Awana International. ending

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1 Awana International C H A N G E T H E ending

2 Change the Ending for the World s Children Three Pillars of Spiritual Transformation Awana International s prayer is that all children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. That is how the ending of life s story will be eternally changed for them as individuals, and how they will go on to change the ending for others. Everything that Awana International does is based on the promise of transformation that comes through the finished work of Christ on the cross. This vision is based on three pillars of truth. [ ] Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14 (KJV) Truth Pillar #1 Every Child Is Unique and Special to God Jesus believes in the importance of children, and He wants them to be led into an understanding of their place in His Kingdom. When a person recognizes who they are to God at an early age, they have an important foundation that God can then use to mold them into an effective disciple. Truth Pillar #2 God Wants Each Child to Have His Heart and Vision for the World When children are led to see the world through God s eyes and live according to His truth they find their unique place in His Kingdom as His followers. Most important, they want to change and become more like Jesus true spiritual transformation. Truth Pillar #3 Children Can Be a Part of God s Plan Now As children are led to Christ and nurtured in their spiritual lives, they develop a desire to change the ending for others by serving them and telling them about the Savior. They understand how they are uniquely equipped to impact their world and they seek ways to be a part of God s plan, now. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

3 The Leader-Based Strategy An Innovative Program Model to Change the Ending Introduced in Zambia in 2007, the Awana International Leader-Based Strategy (LBS) is Founded on our proven programming principles but adapted to the circumstances of developing countries Non-product dependent, unlike the traditional Awana program Leader-delivered to work well in settings of oral-based learning Based on our chronological curriculum (creation to Christ) called TruthSeekers Designed to reach children with little or no background in the Bible Focused on partnerships with churches and other Christian organizations to fully train and equip their leaders for high-impact child evangelism and discipleship in weekly Awana clubs [ ] In the sea of humanity we want to bring to Christ every other person is a child. Dr. Wess Stafford, President, Compassion International Launching New LBS Clubs The Process 4-14 Forums One-day forums for pastors and ministry leaders to cast the vision about the importance of children s ministry. The title 4-14 signifies the age range in which people are most receptive to the gospel message. Seed Planters Training Five-day training events for volunteer leaders from each church/ministry registered for the LBS program. Attendees learn how to train additional leaders to launch an Awana club and receive a kit of materials including everything needed to run their club. Follow-Up Training Two follow-up training sessions are provided to LBS leaders at three and 12 months after their clubs start. The 12-month training is also a celebration and certification event.

4 Children-at-Risk Initiative Awana International Safe at Last Rohit s Story Rohit was born to a mother who worked in a brothel in India. She wanted a girl, who would, in turn, grow up and earn money by working as a prostitute. Disappointed that her baby was a boy, Rohit s mother starved him and burned his back with lit cigarettes when he cried from hunger. Finally, when he was only 1 year old, she sold him to another woman. SPECIAL GROUP OF YOUNG LIVES SPECIFICALLY A TARGETED FOR MINISTRY BY AWANA INTERNATIONAL IS CHILDREN AT RISK. Facing unimaginable suffering on a daily basis, these children refugees, orphans, those living in slums or on the streets and those suffering with AIDS or leprosy are fragile and highly vulnerable. They are truly the world s least of these, in desperate need of spiritual transformation. Launched in 2009, the Children-at-Risk Initiative is partnering not only with local churches, but also with a number of organizations, working alongside them to meet the tremendous spiritual transformation needs of at-risk girls and boys as our partners provide food, shelter, education, medical care and whatever else is needed to ease their physical suffering. For a while, life for Rohit improved, but when his second caregiver suffered a serious burn and could no longer care for the little boy, she gave him to the local Living Hope Center, a home for abandoned children of prostitutes. The Christian headmaster of the center has been trained in the Leader-Based Strategy, and the Awana club that he has started at the center is a source of new hope for children who truly need it the most. Finally, Rohit is not only receiving critical assistance to meet his physical needs, but he is learning that he is God s own precious creation, created in His very image. Millions of children have little structure to their lives where chaos, uncertainty and fear are the norm. These children need to hear the precious message of the gospel and have the hope of Jesus Christ. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word. Psalm 119:114 (NIV)

5 Bringing Refuge to Children at Risk [ As God s beloved creation, each one of the millions of ] girls and boys living in the most wretched conditions is our little sister or brother. Where the Awana Children-at-Risk Initiative Currently Ministers Zambia, the Meheba Refugee Settlement Kenya, Jikaze Camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Kenya, Kibera Slum India, HIV clinic Bangladesh, Leprosy Colony Nepal, Kathmandu Slum Community

6 Africa Andre s Story of Hope I am Andre, 12 years old, from the country of Mozambique. I got to know about Awana through my friend Jairo. My father had chased me away from home because of my bad behavior. I was living on the street, begging and stealing things with my friends. One day Jairo came to me and asked me to go with him to the Awana club. I liked participating in game time. It was the first time since I left my father s home that I felt loved. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES, GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE in sub-saharan Africa in church planting, conversions, HIV/AIDS ministries, church growth and high school and college student programs. However, little addresses specific evangelism and long-term discipleship that will change the ending for children. Since its beginning in 2007, the Leader-Based Strategy has resulted in tremendous expansion of Awana s ministry to children in Africa. Today, Leader-Based Strategy Awana clubs are being added at a dramatic rate in sub-saharan countries. Also, churches and Christian organizations in Egypt are positioned for launching and growing Awana LBS clubs. The next week, we went again and I met the club secretary to register my name. She prayed with me and I gave my life to Christ. I am so happy for the new life that I am in now. My club leader took me back home, my father accepted me back and I am a new person. Thank you, Awana. More than 40% of Africa s population is under the age of 15 the time of life when, as research shows, people are most open and receptive to the gospel message. [ ] I am a raving fan of Awana International. Consider being a part of a global impact and transporting the Awana blessing you have experienced all over the world. Many of these children have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. I can t think of a more worthy goal for you to deeply consider. Dr. Joseph Stowell, President, Cornerstone University

7 Perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, Africa s children and youth need to know how much they are loved by God. Millions live in the shadow of extreme poverty and the devastation of HIV/AIDS.

8 South Asia Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal have 417 million children under the age of 15. In each country, children are more than 30% of the total population.

9 IN SOUTH ASIA, God is using Awana International to transform the lives of children in four countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The Leader-Based Strategy was introduced in South Asia in 2007 with the launching of LBS Awana clubs in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Since then, the program has spread like wildfire throughout the Sub-continent, making India the fastest-growing international country for Awana. Additionally, as Christianity in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan grows, so is the demand for Leader-Based Strategy training among those who are beginning to catch the vision of ministering to children the future leaders of the church. Christina Awana Clubber Turned Leader Christina grew up as an Awana club member ( clubber ) at a local church in the Indian state of Sikkim. While still young, she gave her life to Jesus, accepting Him as her personal Lord and Savior. At a special Awana event, Christina recited more than 50 Bible verses and took home 1 st prize in the memory verse competition. At the same event, her church was awarded the overall Awana championship trophy. More recently, Christina was a participant at an Awana Leader-Based Strategy training workshop. She is now a leader in the same club where she grew up. Along with her, other former clubbers attended the training and are now leading children to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The countries where Awana ministers in South Asia represent some of the world s greatest strongholds of Buddhism (75% of Bhutanese), Islam (89% of Bangladeshis) and Hinduism (75% of both Indians and Nepalese). [ ] There are so many children s ministry programs, but Awana has a different approach. We will start an Awana club in our church and use the materials to teach systematically. That way, we can disciple children in the Lord and even reach out to their parents. Awana training is a real blessing! Basistha Ram, India

10 China Grace the Wise Four-Year-Old A Chinese Sunday school teacher shared this story about a child whose life was impacted by the Awana Solomon & Friends series of books Back when the Solomon & Friends books first came out, Grace s mother bought them for her daughter and faithfully read them with her. Last week in Sunday school, two boys began to quarrel. Grace said to them, How can you say such mean words? Don t you know God gives us mouths to speak kind words to others? These words are straight from the Solomon & Friends book, Wonderfully Made. MILLIONS OF CHINESE HAVE FOUND SALVATION IN CHRIST. Yet churches and parents are struggling to provide children a Bible-based moral foundation that will lead to true spiritual transformation. Awana International works in China to equip the church and Christian parents to change the ending for children through a variety of ways including Materials with spiritual content directed to children A family training ministry that helps churches train parents in effective spiritual leadership for children. A children s discipleship program, based on a Bible story book, that trains church leaders to reach not just children, but also their families. Grace continued with more words from the Solomon & Friends book, Forgiveness: Don t you remember the verse in the Bible, Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another? The two boys fell silent before this 4-year-old mediator. And I stood in silent awe at what the truth of simple stories, a faithful mother and a young, obedient heart can accomplish! As a whole, the Chinese church has yet to catch the vision of ministry to children, and parents are unaware of their God-given responsibility to be their children s primary spiritual nurturers.

11 [ ] In many countries children s ministry has a very low priority. In fact, there s nearly 2 billion children who have never heard the gospel and know nothing of the hope that is found in Jesus. But Awana International is doing something to change that. Children are the greatest mission field in the world. Kirk Cameron, Actor

12 The Pacific Rim THE AWANA LEADER-BASED STRATEGY WILL CHANGE THE ENDING for many children in Indonesia, the Philippines and other Pacific Rim countries, helping the church in this region raise up a strong base of mature Christian leaders. The growth of the Awana LBS program in these countries has been dramatic, and the demand for program training is continually growing. [ ] I was confused how to communicate the gospel to children. But thanks to our great God, through Awana, I began to understand and know how to serve children more effectively. Hanna, East Java, Indonesia Over a third of the Philippines population is under the age of 15 that is approximately 40 million children. The number of Christians has grown rapidly in the Philippines but is not accompanied by adequate discipleship. As a result, the next generation of church members and leaders is not being sufficiently prepared.

13 Latin America AWANA INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH BEGAN IN THE 1970 S IN LATIN AMERICA. Today, ministry efforts are focused on Ecuador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba. Over the last century, the growth of the church in Latin America has been spectacular. However, too many local church leaders are poorly equipped for leading their congregations into real spiritual transformation and maturity. The Awana Leader-Based Strategy is key to filling this gap in Latin America and building leaders who can confidently take the church into the future. There is a great need for solid discipleship in the Latin American church. Eastern Europe IN EASTERN EUROPE, AWANA S MINISTRY IS CONCENTRATED IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION COUNTRIES OF RUSSIA, UKRAINE, MOLDOVA AND ROMANIA, where the Leader-Based Strategy program is taking root and is growing in demand by churches. In these key European countries, Awana is working to establish the Leader-Based Strategy in more churches to transform children through Christ, who loves them and can change the ending for their lives. Ukraine has a powerful Christian heritage. However, as in many European countries, churches here are losing the younger generation to an increasingly secular environment.

14 Join Awana International to Change the Ending FOR THE WORLD S CHILDREN Awana International Leader-Based Strategy (LBS) is successfully operating in over 25 countries. Thousands of Christian leaders have been trained to lead hundreds of thousands of children and youth to spiritual transformation. Countries where Awana International has ministry twitter.com/awanainttwitter.com/ awanaintl facebook.com/awanainternational

15 Empowering Christian Leaders Worldwide to Train Children to Know, Love and Serve Christ.

16 There is no greater reward than to reach into a child s life and create a change. The changes we make in children s lives today will last for all eternity. It is only through the Father that this can happen. Scan this QR code using your SmartPhone scanner and learn more about Awana International