HOOKSETT — When the Rev. Eric Davis first took the reins at Emmanuel Baptist Church three years ago, he knew he wanted to bring the international AWANA kids club program to his new congregation.

“Something I really love about AWANA is it gives our church an opportunity to show the kids that we love them by providing this thing for them,” Davis said. “But it also gives us a chance to talk to them at their level.”

AWANA is an acronym for “approved workman are not ashamed,” an excerpt from 2 Timothy stating that those who do the Lord’s work need not be ashamed.

According to AWANA, the program helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youths who faithfully follow Jesus Christ.

The Chicago-based organization that develops the curriculum has been in action for more than 60 years. There are programs for kids in kindergarten all the way up to kids in high school.

Emmanuel Baptist Church offers AWANA programs for both older and younger children, including the Sparks Club for kids in kindergarten through second grade and the TNT Club for kids in grades three through six.

AWANA delivers its Orthodox Christian teachings in three parts: games, Bible studies and “large group time.”

Games include a pinewood derby grand prix, where kids get to design cars with their parents and other congregants.

Then there is the AWANA “game square” that measures 40 feet by 40 feet and sits on the floor. A multitude of games are based around the square.

Davis said the universality of the square allows kids to play with club members from other congregations, like at the annual regional event held in the spring.

The AWANA program also includes handbooks containing Bible lessons presented in ways designed to help children understand and memorize them.

Finally, there is large group time, consisting of lectures on Bible lessons.

Asked what the most important aspect of AWANA is, Davis said it’s for the kids to develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

“They’re not sitting in big church with the preaching and teaching going over their heads,” Davis said. “They get to have a message built for them, usually very brief so it holds their attention.”

Davis said Jesus often broke from the norms of when kids were and were not supposed to be around.

“Jesus loves them first,” Davis said, “and because he does, so should we.”

Davis said AWANA has become a key part of the church’s offerings.

“It’s probably the cornerstone of our children’s ministry at our church,” he said.

“As a church, we want our community and we want our membership to know that children matter,” he added. “And Jesus seems to me, as I study Scripture, he loved children, and they were around him.”

Emmanuel Baptist’s AWANA program is led by student pastor Rick Morin. The director of the TNT Club is Rick Hundley. The director of the Sparks Club is Darryl Benzing.

New club sessions will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 6:45 p.m. The sessions will run until the end of May 2013. Children can be enrolled at any time.

More information on AWANA can be found at AWANA.org. Those interested in getting involved can call Emmanuel Baptist Church at 668-6473.

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Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.