Awana Celebrates 70 Years of Raising Disciples, Focuses New Curriculum on the Church of 2050
My eight-year old grandson, Rhys, and I had a “Samuel and Eli” moment recently. He asked me, “Lovie (my grandmother name), have you ever heard God talk to you?
I thought a moment and said, “No, not exactly. Have you?”
“The other night,” he said, his eyes shining, “when everyone else in the family was asleep, I felt a hand on my shoulder.” (At this point, trust me, I am wondering where this could possibly be headed.)
“Were you afraid?” I asked.
“No! I was really, really happy!” Now I admit, I’m wondering if this might possibly have happened, or if, more probably, he had been dreaming.
“Well, what did God say to you?”
“God said, ‘I want you to love Jesus for the rest of your life.’”
My heart leapt! I can’t say for sure that Rhys heard God’s voice, but I do resonate deeply with the words.
God’s words into kids’ lives.
What was God up to I wondered? Was a Kenyan grandmother also hearing that question in Swahili from a dear grandchild? Was a grandmother in Korea wondering what to make of her grandchild’s story about hearing God’s voice? Maybe God had visited children all around the world with His wonderful words, “I want you to love Jesus for the rest of your life.”
For the past 70 years Awana has spoken God’s words into kids’ lives. And while we are sometimes criticized for using an “old-fashioned” methodology of memorization when it comes to disciple making, Bible memory is not like other memorization. Bible memory allows God’s Word to dwell richly in disciples for the rest of their lives. It is the exception to every preferred modern pedagogical approach to learning because it works!
After 70 years, we continue to be firmly planted in the Word of God and the Gospel. But make no mistake, we are also preparing for the future. At Awana our eyes are focused on 2050. We are asking ourselves hard questions:
- Are we preparing this generation of children to both lead the church and influence the culture in their adult lives?
- Will they be resilient, able to flex and bend but not break under the weight of an encroaching secular culture?
- Will they know how to win favor even as they stand up for God’s truth? Will they have spine and heart?
- Will they be the fearless church of the future?
But make no mistake, we are also preparing for the future.
We are also asking you, today’s church, the same questions. Will you join us in a movement to bring renewal back to the Church? Will you prioritize making disciples over programming, numbers and spiritual entertainment? This is not an Awana movement. This movement belongs to God and to His Kingdom.
When we look at the global influence of Awana with it’s reach of nearly 5 million children in 126 countries, we know it is more possible today to raise up the greatest generation of disciples than it ever has been before. For this reason Awana has created digital curriculum for Brite and Brite Families, two new ministries geared to raise up a generation of Christian kids who are culturally savvy and understand God’s Word in today’s world.
As I’ve thought about my conversation with Rhys I’ve often wondered, Why was this grandmother hearing these words from her grandchild? Perhaps God wanted me to be clear about Awana’s mission. Awana is not just about a few years in a child’s life. It’s not about the obvious tangible elements like awards, games and kid fun. It is about building a foundation and laying down God’s Word in children’s lives to prepare them to be resilient disciples—loving Jesus through any opposition a rising secular culture or life itself can throw their way.
Looking into the future, to the year 2050 when these children will be adults, I believe God wants to raise up a global generation of resilient disciples from among our grandchildren and children—a generation that will bend and flex but not break under the weight of an increasingly secular culture. May Rhys and the children we love so dearly be a part of that resilient disciple generation and love Jesus for the rest of their lives. It is a blessing that eclipses all others. This grandmother’s heart says, “Amen! May it be so!”
Valerie Bell is CEO Emerita of Awana, a global leader in child discipleship. She is also a sought-after speaker and author. Valerie has written eight books and her newest, RESILIENT: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church, was released in January 2020. She and her husband, Steve, have two sons and six amazing grandchildren.
