Awana Clubs International, or simply Awana, is a worldwide Christian youth outreach ministry started in 1950. What does this organization do, and how can parents get involved?
What Does Awana Stand For?
While usually spelled “Awana” instead of AWANA, the organization’s name is an acronym. It stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” The phrase is a quote from 2 Timothy 2:15, which reads the following:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Awana takes the gospel to a world in need by equipping and encouraging as many of God’s workers as possible. In 2022, Awana leaders discipled five million kids with the help of churches and partners. Awana programs have reached kids and parents in over 130 countries.
When Was Awana Started?
Awana began in 1941 as a children’s ministry for North Side Gospel Center in Chicago, Illinois. North Side’s senior pastor Lance Latham and youth director Art Rorheim created weekly clubs catering to children with various biblical knowledge and church attendance. Through Latham and Rorheim’s creative methods, both “churched” and “unchurched” kids grew to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.
Latham and Rorheim founded Awana Clubs International in 1950 as a gospel outreach and church resource ministry. Their ministry soon had worldwide reach, growing to thousands of clubs on each continent. Latham also pioneered Camp Awana, which provided another outlet for thousands of juveniles to experience Christ’s salvation. Noteworthy protégés include Bill Hybels, founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church.
Camp Awana (formally called Camp Awana Honors Camp) was a camp outreach ministry in Fredonia, Wisconsin. It ran for over 70 years, beginning in 1946 and shutting down in 2019.
Rorheim said the following about Camp Awana:
“I have never seen a camp with so many maturely trained godly counselors, who gladly donate their time to impact campers with God’s word. The activity directors at Honors Camp dream up and implement the most creative, unique, unusual action packed activities that I have seen in all my years of camping! Campers come from camp saying ‘Camp was a blast!!! I can hardly wait until next year!!!’ I will forever praise the Lord for the thousands of campers who trusted Christ as their savior, and are serving the Lord in ministries worldwide. Camp Awana Honors Camp is one of the finest Christian camps in America.”
What Are Awana’s Guiding Principles?
Awana’s statement of faith is the foundation of its evangelistic theology, allowing the organization to preach the gospel in countries such as Canada, Columbia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and China. In fact, Awana had discipleship programs in 900 churches across the nation a decade after its founding.
Awana believes the Bible (consisting of both the Old and New Testaments) is inspired and inerrant. It also believes that God is eternal and exists as three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Additionally, Awana believes that Christ is God the Son, who became fully man to live a sinless life. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again as payment for the sins of humanity. Regarding the Christian life, Awana believes Christians must act according to God’s Spirit and not after their own desires. The goal is to become more and more like Christ.
The Awana website summarizes its beliefs as follows:
“As a new creation, walking in the Spirit, the Christian learns to grow in faith in obedience to Scripture, in prayer, in fellowship with the saints and in a life of service. We believe that the Christian will stand before the judgement seat of Christ and have his life evaluated according to his deeds.”
Awana’s statement of faith is based on and supported by a variety of Scripture verses, such as
Does Awana Fit Into a Particular Christian Denomination?
Since Awana does not fit into one denomination, it is interdenominational. The key to Awana’s great success is it partners with organizations committed to sharing the truth of God’s Word. As such, it can work with many different Christian groups that would otherwise be divided over denominational differences.
According to its website, Awana’s theology is the core of its mission:
“Our beliefs are what allow us to partner with over 100 denominations in order to reach kids with the gospel and discipleship. Across the globe, Awana gives kids from every background and cultural setting a place to belong, build confidence and grow in faith. Awana continually expands to make disciples by pursuing new locations and partnerships. God is using the ministry of Awana in prisons, refugee camps, slums and other hard to reach places around the world.”
Awana pursues discipleship primarily through Scripture memorization—a distinctive yet important part of its curriculum. Each Awana student, or “clubber,” must memorize and recite specific Bible passages to progress through their handbook. Clubbers are assigned handbooks based on their grade level. These handbooks offer age-appropriate Biblical instruction. Additionally, clubbers are placed into groups based on age: Puggles (toddlers), Cubbies (preschool), Sparks (grades K-2), Truth & Training (grades 3-6), Trek (middle school), or Journey (high School).
The early childhood and preschool curriculum includes Puggles (two to three years old) and Cubbies (three to five years old).
- The Puggles program introduces Biblical concepts to young children and equips parents to teach them at home.
- The Cubbies program helps preschool children focus on God’s great love, His Word, and His Son Jesus Christ, the promised Savior, through puppet shows, exciting games, and weekly Story Time.
The elementary school curriculum includes Sparks (Kindergarten through second grade) and Truth & Training (third through sixth grade).
- The Sparks program “ignites” the interest of elementary school kids in learning about Biblical people and events, thus forming a foundation for Christ’s significance. Sparks is subdivided into HangGlider, WingRunner, and SkyStormer. Each Sparks clubber explores the biographies of people in the Bible from different portions of Scripture, memorizes Bible verses, and completes handbook activities.
- The Truth & Training (T&T) curriculum trains clubbers to follow God in grace and truth. T&T lasts for four years and covers the character and nature of God, the structure and sequence of the Bible, the redemption narrative, and key practices for followers of Jesus.
The middle and high school curriculum includes Trek and Journey. Trek seeks to challenge older clubbers with the three most important questions asked in middle school: “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “Who’s with me?” By allowing middle schoolers to search the Scriptures independently, Awana allows them to own their faith and discover their true beliefs about God, themselves, and others. The Journey program confirms high schoolers as lifelong disciples of Christ through a deep study of God’s Word, pushing them to live with godly perspectives and a passionate faith. Journey features a variety of hosts, including Josh Griffin and Sean McDowell, and offers a full four-year educational plan.
How Can Parents Get Involved in Awana?
Parents who want to bring Awana’s Christ-centered programming into their kids’ lives have several options.
The first is church partnership. Parents can ask their pastor to add the Awana curriculum to their congregation if not already done.
Another way for parents to get involved is through Awana alumni: leaders and other parents and adults who have been in Awana programs. These people are great resources for parents to take the next step towards sharing God’s love with their kids.
However, the most direct way is to contact Awana via the organization’s contact form.
Photo Credit: Tim/Flickr
Charles Johnson is a self-published author and an audiobook narrator for Taylor University's Sacred Roots Project. Two of his devotionals have been featured on Aboite Independent/Great Day Ministry. Charles has answered over 200 questions on Quora. Check out his book Exploring West Chicago on Amazon.
