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“Mission,” is a word with a broad spectrum of associations.
Mission: Impossible. Missions to outer space. The mission field.
The professional world defines it as “an organization’s core purpose, what it does, who it serves, and why it exists.”
The biblical definition, according to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, is more specific: “the divine activity of sending intermediaries, whether supernatural or human, to speak or do God’s will so that his purposes for judgment or redemption are furthered.”
This ministry world, where we live, is the space where those definitions overlap. Our core purpose IS speaking and doing God’s will. His redemption IS what defines us. And churches, children and families are who we serve, in response to the call to serve Him. It’s a serious mission and, pop culture reference aside, we haven’t just accepted it. It’s our passion and what fuels us every day, everywhere. That’s not an exaggeration.
Did you know Awana is carrying out our mission all over the world?
Not just in American or Canadian Awana Clubs, and not just in churches that use our Brite curriculum on the weekends. We’re training leaders and helping them launch discipleship ministries literally all over the world, in 140 countries. We almost have the alphabet covered.
Awana child discipleship from A-Z
Aruba
Bolivia
Croatia
Democratic Republic of Congo
Egypt
France
Guam
Honduras
India
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Lebanon
Myanmar
Netherlands
Oman
Panama
*
Rwanda
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Uganda
Venezuela
*
*
*
Zimbabwe
*In English spelling, there is only one country that begins with the letter Q. Same for Y and W. And none that begin with X. If there were, we’d be praying for an inroad to ministry there!
Over 11,500,000 children are engaged in weekly biblical discipleship!
Why am I telling you where Awana ministries are?
Because if you’re reading this, you care about faith. You’re a disciplemaker, even on the days you don’t know if anyone’s listening, even on the days you’re wondering if you’re the right person for the job.
So if you’re worried about the future of the Church, or about kids’ faith, you can take heart. Child discipleship is growing around the world. God is moving and kids’ hearts are open and eager. I’m convinced there’s a generation preparing to outshine all of us with a collective heart for Jesus.
How do I know child discipleship makes an impact?
At Awana, the first place we see the impact of our mission work is in the leaders we train. From denomination leaders to parent volunteers, we see incredible change catalyzed when they come to an Awana child discipleship training.
His church has never prioritized children’s ministry.
Pastor Francois leads a church in Burundi, a country located just south of the Equator in East-Central Africa, and said his church has never prioritized children’s ministry. This spring was the first time he had ever conferenced with others about reaching children by providing opportunities for fun and games. And now he’s made it a goal to mobilize the church for children’s ministry and an Awana program as a priority in the church.
Where they live … “sharing the Gospel is not easy.”
Sail just across the Arabian Sea and trek across India to Nepal, and you’ll find a kidmin leader named Ranjita. Ranjita was able to participate in a three-day discipleship training. Although her team couldn’t dive straight into a full, “by-the-book” program, they gave themselves the grace to learn and implement one new component at a time.
Today, the number of children in their discipleship program is increasing, along with parent involvement. Ranjita says, “Within just one year, I’ve seen remarkable growth and positive changes. Children are growing in their understanding of God’s Word, sharing Bible stories with one another, memorizing Scripture, speaking with more respect and politeness, and inviting their friends to church.” Where they live in Province 3 (Bagmati Province), “sharing the Gospel is not easy.” But children are sharing, and now even their family members are joining their fellowship on Saturdays.
Here’s a glimpse of the number of discipleship groups and children in biblical discipleship every week around the world:
Children in weekly biblical discipleship around the world
Take heart, indeed. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
