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Author of How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph to Be Interviewed on Florida Radio Sept. 1

Linda Massey Weddle will discuss parenting and her new book, How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph, on "The Noon Show" on WKTO 88.7 FM in Daytona, Florida, at 11 a.m. CDT September 1.

Linda's book presents a practical plan for how parents and churches can raise kids to have lasting faith and character modeled after Joseph of the Old Testament. It is a follow-up to another Awana resource, Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, written by Larry Fowler, Awana executive director of global training.

Awana Selects LearnCenter Platform for Developing New Online Tools

Learn.com®, a leader in on-demand workforce development and productivity, announced today that Awana has chosen the LearnCenter® platform to develop training for its corporate employees, build a continuing education program for adults and create a revenue-generating portal.

Awana had no existing online training processes for their internal employees. With the implementation of the LearnCenter platform, the organization was seeking to initiate a Web-based professional training program for their employees and add a revenue-generating portal for volunteers and missionaries. Other prime objectives entailed utilizing the LearnCenter platform to create a four-year continuing education program for adults and to capably manage all of the details involved in organizing large events.

"The ministry didn't have a lot of experience in training and development programs," said Judi Smith, Awana Strategic Services Director. "We will use the LearnCenter platform's flexible feature set and quick, user-friendly capabilities to serve our multiple audiences efficiently and effectively while giving each market the unique attention it deserves."

Learn more about this story

Awana President/CEO Encourages Parents and Churches on Generations Radio Show

"At best kids spend only a couple of hours a week at church. We really think we're going to spiritually form and build and sharpen our kids with that kind of input?" Awana President/CEO Jack Eggar said during an interview with Kevin Swanson on the Generations with Vision radio show. "We need a lot more input, and it begins at home. The church must recognize that its job is to equip parents as parents then are held responsible for spiritually training their kids."

Jack shares how parents and churches can work together to raise children and youth to have enduring faith and character in Christ for a lifetime.

Listen to the interview

Awana Reaching Kids in Nepal Through Refugee Camps, Bible Audio Tapes

Pastor Abraham Dahal has just planted a church in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal. He himself is a refugee. Dahal found it difficult to share God's plan of salvation with so-called high-cast people in the camp. Then he changed his ministry strategy and started sharing Christ with children at the church through the Awana ministry. He found that kids are more open to the message of Jesus and Scripture. Attendance at his church's Awana club quadrupled within four months.

"There is great change in the lives of children after starting Awana," Pastor Dahal said. "And many high-caste people started attending the church by seeing the change in the lives of their children."

Learn more about the latest Awana developments in Nepal.

Nation’s Largest Gathering of Inmates and Children Promotes Healing Within Families

Once considered America’s most violent prison, the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola recently teamed up with Awana, a leading youth and children’s ministry, to host the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their kids.  

Returning Hearts Celebration reunited 540 children and teens with 440 incarcerated dads for a day of activities and bonding March 28 on the prison grounds. The annual event provides fathers an opportunity to restore relationships with sons or daughters they haven’t connected with in years – a crucial step for breaking the cycle of familial crime. Studies report that children of an incarcerated parent are seven times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.

“Returning Hearts is a time when the walls come down between kids and their fathers,” Awana Lifeline Director Lyndon Azcuna said. “This special day gives children an opportunity to be with their fathers physically and to hear them say ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I love you.’ It’s also a place for children to experience God’s love through the changed hearts of their fathers.”

Julie Boge was one of 565 volunteers from 29 states and 161 churches who served the inmates, children and the 141 care-givers who came to Returning Hearts. Boge traveled nearly 1,000 miles from suburban Chicago to the event. Her role at Returning Hearts was as a chaperone for an inmate and his 8- and 9-year-old daughters.

“These two little girls couldn’t remember the last time they saw their father, and it was their first time at Returning Hearts,” Boge recalled. “They were so excited. To watch God reconnect these kids with their dad was a blessing.

“At the end of the day, both the little girls kissed their father on the cheek, and he told them he loved them. Volunteering at Returning Hearts was life changing for me. I can’t put into words how much it impacted my life.”

Returning Hearts Celebration is one component of the Awana Lifeline prison ministry. Returning Hearts has made a profound impact on children’s daily lives. In a 2007 survey, nearly 70 percent of the care-givers who brought kids to the event said their children’s behavior had improved at home and at school in the months following Returning Hearts.

“These fathers do not want their children to end up in prison,” Eggar said. “So they are intentional in encouraging and teaching their children to pursue a life of character and faith.” 

The success of Returning Hearts at Angola has spawned similar events at other prisons across the country. Awana is expanding its Lifeline ministry, which includes a mentoring and discipleship program for inmates, to seven other prisons. Among them is San Quentin State Prison in San Rafael, California.

Harvest TV Show Discusses Raising Modern-Day Josephs With Author Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler, author of the book Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, recently appeared as a guest on "The Harvest Show," a Christian program that airs on LeSEA Broadcasting Network.

Larry, who serves as executive director of global training at Awana, discussed how parents and churches can work together to raise modern-day Josephs -- children and teens who possess strong character and faith modeled after Joseph from the Old Testament book of Genesis. He also emphasized the Bible's teaching that parents should lead their children's spiritual development with churches playing a pivotal supporting role.

Larry also shared how parents and churches need to develop a strategy across childhood for raising spiritually strong kids. He encouraged parents to set a goal of preparing their kids to walk with Christ into and throughout adulthood.

Awana Makes Life-Defining Impact on Youth: Christian Broadcasting Network

The results of a recent nationwide Awana alumni study are now being publicized on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Web site. The article from The Associated Press (AP) highlights how more than 90 percent of young people who participated in Awana for at least six years still attend church regularly. It also notes that these alumni also actively practice their faith in other areas, including evangelism, church service, giving, Bible study and prayer.

Read the full Awana alumni study report to learn more about the spiritual impact of Awana on children and youth.

More Than 500 Children Reunite With Inmate Fathers at Returning Hearts Prison Event

On Saturday, March 28, the prison once deemed the most violent in America welcomed the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their children to promote reconciliation and healing within families.

Returning Hearts Celebration reunited more than 500 kids with their incarcerated dads at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola for a special day of activities and bonding. The annual event enables fathers who may not have seen their sons or daughters in years to seek forgiveness and build connections in an effort to break the cycle of familial crime.

Visit the Awana Lifeline Web site for more information.

Returning Hearts Celebration Garnering Nationwide Media Coverage

The annual event that reunites children with their inmate fathers is receiving press attention from media outlets across the U.S. Here are links to a few of the latest reports promoting the March 28 Returning Hearts Celebration scheduled for the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola:

• Story in Youth Worker Journal magazine
• Article in USA Today 
• Announcement in Evangelical News
• Feature in World magazine 
• News story in Christian Post
• Press release with Christian News Wire 
• Article on WorldNetDaily.com

Returning Hearts Celebration Now Spotlighted at WorldNetDaily.com

Returning Hearts Celebration continues to draw publicity from a variety of media outlets. WorldNetDaily.com now features an article about the March 28 event that is scheduled to take place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola – once called the most violent prison in the nation.

Awana Lifeline Director to Appear on Janet Parshall's America Radio Program March 9

Lyndon Azcuna, director of Awana Lifeline, our prison ministry, will discuss the upcoming Returning Hearts Celebration event on Janet Parshall's America, a nationally syndicated radio program, March 9. Returning Hearts Celebration is an annual event that enables fathers who may not have seen their kids in years to seek forgiveness and build connections.

Janet Parshall is the host of the three-hour program originating from Washington, D.C. Use the radio station finder to locate a station in your area that airs Janet Parshall's program.

National Awana Alumni Study is Topic of Moody Radio Program March 25

Awana President/CEO Jack Eggar will discuss the eye-opening results of the nationwide Awana alumni study report on the Moody Florida radio program "Midday Connection." The interview will take place at 7:07 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 25 on WKES 91.1 FM, a Moody radio affiliate near St. Petersburg, Florida. (Click here to listen online from anywhere in the world.) It will be repeated during the 3 p.m. hour CST the same day as well as between 5 and 7 a.m. CST on Saturday, March 28.

The study surveyed 721 Awana alumni from across the U.S. It highlights how more than 90 percent of young people who participated in Awana for at least six years still attend church regularly. It also notes that these alumni also actively practice their faith in other areas, including evangelism, church service, giving, Bible study and prayer.

Read the full Awana alumni study report to learn more about the spiritual impact of Awana on children and youth.

Returning Hearts Celebration Featured in WORLD News Magazine

A leading Christian news magazine recently spotlighted Returning Hearts Celebration, a key component of the Awana Lifeline prison ministry. WORLD featured the annual event, which will reunite inmate fathers with their children on March 28 for a day of fun, bonding and reconciliation on the grounds of Louisiana State Penitentiary, in a blog on March 3.

Last year 730 children of inmates came to the Angola-based prison for the festival. Over 1,000 children are scheduled to attend this year’s event.

Awana Hosting America's Largest Gathering of Inmates and Their Children March 28

The prison once deemed the most violent in America will be the site of the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their children to promote reconciliation and healing within families.

Returning Hearts Celebration is expected to reunite more than 1,000 kids with their incarcerated dads at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola for a special day of activities and bonding. The annual event enables fathers who may not have seen their sons or daughters in years to seek forgiveness and build connections in an effort to break the cycle of familial crime. Visit the Awana Lifeline Web site for more information.

Parents Have Greater Influence on Kids' Lives Than Even Christian Schools: Survey

A recent study draws two overarching conclusions that many parents may find eye opening:

• Parents have a more shaping impact on their children's spiritual lives than the Christian schools their kids attend.
• The involvement of Christian-school and public-school students in church-related activities is almost identical.

The scientific study is from the University of Texas. It used survey results from the National Survey of Youth and Religion to contrast the spiritual lives of students in Protestant, Catholic, public, home and non-religious private schools.

The study made three distinct findings:

• Christian school education positively influences students' private faith beliefs and practices.
• The participation levels of public-school and Christian-school students in their church were basically the same.
• Parents and peers more strongly influence the spiritual lives of kids than Christian, Catholic and home schools.

"The good news for parents," the study's author said, "is while the choice of school is important, the most effective thing they can do to affect the religious life of their children is to take their own spiritual life seriously and encourage their children to build friendships with peers who are also faithful Christians."

The study's findings reinforce the commitment of Awana to equip parents and churches in raising modern-day Josephs. A modern-day Joseph is a young person who possesses steadfast biblical faith and character as a young adult, like Joseph of the Old Testament. Awana believes that the Bible calls parents to lead their children's spiritual development. The church's role is to encourage and support parents in this endeavor.

Majority of U.S. Students Are 'Graduating from God' After High School: Survey

Over half of high-school seniors who say they have come to know Christ as their Savior are leaving the church, struggling with a variety of temptations and abandoning their faith after graduation. This is according to a three-year research study by Fuller Theological Seminary's Center for Youth and Family Ministry.

According to the Christian Post, Fuller completed a three-year study that "surveyed Christian students and their life transition into college and what provides for a better transition, especially when it comes to faith." The study's results reflect denominational research that anywhere from 50 to 94 percent of youth stop attending church after high school.

Fuller's findings reinforce the message of the Modern-Day Joseph initiative. Awana believes the partnership between parents and the local church makes the greatest eternal impact on young people's lives. When parents and churches work together to strategically teach God's Word and integrate spiritual learning and programs across all of childhood, they raise young adults marked by firm biblical faith and character. This is what Awana refers to as a modern-day Joseph, named after Joseph of the Old Testament book of Genesis.

Awana, Adventures In Missions Collaborating to Strengthen World Missions Efforts

Awana and Adventures In Missions (AIM), an evangelical organization specializing in prayer-focused mission trips, have started a strategic relationship that will benefit students in 24-7 Ministries and kids overseas that they minister to.
 
"For a long time, I have admired the work that AIM has done, giving churches opportunities to serve around the world for the past 20 years," said Kevin White, director of 24-7 Ministries, the youth ministry of Awana. "It is an honor to work beside them in what I believe will be a long-standing relationship."
 
The two organizations will share their influence and networks to make their services available to more people. "The ministries of Awana, including 24-7 Ministries, have a success rate greater than 90 percent in the church ministry they do all over the world," said Clint Bokelman, AIM's director of short-term missions. "It is our pleasure to team up with them to provide opportunities for the Body of Christ to step out into the mission field."
 
While long-term collaboration is the intention, the initial goal is to plug participants of 24-7 Ministries' programming into opportunities in the mission field while connecting churches that have participated in AIM trips to consider supplementing a missions experience with 24-7 Ministries' curriculum and resources. "We're committed to not just do business with each other, but to walk together," Bokelman said. "For us, this is about relationship."

Modern-Day Joseph Author Larry Fowler Appearing on Radio Stations Nationwide

Larry Fowler, Executive Director of Global Training, is going on radio stations to discuss his new book, Raising a Modern-Day Joseph: A Timeless Strategy for Growing Great Kids. Drawing from the timeless narrative of the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, Fowler offers a biblical plan for training children and teens who will know, love and serve Jesus Christ for a lifetime. Raising a Modern-Day Joseph is being distributed through David C. Cook and is available at bookstores nationwide, the Awana Store or the Awana Ministry Catalog (for Awana-registered churches).

Kids Christmas Campaign Will Reach Children Globally With the Good News of Christ

The first annual Awana Kids Christmas Campaign invited all Awana clubbers and families to color an ornament and bring it with a dollar to club during the month of December. The money raised will help our international efforts in reaching boys and girls around the world with the love of Jesus Christ. As of mid-January, over $35,000 was raised, and 5,180 ornaments were collected.

“It’s my prayer that together we can reach more than 300,000 kids for Jesus Christ in 2009 because of the Awana Kids Christmas Campaign,” said Brian Rhodes, executive director of Awana International.

Alex Mwilambwe, an Awana leader in Zambia, Africa, is especially thankful for Awana. Many of the children in his community are involved in child labor due to the construction trade. Parents and guardians are putting their children to work as stone breakers so they can raise money for their families.

“I thank God for you people who have wholly devoted yourselves in sponsoring the Awana program,” Alex said. “You may not know to what extent you have influenced the gospel to be impacted into these little children.

“I want to thank God for the Awana program that we have started every Saturday morning. Some of these children now have the opportunity of listening to the gospel. I can say that words are not enough to say thank you, but may God who knows and sees that which is done in private greatly bless you and reward you for the work you are doing.”

Christian Financial Watchdog Group Names Awana to 2008 List of Shining Light Ministries

For the second year in a row, Ministry Watch chose Awana as one of 30 exemplary Christian ministries for its annual listing of Shining Light ministries. Each year, Ministry Watch researches and assesses hundreds of ministries. It selects the top 30 and bottom 30 ministries in such areas as transparency, values, resourcefulness and truth claims.

"Awana is called a ‘Shining Light’ ministry by MinistryWatch.com," said Rodney Pitzer, MinistryWatch.com's managing director of research, "because Awana is indeed a model of letting their Christian light shine before men so that the gospel may be proclaimed and God be glorified. Consequently, MinistryWatch.com is shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good works and other ministries may learn from by their example."

Ministry Watch aids donors in understanding the key issues concerning a ministry’s operations. It also educates donors in choosing the best ways to support a variety of ministries that are honoring God and making a kingdom impact.

For a look at the 2008 Shining Light list of honorees, click here.

Awana Workers Facing New Religious Opposition in Parts of Eastern Europe

A new law on religion recently passed in Kazakhstan that adds a roadblock to evangelism. The Ministry of Justice of Russia has posted a list of 56 religious organizations to be shut down by the government. Awana workers need your prayers.

But the Awana ministry continues in the former Soviet Union, and a few new churches have started the program in Russian. God richly blessed recent leadership conferences in Ukraine, and missionaries are planning Bible Quizzing events for churches for March and April. Many boys and girls have begun a personal relationship with Jesus, and their faith has drawn their parents to investigate the truth about Christ.

Awana Celebrates 10 Years of Ministry to Jamaica

After two years of planning and preparation, the 10th anniversary celebration of Awana in Jamaica took place in November. Awana President/CEO Jack Eggar and his wife, Dona, attended the 230-guest banquet. The event featured a keynote address by Jack and recognition of some of the young people who have gone through the Awana program and are now active leaders in local clubs.

Excerpts of the banquet were televised on Jamaican TV, and the entire church service was broadcast on a Christian radio station. Awana missionary Radcliffe Braham reported that the publicity has generated some church inquiries about Awana. Currently 30 churches operate Awana in Jamaica.

Raising a Modern-Day Joseph Book by Larry Fowler Released Nationally

Raising a Modern-Day Joseph -- the book by Larry Fowler, Awana Executive Director of Global Training -- is now officially being distributed nationwide through David C. Cook, a leading Christian publisher. National distribution begins in January 2009.

In December, Parable Bookstores is exclusively promoting Raising a Modern-Day Joseph throughout the U.S.

Awana is encouraging churches to direct their church members, children's and youth leaders, pastors, neighbors, friends and families to purchase Larry's excellent book. The book has been available exclusively for anyone to buy at the Awana Store and for Awana-registered churches to purchase at the Ministry Catalog Online since June.

250 New Churches to Use Awana to Reach Kids in Africa Due to Unique Training Strategy

“We have seen rapid growth in our ministry in Africa this year – more than in the past five years,” reports Africa Area Director Stephen Maphosah. “We have given Seed Planters training to over 600 leaders from 250 churches in Kenya who could potentially reach 6,000 children through the formation of new Awana clubs.” 

Maphosah is confident that this is only the beginning of what God could do through the Leader-Based Strategy in Africa.

“God is in the business of turning the hearts of pastors and key church leaders toward children’s ministry in ways we have never before seen,” Maphosah said. “We are receiving many calls from all corners of the country to conduct the 4-14 Forum (which raises awareness of the need for churches to prioritize children’s ministry) and Seed Planters Conference (where Awana is presented to church leaders).”

Moody Radio Interviews How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph Author

Linda Massey Weddle discussed her new book, How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph, on the WMBI-Chicago radio program "This is the Day" with Nancy Turner on July 16. The book presents a practical plan for how parents and churches can raise kids and youth to have lasting faith and character modeled after Joseph of the Old Testament. It is a follow-up to another Awana resource, Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, written in 2008 by Larry Fowler, Awana executive director of global training.

Listen to the archived interview with Linda
Learn more about How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph

Listen to Radio Interview With Author of How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph

Linda Massey Weddle, author of the book How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph that debuted in June, recently appeared on the radio show "Mornings With Lorri and Larry." The program is broadcast by FamilyNet Radio on SIRIUS Satellite Radio from Atlanta, Georgia.

Linda is senior U.S. program designer for Awana. She discussed her book, which gives parents and churches a specific plan for how to raise children and youth from birth to age 18 to have a lasting, active faith for a lifetime.

Listen to the interview
Learn more about How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph

Volunteer Walks Away ‘Truly Blessed’ by Returning Hearts Celebration Experience
Returning Hearts Celebration impacts volunteers nearly as profoundly as it touches the lives of kids and inmate dads.

“I was blessed to see men, who rightly deserve their punishment, facing the cold, hard facts of what their new life in prison entails and yet living righteously now before the Lord,” says blogger Renee after volunteering for Returning Hearts Celebration in March at Angola Prison.

Read Returning Hearts volunteer's blog post
Learn more about Returning Hearts
Find out more about Lifeline prison ministry 

Christian Broadcasting Network Airs Special TV Report on Returning Hearts Celebration

On Thursday, May 7, CBN broadcast a news feature on the March 28 Returning Hearts Celebration, the nation's largest gathering of prisoners and their children, that reunited 540 children and 440 inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

Returning Hearts Celebration reunited children and teens with their incarcerated dads for a day of activities and bonding on the Angola prison grounds. The annual event provides fathers an opportunity to restore relationships with sons or daughters they haven’t connected with in years – a crucial step for breaking the cycle of familial crime. Studies report that children of an incarcerated parent are seven times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.