Awana

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = AWANA
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = 501(c)3 non-profit religious
founded_date = 1950
founder = Lance Latham, Art Rorheim
location = Streamwood, Illinois, US
key_people = Jack Eggar, President and CEO; Art Rorheim, co-founder
area_served = US; Int'l (108 countries)
num_volunteers = 12,000 US churches, 5,100 Int'l churches
Non-profit_slogan = Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed
homepage = [http://www.awana.org www.awana.org]

Awana (an acronym for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, from 2 Timothy 2:15), is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950, headquartered in Streamwood, Illinois. The organization supplies local churches with weekly clubs, programs and Bible training for students in preschool through high school. The goal of Awana is that these students would come to know, love and serve Jesus Christ as Lord.

History

Awana was founded as a youth program at the North Side Gospel Center in Chicago, Illinois, by Pastor Lance Latham and Art Rorheim. Their goal was to develop a program that would appeal to young people, reach them with the gospel and train them in the Lord’s work. Other churches heard about the success of the Awana program and asked if they could use it. By 1960, Awana had grown to 900 churches. Today, more than 12,000 U.S. churches have Awana programs and can be found in all 50 states. Outside the United States, Awana can also be found in over 5,100 churches in 109 countries and six continents.

Leadership

Art Rorheim, Co-founder and President Emeritus

Dr. Jack Eggar (Louisiana Baptist University; M.A. 1979, Ph.D. 2006) is the current President and CEO. Other ACI officers include:
*Sue Unverricht, Chief Financial Officer
*Lyn Loven, Operations
*Daniel Nott, Ministry Resources
*Richard Yandle, U.S. Ministries
*Brian Rhodes, Awana International
*Larry Fowler, Training

Curriculum

Awana regularly updates its curriculum and materials. The newest group, Puggles (for two-year-old children), became available in 2007. In the mid to late 1990's and early 2000's, their programs were revamped and reworked to better fit with changes in culture. In the U.S. and Canada, Awana is split into six age groups: Puggles, Cubbies, Sparks, Truth & Training (T&T), Trek, and Journey 24/7. Prior to the curriculum changes, the clubs were: Cubbies, Sparks, Pals/Pioneers (for boys), Chums/Guards (for girls), Jr. Varsity (JV), and Varsity. Internationally, the age groups offered in each country vary.

Participants typically meet once a week throughout the school year. The focus of the curriculum is on the presentation of the gospel and Scripture memorization. Most programs include a group teaching time, individual one-on-one time with a leader to review the lessons learned that week, and a time for games. For each child or teen the components of the program include:
#a handbook that allows each child to learn at their own pace;
#a uniform shirt or vest, and;
#awards that are earned as the child or teen successfully completes the requirements of a section of the handbook, usually including Scripture memorization.

Awana is a non-denominational program and licenses the curriculum to any church willing to pay for and use the Awana materials consistent with its principles. However, the majority of clubs are in conservative Baptist and Evangelical Free churches. Youth leaders and pastors also have the option of using only the program portions that interest them (For example, using the 'Journey' level material for teens' in-depth study sessions).

Awana Shares

Some Awana programs distribute currency officially called "Awana Shares" (and alternatively, "Awana Bucks" by many participants) that is used by some churches and given to children for successfully moving up in the Awana ranks, for memorizing verses, and for completing sections in their handbooks. They can be used to buy certain things at Store Days on certain Awana nights. Although this varies from church to church it usually involves plastic trinkets and inexpensive toys for small amounts, Bibles for slightly more, and gift certificates from local shops (such as ice cream shops and small theme parks) for more courageous spenders.

Awana Events

Awana missionaries and volunteers run local competitions between clubs. These involve Bible Quizzes, AwanaGames (formerly the Awana Olympics), and talent competitions. The high school age Awana students can also participate in a national competition called Summit (formerly Varsity USA).

Awana missionaries help churches start the Awana ministry, train church leaders how to introduce boys and girls into the Awana program, and instruct church leaders at Children's Ministry Conferences on how to better utilize the Awana ministry.

Awana Missionaries are completely "faith supported" by donations from churches and individuals, thereby acquiring all of the funds necessary to keep each of their ministries funded in addition to receiving all funds needed for their personal housing and income needs.

Leadership Development

As an organization, Awana has begun to move beyond just offering training and materials for churches to run Bible-based kids clubs. They have begun a leader and parent development ministry called the "Rorheim Institute". The purpose of the ministry is to help adults (and other ministry leaders) evangelize and disciple children and youth by selling individuals the "...exclusive right to teach certified Shepherding Parents seminars for Rorheim Institute." [ [http://www.awana.org/ri/ri_pages/default.aspx?id=873 Rorheim Institute Trainer Certification Program (TCP) Frequently Asked Questions] ] The training helps raise up the importance of children's ministry and give parents and leaders the confidence to shepherd children into forming a true Biblical worldview and living it out.

Non-profit status

Awana broadly encompasses the following tax exempt entities:
* Awana International (EIN 74-3095616);
* Awana Clubs International (EIN 36-2428692);
* Impact Life (EIN 36-3893013), and;
* Canadian Adventure, Inc. (EIN 36-4505052).

According to the 2006 Form 990 filed with the IRS by Awana Clubs International, ACI reported gross revenues of $45,595,800 --- significantly higher than the amounts reported for both 2004 ($41,464,006) and 2005 ($41,513,499) within the Awana "2004-2005 Financial Highlights" report [ [http://www.awana.org/donate/annualreport/docs/financial2005.pdf (Awana) "2004-2005 Financial Highlights"] ] , but this gross revenue variation may be due to a timing difference with the actual start and end date of the ACI tax year or a transfer of funds between the various Awana EOs. [ [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/362/428/2006-362428692-02d67043-9.pdf IRS 2005 Form 990 "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax"] . This form also lists the compensation for Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees.]

At the close of 2007, Awana was named one of 30 "Shining Light Ministries" by MinistryWatch.com, a financial watchdog group. The award is based on passing a number of stringent financial accounting and reporting standards. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/SL_Dec07.pdf 30 of the Brightest Shining Light Ministries] ] Awana is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

References

See also

* Awana Grand Prix

External links

* [http://www.awana.org Awana Clubs International]
* [http://www.awana.org/about/default.aspx?id=648 Jack D. Eggar, Awana President/CEO]
* [http://www.awana.org/about/default.aspx?id=649 Art Rorheim, Co-founder/President Emeritus]
* [http://www.awana.org/ri/ Rorheim Institute]
* [http://www.canadianadventurecamp.org/story.html Canadian Adventure Camp]
* [http://www.24-7ministries.net/limits/summit/ Summit]
* [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=362428692 MinistryWatch - Awana Clubs International]
* [http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3334 Charity Navigator Rating - Awana]
* [http://thomasleavitt.org/personal/misc/awana.html Thomas Leavitt - AWANA: Not Just a "Christian" version of Scouts]