Awana Program Promoted To Engage Children In Broadwater County
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News reporter
Awana Program Promoted to Engage Children in Broadwater County
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Trailhead Church leaders began using the Awana church outreach program to interest children in becoming engaged in a social group to not only learn Bible verses but to play, have fun together and learn good group habits.
AWANA, based on a biblical verse in 2nd Timothy stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. In 1941, Chicago’s Northside Gospel Center pastor Lance Latham laid the foundation for AWANA with his youth director Art Rorheim. They set out to develop a weekly club that would appeal to all children. As of 2019 Awana 61,000 churches in 122 countries use the program, according to Wikipedia.
Elder Levi VanZee, as the leader of the program, serves Pre-Pre-Kindergarteners through 6th graders whose families attend church or who have never attended a church. The afterschool program, which meets every Wednesday, is open to all children during which they learn Bible verses, have lessons, then play basketball, kickball and all kinds of games at the new expansion building at Trailhead.
“The activity gives kids an opportunity for something to do besides play video games. They make new friends, learn something new and be a part of something larger than themselves,” VanZee said, “But the program’s influence goes far beyond that – the kids take it home. Then the parents who come on Wednesdays may feel more comfortable stepping into the church on Sundays as a whole family. It takes time to build relationships. AWANA helps to build those relationships; then those walls, which isolate families, break down.”
VanZee comes to the position as enthusiastic, energetic and strong in his beliefs about guiding children in a biblical way. He is devoted to making good connections with kids by helping them learn about the Bible as well as having fun.
The AWANA classes break down according to age with Pre-Kindergarteners in a class by themselves. Van Zee has around 40 volunteers who serve each class leading recitations, serving snacks, playing basketball, volleyball or dodgeball with the children.
The secondary emphasis of AWANA serves the servers: Volunteers who are mostly older students, not only learn leadership skills but act as good examples for the AWANA children. He emphasized he is blessed with an incredible team at AWANA: “I could not lead 100 kids every Wednesday on my own.”
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Photos Provided by Trailhead Church Member
Image 1 Caption: Abby VanZee, left, and Chloe Flynn practice memorizing Bible verses.
Photos Provided by Trailhead Church Member
Image 2 Caption: AWANA students play games at the new Trailhead Church recreation center.
Photos Provided by Trailhead Church Member
