AWANA CLUBS
In the early 1900's, America was moved coast to coast by its first nationwide radio preacher, Paul Rader. One-time pastor of Moody Tabernacle, and the second president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Paul Rader, pastored a dynamic, 6,000 seat Alliance church called the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle on that city's north side.
Thousand came to hear the famous evangelist preach in that unique, sawdust-floored auditorium. But in the midst of such a successful ministry, Mr. Rader's heart was touched with compassion for Chicago's youth. One day, standing outside the Tabernacle, he felt a heavy burden of responsibility tugging at his heart. The hundreds of boys and girls he saw playing in the streets must be reached for Christ!
He later selected one of his brilliant young pianist, Lance Latham, to head up the younger boys' work. It was Latham's responsibility to direct a Sunday afternoon program for some 100 boys under age 10. Paul Rader's compassion, and Latham's program, brought into being what is known as the AWANA Clubs Program, which today number 30,000 Clubs worldwide reaching 600,000 boys and girls for Christ.
II Timothy 2:15
Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed
The Clubs center around a weekday club meeting for boys, girls from pre-kindergarten age through sixth grade. The groups are:
| Cubbies | 3 & 4 year old boys and girls |
| Sparks | K - 2nd grade boys and girls |
| Pals | 3 & 4th grade boys |
| Chums | 3 & 4th grade girls |
| Pioneers | 5 & 6th grade boys |
| Guards | 5 & 6th grade girls |
A typical weeknight program starts at 6:30 p.m. ends at to 8:15 p.m. It begins with the whole group meeting together for pledge to the flags and announcements. They then will break into three smaller groups Cubbies, Sparks & Clubbers.
Each group's program consists of three segments:
- Opening 10 minutes -- Theme Song, Pledges and Announcements
- Game Time 30 minutes -- Action Game Floor Competition
- Workbook Time 30 minutes -- Bible Memory Work
- Council Time 30 minutes -- Songs & Illustrated Bible Lesson
The program is thoroughly evangelistic and draws families as well as children to the church. Kids love going to AWANA for the high energy competition on the AWANA game floor, and for the excitement of programmed activities. Leaders love it too because there is no lesson or handcraft project to prepare! The workbooks are self contained and the student learns at his own pace. It allows plenty of time for Leaders to develop one on one relationships with the children in his or her club.
Uniforms, and handbooks are primarily designed to motivate the memorization of Scripture verses. Each child earns credit toward handbook awards, and a uniform. Team awards and individual awards are given weekly.
If you have any interest in our children's club ministries come to the AWANA program. We will always need new workers, and helpers, and potential leaders. To be a leader you need to take the training course and pass the test. To be a helper/listener you need only to love kids and be willing to spend time one-on-one listening to their memory verses and helping them to understand Bible words. There's a place for you in AWANA
AWANA meets every Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm.