THE NAME — Currently there are over 120 children involved in the AWANA program on Wednesday evenings. The name AWANA stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed" and is taken from the Bible passage 2 Timothy 2:15 where the Apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy to dedicate himself to know and understand God's Word.
THE GOAL — The goal of AWANA is to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and to train them to serve Him. As your child attends AWANA he or she will not only have a great time, but will also gain an understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to serve Him.
AGE/GRADE LEVELS — AWANA provides programs for children at different age/grade levels. Cubbies is for children ages 3-5 who have not yet attended Kindergarten. Sparks is for children kindergarten through second grade. Truth & Training Club is for third thru sixth graders (boys & girls). JV Club is for seventh & eighth graders (boys & girls). This year we have also started a Senior High AWANA group which helps on Wednesday nights and meets on Friday nights.
WHEN & WHERE WE MEET — We meet each Wednesday night and begin check-in and registration at 6:30pm. Sparks, T&Ts, and JV meet in the fellowship hall and Cubbies meet in the Cubbies Room near the church office. Flag Ceremony is at 6:45pm for Sparks ,T&Ts, and JV only. The evening ends at 8:15pm, so please pick up your child promptly. All children need to be picked up next to the ramp door in the front parking lot of the church.
THE PROGRAM — The AWANA program is divided into three periods: Handbook Time, Council Time and Game Time. Handbook Time gives the kids opportunity to recite sections from their handbooks. Council Time includes singing and a short Bible message. Game time is just what it sounds like, fun and exciting games! Kids love AWANA!
STAFF — Jeff Tipton is our AWANA Commander. Stacey Olsen is the Cubbies Director, and Ron and Donna Winkle are the Sparks Directors. Betty Shea & Randy Rollmann are the Truth & Training Directors. Stephen and Diana Ventura are the JV Directors. Counting commander, directors, game directors, team leaders, listeners, and other staff, there are approximately 20 staff involved in AWANA.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES — If you would like to help in AWANA, please call the church office at 479-3390. It takes a lot of people to run the AWANA program and we are always looking for more folks who want to minister in this way. The three most needed ministry positions in AWANA are Team Leaders, Listeners and Speakers. Team Leaders lead a group of youngsters throughout the evening, listen to their memory work, joining in a time of praise and Bible stories, and encouraging them as they complete with other teams during game time. Listeners assist the Team Leader by listening to children's memory work. Speakers prepare and present short devotions based on the Bible to the various age groups. General help with all areas on AWANA nights, if you are available, is always appreciated.
Sparks Web Page-Check out the Sparks Web page. Pictures are posted.