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A Message from our AWANA Directors - Michael & Alicia Rahn
Presently, we average about 90 kids on a Wednesday night. We have approximately 30 workers - we are all volunteers. With our younger kids the teacher to student ratio is no more than 1 to 4. Ten of our leaders are youth workers and they are very passionate about the Lord - honestly in my time of serving the Lord I have never worked with a more awesome group of people! They are dedicated servants who come every week with lesson prepared and absolutely love to see their clubbers. I could brag about them forever........
AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as found in 2Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth."
A Typical AWANA Night Consists of Three Segments
Game time - spent outside on the game circle lead by our Game Director Keith Carlson and his two assistants Joe Carlson and Nick Lester. This is a time for the kids to compete and burn some energy - a big part of the AWANA program!
Memory time - all children have various books with scripture that they memorize. They are rewarded with patches, pins, and AWANA bucks for their scripture memory. They will also soon be given the opportunity to compete in Bible Quizzing against other AWANA clubs. This portion of our night is a huge part of the AWANA program as it all began on memorizing God's Word and building a strong foundation.
Lesson time - this consists of many different lessons from traditional Bible stories to daily life lessons depending on the leader's direction from the Holy Spirit.
Our Club Consists of 5 Groups
Puggles (2 year olds and younger 3 year olds
Cubbies (pre-K 3 and preK 4)
Sparks (K-2nd grade)
T&T Girls (3rd - 6th grade girls)
T&T Boys (3rd - 6th grade boys)
Other Interesting Information
Twice a year we have an AWANA store to reward the kids for their hard work. We also occasionally have "field trips" and have theme nights or special events monthly. We also do various community outreach and service events. In order to raise the funds for these events we have our awesome AWANA Auction annually.
Our AWANA ministry reaches out to the whole child, no matter what they enjoy they will have a place in AWANA. They have the opportunity to speak in front of their peers, to form life long godly friendships and much more. Also, the workers find this same opportunity - everyone is encouraged to use the gifts and talents God has given them - the ministry is structured enough to guide them, yet flexible enough to allow the Holy Spirit to lead.
I think that pretty much sums it up! I am very passionate about this ministry. AWANA is an outreach ministry. It is my dream to one day have a bus ministry that picks up kids all over Benbrook and brings them to AWANA where they have the greatest time all week being in God's house!
THE AWANA DECLARATION I have: Called on the Lord and am saved. He gives grace to me to handle any situation and He supplies all my needs. Peace and healing are mine and I walk in power, love and have a sound mind. The Joy of the Lord is my strength and I can do all things through Christ Jesus. I am: Loved, saved, healed, delivered, more than a conqueror and filled with His Spirit. No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper and if my God is for me, who can be against me? I choose to: Cast all my cares upon the Lord because He cares for me and I will bless the Lord at all times. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! s t r e n g t h e n i n g c h i l d r e n f o r l i f e !
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