Churches Helping Churches…to Reach More Kids!
Awana loves connecting children to God’s Word and the Gospel. We get especially excited when churches help churches. We get stories in often about clubs and churches in one country partnering with churches across the globe: the Body of Christ, working together across boundaries and oceans.
There are hundreds of stories we could share, but here are three we hope you’ll enjoy. Maybe one of them will inspire you to try something similar!
Tsunami Relief
In May 2011, after the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, clubbers from Fiji raised money to help the affected Awana missionaries, clubs, and clubbers. In order to raise money, the clubbers agreed to spare the worth of one day’s ice-block or bean money each week and bring their donations to collection boxes at their Awana clubs. They also prayed for the clubbers and drew pictures for them. The Awana Japan Appeal raised $300 Fiji dollars, then joyfully sent the money, pictures, and encouraging notes to the Awana Missionary in Japan.
Isn’t that incredible? Even when children don’t have much in material wealth, God can use their faith and generosity to send a powerful message of Christian love.
From Canada with Love
New Hope Christian Church of Delta, British Colombia, Canada raised funds for the AwanaGO Paraguay project in the 2014-15 club year. The entire church got involved by hosting a Paraguayan dinner. Even the Cubbies got involved by holding front doors open as people arrived! Sparkies served the dinner, and T&Ters (along with parents and volunteers) made traditional meat pies and rice. Everyone had a great time, and the entire group practiced the discipline of helping others across the world: by giving of their time and finances, others heard about God’s love.
This project was a holistic venture that partnered Awana Canada with Jesus Responds in Paraguay. The funds went to the training of Awana leaders as well as to providing meals for children who came to Club on Saturday.
In total, $38,000 was raised through clubs across Canada for this Awana GO project.
A Vision for Vietnam
In October 2010, the Awana Pacific Rim missionaries met for a planning conference in Seoul, South Korea. During these meetings, the team prayed fervently for God to open doors to begin Awana in Vietnam.
Early in 2011, just a few months later, Awana was contacted by leaders at the Compass Church in Naperville, Illinois. Their request? To work with Awana to launch the ministry in Vietnam.
Compass Church was able to raise $50,000 through their 2011 Christmas offering for the initial ministry launch – translating and printing materials, and initial leader training. The first Awana Vietnam clubs opened in 2012, and today more than 59,000 boys and girls attend Awana each week in 670 clubs. The children and families of Compass church have continued to support Awana Vietnam, even giving to the expansion of Awana into neighboring countries. What a partnership! God is multiplying their investments to make an eternal impact for His Kingdom!
We praise God for the privilege of seeing churches helping churches to reach children all over the world. When we partner together for the Gospel, lives are changed forever, and God is glorified. Thank you for partnering with us.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV)
