Awana Tennessee Network Podcast

There is a lot of confusion and division in our world. In this sermon, Hunter walks through Genesis1-3 and shows how the beginning makes sense of everything we read in scripture and experience in our lives.

In light of all the great work you do for the kids in your community, I wanted to offer you 2 special gifts. 50% Off Brite Curriculum - Use code "Williams" at britecurriculum.com One Free Month of our Talk About Resource - Use code "hwilliams" at talkaboutdiscipleship.com

This is a recording of Hunter preaching a sermon on spiritual renewal. We pray it encourages you and prepares your heart for renewal in Christ. https://www.awanatn.com/

This is a recording of a message Hunter Williams gave on 4/18/2021 at Wolf Creek Baptist Church in Spring City, TN. In this message, Hunter shares stories from scripture and his own life to show how one's perception of children determines how they are served in the church. The video to this message can be seen here: https://youtu.be/MUCHoNntQQ4 Learn more about Hunter and his ministry with Awana at: https://www.awanatn.com/

God calls us to serve all people... no matter their age, race, ability, or need. With this truth in mind, how do we serve those affected by special needs and disabilities? In this conversation with Lisa Mattheiss (executive director at LifeLine Inc.), we discuss the urgent call to serve those with disabilities as well as the myths and misconceptions that can hinder our ministries to them. Send any comments, questions, or suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com Learn more Lisa and her ministry with LifeLine Inc. at http://lifelinefamilies.org Purchase the book "Same Lake, Different Boat" at https://www.christianbook.com/different-alongside-touched-disability-revised-updated/stephanie-hubach/9781629956916/pd/956916?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=christian-living-0-20%7C956916&p=1179710&dv=c&gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5JySQ6Ts93pVYx-ONshySGNZBOh-jqgQ_rj9jz9lXR5lCjJ35-h8DpBoCDRoQAvD_BwE Purchase Awana's Special Needs Training and Resources at https://www.awana.org/product/new-special-needs-guide Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate

Has this year left you feeling down? Are you wondering how other churches and leaders are making it during this time? Do you need a dose of encouragement? In this powerful conversation with Aaron Arnold (Elementary Director at Grace Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN), you'll get to hear the incredible story of how Aaron and his church are serving kids in the midst of hardship, setbacks and destruction. His story shows the need for resilience in today's church and the life-changing effects trusting God can have in the midst of misfortune. Join us for this week's virtual "Round Table!" Sign up at www.awanatn.com/events Send any comments, questions or suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate

Here at Awana, we talk a lot about discipleship. You may sense the urgent call to make disciples but aren't sure where to begin. In this conversation with Samuel Porcha' (director of the Child Discipleship Network), we discuss a framework for discipleship and the kingdom mindset needed to make disciples. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Learn more about Samuel and his work with the Child Discipleship Network at https://www.awana.org/nextgen Dig Deeper into Discipleship with these resources: "Resilient Child Discipleship" by Awana - https://www.amazon.com/Resilient-Discipleship-Fearless-Future-Church/dp/1946680648/ "Kingdom Disciples" by Tony Evans - https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Disciples-Heavens-Representatives-Earth/dp/0802412033/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kingdom+disciples+tony+evans&s=books&sr=1-2 "brite* Curriculum" by Awana - https://britecurriculum.com/

Do you feel like you are in a desert? Do you feel dry emotionally, mentally or spiritually? In this special episode, Hunter Williams shares a message on spiritual resiliency and what it takes to follow Christ no matter what. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Learn more about Awana's purpose and philosophy at https://www.resilientdisciples.com/

The Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 calls believers to make disciples of all people. How can Awana help you reach and disciple every child in your community? In this conversation with Abel Lopez (Director of Awana US Latino), we discuss the growing need for latino ministry in our communities and the ways in which Awana US Latino is equipping local leaders and churches to fulfill the great commission. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Learn more about Abel and the "Awana US Latino Ministry" at https://www.awana.org/latino

Do you serve in a small church or small Awana ministry? Do you face challenges or feel discouraged due to the size of your congregation or club? In this conversation with Bill Gunter (a.k.a Commander Bill), we discuss the big impact small churches can have in their communities and share practical tips for running Awana Clubs in a small church. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Join the “Awana Share” Facebook Group to find or share surplus materials: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwanaShare Learn more about Bill's ministry as “Commander Bill” at commanderbill.net Learn more about Bill's ministry with “Small Church KidMin” at smallchurchkidmin.com

Do you have rowdy kids that act out in your ministry, or a child that misbehaves on a regular basis? Do you wonder why they act the way they do? In this conversation with Brian Bixel (Awana Missionary in NE Georgia), we discuss the reasons why kids might act out and how these reasons can inform the way we discipline them. Discipline Online Module: https://s3.amazonaws.com/old-awana-content/training/modules/Discipline/story_html5.html Discipline Tips Sheet: https://www.awana.org/leadershipdevelopment/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/04/Discipline-Tips.pdf Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Learn more about Brian Bixel and his work in NE Georgia at https://www.awana.org/missionary/bixel/

Youth ministry can be tough. Students come from broken families and diverse backgrounds. They live in a culture that is digitally saturated and ever-changing. How can we reach them? How do we effectively disciple them? In this online event, Hunter Williams (Awana missionary and former youth pastor) shares his experiences in youth ministry along with helpful research, resources and ideas to help you disciple students in this changing culture. The handout for this training can be accessed at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qw4oYiuGwECfgE_h1J9L4BotVel48lBv/view?usp=sharing The slides for this training can be accessed at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/157KjnhiW_vs4VgjxVCzMC3pImm3242Sj/view?usp=sharing Google Doc Referenced with Recommended Resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19yoHA4_vBtApcjVTpLHLAw70kiTIvksYtGlEQTZ8F6s/edit?usp=sharing Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate

Do you find yourself getting burned out in ministry? Do you know others who seem overwhelmed, overworked and running on empty? In this conversation with Chris Mikesh (Awana Missionary in Maryland), we discuss why burnout is so prevalent in ministry and what can be done to prevent it. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org Learn about more about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate Learn more about Chris Mikesh and his work in Maryland at https://awanamaryland.org/

Ministry can be hard, especially when we try to do it on our own. In this conversation with Zach Wyatt (Director of the Youth Leader Collective), we discuss the power of Christian community and the benefits of networking with other leaders and churches. Send any comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org You can learn more about Zach and his ministry at https://youthleadercollective.com/ Learn about Hunter and his ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/ Become a ministry partner and donate to our ministry at https://www.awanatn.com/donate

Recruiting leaders is one thing, but retaining leaders is a completely different conversation. In this episode, Joel Easling (Awana Missionary to SW Washington) shares why leaders may leave your ministry and practical steps you can put into place to retain them and keep the vision alive. Awana Director's Manual - https://www.awana.org/product/director-guidebook More Leader Resources - https://www.awana.org/product-category/leaders-and-volunteers/leader-and-volunteer-development/?category_id=148 You can send your comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org More info and content can be found at www.awanatn.com If you would like to see more content like this, consider donating to our ministry at www.awanatn.com/donate

The “Gospel Wheel” is an evangelistic tool Awana has used for years. In this episode, Cindy Vesperman (Awana Missionary in North-Central California) provides practical coaching on how to use this tool in a conversational manner. “How to Use the Gospel Wheel” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UToQxGsCcuk Download the “Gospel Wheel” at: https://www.awanatn.com/links For more info, head to our website at https://www.awanatn.com/ or email us at hunterw@awana.org. You can donate to our ministry and keep content like this coming at: https://www.awanatn.com/donate

For many, Awana brings up memories of colorful uniforms and fun awards. In this episode, Timothy Bennet (Awana Missionary to Southeast Georgia) shares creatives ideas for incentives and why they can be beneficial to your ministry. “Let's Talk about Awards” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAHp3... “Let's Talk about Uniforms” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlphB... Verse-a-thon: https://www.awana.org/go/go-verse-a-t... For more info, head to our website at https://www.awanatn.com/ or email us at hunterw@awana.org. You can donate to our ministry and keep content like this coming at: https://www.awana.org/missionary/hunt...

In the midst of a busy and ever-changing world, it can become more and more difficult to recruit leaders and have the people needed to run our children's ministries well. In our conversation with David Roach (Awana Missionary to Central North Carolina), we discuss effective ways to recruit volunteers and leaders for your ministry. You can watch the video of this episode at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxmBkEJxtgY You can send your comments, questions and suggestions to hunterw@awana.org You can learn more about our ministry and stay up-to-date on new content at www.awanatn.org

For many, Sparks (Awana's ministry for K-2nd Grade) has been a self-paced curriculum where children could complete as many lessons, verses and sections as possible. While there are benefits to this approach, some have felt it leads new kids or slower-paced children toward discouragement and a feeling of inferiority. With the “Together We Move” approach, all children participating in Sparks work on the same lesson, the same verse and the same section. Jamie Root (Awana Missionary to Missouri) provides practical tips and benefits for this approach as well as the strong focus on discipleship it can bring to your ministry. Example Calendar for “Together We Move”: file:///Users/hunterwilliams/Downloads/Truth%20Tracker%20Calendar%202020_2021%20Wednesday.pdf New Sparks Leader Guide: https://www.awana.org/product/sparks-leader-handbook-guide Flyer Miles for Extra Credit: https://www.awana.org/product/wingrunner-frequent-flyer-extra-credit-book-2 Send comments, questions and suggestions to: hunterw@awana.org Follow us on our website or social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/Awanatn

Welcome to the Awana Tennessee Network Podcast! This podcast is hosted by Hunter Williams who serves as the Awana missionary for Central and Southeast, TN. You can connect with Hunter on his website and other social media platforms through the following link: https://linktr.ee/Awanatn You can also send your questions and comments to hunterw@awana.org