Awana's Subscribe   
  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/27/2001 12:17 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 5)  
 
  17.1  
 
Awanas is a Christian youth Club 
I had the great pleasure to be in Awanas during 1973  75. 

Awanas is a fun activity and teaching event for kids. Awanas is also very geared to Bible scripture memory verses. I remember going every Tuesday evening during the Awana season and every Tuesday evening I would not have a clue as to how to recite the verse that I was supposed to have memorized. 

Im sure this was very discouraging to my Awana team leaders especially after three years and I had barely memorized John 3:16 and part of Psalm 23. I know that there were some team leaders that thought that I wasnt even saved. Yet, never did one team leader ever loose patience with me or give up hope for me. I even received most of the treats and candies along with the other kids that they got for memorizing their verses. 

During those years I didnt act like I was paying attention in Church, but actually I was, because even at a young age life has problems and life needs solutions and the living loving God is just what I needed. It took years for the seeds that were sown in my life at Awanas and at Church to sprout and to bloom but when they did I was very grateful to the wonderful leaders and teachers that I have had for planting those seeds. 

A couple of years ago I successfully completed a two year School of Ministry program, furthering my chosen career path of going into the Ministry and becoming a Pastor. I bet that there are more than a few youth leaders and team leaders that would faint if they had any idea where my life with the Lord is now. In part that is why I have written this article to give Thanks and Encouragement to all the wonderful Christians that have gotten involved and made an Eternal difference in the life of someone else. 

I am still not very good a scripture memorization and I am jealous and envious of those that can and do memorize Bible verses. What a great way to go through the day with Gods word tucked in your heart. 
David A. BrownBasic Christian: Forum 



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Edited 4/29/01 12:55:33 AM ET by DAVIDABROWN 
  
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  From:  Rhi (TELGARWW)   5/2/2001 8:03 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (2 of 5)  
 
  17.2 in reply to 17.1  
 
I remember my years in AWANA. From 84 to 92, I went through the program. From Cubbies to Guards. 
I still work as an assistant to the Alabama state missionaries, at conferences and olympics. 

It has been an enriching experience in my life. 




 
 
  
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  From:  rlbowers   5/2/2001 8:04 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (3 of 5)  
 
  17.3 in reply to 17.1  
 
I used to take my boys to Awanas when we lived in Washington State. I didn't stay due to a conflicting schedule. I would drop them off, go take my wife to her event then come back for the last 10 minutes of Awanas to pick them up. We would then go pick up my wife. On our last visit I came into the church where the kids were meeting. I looked across the circle of kids but didn't see my oldest son. I was just clicking over into urgent panic when a door across the room opened and my son came out, followed by a young male leader. My son had tears in his eyes and appeared very subdued. When I asked what was going on the leader told me everything was OK. They had been talking in private about Jesus. Now some would think that this is a beautifull story about a young boy finding his saviour Jesus. I on the other hand feel that NO male (or any) leader of any group shuld take a young child into a private room for any reason. When I asked my son what happened he told me that the leader had taken him in the back room and told him he should pray and accept Jesus as his saviour. He (the leader) told him that he should pray about all the sins he had committed. My son was only 5 years old. It took us weeks to get him back to normal. 
I'll tell you now, I had some very unchristian feelings about that group leader for a long time. I felt like some 'laying on of hands' was in order. 
Thanks for letting me vent. 
-Un-Awanas- 
Ron
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    5/2/2001 9:15 am  
To:  rlbowers   (4 of 5)  
 
  17.4 in reply to 17.3  
 
Sure, 
This is a place to express / vent. 
I too was counseled in a closed room, by an adult. This Adult happened to be credible. It was after I responded to an alter-call to publicly acknowlege Jesus. 

I thought it was just the way that particular Church did things. Instead of going forward to the alter we went back into a room. I never really liked, going backward vs. forward although I thought it was still a valid confession of Jesus. Because of this as an adult I did another alter call this time going forward, not to replace the previous confession but to build on it. 

I agree, I think the days of closed doors should be over. 

I hope you had the opportunity to address this Issue with that particular, Church as most Churches and Church groups are Always looking for better ways to Minister to people including the children. 





David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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   From:  David (DavidABrown)    6/7/2001 3:54 pm  
To:  ALL   (5 of 5)  
 
  17.5 in reply to 17.1  
 
Awanas is still celebrating their 50th Anniversary. 
You can be a part of it, go to the Awana web site 
Scroll down to Awana Alumnus 
Fill in the info: 
Dont forget to request a Memories Kit 
www.Awana.org 





David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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