Vision 20/20: Thinking Outreach New Program Opens Doors for the Gospel
by Jearim Woodall with Mike Ginther
Te Commission on Outreach recently interviewed Pastor Mike Ginther of Compass Immanuel Church, the northernmost church in our Fellowship, to find out more about a program they have started as an outreach tool.
Outreach: Not too long ago you started a new program. What are you running? And when did you start it?
Compass: We began running the Awana® program for kids, pre- school through grade 6 in October 2016.
Outreach: For those who might not be familiar with this program, how would you describe Awana?
Compass: Awana stands for: Approved workmen are not ashamed (based on 2 Timothy 2:15). It is a club for kids with the main emphasis on Bible memorization, but kids also enjoy game times, a snack and a Bible lesson with singing. Clubbers earn rewards based on memorizing Scripture and winning games.
Outreach: How many kids did you have coming early on? Compass: Around 53 have enrolled, and around 46 come regular- ly. Tis is great for a small church in a small community. Many kids from the community used to come to our VBS, but that number was diminishing, and we were wondering what we could do.
Outreach: Out of that number, how many were attending the church before joining the program?
Compass: Around 50 percent of the clubbers were not connected to the church before we began the program. It certainly has been encouraging to see this connection with the community be increased.
Outreach: Do you have a role in the program? Compass: No, Mike and Lauryn Olson initiated the program. Tey were driving to another community to participate in an Awana program and wanted to see us start one here at Compass. Many others have stepped up to volunteer. It’s been a blessing to see so many folks involved in the ministry of the
church. I help when someone is not able to make it, but I have no official role. It is nice to be able to just be there and see it happening without having any official responsibility.
Outreach: So that is encouraging to you as a pastor to see others taking the lead?
Compass: It’s a delight to have others initiating it and running it. It’s huge! I think that is what we are about as pastors. I was told once that as a pastor we should be trying to work ourselves out of a job. Seeing others step up and ,,.lllgrowing through serving has been so encouraging. New families are coming, and they are able to serve as well, as there are many things that need to be done. Teir kids are in the program, so we are seeing families grow together, and that has been excellent.
Outreach: What’s your favorite story to come out of the program so far? Compass: I don’t have one story in particular, but let me tell you about three things I’ve been really blessed by.
It has been wonderful to see some kids who were somewhat intro- verted be transformed. When they initially came, they didn’t want to participate in the games. Now, with encouragement from the leaders, they’ve been able to step out of their shells and feel free to participate.
What a delight it is to listen to the kids say their memory verses! Tey say them well, and it’s so good to see these young people hiding God’s word in their hearts.
We’re seeing kids come from the community. A lady and her daughter, who had only ever entered our building for a funeral, now come and take part in Awana. To see them here for some- thing other than a funeral has been absolutely fantastic.
Outreach: Do you see this as only a children’s program, or will it reach into homes to help parents to understand the Gospel as well?
Compass: Awana weaves in a clear presentation of the Gospel at various points throughout the year. We are hoping that as parents interact with their kids and that as they go over the material the kids are learning, they will come to understand God’s grace as well.
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Fellowship Focus, March/April 2017
FellowshipForward.org
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