Honoring Military Families: The Importance of Child Discipleship

When her husband was stationed in Germany, Jennifer gladly accepted the position of commander of the Awana club at the Ramstein Air Base chapel. Awana offered discipleship for her children, as well as a way to reach out and support the other children on base. It offered a place to belong, a community to embrace, and a way to feel at home, no matter where in the world they were stationed—because for Jennifer’s family, home was always a moving target.

When Jennifer’s husband received orders transferring him back to the states, she contacted an Awana missionary to locate an Awana club near their new assignment. Soon, the family was moved and settled: into their new home and school, but also into their Awana club—which felt to them like home.

For over ten years, until her husband retired from service, Jennifer sent an email each time a move was pending, and found a local Awana club to join—no matter where in the world they transferred. And just this year, Jennifer’s youngest daughter joined her older siblings in receiving her Citation Award.

Jennifer’s story is not uncommon. Military families face unique struggles: Every 2-5 years, service members and their families move from one base to another. At a moment’s notice, one, or sometimes both, spouses must pack their bags and depart. Likewise, at a moment’s notice, one parent becomes both mom and dad.

In the Army, the active duty parent may be gone 80% of the time in field exercises. In the Navy and Marines, a term at sea usually last 6-9 months, with the families separated. In all branches, an active member or a Reserve/National Guard member may be deployed for 6-12 months. Families must move where they are told. Deployments to combat zones cause great stress to families, especially to children. Each place left behind takes something away, as does the daunting task of making new friends yet again.

But having Awana on the base helps families and kids survive these tough years. Eddie Hester, Regional Ministry Director, Western & Central Europe and US Military Off Shore, explains:

“I have heard parents tell me many times how glad they are that Awana is available at their new assignment location. It provides continuity for the children as they move from place to place, allowing some aspects of normalcy to exist in their torn-apart world. Awana provides a safe place where the children can meet and make new friends. Members of the military are concerned about their absence from their families, but Awana provides a place where they know loving, caring adults will nurture, encourage, and mentor their children while they are gone.”

Will you and your club join us in praying for military families?

Father, we set aside this Memorial weekend to honor those who have given their lives for our country. We pray for their families. Comfort them with your presence. Be the father and mother for the children who have lost parents. Be the friend-closer-than-a-brother to those who have lost a spouse, child, sibling, or friend. Inspire us to come alongside them and lift them up.

We lift up to you all those with loved-ones deployed in active service. Grant them safety, and your peace and presence as they give of themselves in so many ways. Thank you for their willing, sacrificial service. For the children of these families, separated from serving parents, leaving behind friends, home, and stability again and again, we pray that you will be the solid rock, the foundation of their identity and peace.

Strengthen and bless the Awana clubs ministering to these children and families. Provide them with opportunities for rejoicing, fun, friendship, and stability. Thank you for being in their midst, wherever they are in the world.

And above all, we pray that your peace would reign, that your Kingdom would come.

We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.