Kickoff Night!

With the beginning of the new school year, it's also AWANA time! It's a new year, with new leaders, and even a new commander. Last night was our kickoff night, complete with pizza, games, and a short devotional. For me, it was also a time to reflect on how God has answered prayer in the past, as well as how He continues to answer prayer in the present.

When I found out that last year's commander would be stepping down, I prayed diligently for God to provide us with His choice for commander, one who would take our AWANA program to a new level. Without a doubt, God has answered that prayer. The level of excitement that man displayed last night bordered on intense! He set the tone for the evening. He helped to fan the flame for God that I carry in my own heart. Perhaps most importantly, he got the kids excited too!

Possibly one of the best changes the commander made this year was establishing a mandate that all leaders be present a half hour in advance for group prayer. He reminds all of us by doing this that getting in touch with the Lord and asking for His blessing, guidance, and wisdom, before we begin any work in His name, is a must. It puts everyone's focus back on Him and helps us to remember that we give our best effort, but the successes are all His. We prayed for each other. We prayed for our clubbers. We prayed for souls to be saved and minds to be discipled.

Last year's kickoff night was only about fun; this year's kickoff night was about God, yet somehow the level of fun was intensified. Last year, we hadn't even planned on leading someone to Christ during the first night, and it didn't happen; consequently, i think most of us had not planned on it this year either. May God be praised for not only answering our prayers, but for providing above and beyond our own expectations. Three children professed Christ last night! Two were clubbers from previous years; one was a first-timer. All three were related to each other. What are the odds of that?

What's really exciting about all these new happenings is that this is just the beginning. We have a long year ahead of us. We still have many clubbers who are unsaved and many more who are not living their lives for God. However, in one single night, God has opened my eyes to the potential that exists when we put all our focus where it belongs - on our master, our creator, our redeemer, and our provider. AWANA kickoff night was a great blessing and encouragement to me this year, and I look forward to seeing how the Lord will continue to use us as the year progresses.

To God be the glory!

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." - 1 Timothy 6:12

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33