Awana Clubs nurture the mind, body and spirit

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

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Awana Clubs, a new ministry at Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, nurtures the mind, body and soul through activities.

Pastor Kyle Tennant, who started July 1 at Grace, said the initiative will be introduced at a fall kickoff carnival planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the church. There will be a free lunch, carnival games, prizes, ministry information and registration for Awana.

“This Sunday also is Rally Sunday ... the beginning of fall activities at the church, Pastor Kyle said. He said having a carnival to introduce the new children’s program fit into the scheme of things. Awana is open to all children.

Pastor Kyle said Awana is a global ministry for children. The Awana website, www.awana.org,, notes that it is “a global, nonprofit ministry committed to the belief that the greatest impact for Christ starts with kids who know, love and serve Him.” Awana achieves that goal through “fun, Scripture-rich experiences.” Awana website reports there are 30,000 churches in 104 countries participating with 2 million youths and 330,000 volunteers.

At Grace UMC, Awana will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month, starting next week. The sessions coincide with a women’s Bible study at Grace. Sessions are geared to students in kindergarten through sixth grades. Pastor Kyle said the every-other-week format seems to “make it something kids look forward to.”

Awana focuses on teaching Scripture to children, who memorize passages. “It’s all about learning what’s in the Bible,” Pastor Kyle said.

In large groups, the passages will be presented and taught. In small groups, children will recite what they’ve learned.

The club has a physical component with recreational games. “This part helps teach teamwork and sportsmanship,” the minister said.

Pastor Kyle said the combination of learning Scripture with physical activity develops qualities such as kindness, patience, generosity and humanitarian spirit in children.

He said he envisioned the program “developing naturally.” He emphasized Awana Clubs offer “a positive, safe and nurturing atmosphere” in which children “develop relationships with quality, caring leaders.”

Though new to Grace UMC, Awana was founded in 1941 as a children’s program at the North Side Gospel Center in Chicago, according to its website. Lance Latham, North Side’s senior pastor, and Art Rorheim, youth director, developed clubs to appeal to churched and non churched kids. As the success of the program grew, other churches inquired about it. In 1950, Latham and Rorheim founded Awana as an umbrella organization.

At Grace UMC, Pastor Kyle along with Melanie Montoya, Christian education coordinator, and Bonnie Mallory, longtime member, and about a dozen adult volunteers will oversee the program.

The cost is $10 and includes a T-shirt and handbook. Scholarships are available. Children also may register the first night. Call the church at 330-395-5231 for information.