Meet Brian
From Success to Significance: Brian’s Story
Brian Rhodes has served Awana in various capacities the past 25 years, ranging from his missionary work both in the U.S. and Eastern Europe to Executive Director of U.S. Ministries and Awana International.
BRIAN’S STORY
Growing up in New York, Brian’s dad was a gifted musician and served in small churches through his music ministry. Brian’s understanding of salvation came at age 8 as he sat under the preaching of his uncle each Sunday morning. Brian’s faith wavered after his family moved to Tampa, Florida when he was 15. It was his high school sweetheart, Sandee, who pointed him back to his faith.
“I led Sandee to Christ, but she led me back to Christ,” says Brian, who has been married to Sandee for over 30 years. “I can see now how the Lord used this time in my life to fuel my passion to engage and help others become effective followers of Christ.”
FROM SUCCESS TO SIGNIFICANCE
Brian worked in management and as a senior account executive for IBM for 16 years. After achieving marketplace success, he grappled with what eternal value there was in his work. Brian realized that God was calling him into full-time ministry. He left IBM and transitioned into full-time ministry as an Awana missionary in South Florida. He later served as Awana area director for the former USSR and Eastern Europe.
In the early 2000’s, Brian and his family relocated to the Chicago area to join the home office staff of Awana. Having served as Executive Director of the U.S., Executive Director of Awana International, and as Chief Ministry Officer for the global operations of Awana, he has seen significant transformation and growth in the ministry over his decades in the ministry.
LEAVING A SPIRITUAL LEGACY
As parents, Brian and Sandee witnessed the impact of Awana on their six children’s lives.
They served as Awana leaders in various roles
in their church before becoming missionaries.
“We saw firsthand how the Lord was growing a strong foundation and a biblical worldview in the lives of our children,” Brian describes. “Our children saw Sandee and me partnering with the church to instill God’s Word in their hearts.”
Brian and Sandee desire to build a spiritual legacy. They know it begins at home.
“We began this journey in 1998 when we took our children on a short-term mission trip to Romania,” Brian says. “It changed our lives. Our children did not want to come back home. The trip was about discipling our own children to be effective followers of Jesus Christ. If we are serious about raising a new generation of spiritual champions, we need to be focused and have a plan. It’s been my desire to mentor my own children first and then others and to focus on long-term discipleship.”
Besides their children, Brian and Sandee have three sons-in-law and nine grandchildren that they pray they will spiritually impact. “We recognize that we are not finished because our children are grown,” Brian says. “True legacy comes when you build it across multiple generations.”
