Awana (AWANA.org) helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Our programs offer a proven approach for evangelizing and discipling kids in the church and community.
Christians in today’s world find it more difficult to share the gospel message, to stand for what is right. Wrong appears to be right and right appears to be wrong. Our culture has shifted to everyone having their rights and freedoms to do what they want away from God and the church. Our children are caught in the cross hairs of this changing culture. Realize this, the year 2050 is right around the corner from today. Will the children of today have the spine to stand for the gospel truth, will they have the heart for Jesus and for sharing His love with others in 2050?
Children and teens are growing up faster than ever. Navigating the complex world of technology, media, and absentee parents are just some of the challenges our children face. Many come home to an empty house only yo spend hours on social media, YouTube and the internet just to name a few. On their own, the outlook for the next generation is one of increased threats including addictions, abuse, moral depravity, broken relationships, and hopelessness. The average American child will spend 7.5 hours a day on some form of electronic device. The average child will attend church 1.7 times a month, this equals out to just 24 hours a year!!
It is no secret that this generation of children and youth are experiencing an identity crisis. They often make poor choices, turning to things like drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, and bullying, in an effort to be popular and “fit in”. But what if there was a way we could help children and youth learn who God says they are? What if we helped them establish a solid foundation for life built on the truths found only in scripture? AWANA Clubs, just like the one at BCC are doing just that.
As AWANA missionaries, we have the privilege of training and developing leaders who are investing time and effort into the lives of children and youth. Together we are partnering to unlock their spiritual potential and raising up a new generation of youth committed to knowing, loving and serving Christ. AWANA missionaries are passionate about helping children, youth, families, and churches to know, love and serve Christ. We accomplish this mission through our strategy of multiplying leaders. One of our primary responsibilities is to empower and train church leaders who in turn train local AWANA Club leaders to effectively minister to children and youth.
My wife, Pat, and I have volunteered or worked in AWANA since 1982. First as volunteers serving in local churches then becoming missionaries in 2011. Today reaching out to eastern New York, western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. Through AWANA Clubs in this area, there are over 4,000 plus children who are hearing the Gospel message weekly.
While we are so excited about the progress that is being made in the lives of those 4,000 plus children, according to the last Census there are over 2.1 million children under the age of 19 living in this area that we serve. We must reach more, there has never been such a great need as today. God has called us to invest spiritually in the lives of children and youth through the training of leaders in various churches here, making an eternal impact for God’s Kingdom. We are committed to helping churches and parents to evangelize and disciple children and youth to come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.
Our vision is to have 30 new AWANA Clubs in eastern New York, western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont over the next five years. Through these clubs, we will train approximately 300 church leaders and impact over 2,000+ additional children weekly with the Gospel.
To reach Mark and Pat DeQuoy
AWANA Missionaries serving the Northeast United States
518.878.3428 (Mark)
518.356.6980 (Pat)