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Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/15/2008 11:35:38 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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are there any other people on here that have this at the church you go to. I thought it weould be a good idea to start a thred for ideas and suggestions most churchs that have this Childrens mninistery it is for preschool threw 6th grade but the church I go to is preschool threw 12th grade there are some clubs that have themes something like Heaven/Salvation . Holy Spirit/Prayer. EndTimes/ The Great Tribution/Rapture. Old Testament and every once in a while we have a Crazy Hair Night or wear yuour clothes inside out night.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/15/2008 6:14:04 PM
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earthless
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My wife was in Awana and she has very fond memories of her time in it. And our church is where Awana was first started/created and held. If your church has it then I do recommend you enroll your girls in it. Do you guys also have the boy counterpart of it?
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/15/2008 6:27:33 PM
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FairviewBaptist
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my church has the Cubbies, Sparks, T&T BOYS AND GIRLS, TREK 24/7, Varisty. my sunday school class our regulars are girls, I am a leader in the T&T boys and their music director. I posted on another Thread that I was Led to pray for 2 girls one in JR HIGH and one in the 5th grade
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 7:46:49 AM
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ffbruce
Posts: 271
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quote:
ORIGINAL: FairviewBaptist
are there any other people on here that have this at the church you go to. I thought it weould be a good idea to start a thred for ideas and suggestions most churchs that have this Childrens mninistery it is for preschool threw 6th grade but the church I go to is preschool threw 12th grade there are some clubs that have themes something like Heaven/Salvation . Holy Spirit/Prayer. EndTimes/ The Great Tribution/Rapture. Old Testament and every once in a while we have a Crazy Hair Night or wear yuour clothes inside out night.
My experience is only as an outsider, so take my comments with a grain of salt.
The small town where I used to pastor had a big Baptist Church that did AWANA. Overall, I think it was well received, and the kids learned a lot from the Bible and about the Bible.
The only negative I ever saw or heard was that this church practically had a bribe system going, where kids were rewarded with pop, candy and "big end of the year prizes" for attendance, bringing a guest, etc. Somehow though, I suspect that was the doing of the local church, not the AWANA program itself.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 8:22:26 AM
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10SNE1?
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
My experience is only as an outsider, so take my comments with a grain of salt.
The small town where I used to pastor had a big Baptist Church that did AWANA. Overall, I think it was well received, and the kids learned a lot from the Bible and about the Bible.
The only negative I ever saw or heard was that this church practically had a bribe system going, where kids were rewarded with pop, candy and "big end of the year prizes" for attendance, bringing a guest, etc. Somehow though, I suspect that was the doing of the local church, not the AWANA program itself.
Our church has never had AWANA but we have an after school program for grades 2-5 that some compare to AWANA. I really have no experience with AWANA so I can't say how close it is. However, we also used to run a much more "reward-based" program. Over the years we have slowly done away with much of that.
My impression is that this is a general trend in Kids' Ministry. It is still a bit of a controversial topic among parents and leaders. One side says: Hey if they learn Scripture for a cheap plastic toy....they will always have that hidden in their hearts long after the toy breaks so it is a good thing"
The other side says: That promotes a works-based view of the Christian life, it cheapens Gods Word, it doesn't teach them to study and learn to get closer to the Lord as a life long skill but just as long as a material reward is offered, it encourages those who memorize easily to whip though the verses without learning any life application, and it encourages those same kids to "think more highly of themselves" simply because they are quicker at this one skill. While the child with the most tender heart, the one who never fails to put others first, to serve etc.....can easily be overlooked.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 8:54:28 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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I have been thinking about the Bible Quiz our T&T boys and girls go to every year every year we ace it we always get first and second place in everything we enter because we have dedicated parents and leaders that Teach The Word Of God! we have one girl that has never missed a question she does not blow people out of the water she harpoons them out of the water!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:08:30 AM
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ffbruce
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 10SNE1?
quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
My experience is only as an outsider, so take my comments with a grain of salt.
The small town where I used to pastor had a big Baptist Church that did AWANA. Overall, I think it was well received, and the kids learned a lot from the Bible and about the Bible.
The only negative I ever saw or heard was that this church practically had a bribe system going, where kids were rewarded with pop, candy and "big end of the year prizes" for attendance, bringing a guest, etc. Somehow though, I suspect that was the doing of the local church, not the AWANA program itself.
Our church has never had AWANA but we have an after school program for grades 2-5 that some compare to AWANA. I really have no experience with AWANA so I can't say how close it is. However, we also used to run a much more "reward-based" program. Over the years we have slowly done away with much of that.
My impression is that this is a general trend in Kids' Ministry. It is still a bit of a controversial topic among parents and leaders. One side says: Hey if they learn Scripture for a cheap plastic toy....they will always have that hidden in their hearts long after the toy breaks so it is a good thing"
The other side says: That promotes a works-based view of the Christian life, it cheapens Gods Word, it doesn't teach them to study and learn to get closer to the Lord as a life long skill but just as long as a material reward is offered, it encourages those who memorize easily to whip though the verses without learning any life application, and it encourages those same kids to "think more highly of themselves" simply because they are quicker at this one skill. While the child with the most tender heart, the one who never fails to put others first, to serve etc.....can easily be overlooked.
Both views can certainly have legitimate points.
The Baptist church, which I spoke of in my earlier post, had a youth minister that was very aggressive about reaching the "cool kids" in town, by doing such things as throwing expensive parties for the school football team and cheerleaders, etc. He made a point of going after kids from other churches, and openly ridiculed not only other churches' youth groups, but the churches themselves.
He had a large senior high youth group. They were very popular. It was the "in" crowd. But after those kids graduated from high school, almost all of them fell flat on their faces spiritually.
On the other hand, if he truly and legitimately helped one kid per year grow deep and sound in their faith, that's at least that much!
My personal opinion is that a rewards-based kids program is not a good long-term thing. The kids need positive and authentic relationships, good and Godly leaders, and solid Bible instruction. Make it fun, have a blast, but don't forget the real purpose of the ministry.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:11:22 AM
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ffbruce
Posts: 271
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quote:
ORIGINAL: FairviewBaptist
I have been thinking about the Bible Quiz our T&T boys and girls go to every year every year we ace it we always get first and second place in everything we enter because we have dedicated parents and leaders that Teach The Word Of God! we have one girl that has never missed a question she does not blow people out of the water she harpoons them out of the water!
Very cool.
I'd just encourage you to also make sure the kids are making Scriptural connections and application with their everyday lives. It, of course, has to start with Bible knowledge. It just can't end there.
Thanks for your diligent work with these kids!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:12:45 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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as some one posted on the Awana Fourms a while back the bible talks about Awards the verse that comes to my mind is the one about winning a race.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:14:30 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1392
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
quote:
ORIGINAL: FairviewBaptist
are there any other people on here that have this at the church you go to. I thought it weould be a good idea to start a thred for ideas and suggestions most churchs that have this Childrens mninistery it is for preschool threw 6th grade but the church I go to is preschool threw 12th grade there are some clubs that have themes something like Heaven/Salvation . Holy Spirit/Prayer. EndTimes/ The Great Tribution/Rapture. Old Testament and every once in a while we have a Crazy Hair Night or wear yuour clothes inside out night.
My experience is only as an outsider, so take my comments with a grain of salt.
The small town where I used to pastor had a big Baptist Church that did AWANA. Overall, I think it was well received, and the kids learned a lot from the Bible and about the Bible.
The only negative I ever saw or heard was that this church practically had a bribe system going, where kids were rewarded with pop, candy and "big end of the year prizes" for attendance, bringing a guest, etc. Somehow though, I suspect that was the doing of the local church, not the AWANA program itself.
I even remember back when I was a kid....being "invited" by someone from school, to go to their church activity with them.....and, they, in turn would get "rewarded" for bringing me....it's nothing new.
As far as AWANA goes, we've got a great AWANA program.....(it was just last night).....what the kids learn in AWANA is amazing...it's LEARNING that is made FUN.....they have blast!
Right now,we've got well over 1,000 kids coming to our AWANA program each and every week. A good number of the kids are 'unchurched', and are invited by families who do go to our church (if they are neighbors, classmates, etc..etc..)....it's not uncommon for AWANA to be the "SPARK" to eventually have the ENTIRE family to accept Christ, and have them become active in a local congregation (whether it's ours, or another).
And, you're right...they do have 'crazy fun'....last week was "WEAR PAJAMAS" night....coming up is "CRAZY HAT" night.....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:25:53 AM
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ffbruce
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Sounds great, Kernsfamily. Fantastic!
Out of curiosity, are you part of a Baptist church? I know AWANA is used by many churches, but I believe it's primarily a Baptist curriculum.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:34:36 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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I posted on the Awana fourms and I said I taled to a friend and asked him if the church he and his wife go 2 if it has Awana he said no I think it is a baptist thing the reply I got from someone that works in the Awana Office any church can do it as long as they go along with the Awana guidelines.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:41:30 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1392
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
Sounds great, Kernsfamily. Fantastic!
Out of curiosity, are you part of a Baptist church? I know AWANA is used by many churches, but I believe it's primarily a Baptist curriculum.
Yep...we are a Southern Baptist Church....
and, you're right....AWANA is more of a "baptist" thing, traditionally....even though, most any church will find it VERY helpful and a great learning experience....
One other thing that was mentioned by the OP was "bible quiz", which he/she may have meant to say "BIBLE DRILL".....we've got that, too....but, it's a program that runs on Sunday morning, and the kids that want to participate in that go to a Bible Drill "class", instead of their "regular" Sunday school classes for a few months.....so, while "Bible Drill" is great, it's not nearly the "evangelistic" tool that AWANA usually is.....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 9:53:55 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1392
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ffbruce
Sounds great, Kernsfamily. Fantastic!
Out of curiosity, are you part of a Baptist church? I know AWANA is used by many churches, but I believe it's primarily a Baptist curriculum.
Here's a LINK to AWANA.....and, their "history"....they currently work with churches in over 100 Denomenations.
http://www.awana.org/about/default.aspx?id=17
I did a "look up" on their website to "find a program in my area" for AWANA.....
within 6 miles of my house, it says that there are 15 churches that offer the AWANA program....
Our church, of course, which is Baptist (and MANY other baptist churches), some non-denomenationals, a Lutheran church, a Bible Church, Presbyterian, and a United Methodist....
< Message edited by kernsfamily -- 10/16/2008 10:07:55 AM >
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 10:04:14 AM
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ffbruce
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Thanks Kernsfamily, I appreciate the information! Blessings to you and yours.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 10:11:13 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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when I posted the church I go 2 goes 2 bible quizs we go compeate with other churchs in our area. on Sundays we recomend that the kids go to their regular Sunday School class and that they go to their childrens church just 2 of the things that can win points for there team.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 10:16:39 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1392
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: FairviewBaptist
when I posted the church I go 2 goes 2 bible quizs we go compeate with other churchs in our area. on Sundays we recomend that the kids go to their regular Sunday School class and that they go to their childrens church just 2 of the things that can win points for there team.
we "compete" with other local churches,as well. Then, our "top" achievers go to the "Association Drill" (other churches in our metro area, not just the immediate local area).....and, then, those that do well there, qualify to go to the STATE competition....
exactly the same concept as the "Spelling Bee" process......the "competition" is FIERCE!, but the kids love it....and, end up learning ALOT!
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 10:43:11 AM
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Tinkerbell_
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I've been with the AWANA program for 6 years and have loved just about every year of it.
Yes, there is a reward portion to it, but it does get the kids all excited about it, and creates friendly competition amongst them.
If the church does it right, the kids learn the verses and their memorization is their true reward. When I can take a scripture a child learned at the beginning of the year and ask them about it later, and they REMEMBER it, the cheering is amazing!!! The AWANA store we have and the AWANA bucks we own are just for fun...
_____________________________
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 10:53:58 AM
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FairviewBaptist
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I also have been in Awana 6 years. I took over for my stepfather in the club he was a leader in T&T Boys. I also became a usher because of him to take over for him we he can not be there. my mother is real sick either my sister or him has to stay with her 24/7
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 11:45:07 AM
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zoebob
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I grew up in AWANA and now my kids are too. There is an awards portion to it but it's a small portion: awards take about 5 minutes(for about 85 kids on our age group. We quickly give out awards at the end of the night. It is so much more than just awards: reaching kids, developing relationships with them, etc.
It does tend to be more prevelant in Arminian churches. There are some things in the books that goes against Calvinist theology and they are not allowed to tell the kids "we don't really believe it that way" so it is not as popular in Calvinist churches.
_____________________________
L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/16/2008 11:49:12 PM
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Fwanger
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I miss Awana a lot. I was involved in it all through childhood and it is a great foundation for kids in learning fellowship. I made some great friends at Awanas and learned a lot about Christ. By all means, get involved with it, its a wonderful program that I think should be inter-denominational. I'd love to have it at the Lutheran church I attend.
_____________________________
Often have I said, I will never doubt the salvation of any one, so long as I can but know that Christ has accepted me. C.H. Spurgeon "The Way of Salvation"
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/28/2008 1:54:11 PM
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hjemerson
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I love AWANA I compare it to Christian equal to scouts(I was a GS for 15 yr) I so glad my church had it in MO and my grand children are being raised in a church that care enough to see the impotrant of children and the learning of the Bible. It is set so any person that love children and want to care for then can work the program not just wonder around in the Word! I belive the Earn the little stuff can prove to show the unchurch we even as christians can live a fun life here on earth but in the end our reward will be in Heavan I have seen many fam ily come to a church because the children were in a progam as this ! One church I was at in MO just took the bus and on a sat gave stuff note about the program and then started to pick up on the street coners on wed afternoon we had 100-150 each week. Many were from home that never walk in a church till invited several time a year for childrern progam as Christmas/end of year and we had at least two or three family come from that group each year many became strong menbers/Christians and had a inpact on others! Why could any church not us the Awana Program just made change to your envorment,ideals!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 10/28/2008 2:45:13 PM
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Peter_Gunn
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My wife and I were involved in Awana for several years. (It's not all caps, as in AWANA, nor is it Awanas! I'm just a stickler for details!) I was a Commander and she was the secretary...and then some. We even taught workshops at the local conferences. Such a wonderful ministry!
We did the Awana Bucks thing and my wife ran the Awana store...she loved it! She would never get anything edible or drinkable for the store. Our philosophy about that was that she'd not "sell" anything to the Clubbers that she wouldn't have wanted one of our kids to bring home. So NO candy or LOUD stuff!  It was an incredible incentive and taught some of the kids valuable lessons about saving money, to boot. We had one kid (a Spark, no less) that saved all year for one big-ticket item! That took determination!
The church that takes on an Awana ministry has to sign-off on Awana's statement of faith. A lot of people use the Club Finder part of Awana.org to find a church to visit/attend because they know, if a church has an Awana ministry, they've agreed with the SoF.
I could go on and on...I think Awana is the best thing going as far as kid's ministries go!
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 11/18/2008 4:44:51 PM
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FairviewBaptist
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my Awana director asked me to give the boys message because he knows give me one minite notice and am ready just like the old boy scout motto says be prepared am ready 24/7 all my old messages are at church always in our conciltime room.
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RE: Awana Ministery Childrens Ministery - 12/2/2008 1:08:34 PM
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flemdawg1
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Another Awana Commander here. The ministry has been a great way for us to outreach to the unchurched families in our area. And the Awana Bucks we use to award the kids for memorizing their verses gets them excited to actually make the effort to learn them. The Awana $s effectively quadrupled the number of kids finishing their books each year.
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