A Hopeful Prayer, Answered

India

For the past five years, Ms. Kiraina has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher at Perazim Bethel Church in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost region of India. Every Sunday morning, more than 40 children come running into her class, bright-eyed, eager and hungry to learn Bible stories. Watching their excitement gave her immense joy, but there was another, quieter feeling — the feeling that they were falling short in discipling those boys and girls. She reflects, “Our children loved learning about God, but we did not have the right training or proper resources.”

Ms. Kiraina prayed for help to disciple the children in her church well—and God answered through Awana.

Along with her co-teachers, every week Ms. Kiraina gathered whatever materials were available for their program, but the lack of structured guidance made ministry exhausting and uncertain. Still, they tried their best and never stopped praying.  She recalls, “We prayed constantly, asking God to provide the right help for our children’s ministry.”

Passionate leaders are strengthened with tools to disciple children at a Seed Planters’ Training in India.

That prayer was answered when, in 2025, her pastor announced an Awana Seed Planters’ Training for Lifelong Child Discipleship would take place in their own city. It was the spark of hope Ms. Kiraina and her team needed.

At Awana, loving, caring adults help children grow to have lasting faith in Jesus.

The three days of training brought clarity, confidence and renewed vision. She says, “The training sessions gave me more than I ever expected. I realized discipline can be loving, and learning can be joyful. I can’t wait to apply this with my children.”

Thank you for supporting Awana and ministries like the club at Perazim Bethel Church in India. As Ms. Kiraina so beautifully shared: “You may not see our children, but your support is shaping their future.”