BRIAN RHODES
Executive Director of Awana International

About Brian
Brian Rhodes serves as executive director of Awana International, which empowers Christian leaders worldwide to train children to know, love and serve Christ. For over 25 years, Brian has pursued this mission in a range of capacities. He has served as a local-church Awana volunteer, Awana missionary in the U.S. and Eastern Europe, Awana executive director of U.S. ministries and as a member of the Awana executive leadership team.

Brian’s story
Growing up in New York, church was an important part of Brian’s life. His dad, a gifted musician, served small churches through his music ministry. Brian’s parents built a solid foundation of faith in their home. Brian trusted Christ for eternal life and forgiveness at the age of 8.

Brian’s faith wavered after his family moved to southern Florida when he was 15 years old. Instead of using his influence as a high-school athlete, Brian compromised his beliefs and strayed from God.

It was his high-school sweetheart, Sandee, who pointed Brian back to his faith.

“I led Sandee to Christ, but she led me back to Christ,” says Brian, who has been married to Sandee for 28 years. “God has been so faithful to me even when I wasn’t faithful to Him. I can see now how God used this time in my life to fuel my passion to engage and help others become effective followers of Christ.”

From success to significance
Brian then worked for IBM for 16 years in management and as a senior account executive. After achieving marketplace success, Brian transitioned into full-time ministry as an Awana missionary in south Florida.

As parents, Brian and Sandee had witnessed the impact of Awana on their six kids’ lives. They began serving as Awana volunteers in a variety of capacities at their church before becoming missionaries.

“We saw firsthand how God was growing a strong foundation and a biblical worldview in the lives of our kids,” Brian describes. “Our kids saw Sandee and me partnering with the church to instill God’s Word in their hearts.”

In 2000, Brian became Awana area director for Europe and North Asia. His family moved to Budapest, Hungary, where they lived for three years.

The time in Hungary greatly impacted Brian's children. His oldest daughter was a senior in high school when they moved overseas. At first, the transition for her proved challenging. But it turned out to be one of the best years of her life. The experience of international ministry touched her heart, and she and her husband are planning to serve as missionaries in Argentina in the near future.

Another daughter is also making plans to live overseas. She is pursuing an internship in Hungary as a children's pastor.

"As parents, if we're serious about raising spiritual champions, we need to be very focused and have a plan," Brian says.

Brian and his family returned to the U.S. in 2003 when Brian was appointed Awana executive director of U.S. Ministries.

A passion to reach kids around the world
In 2007, Brian joined the Awana international ministries team as executive director of Awana International. Awana reaches and disciples children worldwide through more than 6,000 churches, schools, orphanages and refugee camps. Brian leads a team of Awana headquarters and field staff representing various racial, ethnic and language groups and nationalities but all united in their dedication to influencing children and families for Christ.

Awana International, which is donor funded, has expanded its reach to over 100 countries. In India alone, more than 1,100 Awana clubs spiritually train children.

“Awana is known around the world as the premier long-term discipleship ministry,” Brian says.

A commitment to equip leaders
Under Brian’s leadership, Awana International developed a new program, the Leader-Based Strategy. LBS trains and equips Christian leaders to start and maintain Awana clubs in their own churches.

“In places where poverty and low levels of literacy exist, our product-based methods have not been affordable and accessible to children outside the U.S.,” Brian says. “LBS allows Awana to multiply exponentially its worldwide outreach to children and is a model of sustainability.”

The pilot program, launched in Zambia, Africa, trained 150 church volunteers from 69 churches. Within eight weeks of completing the training, these leaders were impacting nearly 4,500 children in their communities. LBS is active in nine countries with more to follow.

“God is using Awana around the world to empower leaders and equip them to effectively reach and disciple 350,000 kids each week,” Brian says. “It’s such a privilege for Sandee and me to be a part of this at a time when is God is moving forward and doing amazing work.”

A servant of the local church
Brian has served as a speaker and workshop teacher at churches and Awana conferences around the world. Brian addresses a variety of topics, primarily:

• The outcome of long-term discipleship: life transformation
• Building a legacy in the home and future generations
• The vision to train Christian leaders around the globe to reach their countries’ children with the good news of Christ.

“I like being engaged with pastors and church leaders in local churches. Awana is a servant of the local church,” Brian says.

Creating a spiritual legacy across multiple generations
Brian and his wife desire to build a legacy. They know first hand that it starts at home. One of their goals before their six kids left home was to experience a family mission trip together.

“We wanted to expand our kids’ worldview, so in the summer of 1997 we went to Romania for five weeks,” Brian describes. “It changed our lives. Our kids didn’t want to come back.

“The trip was about discipling our own kids to be effective followers of Jesus Christ. I knew from personal experience that it takes more than growing up in a Christian family to make your faith your own.

“If we’re serious about raising a new generation of spiritual champions, we need to be very focused and have a plan. It’s been my desire to be a mentor to my own children first and then to others and to focus on long-term discipleship. Legacy comes when you build across multiple generations.”

How to contact Brian
To schedule an interview, contact Media Relations Manager David Bunker at 630.540.4695 or e-mail mediarelations@awana.org.