Remembering Art Rorheim, His Legacy and Passion for Child Discipleship
Anyone who spent time with Art Rorheim can testify about his passion and love for kids, to the point that his voice would break and tears would come to his eyes when he spoke of children who might never hear about Jesus or join Him in heaven. His passion was contagious; and on more than one occasion, many of us who heard him found ourselves with tears in our eyes, too.
“More kids.” That short phrase was what Art thought were the two most important words for Awana. It’s what drove him to cofound Awana more than 70 years ago and lead the organization for much of his life. It’s why we all are involved in Awana as a partner, leader, volunteer, missionary, member or staff. It’s what continues to be at the core of our mission today: to equip leaders to reach kids with the Gospel and engage them in lifelong discipleship.
Art passed away three years ago this month — Jan. 5, 2018 — at almost 100 years old. We may miss his presence, his gentle spirit, his stories of leading kids, leaders, parents, taxi drivers, nurses, doctors and so many more to Christ. But, we are pleased to continue his legacy and the mission he started.
What Art began as a midweek ministry in a church in Chicago has grown to include programs and initiatives around the world, reaching more than 4,733,000 kids in 129 countries. Art’s heart for child discipleship is central to everything we do today, including our latest resources: Resilient Disciples, Brite, Brite Families, Awana Clubs+, the Latino Child and Youth Discipleship Network, Child and Youth Discipleship Network, and International Verse-a-Thon.
As we remember Art, we thank God for creating and wiring him with a passion for kids, Christ and the Gospel; giving him the gift of evangelism, leading him to start Awana, and calling us all to be a part of the ministry. We are blessed.
If you have never heard Art speak or would like to hear his voice again, please enjoy his prayer for Awana. Art’s obituary and many articles about him can still be found online.
Carla’s work at Awana has been on the communications and marketing teams. It is important to her that Awana leaders and volunteers have the information they need to best disciple the kids in their care, and that these kids grow to become disciplemakers, themselves. When Carla is not at work, she enjoys walking with friends, taking pictures of birds and sunsets, or exploring new places with her husband and daughter.
