South Tampa Fellowship Promo Video

I wanted to share this AWANA Promotional Video by South Tampa Fellowship becasue it really does capture the heart of AWANA Clubs and demonstrates how children's lives are forever impacted by this ministry.

After watching this video I sat and wondered if my decision to send my children to AWANA Clubs will have an impact on my Grandchildren one day. I really do believe so.  I starting thinking that it's not just a club, it's Christ ministry to the children through faithful servants who volunteer each year.

Sometimes, as a parent I catch myself thinking of AWANA as another extra curricular activity on my children's calendar, and as a leader I sometimes catch myself focusing on the day to day administrative tasks of the club instead of the eternal value and significance of it.  The nature of this world wants to push our focus elsewhere, but we must strive to remember that this is not an insignificant activity on the calendar or a simple task on our to-do lists, it's much more significant and deeper than that.

I hope you all enjoy this video as I did!

Moments in Leadership - Special Needs

 God's Special Children

Today I want to take a moment to discuss a topic that we don’t talk a lot about when preparing for the AWANA year, and that’s Special Needs.  This year, it has been a subject that has weighed heavily on my heart, and this post in particular has been swirling around in my head for a while.  

More and more children today are being diagnosed with various disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, in particular, are on the rise. Now there’s a lot of debate as to why we are seeing more diagnoses, but regardless of the reasons, club leaders must now face the reality of serving more children with disabilities and how to do that appropriately.

My son is a child with Autism… now that doesn’t at all make me an expert on children with special needs, but it does mean that I have a unique perspective when it comes to serving children with special needs in the AWANA Club environment. 

There is always a lot happening on club nights and my son struggles in the Club atmosphere, and often requires additional support to ensure his comfort and safety during club.  The first, and best, thing we did for him was to find him a “Buddy” who was committed to staying with him throughout club nights and helping him one-on-one during handbook time. This made a world of difference and is the main reason he was able to make so much progress in his HangGlider Handbook this last year. I am so thankful to his “Buddy” for their commitment in helping him be successful, and I am absolutely thrilled that they have agreed to again commit to assisting him in this new AWANA year.

My hope for all AWANA clubs this year is that their leaders realize the need to serve ALL children, and to be sensitive to the unique needs of children with disabilities. Taking some time to consider special needs and gain knowledge and resources in this area will allow clubs to reach children and families in the special needs community that often find it difficult to be fully involved in ministries such as this.

Lord Jesus, thank you 
for opening our eyes to areas of need 
that are often overlooked.  As we go through this 
AWANA year, I pray that we will continually find for ways 
to better serve all children and families that so 
desperately need to know you as their Savior!  
Give us a compassionate heart for those in need 
and wisdom to know how to serve them.  
In your holy and precious name we pray, Amen!

I highly encourage clubs that are seeking to better include and serve children with special needs to purchase the book, AWANA For Me: A Guide to Working with Children with Special Needs, from the official AWANA online store.  It contains a lot of great information about how to include children with various disabilities.  

Club Night Checklists

So we are using this new tool for club nights this year.  

 It is a Before Club/After Club Checklist to help us stay organized and efficient. 

There are always things that need to be done in preparing for club nights, and setting up lesson materials and checking the facilities are just a couple tasks that end up always being done by the same person or people. Not to mention the time and effort it takes to get cleaned up at the end of club each week.  This year, we want to encourage our leaders to work together to get set up before club and cleaned up afterwards. 

The idea is that when leaders begin arriving on club nights, they can take a look at the checklist and see what still needs to be done before the kiddos start arriving. I like this checklist because it makes it easier for everyone to know what needs to be done and what has already been taken care of. This year we are asking each Sparks Leader to check-in when they arrive so that they can begin helping out, and of course, we are also asking that they check-out before leaving at the end of club.  

Our hope is that this checklist will help speed up our set up and clean up processes and make it easier on everyone involved so that we can focus on what’s really important….sharing the Gospel of Christ with boys and girls. 

You can download the checklist HERE, or you can create your own using the Sparks Clip Art provided on AWANA.org. 

Bible Study Resource

I have been doing online Bible Studies through Good Morning Girls for the past couple months and I have really enjoyed it.

I like that I can download the study materials at home and work through it at my own pace.  They send weekly videos directly to your email inbox, and they even have children's resources so that you can easily study with your children.

The site encourages group study, either through an online forum or within your own group of friends, however, you can do it individually if you like.  I personally like to do an independent study every once in a while, but I think these are perfect for having bible studies at your home or church.

If you haven't checked out Good Morning Girls, I really encourage you to do so.  They have a Fall Bible Study coming soon, so round up your girlfriends and get registered!

Volunteer Journals

Volunteer Appreciation!!!

I ran across these journals a few months ago at one of my favorite stores, Hobby Lobby!  Immediately, when I saw these, I thought of AWANA!  I bought enough for our volunteers and gave them away tonight at our beginning of the year AWANA Training.  I used printable Sparks Thank You cards from the AWANA website to give the journals some decorative flair and a personal touch.

This is a great idea for those individuals who enjoy taking time to reflect, or even those who just need an outlet to get it all out. I know there are times I get overwhelmed with emotions and journaling is a great therapeutic tool.

I plan to use my journal to record my thoughts, experiences, and prayers for our Sparks Club this year.  Seeing my journal will also remind me to stop and take the time to really think about our club and the importance of this ministry for children around the world.

Moments in Leadership

Well, the time is almost here!

Time to start another Awana year!

Sorry, I really didn’t intend for that to rhyme. It’s August and my email inbox is exploding with AWANA messages and reminders, and my calendar is quickly filling up with deadlines and trainings.

 It’s definitely an exciting time, and I love it because of the possibilities.  “What cool things are we going to do this year?”  “How many kids will we reach, and better yet, how many salvations will we have the privilege of seeing?”   

These are all great questions to sit and ponder…but then, in the background, there are other questions?  “Will we have enough volunteers this year, because last year was difficult with the few volunteers we had.”  Or  “Am I really ready to commit to another year and everything that means?” 

 I don’t know if I am the only one who experiences these conflicting questions, or even just experiences doubt every once in a while…but I definitely do!  I have heard various AWANA Leaders say that the enemy attacks the AWANA clubs because they are so successful for Christ.  I definitely believe this is true. I have a passion for AWANA, for Sparks Club in particular, but I have found it to be a difficult, and even frustrating sometimes.  

I am thankful, however, that in those moments…

those difficult or frustrating or 

doubtful moments, that the still small voice of the 

Holy Spirit speaks a little 

louder and reminds me of the truth.

Our AWANA club is doing some amazing things in the lives of the children of our community, and their families.  We are given an incredible opportunity every Wednesday night to talk about Jesus Christ and how he laid down his life for us, all of us!  We get to watch the kids’ faces as they hear bible stories, sometimes for the first time.  

We get to be a part of a greater plan for these kids’ lives…it’s incredible when you actually take the time to sit and think about it.  And so, as the new AWANA year is gearing up, I am reminded to slow down…take time to reflect and truly enjoy the amazing experience. 

    As AWANA club leaders, we get busy and are often tempted to treat our club activities and duties as just another thing on our already full calendar.  Life gets in the way, frustrations set in, and the enemy attacks! Believe me, he does. That’s why it is so important that we stay in the word and pray diligently.  

I’m suddenly reminded of something I recently heard a family member say, “Prayer is powerful, and it’s important!”  How incredibly true that is, but sadly, it’s usually one of the first items on our “To-Do” lists that get bumped. This year, my focus is on….well…staying focused!  I’m going to make my time in God’s word and prayer a priority so that I truly am prepared to serve. 

Lord, give me the strength, courage and 

wisdom to lead our Sparks this year.  

Without your help I am useless, 

but I am thankful that you never abandon me.  

You are faithful and compassionate, and I lay 

my fears and doubts about this AWANA year 

at your feet.  Be my guide Lord Jesus; 

show me how to serve with a soft 

and caring heart.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.