2023-2024 AWANA year begins on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
Registration will open August 13, 2023.
Approved WorkERS Are Not Ashamed … AWANA!
AWANA at The Garden Fellowship is a Bible-centered ministry geared toward youth from 4 years old through 5th grade.
AWANA’s goal is to reach out to children, teenagers, and their families with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him. To learn about the prayer, vision, mission and values of AWANA visit www.awana.org.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:15
When We Meet:
All Clubs (preschool through 5th grade) meet on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm (September 13 through May 8) at The Garden Fellowship - 38633 Jefferson Street, Indio, CA 92203. Check-in begins at 6:15pm. Please make every effort to ensure your child is on time!
Our Clubs:
Birth through three-year-old Children’s Ministry is available for families attending Wednesday evening church service. (Parents must remain on campus).
For more information on our different clubs, check out our AWANA Clubs page.
Registration Forms:
Registration for the 2023-2024 AWANA year will open in August 2023.
CLICK HERE to register your child for AWANA.
Registration & Materials Fees:
The Garden Fellowship is sponsoring all children with AWANA materials (handbook, uniform, etc.) who are committing to the 2023-2024 AWANA season.
If any items received are lost and/or in need of replacement, parents are responsible to purchase and replace needed materials. See Awards table for replacement options.
Garden Kids book bags are not included with your child's registration. We strongly encourage your child to have a book bag in order to keep materials together. Book bags are available to purchase for $10.
AWANA Leadership team:
AWANA Director: Christin Castellanos
AWANA Co-Director: Arianna Marshall
AWANA Coordinator: Amber Moran
Games: Alex Figueroa & Jason Dunn
Awards: Marilyn Clardie & Brande Bianco
Club Uniforms:
Upon completion of the entrance booklet, clubbers will receive their AWANA book + uniform (vest/t-shirt). We encourage each clubber to wear the uniform as AWANA requires in order to receive an earned award. All clubbers must wear athletic shoes (no boots or sandals) in order to participate in game time.
Parent Involvement:
Though club night is very exciting for the kids, and often the highlight of their week, we recognize that most of the spiritual instruction is going to happen as parents help their kids memorize the verses at home and explain the meaning of each verse. We strongly encourage parents to get plugged in by serving in the ministry on Wednesday nights. This makes it possible for more families to join AWANA and grow in their relationship with Jesus as your family has.
Club Night Format:
Download the AWANA Calendar – The AWANA Calendar shows the nights we meet, the nights when there is no club meeting and the Club Night Themes.
An AWANA meeting consists of five (4) main parts. (Please note that each of these elements has different names in each of the different Clubs.)
Opening Time: All clubbers begin in their assigned classroom. Opening Ceremonies start at 6:35pm and include: flag salute, prayer, songs and announcements.
Handbook Time: During handbook time, clubbers recite the memory verses that they have been practicing at home. It is important that your child understand the verse as well as be able to recite it. Your child is required to recite the verse AND the reference. When the leader is satisfied that the clubber has covered the handbook material adequately, they will sign the handbook for awards.
Game Time: Game time offers clubbers the opportunity to participate as team members in physical and mental activities. This helps develop team spirit, good sportsmanship, coordination skills and self confidence. Although games are competitive in nature and winning is desirable, leaders are encouraged to give top priority to building and preserving each clubbers’ self esteem. To maintain the safety of our clubbers, children not wearing appropriate clothing and athletic shoes will not be allowed to participate in games.
Large Group Time: During large group time, your clubbers will receive a Bible lesson or take part in an activity that enforces the theme and/or message of the night. The motivation for large group time is to create a safe atmosphere where clubbers can be motivated to “make decisions for Christ or strengthen their spiritual walk.”
*More Info on AWANA
AWANA is an international, Bible-centered children’s and youth ministry providing local churches with weekly clubs, programs, and training for students in pre-school through high school. Their goal is to equip churches to reach kids, and their families, with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him. The acronym AWANA comes from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15.
AWANA began in 1950 as a youth program at the North Side Gospel Center in Chicago, Illinois. Lance Latham, the church pastor, worked with Art Rorheim to develop a program that would appeal to young people, reach them with the gospel and train them in the Lord’s work. Other churches heard about the success of the AWANA program and asked if they could use it. By 1960, AWANA had registered 900 churches to start AWANA.
Today, more than 12,000 U.S. churches run AWANA. There are clubs in all 50 states. AWANA can also be found in over 3,300 churches in 109 other countries and 6 continents. To view the AWANA International Doctrinal Statement visit www.awana.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Christin Castellanos at kids@thegardenfellowship.com.