AWANA is an international Bible-based children’s ministry that has weekly  club meetings for a variety of ages.  The program was founded in Illinois in 1950 by Art Rorheim.  There are now clubs in all 50  states and 109 foreign countries.  AWANA is an acronym for “Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed” which was taken from 2 Timothy 2:15, the AWANA “Key Verse.”

The primary goal of AWANA is stated in the AWANA pledge: to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and to train them to serve him. To accomplish this goal, the AWANA program utilizes a three segment club meeting. The Counsel Time is a time to learn about God, the Bible, or to present the gospel to unsaved clubbers. Handbook Time is the allotted time for clubbers to show their leaders what verses they have memorized.  The children earn points for memorization work and at the end of each semester can spend them on prizes. Finally, Game Time allows for structured recreation and team building. However, more importantly, Game Time is simply fun and therefore, is an excellent way to attract new clubbers.

First Baptist Church of Arkansas City restarted its AWANA program in January of 2005 after a several year hiatus. We have clubs for age three through fifth grade.  Now in our third semester, we average 80-90 clubbers at our hour and a half Wednesday night meetings.  Many of these children are not regular attendees of FBC, but have come to AWANA after being invited by one of their friends.

AWANA is a tried and true method of sharing Jesus with children (and their families) and then teaching them to live for Him.  Doing this, however, takes dedication and desire on the part of the Church, starting with the pastor. Without pastoral  support, this ministry is likely to fail.  

With pastoral support, this ministry has the ability to reach the next generation with Jesus’ saving grace, teach them to walk in righteousness, and to set the course of a changed life.