Alumni Study
Who We Surveyed: Major award winners since 1994 Typical respondent was between 19 and 32. 100% earned Timothy 92% also earned Meritorious 74% achieved the Citation
The Benchmark: Our researchers used a 2005 study done by Gallup for Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion as the control Some of Baylors categories: Americans in general Protestants The most religious in America
The First Look: Awana alumni are far more likely than other Americans, much more likely than Protestants in general, and generally more likely than even the most religious segments of America to Have no doubts that God exists Believe that Jesus is the Son of God Believe their Bible should be taken literally Read their Bible Attend religious services frequently
The First Look: Awana alumni are far more likely than other Americans, much more likely than Protestants in general, and generally more likely than even the most religious segments of America to Give more money to their church; Participate in Bible studies or attend Sunday School; Share their faith with friends, family and strangers; Believe that sex before marriage is always wrong;
The First Look: Awana alumni are far more likely than other Americans, much more likely than Protestants in general, and generally more likely than even the most religious segments of America to Engage in missionary/community outreach programs more frequently Spend time doing volunteer work, both for their church and their community in general.
What was the relative importance of each of the primary influences that developed your religious foundation? Parents? Church? Awana? The Alumni were asked:
What they indicated: Parents Church Awana Findings: 26.4% 26.9% 46.7% There is a balance between parent and church influence Awana was as significant as all other church programs combined.
Religious Beliefs Personal Beliefs About God: 100 80 60 40 65.8 76.9 93.7 20 0 National Protestants Awana "I have no doubts that God exists."
Religious Beliefs Personal Beliefs About Jesus: 100 80 60 70.9 84.7 98.6 40 20 0 National Protestants Awana "Jesus is the Son of God."
Religious Beliefs Personal Beliefs About the Bible: 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 19.4 28.6 70.9 National Protestants Awana "The Bible should be taken literally, word for word."
Church Attendance 13% of Baylor respondents said they attended religious services once/twice per year or less at age 12. At the time of the survey, 36% said they attended church once/twice per year. This represents a 2.7- fold increase in those not attending church. At age 12 As an adult Attended church twice a year or less 13% 36% 0% 20% 40%
Church Attendance Among Awana alumni as adults, 92.7% were still attending church about weekly or more frequently. Only 1.8% of Awana alumni have dropped out of church attendance (once or twice a year or less). At age 12 As an adult Attended church twice a year or less 0% 1.8% 0% 20% 40%
Continued Discipleship Awana alumni are 64% more likely to participate in Bible study groups than those who attend services weekly or several times a week. It is reasonable to infer that Awana has instilled in their alumni a desire to learn about their faith. Awana Attend weekly+ Protestants National Participated in Bible Study last month: 19.70% 28.90% 50.10% 69.40% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Continued Discipleship Awana alumni are far more likely than others to have participated in a small group or discipleship activity last month. Awana has instilled not only a desire to learn about their faith, but also a desire to grow personally in their faith. Attend weekly+ Protestants National Participated in a small group 3+ times last month: Awana 10.00% 6.50% 17.20% 38.20% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Church Committees Awana alumni have not made committee work more of a priority than other groups. Participated in committee work in the church Awana Attend weekly+ 32.00% 41.00% Protestants 23.00% National 18.00% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Volunteerism Engage in community volunteer work? Spend five hours or more per month doing it? Volunteer in their church? Awana alumni are twice as likely Awana alumni are three times as likely Awana alumni are four times as likely
Giving Despite being young and therefore less financially secure, Awana alumni annually gave to their church Awana Over $10,000 11.9% National 2.8% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%
Choir Though there is no reason to assume that Awana alumni are more musical, they participate more in choir than even the most religious segment in America. Awana Most religious Participated in Choir 19.7% 32.9% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Moral Attitudes Awana alumni are overwhelmingly more likely than other surveyed to believe that sexual relations before marriage is always wrong. Awana Catholics Protestants Sex before marriage is always wrong 24.9% 42.3% 90.8% National 32.1% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Social Justice In order to be a good person, is it important to seek social and economic justice? NOTE: This question did not qualify what was meant by good person. Awana Attend weekly+ Protestants National Somewhat important or very important 76.6% 83.8% 81.0% 82.5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Duty to Share Christ 70% of Awana alumni talked with their friends about Christ in the previous month. Did not share, 30% Shared Christ, 70%
Participation by Children If you have children now or would like to have children at some point in the future, would you want them to participate in an Awana program? Yes Probably Unsure Participate in Awana? 75.4% 17.6% 4.7% No 2.1% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
In Summary Despite America still being a relatively religious country, Awana alumni far outstrip the average American in almost every area of Christian life both in terms of beliefs and actions. CT Creative
In Summary While the original intent was to gather information that could be used as an outreach to those not involved in Awana, the results are so positive that they should be shared with everyone involved in Awana at the local church level. CT Creative