Awana 60th Celebration - I Learned More Scripture in Awana Than Most in a Lifetime

‘I Learned More Scripture in Awana Than Most in a Lifetime’
Growing up, Awana made a lasting spiritual impact on Brian Hartsell’s life. Now he’s leaving his own mark on kids in his church, community and throughout Ohio and on his work colleagues.

What did you think of this story? Let us know today! Brian Hartsell (left) attended Awana as a child in Edwardsburg, Michigan

Brian Hartsell made the most important decision of his life at the tender age of 4 while sitting on the couch with his mom at his family’s home in Edwardsburg, Michigan.

“I was asking about heaven and hell. My mom sat down with me and walked through the Romans Road (a method for presenting God’s plan of salvation) with me,” Brian recalled. “I received Christ and remember it clearly to this day.”

A biblical foundation for young faith
Brian’s parents and his participation in Awana prepared him to place his trust in Christ for forgiveness and eternal life and then sent his young faith soaring. Brian’s involvement with Awana began at age 3 in the Cubbies preschool program at Community Baptist Church. It continued through the high-school ministry, Varsity, now known as Journey. He completed each book from Cubbies through Journey and earned his Citation Award, the highest achievement in Awana, in 1999.

“Earning the Citation Award was really fun for me,” Brian explained. “I have my Citation plaque hanging on my wall as a reminder of the impact Awana and Bible memory has had on my life.”

Brian also competed in Awana Bible Quizzing each year from fourth through 12th grade, including two appearances in National Bible Quizzing.

“I love Awana and desire to be involved with it in some way for the rest of my life,” said Brian, now 27. “I would really like to be on the Awana Board of Directors some day. I’m a firm believer in Scripture memorization. I may have been motivated by candy bars and arrowheads back then, but it has totally stuck with me. Bible Quizzing really solidified God’s Word in my heart.

“I learned more Scripture in my years in Awana than most people will learn in their lifetime.”

Brian has served as an Awana leader for 13 years and is currently a Truth & Training (third- to sixth-grade) leader at Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He also serves on the Ohio Awana ministry team and helps run Bible Quizzing and AwanaGames™ events. On occasion, he teaches workshops at A Brian Hartsell wana Ministry Conferences.

The blessing of lifelong friends
Brian spent his years in Awana literally growing up with a group of friends who remain important in his life today.

“Some of my best friends in the whole world are from Awana,” said Brian, who now serves with several of his childhood Awana friends at his church in Dayton. “I still keep in touch with almost every one of them. Growing up together in church and having those common experiences in Awana just drew us closer together.

“It was the absolute thrill of my heart when last year, six of my closest Awana friends ran the largest Ohio Bible Quiz by ourselves, all twenty-somethings with no Awana missionary in attendance. We had so much fun! It was great to give back like that.

“I feel like we’re the first generation to come all the way up through the Awana program. Now we’re getting involved as leaders, organizers and donors. It’s been wonderful to champion such an amazing program. I know the difference it has made in my own life, and that’s why I get so excited to be a part of it.”

A leader’s influence
Brian remembers many of his Awana leaders through the years but fondly recalls one in particular.

“I always remember Mr. VanderWerf,” Brian said. “No one wanted to say sections to him because he made you get it word perfect, know the definitions to the terms and made sure you understood what the verse meant.

“Now I give my T&T guys a hard time, too. Looking back, he was challenging those who had the ability to go deeper, understand more and memorize more accurately. That’s what I try to challenge my guys to do today.”

A daily witness in the marketplace
Brian earned a degree in finance and accounting with minors in Spanish and Bible from Cedarville (Ohio) University in 2003 and later an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. After graduating from Cedarville, he moved to Dayton and found a local church to join. The next step was looking for a job.

“I saw God provide for me when I was on my own for the first time,” Brian said. “One week during Sunday school at church, I asked for prayer in my job search. A man in my class told me to give him my résumé. Two weeks later, I got a call from the Air Force. I accepted a position at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a financial management specialist. It’s humbling to depend on God and amazing at how He provides.

“The Lord has really placed on my heart to be a businessman of integrity in the secular world. I want to make an impact for the Lord.”

No matter where he goes or what he does, Brian is sure that Awana will be part of his life.

“I’m thrilled that I can use my gifts in Awana by helping teach and mentor kids as well as helping them understand and memorize God’s Word,” Brian said. “I’m not sure you could find anyone more enthusiastic about Awana.”

It’s Amazing
What God
Has Done

Otto Melby was a carefree 13-year-old from a loving Christian family in Chicago when an unexpected event rocked his world.

When his father passed away in 1949, Otto struggled profoundly with the loss. His mother became deeply concerned as she watched her son grow increasingly confused and angry with God and those around him. It was clear to her that he needed a male mentor to fill the void left by his dad’s death.

Using Her Gifts to Serve Others in Full-Time Ministry and Awana

A few months ago, Mandy Hornbuckle’s box of Awana memories tumbled out the back of a truck going 60 miles per hour down a Texas highway. The box contained old Awana uniforms, pins and her Citation Award, the highest achievement in Awana.Mandy Hornbuckle earned the Citation Award for learning Scripture verses and truths

As the box hit the pavement, the contents scattered all along the road.

Celebrating 50-Plus Years of Faithful Awana Service

Gwendetta Albright’s 50-plus years of faithful Awana service at a church in Chicago has changed lives in hundreds of families

Gwendetta Albright grew up on the west side of Chicago. She trusted Christ for salvation at a summer camp at age 13. She then started serving as an Awana leader two years later in 1958.

First Family Church: Using Awana to Reach Kids and Parents for Christ

A few years ago, Roger Stuart’s life changed dramatically. He trusted Christ for salvation through the ministry of First Family Church in Overland Park, Kansas.The Sparks children's ministry club at First Family Church in Overland Park, Kansas

“I came to First Family Church in hopes of finding a great children's ministry for my daughter,” Roger said. “I was more concerned with her spiritual growth than my own. But listening to my pastor preach, I felt like he wasn't talking to a congregation of 2,000; he was talking to me and my own personal struggles.

Hope Amidst Hardship

For 12 years, Carlton Carty knew only intense poverty and suffering. Now, thanks to an Awana program in central Jamaica, he knows Jesus as Savior.

The first time they met, Carlton Carty made an immediate impression on Brad Rostad—but not exactly a good one.

An Oasis
of Hope

The Awana program at the only evangelical church in Gaza is extending God’s love, truth and grace to kids and families in this volatile region.

Thursday and Friday afternoons, a haggard bus drives a circuit through garbage-strewn neighborhoods in one of the world’s most volatile and densely inhabited areas of the world, where half of the population is under age 15.

31 Years of Service Brings Generations to Lasting Faith in Christ

If you’re ever looking for someone from the Wallace family, there’s a good chance you’ll find them at Harvest Bible Chapel in Lake Zurich, Illinois on Monday nights.

Every Monday starting at 5:30 p.m., four generations of Wallace family members serve in Awana. Bob, age 85, and Lucille, 82, along with their daughter Diane and granddaughter Jill, are faithful leaders in the Sparks (kindergarten through second grade) and T&T (third to sixth grade) clubs. A great-grandson, Brayden, is only 1 and stays in the nursery but is certain to someday be in Puggles (for 2- and 3-year-olds).

The Model Awana Leader

Jim Barker was facing a dim future when his aunt brought him out of the backwoods of Tennessee to live in Chicago during the Great Depression.

Jim resided in one of the poorest sections of the city. He was painfully shy. He had a meager educational background. He wasn't good at sports. His Southern accent made him a target for insults. He didn't own a car and rarely had money in his pocket.

Baseball Continues To Be a Tool to Proclaim the Gospel

Alvin Davis has hit his share of home runs over the years. As first baseman for the Seattle Mariners from 1984 to 1991, Alvin racked up 160 home runs and batted .280 in 1,206 games. He homered in his first two big-league games and once belted a grand slam with both Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. on base. Alvin Davis played eight seasons and made the All-Star team with the Seattle Mariners

Alvin was named 1984 American League Rookie of the Year and was also selected that year for the All-Star Game. He was the first inductee into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame in 1997.

Committed
to Awana and Helping Their Own Kids Develop Lasting Faith

You may know what it’s like to get one or two kids ready for Awana and to church on time. But can you imagine getting six kids organized and out the door?

The Pilgrim family lives in Huntsville, Alabama, and all six children participate in Awana at Whitesburg Baptist Church every Sunday night:

Building a Worldwide Kids’ Ministry From the Ground up

Art Rorheim is co-founder of Awana. Art built Awana from the ground up from its early days as a weekly club program at the North Side Gospel Center in Chicago.

Art was introduced to youth and children’s ministry in 1935 at age 17 when Lance Latham, his church’s pastor, asked him to serve as a club leader at the North Side Gospel Center.

Leading Awana to Influence Generations of Kids to Follow Christ

Since 1999, Jack Eggar has served as President/CEO of Awana. He has provided strategic leadership for the ministry’s efforts to equip churches and parents in raising children and youth to know, love and serve Christ. Under his guidance, Awana has expanded its impact from a total of 9,000 churches around the world in 1998 to over 22,000 as of 2011.

Knowing that parents are the key influencers in their children’s spiritual development, Jack invested vision and passion to give direction for the recent launch of the Modern-Day Joseph and Awana at Home initiatives.

Celebrating 50-Plus Years of Faithful Awana Service

Gwendetta Albright’s 50-plus years of faithful Awana service at a church in Chicago has changed lives in hundreds of families

Gwendetta Albright grew up on the west side of Chicago. She trusted Christ for salvation at a summer camp at age 13. She then started serving as an Awana leader two years later in 1958.