My week 12/6/2020-12/18/2020

1300 Miles

3 Different Hotel Rooms

2 Big Bags of Sunflower Seeds

Lot's of desert out the window

Numerous beautiful sunsets

I started the week spending my birthday with Judy, Jack, Ryan and Maggie at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. We had a great time bowling, swimming at the outdoor pool, working our way through the escape room and spending time together over meals...a great reminder of what is important. 

I had the opportunity to drive out and visit churches and pastors in Utah and Northeast Nevada. Sunsets in the desert are beautiful. 

Tuesday, I visited the club at Midvalley Bible Church in Bluffdale, UT. Midvalley has had an Awana Ministry for 53 years! What a legacy, as many generations of families have come to know Jesus through the ministry of Awana at Midvalley...Praise God!

I met with pastor Andrew Peterson at Kaysville Bible Church in Kaysville, UT. Pastor Andrew is the youth pastor at KBC and he shared with me how God is working here in spite of Covid. Praise Him!

Wednesday, I visited Grace Community Bible Church in Sandy, UT. Grace has two groups of kids attending. One group comes live and wearing masks, the other group stays home and watches club through Zoom. As a way to mitigate Covid-19, rather than sitting in rows, the Grace congregation sits together at tables. It has been so much fun to see the creativity of churches as they continue to evangelize and disciple the children and families in their communities. 

Thursday I was blessed to have lunch with Jim and Pauline Thacher. Jim and Pauline have served as Awana Ministry Directors at Midvalley Bible for 52 years. So much fun to spend the afternoon hearing the stories of how God has worked at Midvalley over the years. This is a photo with Jim and Pauline and Awana Missionary Joel Culberson at the 50 year celebration of the Thacher's ministry.  Joel was a clubber as a boy at Midvalley and years later, now serves as Awana Missionary in Kansas and Missouri. 

I stopped by Wells Baptist Church in Wells, NV on my way west. After a great start last year, due to Covid, Wells Baptist has had to put Awana on hold. Please be in prayer for all of these "hold" clubs that they will find a way to reach kids with the love of Jesus. 

There was quite a bit of excitement Friday night at the club at Ruby Mountain Bible Church in Spring Creek Nevada. Awana Ministry Directors Tim and Seri Orr have built a great team of student and adult leaders who disciple the kids at RMBC. 

I left Elko a day early to avoid the snowy roads coming home, but couldn't escape the snow in Truckee.

Awana Christmas party on Zoom. I think I've heard "We've never done it that way before" so many times in 2020, with the employee Christmas party being no different.

I spent the rest of the week working with my missionary team preparing our January online training event. There are many churches who may either launch their club mid year or just need a little encouragement as this has been a very difficult year of ministry. You can register at events.awana.org Look for "Equipped to Run the Race". 

We'll spend the rest of 2020 celebrating the birth of our Savior with family and friends. 

Thank you again for all you do to reach kids with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For your prayers, your passion for kids, your financial support, your faithfulness in this season and most of all for your friendship. TOGETHER, we are working to give children the greatest gift they will ever receive. 

"For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!

My Week 11/8/2020-11/15/2020

1451 Miles Driven

Slept in 3 Different Beds

3 States

3 Clubs Visited

Shared Awana at a New Church

Plenty O' Starbucks

2 Big Bags of Sunflower Seeds for the Road

I had the opportunity to visit the club at First Baptist Battle Mountain. Awana Ministry Director Darlinda Sorenson shared with me that they've had many new children coming to club this year, many of these children are unchurched. Very exciting to see God working in Battle Mountain.

Wednesday I drove 523 miles to visit First Southern Baptist Church in Kingman, AZ. God is certainly working in Kingman as AMD Kim Felton reports of new kids and new leaders. Games can be played anywhere and the T&T Bible Lesson was wonderful. Praise God!

The road from Battle Mountain to Kingman is long and lonely, yet beautiful as God's creation is evident. The 523 miles gave me the chance to "read" a complete audio book.

One of my responsibilities is to look for new places to have Awana. On my way from Kingman to Boulder City, I stopped at several churches to see if I could make contact with anyone. This church in AZ used to have Awana, however, they had to drop several years ago as the church burned down. As you can see, the Awana game circle is still there. Our prayer is that this and other churches will rekindle their passion to reach kids with the love of Jesus. 

I was blessed to share with the congregation here, at Amargosa Christian Fellowship about how they can use Awana to reach the children and families in Amargosa Valley with the love of Jesus. Praise God, they've asked me to schedule a training for them to start club in January. 

Sunday, I got to visit the club at Highland Hills Baptist in Henderson. It has been so exciting to see the creativity from our clubs in how they can still reach kids with the love of Jesus in spite of Covid. Highland Hills has done a variety of different things this year to make coming to club as safe as possible.

My Week 11/1/2020-11/7/2020 "We were created to be together"

 

It was so wonderful to drive out to Fallon, NV and see old friends there. The thing I've missed the most about the pandemic is seeing my friends. Although being a missionary is "my job", it is more importantly "my life". I often tell people that I'm never working, but I'm never not working. The relationships I have with the pastors, leaders and clubbers in our area are REAL relationships...it has been so hard not being with those people who I have a shared calling, passion and love for. 

Sparky Letters- The Sparks Club in Fallon wrote letters to me and gave them to me while I was there. What an encouragement!! 

My Week 10/25/2020-10/31/2020

It was SO much fun to get out and start seeing the clubs in our area again this week. I often tell people that in my role as Awana Missionary, "I'm never working, but I'm never not working". The relationships I have with our churches, pastors and leaders are real. Video chat is a good temporary substitute, but I have missed seeing everyone in person. 

On Monday, I was invited to be with the Trek and Journey group from Sierra Bible Church Truckee as they prepared "Homeless Care Packs" for the homeless in Truckee. What a great way to teach these students that God loves all and that the local church needs to reach out to their community. 

Social Distancing

Summit Christian Church in Sparks, NV started this year right on time. It was very encouraging to hear from Awana Ministry Directors Dan and Karla Harker how over the summer they gathered their club directors together to assess and plan how they will do club this year in spite of Covid-19. Karla reported that without exception, the directors said that the mission of reaching kids at Summit MUST go on and "we will find a way". 

Summit Sparkies have two ways to do club; live-traditional and a Zoom option available for kids who are still not ready to attend club in person. The Sparks Director sends out a Bible Lesson online, and then a "Zoom Leader" listens to children recite their verses over the Marco Polo App. The night I visited, there was an "online store". Clubbers received a video of what was available in the store and they phoned in what they'd like to purchase from the store. 

At game time, the Game Director has developed unique games that do not require kids touching game equipment.

The Summit Trek and Journey club have developed a way for some teenagers to participate in club via Zoom video chat. 

Wednesday I spent the night at Sierra Bible Church- Reno. Sierra Bible Church is the oldest club in Nevada. What a legacy! Awana Ministry Director Christy Cronk has set up an "Old School Awana" display to reflect the long term ministry impact that SBC has had in reaching child in Reno with the love of Jesus. Thanks Christy!!

October 2020 Ministry Update

 You can download a PDF of this Ministry Update HERE.

Caring For The Children in Your Ministry

 

How can you show the children in your ministry that you genuinely care? What does it require of you as a leader? What attitudes or actions are most appropriate? The Apostle Paul exemplifies a model of caring for others in the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians. 

Be Gentle- 1 Thessalonians 2:7  But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. The word "gentle" means to be kind, sensitive, not rushing. Every leader should be sensitive to each child's personality, background, intellect, emotions, and will. This sensitivity is achieved through a gentle spirit. 

Be Relational- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. "Affection" means having a deep longing for and maintaining a close intimate relationship with another person. Leaders need to have affection for the children in their ministry. If these children feel close to their leaders, they will open up and share their thoughts, prayers and struggles. They will trust them with their feelings, both good and bad. 

Give of Yourself- 1 Thessalonians 2:8b we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. Leaders need to give of themselves to the children they serve. As you get to know these children better, it becomes easier to share more of your life with them. You may want to plan activities outside of club with them and their families (child protection rules apply). This takes extra time and effort, but a little extra time goes a long way for many of the kids with whom you are in contact with. 

Work Lovingly- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. In this verse, Paul is talking about how he worked to support themselves financially. He didn't want to be a burden to people, and he didn't to give anyone an opportunity to accuse him of taking advantage of them. Paul made tents, working early in the morning and late into the night...this was hard work. Awana is hard work, but what other work lasts for eternity. 

Be an Example- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. Awana leaders should be an example of what a Jesus follower should be. Children can't handle inconsistency. They want a leader who "walks the talk". When you ask your clubbers what is a disciple, rather than think of someone with a rob and a beard as they have seen in drawings, they should think of you. You should be a model of what a disciple is.

Be an Encourager and a Motivator- 1 Thessalonians 2:11b For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children. As an Awana leader, you need to be like a father. Encourage the children in your ministry to keep attending club, to pay attention during the Bible lesson, learn their verses and stay involved with the club. Maybe all it takes is for you to say, "You're a great kid, Jesus loves you, we love you...keep coming".

This is why Paul labored day and night for the Thessalonians. And that's why leaders must care for the children in their ministry. So that someday these children who God has entrusted to your care will trust Christ as their Savior and begin to grow and walk in a manner worthy and pleasing to God.

Build Your Team

August 2020 Ministry Update

 

How to make a quick and easy Awana Game Square

Sample Schedule for Reaching Parents

Most of you have all have finished the club year, and now it's time for summer break, but also time to think about planning for next year. Here is a sample schedule that you might implement next year to reach out and involve parents.

August- Registration Night. Have your parents come and meet their child's club director. Provide a list of expectations to the parents of how they (the parents) can make the club year a success. Also, invite these parents to join your club Facebook Group (if you have one) and let them know they'll receive updates and information via Facebook.

September- Club has started. After two or three weeks, have your club directors send a letter, text, or email to your parents thanking them for bringing their children to Awana.

October- Host a parent open house where parents can come and shadow their children through club.

November- Host an Awana Grand Prix. This is a great parent outreach! If you don't have a track, find or borrow one. We have found a good time for this is the week before Thanksgiving break as it gives your leaders one extra week of no responsibility to help avoid any burnout.

December- Set aside a time, other than club time for a family night. This could be a potluck or other fun activity to build relationships between the families and leaders. It might also be a good idea to invite your pastor to welcome church members and meet any new families.

January- Schedule a "Family Movie Night" at the church. Invite clubbers with their parents and serve soda, popcorn, and other snacks.

February- Invite parents to either a local AwanaGames/ Sparks-A-Rama or host your own "Awana Wild-n-Wacky Games Night". This is a time either on a club night or on a Saturday, where your clubbers can just have fun and play games. Ask someone to share a short gospel message to all those in attendance.

March- Have your church do an "Awana Sunday" and highlight all the work that God is doing in your club. Request from your pastor 10 minutes during the service, ask all leaders and children to wear their uniform, then have your Awana Ministry Director or Awana Missionary share and let the clubbers play a short game during the service. This will be a great opportunity to connect your club with not only your parents but the entire church.

April- Have some sort of fundraiser for your club and ask parents to help. Have a burrito feed Sunday after church, sell cakes or coffee, or some other fundraiser activity. Use these funds to cover the costs of your club or to send clubbers to camp.

May- Invite all parents to an Awards celebration to recognize your clubbers achievements.

May 2020 Ministry Update

Download a PDF of this Ministry Update Here

Resilient Disciplemaker Blog 3

What is a Resilient Disciplemaker? He or she is a common everyday, ordinary person who God uses to do extraordinary things. They are moms, dads, grandpa's and grandma's, plumbers, doctors, teachers, office workers; everyday people. They volunteer at both large and small churches alike. God is using these people to build a new generation of faith. They are raising up the church members, pastors, missionaries, elders, deacons of the Church of 2050, building their faith one brick at a time, precept upon precept, week after week. They love and are loved by kids, they teach and learn from kids, they invest in and are invested in by the local church, they help kids learn about Jesus and in turn learn more for themselves, they see joy and experience joy through the relationships with the kids they serve. They've risen their hands and said "Here am I Lord...use me". They are true heroes of the faith!

It is such a privilege to see God using these people to build His Kingdom.  

Resilient Disciplemaker blog 3 is:  Randy and Shirley Moore (and daughter Tiffany)

Where do they serve: Mountain Vista Baptist Church in Carson City, NV.

How long have they served: 

Randy- 24 years

Shirley- 25 years

Tiffany- Citation Achiever

Role in Awana: Awana Ministry Director

What is their favorite thing about serving in Awana:

Randy- Loves the role that Awana has in building faith in the family, allowing families to grow closer to Jesus together.

Shirley- Sees Awana as a ministry that she and Randy (and Tiffany) can serve in together, helping and encouraging children and families grow closer to Jesus.

Thank you Randy and Shirley for your leadership and your passion for reaching kids and families with the love of Jesus. 

April 2020 Ministry Update

Hello Family, Friends and Ministry Partners,

WOW!! Most of our lives have certainly changed over the last several weeks. Some have been sick, some concerned about getting and some with family who are sick. Some are now schooling their children over Zoom, some are working at home, some not working at all. For sure there is much uncertainty.  There is, however, something we can be certain about...

Jesus is still on the throne!!

While our meetings have been postponed, our mission has not. Children still need to hear about Jesus.  During the first quarter of 2020, the Lord kept us exceptionally busy...here are some of things that we've been doing.

World Lead

I was invited to be on the training team at World Lead in Dallas, TX. World Lead is a leadership development program for Awana US Missionaries. As a trainer, I probably learned as much if not more than the participants. 

Club Visits

We visit the Awana clubs throughout our ministry area to watch God work, encourage leaders and build and maintain relationships with the Awana Ministry Directors and pastors of the churches we serve.

Tiffany Kozsan does a wonderful job leading Sparks Large Group Time at Sierra Bible Church in Reno.

The club at Mason Valley Southern Baptist Church in Yerington, NV is established and growing. Great leadership from Stephanie Black and Melody Forster.

 Jack and Channel Walsh are leading a great team at Oasis Baptist in Henderson.

Patrick and Melinda Mauterer are new Awana Ministry Directors at Valley Christian Fellowship and doing a great job at building this ministry.

The club at First Baptist Sparks is growing. The entire team is engaged in the mission of reaching kids with the love of Jesus.

At Winnemucca Christian Fellowship, I got to watch as Lori Taylor lead a young T&T age girl to Christ...Praise God!

Small Group time at Hilltop Community Church

Bunch of kids at Pahrump Community Church. Thanks Caleb Walker

I visited New Life Fellowship in Lovelock. Pastors Verna and David Vetter are doing a great job of reaching the kids in Lovelock. It was so much fun to watch.

Angela Engebretson and Marlo Simpson are building a great team at Life Baptist in Las Vegas.

There's a new club in Hope Church Boulder City and Shalene Dougherty is leading well to help her reach kids with the message of Christ.

Indoor game time at Spring Valley Baptist Church in Las Vegas. Thank you Heather Bilyeu for leading a wonderful ministry.

Remote Awana

What are clubs doing during the Covid-19? A bunch....some clubs are meeting online via Zoom, Hangouts of Facebook Live, some are calling their kids, some allowing parents to sign sections. It is so much fun to see the creativity of Awana leaders in discipling kids despite our "stay at home orders".

Jenny Howard leading the Sierra Bible Church Truckee Trek group in their Bible Study via Google Hangouts.

Brandon Stewart and Janina Benesch leading Trek at Sierra Bible Church Reno via Zoom

I've even been able to do online training via Facebook Live. It's a great way to equip leaders, while they are at home and so am I. 

That's it for now. Thank you so much to all who give, serve, pray, share, laugh and encourage. This is a "movement" of us all. Together, we are reaching kids with the love of Jesus. 

Thanks!!