Podcasts about Awana

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About Creation from Genesis 1 – August 3 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Joseph and His Brothers – August 31 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Samson-September 28 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About The Walls Of Jericho-September 21 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About The Twelve Spies-September 14 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About The Ten Commandments-September 7 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About Samson-September 28 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About The Walls Of Jericho-September 21 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About The Ten Commandments-September 7 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About The Twelve Spies-September 14 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About the Birth of Isaac from Genesis 18, 21 – August 24 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Abraham's Call from Genesis 12, 15, 17 – August 17 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Adam and Eve from Genesis 2-3 – August 10 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Creation from Genesis 1 – August 3 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About Joseph and His Brothers – August 31 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About the Birth of Isaac from Genesis 18, 21 – August 24 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About Abraham's Call from Genesis 12, 15, 17 – August 17 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES Brite is a digital weekend curriculum powered by Awana. Learn more about brite* and join the conversation in […] The post Teaching Kids About Adam and Eve from Genesis 2-3 – August 10 appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode of the KidzMatter Podcast, host Jordan Davis sits down with Brian Campbell, Executive Vice President of U.S. Ministries at Awana, to explore the evolving landscape of midweek ministry. Together, they dive into how churches can rethink their midweek strategy to better engage kids and families in a post-pandemic world.Mark also shares key insights and history behind the Awana curriculum programs - including their new Sunday curriculum, Brite. Click here to download a month of free curriculum!Whether you're rebuilding your midweek programming or starting from scratch, this episode will inspire you to think differently and lead with intention.

Peggy Clay stops by to share details on upcoming events for kids at the Anchor Church. They will hold Noah's Ark Fun Days on the second Saturday of June, July, and August from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be fun for the whole family with carnival games, puppet shows, and even a petting zoo. She also talked about the AWANA Club for Kids, which will start on September 3rd and take place every Wednesday throughout the school year. For further questions or details, you can contact Peggy Clay at 314-769-7840.The Anchor Church is at 285 E Springfield Rd. in Sullivan, Missouri. 

In this heartfelt NEW episode of Stand Up for the Truth, host Dave Wager reconnects with longtime friend and retired Air Force pilot Eric Demkowicz to explore faith, military service, and the power of intentional community. Eric shares his story of coming to Christ as a child through Awana Clubs and how that early foundation carried him through a lifetime of service, including flying C-5 aircraft around the world. He emphasizes the spiritual challenges that come with military life—frequent moves, isolation, and shifting cultural pressures—and offers practical wisdom for young believers considering military careers. Together, Dave and Eric challenge churches to go beyond polite gratitude and build real relationships with military families, helping them stay grounded in their faith. Later, the conversation turns personal as Eric reflects on losing both of his parents, facing cancer, and how God used those difficult seasons to deepen his dependence on Christ. He underscores the importance of being rooted in Scripture and surrounded by faithful friends who can remind you of truth when emotions run high. Eric's stories—from flying into remote parts of the world to simply inviting others into conversation—illustrate how every believer, in any career, can be a light in dark places. It's a powerful reminder that ministry often starts with one small invitation and that God's faithfulness is evident even in life's most turbulent moments. Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A

INVITACION RADIAL. Te invito a CONECTAR con tu PAZ, LUZ , BIENESTAR ..desde nuestra Embajada de Paz. UNESCO ESPERANZA ARGENTINA. Radial saludable. Desde el 2002, brindándote herramientas VALIOSAS para TU BIENESTAR. Junto a EXPERTOS INTERNACIONALES, Y LOCALES,reconocidos por su trayectoria de EXCELENCIA académica y GRANDEZA INTEGRAL QUE MERECÉS Desde el 09.11.2011, somos Embajada y Embajadora de Paz.distinción y misión divina, recibida de Fund.Mil Milenios de Paz (asoc.UNESCO) “Locura, es creer: si haces lo mismo, vas a obtener diferentes resultados “ ALBERT EINSTEIN. SABADO 17.05.25, a las 11 am de Rosario. Argentina. 1.- LA TIERRA TIEMBLA? ALERTA DE TSUNAMIS? ESTAMOS PREPARADOS ? Hace poco, un TERREMOTO en USHUAIA ?? CONOCER ES AMAR, PREVENIR ES CURAR Estaremos junto a nuestro EXPERTO en GEOLOGIA : DR.ANDRES FOLGUERA, Investigador y docente CONICET. Experto en TECTONICAS. Tal cómo en FUKUSHIMA..los científicos habían previsto las probabilidades altas de Tsunami, Tal cómo en Bahia Blanca también habia AVISO de INUNDACIONES Tal cómo hace años, he participado de reunión UNESCO,dónde nos preguntabámos esta incoherencia..POR QUÉ,hay INCOHERENCIAS, acerca de lo dice y se hace ? Asi que bregamos para que la ciencia, y los científicos SEAN no SOLO ESCUCHADOS, sino que sus NOTIFICACIONES, Y AVISOS, sean PARTE APLICABLE de PROTOCOLOS para PREVENCIÓN y CUIDADO a la HUMANIDAD 2.- TEJIDOS MÁGICOS. AWANA. Mandalas y animales de poder, desde AWANA @awana.tejidos.magicos Artesanias basadas en la cosmovisión de pueblos indígenas con geometrias sagradas que invitan a la reflexión,al autocuidado y la autosanacón. Estaremos junto al artista JONNY RODRIGUEZ. Que nos invita a una actividad este sábado 17.05.25. por la tarde en Roldán. SUSPEDIDA por TEMPORAL DE LLUVIA..sigan las redes @awana.tejidos.magicos “Educa al niño, y no será necesario, sancionar al adulto “ PITÁGORAS. “La vida es peligrosa, no por la gente que hace el mal, sino por la que SE SIENTA a VER LO QUE PASA “ EINSTEIN. ESCUCHANOS. En VIVO. los SABADOS a las 11 am. Rosario. Argentina. FM 88.9 + www.radiogranrosario.com.ar + APP MOVIL.homonima + LUEGO desde TU CANAL de PODCAST PREFERIDO #MARISAPATIÑOENTREVISTASPARATUBIENESTAR descargable en diversas plataformas internacionales:Spotify + Ivoox + Apple + Amazon Music ,etc. ) Sembrando PAZ, ENTUSIASMO y VIDA. en todo el mundo COMPARTI con AMISTADES.. ! ABRAZOTES de PAZ. MARISA PATIÑO. Fundadora,CEO,productora.www.esperanzaargentina.com.ar Embajadora de Paz Designada Parlamentaria Mundial de Educación. Mentora Neurociencias Aplicadas para EmpoderARTE. Autora #NeuroEmpodeHADACuantica, basada en labor de tesis Certificada en Empoderamiento Femenino Univ.Salamanca. Certificada Bienestar y Salud Mental en el trabajo.Fund.INECO. Certificada Instructora Internacional Método Hipopresivos para Tu Bienestar AMAIP. Certificada Conferencista Internacional por Red Mundial Conferencistas Certificada Internacional cómo Coach en Nutrición y Salud OEIP. www.marisapatinoambassador.com

My guest today is Eryn Lynum: master naturalist, author, bible teacher, home schooling mom, and podcast host. Friends, she's incredible! And this episode with her is just so fun! We had the best time talking about nature and seeing God at work there. Eryn's love of nature and God's word have taught her much about the importance of pursuing rest. But this learning actually began when Eryn was a young teen.   At the age of 14, Eryn learned that she had a potentially life-threatening disease that required rest to keep her alive. This started Eryn on a journey of learning to manage the stress and anxieties of life in a way that was healthy and holy.  In this episode, Eryn talks about her new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living, and how it is the story of all she's learned about rest from her own life journey, to studying creation and God's word. Eryn is a joy to talk to. She is a wealth of fun and fascinating nature knowledge, as well as a wise guide to biblical living. I love this episode, and I know you will too! Be sure to get Eryn's new book today! You can find it right here.  Resources mentioned in this podcast: Find Eryn's new book here Find Eryn's first book here Find Eryn's website here Find Eryn's podcast here Find Eryn on Instagram here Find more about Awana programs for kids here The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Today's witnesses are from Matthew West's website, called popwe.org. If you don't know who Matthew West is, he is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller. This website is for the non-profit that he has with his father, a pastor. Matthew and his father encourage people to share their stories. They have various categories of stories. Today, I chose two testimonies from the Anxiety/Depression Category. I know so many people who are struggling with anxiety and depression right now. Suicide seems to be increasing as well. Often, we can hear our own story in someone else's story. When we listen to others tell their story, it helps us see that we are not alone. When we hear how God worked in their situation, it gives us hope that He will work in ours, too! I pray that when you hear these testimonies, you get the faith and hope to believe that miracles can happen in your situation, too. I pray you know that God is there with you, and if you invite Him into your anxiety and depression, He can help.Blair: Every story has a beginning. Even God's Word says “In the beginning” Genesis 1:1. So here's how my beginning led me to where I am now. I was born into a “Christian” home. We went to church, we went to Youth Group, and we participated in missionary activities at the church. But there was not a Bible to be seen in our whole house. I'm the first of three children, the Type A, do everything right, be the perfect kid. That's great, but try being that way with a mother who was emotionally, psychologically, verbally, and sometimes, very rarely, physically abusive.I didn't have a traditional mother-daughter relationship doing things together. I was a good student- no- I had to be a perfect student. When my brother was born, the last child, it was made very clear who the favorite child was. My sister and I were knocked out of place because we were girls. So, in the beginning, I was not the gender my mother wanted me to be. As the years went by, it was more of the same treatment with little in the way of any faith journey or building a relationship with Jesus. When I began having children, the stress of that sent me over the edge. The depression and anxiety were debilitating. I felt like I was in a valley and didn't know how to climb out. My husband was a pastor and even then my faith was very shallow.Things continued to spiral out of control and I ended up in the psychiatric ward of the hospital three times. Sadly, some of those times were because of suicide attempts. The whole of 2011 I basically spent in bed. I felt hopeless, useless, exhausted, unworthy, scared, anxious, and I could go on. I finally got a doctor who tweaked my medication so that I could go about “normal” life. Two weeks after my last stay in the hospital, my husband of 18 years passed away at the age of 44 on Christmas Eve. My boys were 17,15, 11, and 9.This is where the story of my new life in Christ began. Just like there were medication changes, there were also church changes that led to soul changes. I could actually hear God. I wanted to learn everything about Him. The more I began leaning into Him, the more He leaned into me. I lost my dad two years before my husband and my mom three years after my husband. But I was as ok as ok could be given the circumstances life has, is, and will be. That's life. I am so thankful for the valleys because then I was able to enjoy the mountain tops. God has a reason for me being here. Understand that my life still hasn't been perfect. I've had many financial difficulties. I've had difficulties being a man to four boys not knowing what it means to be a dad. But I know 100% that all of these “tragedies” and “valleys” led me to “triumphs” and “mountain tops” because God has a plan that I can't see. He is with me ALL the time. He puts people in my life that help me grow- friends, pastors, and family. He inspires me through music. The words hit me in just the right place and at just the right time. I'm thankful for the music of Matthew West, Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Toby Mac, Zach Williams and so many other talented musicians that bring God to me. I love music but I love my Savior even more. And so my story continues until God takes me home to live with Him in glory. My past doesn't dictate my future and my past doesn't change my relationship with Jesus Christ. I'm so very loved by a God who loves me unconditionally. Guess what? He loves you that much, too.Jenna: I grew up in a Christian family. We went to church every Sunday and Wednesday and were a part of almost everything; Awana, Elevate teen group, and even school there. Two and a half years ago, I lost someone who I was close to because she felt the need to commit suicide. I was heartbroken and I felt like I lost everything. 2022 was a challenging year for me. I had daily panic attacks and felt like I was worthless. My eating habits went down significantly, and I was stressed all the time. As exams neared, I was super stressed and ended up passing out.Months passed and I still felt worthless. I planned to commit suicide when I got a text from a friend, and it was like a text from God. She said she heard I was going to camp and hoped to see me there. I thought if I waited til after camp, and then committed suicide it would be okay. So I went to camp and it changed my life. I met so many new people and was able to share my hurt with my church and they told me that I was not alone. Camp was my blue couch moment as I sat there in service Thursday night, I realized that I needed God in my life more than ever. I had already been saved, but I realized I hadn't been living like Christ wanted me to. I have had friends come and go in my life some that have stuck around for a while God will not let you down and he will always have someone in mind who will help you grow in faith and support you through it all. They can also help you overcome the hardships in your life.I still deal with anxiety and eating habits, but they have gotten so much better since camp and I am so thankful for all that my church has done for me. Also, I have my three closest friends with me right by my side and the Lord has blessed me with an amazing boyfriend who I love and who has helped me through a lot.GOD'S NOT DONE WITH YOU OR YOUR STORY! HE STILL CARES A LOT AND WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. YOU HAVE A PURPOSE – TURN TO GOD TO FIND THAT PURPOSE AND YOU WILL BE FOUND.Thank you to Jenna & Blair for sharing their stories with us. I know it can be hard to be vulnerable and share your story; however, when you share your story, you are showing someone else that God is there and that if He worked in your life, then He can work in their life too. You are showing them that if you could make it through the hard time, they can too. Thank you so much for sharing!  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

On this episode, we go outside our comfort zone and discuss the concept of perceived safety and when it gets in the way. Tangents include hiding in the closet, finger painting, sad songs, and Awana trauma. Enjoy!Join the next conversation:* Leave us a voice message on www.speakpipe.com/picklesandvodka* Subscribe to our Substack: Pickles and Vodka: a Mental Health Podcast* Follow our Instagram: @picklesandvodkapodcast* Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/picklesandvodapodcast* Send us an email: picklesandvodkapodcast@gmail.com* Christina's personal Instagram: @xtinajumper* Christina's Substack: crisis corner (xtinajumper.substack.com)* Lauren's personal Instagram: @lauren___afh (but mostly @picosauve)Credits:* Edited by Christina Jumper* Theme song is Insane OK by The Whines from Free Music Archive Get full access to Pickles and Vodka at picklesandvodka.substack.com/subscribe

How do you trust in Jesus?Script:This was a question asked by a young student in AWANA, and I was caught off guard. I gave my typical ABCs of the gospel — admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, and confess Him as the resurrected King over your life. I said that trusting in Jesus is something that happens in our hearts, and it's God who makes it happen. But I wasn't totally satisfied with my answer — and looking back, I don't think she was either.I gave it some thought, and here's what I think I should have said.I could have opened with: Well, who do you trust? Maybe your parents — your mom and dad. What does that look like? When I trust them, it means I believe they'll do what they say. I believe they love me. I believe they'll take care of me. I believe that we're family.So, to trust in Jesus means you believe what He says — one of those things being that we're sinners. You believe He is who He says He is: the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins. And you believe what He did, and what He tells you to do — to confess Him as the resurrected King over your life.To trust is to actively put your faith — your belief — in who someone says they are, what they say they'll do, and what that means for you.I trust that God will use whatever sliver of gospel hope I had in my answer and use it for His glory, as He always does. Even inadequate answers can receive amazing grace. I won't be caught off guard next time — and I'm glad to have learned a better answer to this question myself.Shownotes:AWANA Messagehttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/messages/spirit-and-truthKids Q&A Playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_vN-vM53O-8cmwa4fcIaJk6GhnnjrgxXPreaching and Teaching:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL761H3XZh_ND_RS09G8_SxPmcrw82GSVIAll Messageshttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/messagesLinks:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

How are American Christians thinking about engaging non-Christians in the United States? According to recent Barna research there are 60 to 80 million Americans who don't fit the paradigm that a lot of Christians have about those outside of the church. They are not really hostile to discussions about faith and spirituality and are actually spiritually curious at the right moments. Join Ted Esler's conversation with Mark Matlock, the Executive Director of the Urbana Student Missions Conference and also author of Faith for the Curious: How an Era of Spiritual Openness Shapes the Way We Live and Help Others Follow Jesus. Mark Matlock is a facilitator of innovation and impact, helping organizations adapt to changing times through turning research based insights into action. The founder of WisdomWorks LLC a consultancy helping churches and faith-based organizations leverage their collective wisdom and insight to innovate and adapt in changing times. Mark also works with Barna to assist clients with board training and on-site facilitation of research findings. Mark has been an advisor to organizations such as the Seed Company, Youth Specialties, Young Life, Awana, Brotherhood Mutual, Movement.org, BetterMan and has served as a board member of the American Bible Society. Mark is the author of more than 20 books for teens and parents, and in 2019 co-authored Faith for Exiles: Five Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon with Barna Group President David Kinnaman. Having initiated many research projects with Barna over the last two decades related to Next Gen studies, Mark's research continues to provide insights into emerging generations and how to cultivate faithful disciples.Mark is an ordained minister, certified LifePLanner, LEGO Serious Play facilitator, and MCORE trainer and coach. Mark is also certified as a HopIn online platform agency. He's been married for 30 years to his wife Jade. They have two adult children.The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God's people to be a part of His mission.https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Curious-Spiritual-Openness-Shapes/dp/0801018714https://www.urbana.org/

In this fun, faith-filled episode of the Women Inseparable Follow the Spirit podcast, host Jaclyn and friends blend laughs, mascara tips (Mary Kay and Babe Lash), and childhood stories—like the Awana brown bag game—with deep reflections on living guided by the Holy Spirit. From envisioning Jesus' eyes to spotting God in fingerprints and empty coffee cups, they mix scripture with silliness for a warm, uplifting chat that celebrates His everyday presence. Tune in for joy and insight!Women Inseparable @ womeninseparable.com/social-media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first part of today's episode, discover the transformative power of gratitude and elevate your spiritual journey with our host, Jennifer Jackson. Jennifer reveals how the simple, daily choice of gratitude can dramatically change our attitudes and hearts. We then get into a heartfelt exploration of how early religious experiences and foundational activities, like Awana programs and scripture memorization, can profoundly shape one's faith. We reflect on the inspiring life of Teresa Janzen, a dedicated missionary in South Sudan, whose unwavering commitment and sacrifices serve as a beacon of faith and resilience. Learn more about the host, Jennifer Jackson. Support the show today with a financial gift. Invite Jennifer to speak at your event. Additional resources from Jennifer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode of The Coffee Break, Russ spoke with Rusty about becoming the new AWANA missionary.  The Coffee Break is the daily Christian talk and local events program on Hope Radio KCMI 97.1FM serving the Scottsbluff, NE area. Tune in for interviews with authors, musicians, pastors, and others in the Christian community and our local area! Visit our website: www.kcmifm.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kcmifm

I realized after posting yesterday's podcast episode that I missed Witness Wednesday. I was away for the weekend, and coming back on Monday must have thrown me off. However, I didn't want you to miss out on Witness Wednesday, so I am just doing it a day late this week.  Today's witnesses are from Matthew West's website called popwe.org. If you don't know who Matthew West is, he is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller. This website is for the non-profit that he has with his father, a pastor. Matthew and his father encourage people to share their stories. They have various categories of stories. Today, I chose two testimonies from the Salvation Category. Often, we can hear our own story in someone else's story. When we listen to others tell their story, it helps us see that we are not alone. When we hear how God worked in their situation, it gives us hope that He will work in ours, too! I pray when you hear these testimonies, you get the faith and hope to believe that miracles can happen in your situation, also. I pray you know that God is there with you, and if you invite Him into your situation, He can help. I hope you enjoy these testimonies.My name is Cyndi. My broken story started before I was even born. I was the last of my bio mom's seven kids.  Unfortunately, she was an alcoholic who drank during her pregnancy, so I have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.When I was born in 1971, I weighed about 3 lbs. I was adopted at age 1. Unfortunately, the family I was adopted into was dysfunctional. I suffered all manner of abuse, including sexual abuse. This hurt me so bad that I wanted to die for many years.I was diagnosed at twenty with Bipolar Disorder. But I didn't take the medication because I just didn't want to. I got pregnant at twenty-one.  I literally had my son on my twenty second birthday.  I married his dad four months later.But my husband was abusive, mentally, emotionally, and verbally.  And because I had never dealt with my previous abuse, I believed his abuse was my fault. Not only did I stay with him and raise my son, but I also had another child, a daughter, when my son was six years old.Even though I thought our problems were my fault, I still knew how ridiculous that sounded because I knew I didn't really want to live like that. I separated from him when my daughter was three and tried to take the kids.He used lies and insinuation to get them back. I ended up being divorced and having visitation with my kids. It wasn't easy, but we managed to survive. You may wonder about my faith throughout all of this. Don't worry, I'm getting there!  I was raised Catholic but got into the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1996. I stayed that in that group until November of 2022, when I learned it wasn't what I had been led to believe.I was a lost soul for a little while but came back to Christianity the next November and have been loving it since. I'm quite happy these days. I do take meds. I have two spectacular kids and a wonderful granddaughter. I've been through more therapy than I care to admit and I'm still in it. But I've learned that it's okay to not be okay sometimes.Because I spent twenty-seven years not doing any holidays or birthdays, I take care to do them all and really celebrate them.  I really appreciate and enjoy my friends and family. So, I guess I have a pretty good ending to my broken story.But it's all because of Jesus. I do wish that my kids would love Jesus like I do, but they have to get to know him from a different perspective now. Just like I did.Ben:  I grew up in a Christian home going to church every Sunday, being involved in AWANA and Youth Group, and going to Bible camps based on the Bible. The broken chapters of my life started before age 14. I was a Christian then. I believed hard on God, He was my Savior and He loved me. In 2017, when I was in the 6th grade, the garage of my house went up in flames. That was really tough for me and my whole family to go through. I hated God through that. It was about a year of moving around, and not being in my own neighborhood.
Further into my life starting around age fourteen is when I fell apart from God.  I got introduced into pornography. That was my biggest struggle. A lot of changes happened. I hated God and felt like I didn't belong with Him. Satan took me over and I felt what he could do to me. Just to be living through that, though, is how I saw God. I became an addict to pornography and that was really harsh. Going though that, plus still going to church was a struggle. I believed that God didn't want me and that He left me. I hated God for writing my life like this. And yet, I prayed almost every day for Him to bring me out of this hell, out of Satan's world.Skipping forward in my life, I am now two months from my 16th birthday. In late February 2021, I moved from my hometown of Naperville, IL to South Nashville, TN. This was the biggest move of my entire life. I was confused and scared of moving so far away, but during this time I was doing better with God. I felt Him closer to me and with me more often. As life moved on during February, I came to realize that God has made my life for a purpose and He has drawn my path. So I just had to trust God that He knew what He was doing in my life. In June 2021, me and my family took a trip back up to my hometown to see friends and family and the community. About halfway through the trip, I was fishing at one of my favorite lakes and started to talk to God. I fished there that day for about 2 1/2 hours and during that time I was having a conversation with God. I felt really close to Him and loved Him. I poured out my fears and thoughts.During week three of the trip, I was in bed one night thinking of my strong fear of death. It scared me so bad, something happened between me and the Lord that I fell apart again. That time was one of the closest times I came to taking my own life, but I never did because of God. He came into my thoughts and blocked that idea. I was so scared of death, I couldn't do it.In week 4 of June, my family and I made our way to Gull Lake Ministries, in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The Friday of that week, I was out on the fishing dock at night about 10:30pm and was listening to my Christian music playlist and the song ‘Way Maker' came on. I poured out my heart to The Lord Jesus Christ asking for forgiveness. After that night, I asked God to come back to my heart.  I prayed and I cried happy tears knowing I had been saved.The week before school started, I joined my school's marching band…lots of hard work balancing that with my studies and with God. A month later, I was greatly in line with God. A month after that I met this girl who was in my instrument section for marching band. She is a very strong believer and a true Christian. She is one of the main people that brought me back to Christ. We prayed together and we both shared music, verses and Bible plans to know Jesus more. Finding a church is one of the harder struggles along with finding a youth group that can be of fit for me to be more connected.
One week, she invited me to her youth group and I liked it. I was able to become closer to the Lord and know that community.Two days later, the thought of killing myself and hurting myself came back. I fell apart from God again. I talked to my friend about this, and she seemed really worried. She tried to talk me out of it. She talked to her parents and gave me music and Bible verses about how God wants me, loves me, and knows me. This lasted about two weeks which is the longest I have had in my life yet. The struggle with the aftermath –going through that was the hardest. Reconnecting myself with God, I found this song by Matthew West called ‘The God Who Stays.' I put this song on repeat and listened to it about 100+ times. The lyrics of the song are really powerful and meaningful. After about a week, I grew closer to Christ, and during worship in a church service, I poured my heart out to the Lord. I felt him right next to me and knew that He was with me. Over the last couple months, I have been in line with Jesus, asking for forgiveness, talking openly to friends about Him, and being involved with church leaders. Now I see and consider myself a Christian, after three years of on/off with God. I am back.I got baptized on February 18, 2022. I love Jesus and I never want to lose Him again.  Amen!Thank you so much to both of you for sharing your stories. You have both had such a hard journey. I appreciate you being vulnerable and sharing your story so that others know they are not alone. It also shows them that if God got you through it, he will get them through it too! Thank you so much for sharing!  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

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How do you evaluate whether a church program or curriculum, like Awana, is biblically sound and worth your child's time? In this episode, Elizabeth Urbanowicz shares a practical framework to help parents assess the faithfulness and impact of any program. Learn three essential questions to ask, including whether the program is biblically faithful, if it provides transferable skills, and what your family might sacrifice by participating. This episode will help you make informed, intentional decisions for your child's discipleship journey.

Pastor Heather Jarvie reflects on the impact of childhood scripture memorization and highlights the importance of not only studying the Bible but also meditating on it, allowing its truths to resonate deeply within our hearts.