AWANA

Awana is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950,

headquartered in Streamwood, Illinois.

derived from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15

“Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that Needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

King James Version (KJV)

AWANA Mission

The mission of Awana is to help "churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve God.

Awana offers multiple curricula levels from toddlers to senior high-school. In the U.S. and Canada, Awana is split into six age groups: Puggles (2 and 3 yr olds), Cubbies (3 through 5 yr olds or "the 2 years prior to Kindergarten"), Sparks (Kindergarten, Grade 1 & 2), Truth & Training (T&T) (for grades 3, 4, 5 & 6), Trek (Middle School) and Journey (High school). Most recently T&T divided up into Pals (Boys Grade 3 & 4), Chums (Girls Grade 3 & 4), Pioneers (Boys Grade 5 & 6), and Guards (Girls Grade 5 & 6), which changed in the late 1990s. Originally Pals and Chums were Grades 3 to 5 and Pioneers and Guards included Grades 6 to 8. Trek and Journey, which are under the 24/7 Ministries (now, Awana Youth Ministries) banner, were called, respectively, Jr. Varsity and Varsity. Internationally, the age groups offered vary in each country and materials are available in many languages. Awana's prison ministries (Hannah's Gift and Malachi Dads) attend the needs of inmates by providing parental coaching to incarcerated mothers and fathers, respectively. Additionally, Returning Hearts Celebrations reunite children of inmates by sponsoring events in prisons to bring children and their inmate fathers closer together.

Awana Events

Awana missionaries and volunteers run local, state (provincial) and regional competitions between churches' Awana programs. These involve Bible Quizzing, AwanaGames, Sparks-A-Rama, and Awana Grand Prix, their version of wood car racing. High-school age Awana students can also participate in an annual national event called Summit.

Awana missionaries help churches start the Awana ministry, train church leaders how to introduce kids and youth into the Awana program and instruct church leaders at Awana 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.