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While the Apostle Paul was in prison in Rome, he wrote a letter to his special young friend, Timothy.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul encouraged Timothy to study the Scriptures as an “approved workman.”
Timothy was a
faithful Christian who lived about 2,000 years ago. He had a godly mother and grandmother who trained him to love the Lord.
On the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, Timothy served as his companion and helper. He later became a dedicated
teacher and preacher of God’s Word.
Just as Paul taught Timothy to study the Scriptures and serve the Lord many years
ago, a 20th-century Pastor in Chicago (IL) influenced thousands of young people to follow Christ, too. In the 1940’s,
Pastor Lance “Doc” Latham of the North Side Gospel Center wanted to find a way to reach boys and girls and teens
who didn’t go to church on Sunday.
One of the young people at the Center, Art Rorheim, helped “Doc”
and his wife, “Teach,” develop the Awana program. Since “Doc” Latham was his close friend and Christian
example, Art could be called the “Timothy” of the Awana ministry.
As the Awana uniforms, handbooks, unique
four-way Game Circle, and award system were developed, God blessed this youth program. The Awana Youth Association was officially
organized in 1950.
Many other churches heard about Awana and asked if they could start clubs, too.
The first Canadian
Awana Clubs began in 1973. In the late 1970’s and throughout the 1980’s, the Awana ministry spread around the
world. In 1986, the “Awana Youth Association” became “Awana Clubs International.” By 1990, Awana Clubs
were operating in 59 countries. Awana materials are now available in more than 15 languages. The original program has been
adapted to meet the needs of young people in many different lands.
Hundreds of thousands of boys and girls and teens worldwide
are learning God’s Word in Awana Clubs each week. You can join these young people in becoming modern-day “Timothies”
and “approved workmen” as you learn to love and serve the Lord.
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