Article
by Valerie Bell
During 2020, have you found yourself feeling discouraged or distracted? No wonder! What were normal events just last year have become almost impossible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in these impossible circumstances, we hear about a missionary in Venezuela who is now copying down Awana handbooks by hand. We celebrate a leader in New Jersey who runs between devices to make sure her multiple Zoom clubs are running smoothly. The resilience that has been developed during these unprecedented times must be celebrated because our God is still on the move around the world!
Though we are encouraged by the work our team is continuing to do, we need to tell you that this pandemic has had a devastating, unprecedented impact on our ministry. Because of COVID-19, never has Awana experienced a financial crisis like the one we are experiencing today.And yet, we still have hope. Why?
Because of the Gospel.
To be explicitly clear with you, our trusted partner, when churches delayed, modified or canceled their Awana ministry, our financial stability was negatively impacted—even dramatically threatened. Though we’ve made extensive changes to operations and expenses, it has not been enough to close the significant gap between where we are and where we need to be.
The church needs partners, like Awana, to help disciple the future of the faith. We believe, therefore, the church needs you. Together, we need to serve churches like never before.
In the midst of these desperate times, we choose to believe the truth of God’s Word. We choose to stand with the Apostle Paul, who was no stranger to desperation, as he wrote the following to the young church in Philippi:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy. Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:3-6)
We are sure our work together is far from done. We are sure, along with Paul, that God is still at work and that He will continue to work through the Awana ministry to equip leaders to reach kids. And we are sure God will use your faithful partnership to impact this and future generations. Why?
Because of the Gospel.
During this time of unprecedented challenge we ask that you would make your best gift in order to keep reaching kids, today and tomorrow. What could you give to make the most difference in this time like no other? God has continually called courageous Gospel partners for the first 70 years of the Awana ministry. Is He calling you to give in order to reach kids for the next 70 years?
