures provide us. I want to help a child deepen their faith and trust in God while on their journey of life.” Will you be a part of the story? Will you allow God’s Word to be the roots you need for your journey?

Available for iPhone, iPad and Android!
Download yours today!

Use the links above or just search Yancy in the App Store.

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

I totally get that are tons of things vying for our attention. There are plenty of appointments waiting to be scheduled on our already busy calendar. There are leisurely activities, parties and boats calling out for us to skip or play hooky. But, none of those things will instill in my son a love for Jesus and His Word. What you aim for is what you’ll hit/get. If you want to have kids, teenagers and adults that love Jesus with all their heart and live their lives to honor Him you can only get that by teaching them to value the things of God.

“My church” and the sweet little “amen” Sparrow says at the end of our prayers are a few of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard spoken.

So the idea/dream got a little bigger. What if she made an app to help parents teach their kids these Biblical truths? What if we could give parents tools to make these scriptures come alive to their children? Meet the Roots for the Journey App available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

The app provides family devotions, conversations, activities, prayers and more. Being an app, it isn’t just about being at home, in the living room and having spiritual time for a hour. You could do parts of the devotion on the go, in the car, during dinner or whenever your family is gathered together. There are multiple ways you can talk about and reinforce the truth of God’s Word. The song as you listen will help that message be tied to a melody that kids can latch onto and sing. Music is an amazing way to communicate. We remember songs from long ago. The same is true for your kids. So, having the music is a tool that will reinforce the lessons, conversations, activities and prayers. Most importantly we want to help families hide God’s word in their hearts. Psalm 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)

Yancy asked Children’s and Family Ministry friends from around the world to help her make these Biblical truths come alive. The app contributors are:

• ·      Sam Luce
• ·      Ryan and Beth Frank (K Magazine/Awana)
• ·      Gina McClain
• ·      Beth Guckenberger
• ·      Dave & Beci Wakerley (Hillsong)
• ·      Johnny Rogers (KidMo)
• ·      Jonathan Cliff
• ·      Jenny Funderburke
• ·      Jason Martin
• ·      Jen Galley
• ·      Sara Richards
• ·      Brian Dollar (High Voltage)

Amanda White from www.ohamanda.com did all the activities. You will love the way you can do simple activities to illustrate the truth of God’s Word to your kids.

An added bonus for parents are articles on parenting, from Yancy’s Dad and Children’s Ministry Pioneer, Jim Wideman and the founder of the Orange Conference, 252 and First Look Curriculums Reggie Joiner.

For the world of KidMin at churches everywhere, there’s a lot to love about Roots for the Journey. The free app is something you can share in newsletters to parents, on your Kid’s Ministry website, at parenting classes and many other ways. The music itself is something you could give to new parents and families as a gift to help instill peace and God’s Word into them. Play the music in your nurseries and calming rooms too.

Yancy started off making a lullaby record based on scriptures that she wanted to pass on to her son. Through the recording process she realized the Bible is true whether you’re an infant or a grown up these songs have more potential then to just be lullabies. The musical audience grew larger and broader. “When I meet people in my life that are facing big mountains, fears or need answers I’ve been able to use these songs as a way to help strengthen their faith and help them meditate on what God’s Word says.” says Yancy. The story deepened with the resources provided in the app. “I want to help communicate, underline and reinforce the hope these scriptures provide us. I want to help a child deepen their faith and trust in God while on their journey of life.” Will you be a part of the story? Will you allow God’s Word to be the roots you need for your journey?

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.(NIV)

·    Watch Yancy share about the App http://youtu.be/kzxrDpYIJ4M

And the album http://youtu.be/j1SA744uiCM

LINKS TO THE APP:

·      iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roots-for-the-journey/id647377769?mt=8

·      iPad https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roots-for-the-journey/id647377769?mt=8

·      Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yancynotnancy.roots462&feature=search_result – ?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS55YW5jeW5vdG5hbmN5LnJvb3RzNDYyIl0.

LINKS TO THE ALBUM:

·      iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/roots-for-the-journey/id643556110

·      YancynotNancy.com http://www.yancynotnancy.com/product-category/cds/  Free shipping: yancylovesme

Today, we are flipping the conversation around and Yancy is the one interviewing Megan. Listen in on the conversation.

1. What all is included in your day-to-day “job” for Yancy?

I fulfill website orders, pray over them, and ship them. I’m the happy lady you talk too if you call the office! I work with our wholesale customers and even handle music licensing. I am the contact between Yancy and the churches she plays at to ensure all goes smoothly for a GREAT performance and I get to play with Sparrow a bit, too! I help with social media and one of my favorite job-hats is selling all things Yancy at conferences all over the country! I get to meet the coolest people and share Yancy-love!

2. What little known fact about Yancy do you think more people should know?

If you are ever going to a new city and don’t know where to eat or shop, Yancy is the perfect resource for you! Seriously, she needs her own app for this! We could call it “Go” or “Don’t be a turkey, just eat here” or “I like to shop everyday.”  I’m not kidding, she has NEVER  been wrong when suggesting amazing food, ice cream or shopping to me!

3. What are your favorite three songs on Roots for the Journey  and why?

“Creator” is my top favorite because it so tenderly speaks to my heart of how God knows each of us so intimately and how he yearns for us to know Him just as well! My favorite line “In every season, make me who you want me to be” rings through my soul all day long and brings tears to my eyes as I type this. THAT is the prayer of my heart and I pray that is the legacy I can leave behind for my own kids and all the lives I touch.

Being from SoCal, I’m a HUGE Switchfoot fan, so I was very pleased to see Yancy cover “White As Snow” on this record! Incredible song and I love the tender but powerful way she sings it here. I love sitting on my porch in the Word and playing this one. Make me whole, Lord!

Number 3….. “Trust.” This song makes me so happy and I love how Yancy sounds next to the dreamy boy voice It’s hard not to listen to this song with a smile on my face and tears streaming down my cheeks at the same time. God wants so much for all of us to live a full life, leaving all our burdens to Him! He’s got this….. so all we have to do is give our troubles back to HIm and sing along to this tune with a happy heart knowing He has so much more for us than to worry, fear or hurt.

4. Believing in what you do is important. Why do you believe in Yancy’s ministry and music to families?

Yancy is the real-deal! I have served at church and worked with her for over two years now and in addition to being one of the most amazing moms I know, she so loves God with all she is! She prays over decisions with her ministry and she conducts herself with high integrity. Her work-ethic is unparalleled and she really cares about people. Yancy is also my daughter’s group leader at church and I love how she has even impacted her life and her walk with God through her service there.

Her family also treat me like family and that speaks volumes to me. They all appreciate what I contribute to Yancy’s Ministry and even all the millions of photos I take of Sparrow and that warms my heart!

I love that my kids feel good about my job and it really is an honor to work for someone who is such an incredible woman of God and role-model! My favorite is when we receive school reports or projects in the mail that kids did about Yancy! I like to put them up in the stockroom because they remind me of the incredible impact we all have (not just Yancy) on lives we touch…. but it’s up to us to let God lead that, get out of His way, and be our best for His glory!

5. What do fun hair, crazy jewelry and glitter have in common?

Three of our favorite things Yes, Yancy and I are two peas in a pod and love all things FUN! At conferences, people ask me if I’m her sister (or mom! *shock*) but honestly, those three things are how we even met! I saw Yancy perform with our worship team at church and just knew in my heart that we had to be friends. I sent her a message and she responded back that she noticed me and that I looked a little too funky (like her) and the rest is history! I came to her baby shower and shortly after that, she sent me a message telling me that God told her to contact me about being her assistant. The night before I got her message, I had been crying out to God for direction on what I should do about working, I only wanted to get a job if it was His will and I was so confused about what to do.

I love sharing this story when people ask me how I began working for Yancy because it just shows that God is at work all around each of us every day…. it’s just up to us to stop trying to do it all in our own power, ask Him for help, and let Him guide us and not be afraid to act when He tells us to.

Oh ,and Y….. you forgot PAPER We love paper

About Megan Smidt:

Megan is Personal Assistant to Yancy and also a Certified Christian Life Coach specializing in Relationship Coaching and more specifically, Blended Family Relationships. She and her husband Craig have been married 8 years.  She is the adoptive full-time mother to Craig’s 5 children from a previous marriage, all ranging in age from 21 years old to 15. Megan is very active in her church and in ministering to women. She leads a family small group in her home every week along with her husband and she works with teenagers at church on Thursday nights. Megan loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys reading, music, movies, photography, paper crafting, sewing and roller skating.  She is silly, fun, and loves making new friends!

You can find her all these fun places:

Website: www.megansmidt.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MeganSmidtCLC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeganSmidtCLC

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/megansmidtclc/

Instagram:  meguhrazzi

Oh, and she co-founded a really cool online women’s ministry here: www.girlfriendscoffeehour.com

1. How did you come up with the title Roots for the Journey? 

Oh my, it definitely was a process. Originally I was working on titles when I thought this would only be a lullaby CD and came up with some pretty fun ideas like “Hope from a Music Box”. But, then when I realized that adults were going to really enjoy this music I wanted the title to encompass that idea. At that point the artist who did the artwork, Elizabeth Foster, had already designed the cover painting with the birds playing instruments and the trees….So thinking of those images and ideas mixed with what the messages are in the songs I decided on “Roots” being God’s Word/the trees “For the Journey” being our lives at any stage and season/the birds and their ability to fly around wherever, all made sense. I think it sums up the hope that these songs offer us. I love this verse in Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. (NIV) Yep, that pretty much sums it up!

2. Tell me about the process you went through for choosing the Scripture you based the songs off of on this album?

There were definitely scriptures that I immediately knew I wanted to write songs about. I went into this thinking if something happened to me tomorrow, what scriptures would I want to make sure my son, Sparrow would learn? So, I started with my ideas and then asked the question on facebook/twitter and looked at the scriptures that those friends would want to make sure their kids knew. Then it was just whittling down the list cause I could only put so many songs on this album!

3. What is your favorite song on the album and why?

Oh, narrowing it down to only one is so hard! Some of my favorites are “Safe”, “Creator”, “Hope”, and “Healer.” Although I think my favorite will continue to change just because the truth of these songs is the scriptures they are based on. Life is a journey with highs and lows and mountains and valleys. As I navigate my life and all the twists and turns it brings each one of these songs is relevant within those different experiences.  I will say there have already been many days that I needed to bring some peace to my crazy life. I’ve turned on this record and I find that peace, often mixed with a few tears as I am reminded how much God loves and cares for me. He created all of us and He loves all of us. He wants to be in our lives caring for every detail of every season. These songs remind me of what an incredible God I serve and that I don’t have to do it alone because He cares for me. “I Don’t Want To Go” has always been a special song in my life. I wrote it in a very hard season and how God used the song through Avalon exceeded my expectations. It’s a wonderful example of God’s grace and provision. Thirteen years later from when I wrote the song God is still using the song to speak into my life. For that I am so grateful.

4. What other artists did you collaborate with on Roots for the Journey? 

Vocally, Sam formerly of Mike’s Chair sang on “Trust”. I worked with some incredible musician’s on this project. Actually these guys have worked with me on the other albums I’ve recorded over the past few years too. Stephen Leiweke produced. He’s worked with some of the greatest female Christian songwriters ever including: Cindy Morgan, Margaret Becker, Sara Groves and Kari Jobe. Stephen played guitar on my very first record and we’ve worked together a lot over the past sixteen years. He’s like family now. Ken Lewis played drums and he works with everyone from The Civil Wars to Steven Curtis Chapman. Matt Stanfield played piano on most of the record. He’s so great and has worked with Plumb and Norah Jones. Matt Slocum of Sixpence None the Richer added some cello too. I’m a huge Sixpence fan so that’s awesome.

5. What is your prayer for families and churches in listening to your new album? 

That a life live based on God’s Word is the best way. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life. The only way we can have life is through Jesus. I hope that people will experience God’s peace that passes all understanding. That they will be reminded they are not alone, that God cares for them and has a purpose and a plan for their life. When you choose God’s way it’s always perfect. It’s not always in our time with our conditions but if we learn to trust we will experience God’s best for us. He protects us and watches out for us. I’m so glad I don’t always experience life the way I thought it should go cause that would just end destructively. God’s way is a firm foundation, a rock, that we can build our lives upon.

I definitely know that adults will love the low key worship experience that this music is. It truly is a record that anyone can listen to. Because it’s filled with God’s promises and ultimately HIs word there’s a lot of peace and grace that you feel when you listen to these songs. I hope there’s many people that don’t have kids or maybe their kids are grown that will take a listen to this music. Yes, it’s different from the music I’ve been making the past seven years or so. Different is good. I hope those that are new to what I do or maybe have me pigeonholed in their mind about what I do will give this music a listen. I know it will soothe their soul.

Because so much of my time is spent doing family concerts and making music for minivans and children’s ministries I wanted to make sure that I could tie these songs in to that audience. That is why I had a bunch of ministry friends contributed to make the “Roots for the Journey” app. It is filled with a family devotion, conversation, prayers and activity based on each song/scripture on the album. It’s a way parents can teach their kids these scriptures and truths and help instill Biblical roots in their kids for the journey of life. I think this app will be a great way to help parents connect and train their kids to have a love for God’s Word!

About Megan Smidt:

Megan is Personal Assistant to Yancy and also a Certified Christian Life Coach specializing in Relationship Coaching and more specifically, Blended Family Relationships. She and her husband Craig have been married 8 years.  She is the adoptive full-time mother to Craig’s 5 children from a previous marriage, all ranging in age from 21 years old to 15.  Megan is very active in her church and in ministering to women. She leads a family small group in her home every week along with her husband and she works with teenagers at church on Thursday nights.  Megan loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys reading, music, movies, photography, paper crafting, sewing and roller skating.  She is silly, fun, and loves making new friends!

Tune in again for when Yancy interviews Megan! It will be fun. If you haven’t gotten Roots for the Journey yet you can download it on iTunes or order a CD with free shipping using code: yancylovesme

“I really feel the songs on ‘Roots for the Journey’ are special,” says Yancy. “When I heard the news of the tornado’s destruction and lives lost I immediately knew the song ‘Safe’ could offer some comfort not only to the victims but to the rest of us shaken by watching the news unfold.”

Yancy will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of “Safe” at iTunes to Nashville-based non-profit organization Conduit Mission – a relief organization that is already on the ground providing assistance to the victims and their families.

“My husband was born and raised in Oklahoma and I lived there for a long time myself,” says Yancy. “It’s a precious home to many and this money can help rebuild homes and replace some of the items that will return a sense of normalcy for these families. Together we can make a difference.”

A music video for “Safe” was released on May 20th, the same day that the tornado hit, and can be viewed now at NewReleaseTuesday.com.

Produced by Stephen Leiweke (Sara Groves, Jars of Clay), “Roots for the Journey” features an all-star list of players including Leiweke on guitar, Chris Donohue (Emmylou Harris, Bart Millard) on bass, Matt Stanfield (Kutless, Norah Jones) on keys, drummer Ken Lewis (The Civil Wars, Amy Grant) and cello contributions from Sixpence None the Richer’s Matt Slocum.

#1 Download my new song, “Safe” for FREE this week from ! | http://nrt.cc/FreeMusic0521 This song is extra special in light of the tragedies in Moore, OK this week.

#2 You’ve probably heard me talking about “Roots for the Journey” this week. This is truly the most special record I’ve ever made. It’s lyrics are centered and focused on the Bible. This week you can preview my new album, “Roots for the Journey” for FREE from NewReleaseTuesday.com at http://nrt.cc/YancyPreview | Album available now!

Don’t wait, these options will only be available this week! Go download and preview away. I think you will love it!

YANCY