What is AWANA?

AWANA is an international nondenominational, Bible-centered youth organization providing weekday clubs and programs for children age 3 through high school. Here at Bethany Baptist, we use the AWANA program through the sixth grade.

The name AWANA is an acronym from the phrase “Approved workmen are not ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Why AWANA?

• AWANA exists to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him.
• AWANA provides a vehicle to reach parents and other family members of the boys and girls who attend with the gospel as well.

Which Clubs does Bethany have?

• Cubbies – The club for 3 and 4-year olds that emphasizes parental involvement and Bible memorization.
• Sparks – The club for Kindergartners through second graders that emphasizes Bible memorization and Bible-centered activities.
• Truth & Training (T&T) – The club for third through sixth-graders that emphasizes Bible memorization and Bible-centered achievements.

What Goes on In AWANA each Week?

• Game Time – a thirty minute segment featuring games played on the AWANA game square
• Handbook Time – a thirty minute segment where clubbers meet with individual leaders to pass achievements in their handbooks
• Council Time – a thirty minute segment where the entire club group meets for singing, a Bible message and award presentations.

AWANA Leadership at Bethany

• Cubbies – Sandy Dalton is the Cubbies director. There are six other helpers serving in this club and around fifteen children.
• Sparks – Don & Jeanne Weimer are the Sparks Directors. There are fifteen leaders serving in this club and about thirty children.
• Truth & Training (T&T) – John and Denise Dennis are the T&T directors. There are twenty-five leaders serving in this club and around fifty children.

In addition, we are blessed with a game director, secretaries, music leaders and various speakers who provide scripture-based lessons in Council time.

Where can you help?

This year is an exciting one as we have begun with about 80 children. The position that is always in short supply is that of a leader/listener. During handbook time, many children need one-on-one assistance to get the most accomplished.

Qualifications for an AWANA Leader

Listener / Saved / Church Member / Walking with God / Good Testimony / Child Protection Training / Compliance / Desire to work with childrenDoes God want You to serve in AWANA?

Sunday’s Children’s Ministries

Mission Statement

The mission of Christian education at Bethany Baptist Church is to teach Biblical truth for the purpose of challenging believers of all ages to pursue lives of Christ-like maturity.

Bible Verse:

Philippians 1:9,10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.

Curriculum

The primary curriculum used in our children’s Sunday School classes is “Generations of Grace.” You can learn more about this curriculum by clicking here.

Leadership

• Christian Education Pastor: Pastor Sturgill
• Children’s Ministries Director: Bob Carsey
• Children’s Church Director: Marty Park
• Christian Education Administrative Assistant: Allison Hillaker

Sunday School Ministries

• Beginners (2 & 3 Yrs Old):  Sue Baker, Julie Broadworth and Vanessa Collett
• Pre-Primary (4 & 5 Yrs Old):  Dave & Kathy Wass
• 1st-3rd Grade Boys:   Joshua Harney
• 1st-3rd Grade Girls:  Jill Agar & Joy Branda
• 4th-6th Grade Boys:  Bob Carsey & Joel Cormany
• 4th-6th Grade Girls:  Jenn Ameen & Donna Larkin

Junior Church Ministries
(3 Month Rotation Schedule)

• Beginners (2 & 3 Yrs Old)
• Pre-Primary (4 & 5 Yrs Old)
• 1st & 3rd Grades

Sunday Evening Ministry

3 Yr. Olds - 1st Grade

Transition Time

1st – 3rd Grades

Christmas Program

Most years, the children perform in a Christmas Program. If you would like to help in any way (director, choir leader, costumes, back-drops, etc.) please contact Pastor Sturgill, Marty Park or Bob Carsey.

Teachers & Substitute Teachers

Every Christian Education ministry at Bethany Baptist Church requires teachers. With nearly 50 people involved in the CE ministry, opportunity to serve abounds. We would love to have you minister with us. If this is an area where you feel the Lord would have you serve, please contact Pastor Sturgill, Marty Park or Bob Carsey.

Nursery

The mission of our church nursery is to provide a safe, clean and friendly place for children from birth to 2 years of age to be cared for by loving and attentive workers, for the purpose of allowing the parents of these children to study the Word of God and worship the Lord or to minister in other areas of our church unhindered. A staffed nursery is provided during all of our church services. Both Sunday and Wednesday Services provide nursery for children up to age 3.

If you have questions about our nursery, please contact Kelly Roeper, Jenn Ameen or Libby VanValin.