Dear Parents,

One of our goals at Kids’ Beach is helping children develop a meaningful relationship with the God Who created and loves them. Another goal is to help parents lead their children spiritually. The curriculum we use for our weekend services has these goals in mind. As we began looking Wednesday night possibilities, the Lord raised up a special opportunity for us that incorporates both goals … an Awana program. Awana Clubs have been around for a long time (about 60 years!). Check out their website at www.awana.com to see what it’s all about. 

Here is a snapshot of an Awana Club:

An Awana Club has a unique meeting format tailored to the needs of the age group it serves. Our Awana Club will be 90 minutes long. Meetings will feature segments for games or other fun activities, small-group Bible learning and large-group Bible teaching, worship, announcements and awards.
-- Game Time is comprised of exciting circle games exclusive to Awana that are a popular draw for churched and non-churched children alike. 
-- Handbook Time provides small-group interaction and recitation of Scripture that kids learned during the week. It also features friendship building and opportunities for leaders to mentor children and help them understand the Bible verses they learn.
-- Large Group Time consists of praise and worship, Bible teaching, awards, announcements and a presentation of God’s plan of salvation. 

As we begin this journey, we are asking parents to partner with us. You can do that by faithfully bringing your child every Wednesday, helping your child with their handbook work at home, and volunteering on Wednesday nights. We will need everything from check in helpers to leaders of groups to mentors who just sit and listen to children as they recite their memory work.

Awana Club at Tomoka begins Wednesday, Feb.1 at 6:30 pm for children 2 yrs. through 5th grade!  Registration opens at 6:00 pm.  The decision to have an Awana Club was made after 2012 budgets were in place.  Therefore, if possible, we are asking parents to contribute $10 towards their child's handbook and awards.  We will cover any families who absolutely cannot contribute.

We will have an additional training time in August and then have a huge Awana Club launch when we kick off in the fall.

The part I like best as a Children’s Pastor is that Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. They offer a proven approach for evangelizing and discipling kids in the church and community, A recent study found that among those who participated in Awana for at least six years, 92.7 percent still attend church at least weekly as adults! Amazing!