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Where were you 25 years ago?  Let me help you with the math.  It was 1997. What has changed in your life?  What has changed in our world?  A little Google research may help jog your memory; that is if you were born before then.

• Bill Clinton was the US president
• The movie Titanic was released
• Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters at age 21
• Beanie Babies were the hot collector’s item
• Gas was $1.23 a gallon
• A stamp was 23 cents
• Princess Diana died in a car accident that year.

Another important event happened 25 years here at the Milton SDB Church.  God had laid the importance of reaching children in the Milton area with the Good News of Jesus Christ on the heart of some of our church leaders.  They began investigating and planning to bring an Awana Club to Milton.  

On Aug. 18, 1997, Awana International issued a charter to the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church and our club began meeting under the leadership of Tanya Henry (McPherson), Cheri Appel, and many other church volunteers.

Since that time, God has been using the Awana ministry with its dedicated leaders, church pastors and supportive congregation here to welcome well over 800 children on Wednesday nights. 

Each week during the school year, these children have had the opportunity to learn who Jesus is, how much he loves them and to grow in their walk with him. In the world of children’s ministry, we work alongside God, trusting in what he’s doing in the hearts and mind of these young people.

We know that a person’s worldview is typically formed by the time they turn 13, so this opportunity we have to teach children about the love and sacrifice of Jesus is truly the most important time in a person’s spiritual life.  

We are joyful laborers in God’s kingdom.  Yet, there are many times we don’t know how God grows the seeds that have been planted once they leave our ministries.

Milestones like 25 years of service remind us to pause and look back at all God has done, offering praise and thanksgiving. He uses moments like these to encourage us to keep laboring and trusting the Lord of the Harvest. 

That’s exactly what we plan to do this Awana year. All year long we will spend some time remembering and giving praise and thanksgiving for all God has done, is doing now, and will do through the Awana ministry here in Milton.

We need your help, though. Have you or someone you know been a part of the 25years of Awana ministry here?  Have you or a loved one been a clubber or leader? We want to hear from you!

• What do you remember learning at Awana?
• Who are some leaders that God used to speak into your life?
• How have the scriptures, biblical truths or applications shaped your life today?

If you were a leader, how has God touched you through your service here? We are seeking your stories, testimonies, pictures, and memories! Please send whatever you are willing to share – a simple statement, a detailed testimony and anything in between to Angie Mullen.

You can send your thoughts through email (awanaclubs@miltonsdb.org), Facebook post/messenger (Milton SDB Awana Clubs), or text (608-295-6484).

Help us remember and join us in giving praise to our God of Salvation for all he has done in these 25 amazing years of leading kids to know, love and serve Jesus Christ!

Want a way to share the Gospel? 

Simply invite ANY CHILDREN YOU KNOW to Awana! Direct them to our Facebook page at Milton SDB Awana Clubs, our church website or pick up printed material in the Welcome Center at church.