Why AWANA?
We are thrilled to announce that beginning this fall on Tuesday evenings, Sunrise Church will be hosting AWANA! But with so many midweek activities available for families, it is fair to ask a simple question: Why AWANA?
The answer comes down to our core conviction about how kids grow in faith. At Sunrise Kids, our mission is to lead children into a personal relationship with Jesus and a life of discipleship, helping them discover their identity in Him through engaging teaching and nurturing, Christ-like relationships. When it comes to raising kids, our aim is never to replace Mum or Dad, but to come alongside you and resource you in your calling as the primary spiritual influence in your child’s life.
To serve that vision, we selected AWANA—a global ministry designed around Scripture-rich experiences and gospel-centered discipleship. We chose it for three main reasons:
1. It Builds on Sunday Morning to Deepen Relationships
Sunday mornings are a cornerstone of our kids ministry, giving children a consistent place to learn from God’s Word and build meaningful relationships with their leaders and one another. Adding a Tuesday evening program gives our leaders another opportunity each week to invest in your kids. That additional time creates space for deeper, long-term relationships where kids feel truly known, loved, and supported as they grow in their faith.
2. It Connects Sunday Morning to Midweek Life
On Sunday mornings, we use AWANA’s Brite curriculum to walk our kids through interactive, engaging Bible lessons that bring Scripture to life. Hosting AWANA on Tuesday nights builds directly on that foundation. While Sundays focus on teaching the overarching narrative of the Bible, Tuesday nights give kids hands-on space to memorize those truths, process them in small groups, and apply them to daily life.
3. It Bridges Church and Home
Discipleship does not just happen on a church campus—it happens in the everyday rhythms of life. Deuteronomy 6 reminds us to talk about God’s Word when we sit in our houses, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up. Because AWANA handbooks are designed for kids to work through at home with their parents throughout the week, they give you a practical, structured tool to talk about faith together at the dinner table or before bed.
What to Expect on Tuesday Evenings
To ensure every child receives age-appropriate care and teaching, the program is divided into three distinct age groups:
- Cubbies (Ages 3–5): A completely separate, nurturing space designed specifically for preschoolers, featuring beginner handbooks, crafts, and simple, foundational lessons about God’s love.
- Sparks (Kindergarten–Grade 2): A high-energy club building a solid foundation of biblical truths through stories, handbook activities, and classic circle games.
- T&T / Truth & Training (Grades 3–6): Designed for older kids to dig deeper into Scripture through handbooks, answer real questions about faith, and learn how to walk with Jesus daily.
Each group moves through three main segments throughout the evening.
1. Game Time around the AWANA circle to burn off midweek energy
2. Large Group Time for central Bible teaching
3. Small Group Time for kids to work through the handbooks, review verses, unpack what the Bible means for their lives, and connect with leaders who care about them.
At its heart, AWANA provides a welcoming space where fun and intentional mentorship go hand-in-hand, guiding kids to grow in their relationship with Jesus and discover who they are in Him.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more details about registration, start dates, and specific evening schedules.
We cannot wait to walk alongside your family this fall! If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to tom@sunrisechurchvancouver.ca.