Romania: Child Discipleship Comes Full Circle

Romania

Almost 30 years ago, in the small Romanian town of Simeria, a local church began its first Awana club. News of Awana spread through the neighborhoods, and children came! Among them was a girl named Ioana. She was a laser-focused competitor during game time, and no one could beat her at memorizing verses. The fun she had at Awana fueled her desire to bring more kids into the ministry. She rallied the kids around her house to come to the club, and together they became a beautiful sight to see and hear, playing in the street and humming songs of praise they learned at Awana.

Ioana’s focus and love for worship served her well during her years in Awana as she completed handbooks and earned an impressive collection of awards! But more importantly to Ioana, she was developing an understanding of the Bible and growing up around people who radiated the love of Christ. Little did she know then what a profound impact Awana would have on her. She says, “ I had begun to discover a personal relationship with God, which would change my life forever.”

Over the years, life took Ioana far from home to another country, where she started a family. The transition wasn’t easy; she relied on prayer in the difficult moments. Whenever she visited her hometown in Romania, she found a level of peace she could only feel in one place: in the presence of God — in His house — in the church where she had grown up.

In 2018, she returned to Simeria with her family. In 2023, she was baptized and entered into ministry, helping to care for the children in the church she attended as a child. Always the girl who loves a challenge, she relaunched an Awana club there. Now she gets to help her son experience the same Christ-like love and fun she did.

Time and time again, Awana kids like Ioana become adults who not only retain what they learned in midweek discipleship but are passionate about seeing other children get the same opportunity to belong and grow in a community of believers.

Referring to 2 Timothy 2:15, Ioana says, “Therefore I seek to present myself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”