21 Tips for Recruiting Volunteer Leaders

Recruiting volunteer leaders is the never-ending responsibility of the ministry worker. Changing schedules and family moves have always contributed to the difficulty of finding enough workers. In this past ministry year, COVID-19 may have affected the number of leaders you have for your club. Instead of despairing, take the opportunity to review what recruitment techniques have worked for you in the past and get creative with some new ideas. We’ve got 21 to get you started.

21 Tips for Recruiting Volunteer Leaders

1. Share your needs with current leaders and ask them to join you in recruiting
new leaders.

2. Remind your current team of your ministry’s vision and the importance of having enough leaders for participating kids.

3. Brainstorm with your current team ways to promote your club using your church’s various communication channels.

4. Host a Return to Awana day at your church and ask leaders to share the blessings they get from serving in the ministry.

5. Pray for God to lead you to the right people for your ministry.

6. Invite those who want to disciple and share the love of Christ with the next generation (a theology degree is not needed).

7. Create talking points so everyone knows what to say while recruiting.

8. Keep in mind some people prefer to be personally asked.

9. Consider inviting a variety of age groups — middle schoolers, high schoolers,
parents and grandparents — to help in your club. Encourage families and friends to serve together.

10. Promote Awana in front of the congregation by asking several kids to share what their experience in club means to them.

11. When you have an Awana event in which adults are attending, don’t forget to promote the importance and blessings of being an Awana leader and invite them to join.

12. Make sure Awana is on your church’s list of ministries parents and kids can get involved in.

13. Offer a taste of Awana by giving adults and older kids an opportunity to be a listener as children recite their verses.

14. Host a Back to Awana night with videos and a display of awards and handbooks.

15. Do your best to fill the highest leadership position first. For example, if you need a director, the sooner you put that person in place, the better.

16. Watch your ratio of adults to kids and explain that there will be children who cannot attend without the help of (additional) adult leaders.

17. Provide leaders not yet ready to return in person with a way to serve.

18. Be patient. If you don’t hear from someone after a few days, ask them how they think God is directing them.

19. When someone decides to serve with you, celebrate their decision.

20. If someone declines, ask them to keep Awana in their prayers and encourage
them to keep an open mind that God may move them in the direction of Awana at another time.

21. Don’t panic. Keep praying and persevering. God will provide what you need at the right time.

If you’d like more tips for running your ministry, check out the Back-to-Club Guide and resources, read our blogs and follow us on Facebook.

Do you have an idea that isn’t on this list? Share it with everyone in the comments!