Awana Clubs arrive for youth in Stockbridge

by Tina Cole-Mullins

Highest Praise Worship Center (HPWC) now is the proud host of the Awana Clubs for kids. For years area kids have needed a place outside of school to gather and have fun. The addition of the new Stockbridge Teen Center is a welcome benefit to the community, and now weekly Awana sessions at HPWC offer a place for younger kids to gather.

Awana focuses on evangelism and discipleship for children and teens through 12th grade.
Based in Streamwood, Illinois, Awana is a nonprofit ministry found around the world for more than 70 years. It’s motto is “Belong. Believe. Become.”

On Feb. 2, HPWC held a launch party to provide information to parents, while kids enjoyed pizza, games and a bounce house.

Coordinator Christina Starr had heard of Awana and some of her leaders were involved in it as children. She started reading about its philosophy of ministry and found it matched that of the HPWC.

“Relational discipleship, which is doing life and growing together in Christ, is a focal point for our church,” Starr said. “Awana is a tool to support us as we teach kids about Christ and empower parents to train their children in biblical principles.”

Awana also has “amazing  leadership resources,” Starr added.

In Awana, students join into small groups, based on age, and work in handbooks citing Scripture. The groups are: Cubbies for preschool age, Sparks for grades K-2, Truth in Training (TNT) for grades 3-5, Trek for grades 6-8 and Journey for grades 9-12.

After their small lessons, students play games to provide a sense of belonging for everyone and to foster relational discipleship. Students receive awards for finishing handbook verses or assignments. These help track their spiritual growth. Award points can be spent at the Highest Praise kids store.

Amanda Preston’s two children, Brayden and Paige, attend Awana sessions. “The kids can socialize and interact with others and create friendships,” Preston said.” The staff are great and caring. It’s a great program and not costly.”

Theresa Musgrave, a group leader for the TNT group, knows some parents who won’t let their kids join because it is faith based. She asks that parents let their kids try it, and then let the kids decide.

“I realize with the younger ones this is a hard decision to make. We all parent differently. Even before I dedicated my life back to God, my kids attended an Awana program. They loved going and it kept them off the streets,” Musgrave said.

Awana costs $35 per student for an entire year. You can pay online or in-person (make checks payable to the Highest Praise Worship Center). To learn more about Awana, visit awana.org. To register your child, download the app for information and register from there: https://hpwcfamily.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/6/responses/newhttps://hpwcfamily.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/6/responses/new.

To support Awana at Highest Praise Worship Center, become a Scholarship Sponsor for $35 to pay a student’s fee for an entire year. Volunteers also will be needed to lead a small group or help students with their handbooks.