Tom & Marti Chance
with Awana Clubs
Country Info
We minister throughout Central California.
Background
God called Tom & Marti Chance into full time ministry at 1:25pm on June 25th, 1992. It began to become clear at Carl’s Jr. in Oakdale, California. My predecessor popped the question in the form of a challenge to consider applying to become missionaries with Awana Clubs International.
Our typical answer would have been no, I don’t think so. We were deeply involved in our professions; Tom as an Agricultural Crop Consultant and Marti as Homemaker and Teacher. However, the Lord had been working to change our hearts and minds about full time Christian ministry for about two years prior. We both had been involved in children’s and other ministries in our local church and throughout the region with our Awana Missionary John Deck. We had been involved in our local Awana Club for 14 years and it seemed clear at this point that God was moving us to a bigger scope of ministry – to “expand our borders,” and our faith!
Following significant and independent encouragement and confirmation from several much respected individuals, we felt certain that the Lord would have us follow through and apply for the missionary position. At times we felt that through the process God would certainly close the door and we would just move on with our lives as they had been before. He did not! Every door was clearly open and we were moved through them by His strength and grace. We were appointed to the North Central California field by the Awana Board of Directors December 14, 1992. We were commissioned as missionaries March 14, 1993 at the Evangelical Free Church of Turlock, CA (now known as Crossroads Church). April 1st 1993 was our official start date, but we were doing the ministry throughout that winter and spring, planning and carrying out the Awana events.
God answered our questions and settled our early concerns and fears as we considered the call and moved forward through the application process and ministry. Our “big three” were 1) family acceptance, 2) financial provision, and 3) potential relocation. He very definitely answered each of these with His peace, promise and provision.
Now, fourteen years later, serving some 160 churches and over 3000 Awana Leaders, God continues to lead us along. We have many growth opportunities along the way and the Lord is good to see us through as we depend upon Him for our all.
The hope and prayer of Awana Clubs International is that "All children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ." Our primary mission field is here in Central California, but what a privilege to serve in a region where many "nations" have come together to live and work. May we be faithful to our Lord, His calling, and the task of seeing the gospel delivered to all these children of the world. We may never know the impact of one coming to Christ in our lifetime here on earth. God knows what He is doing. We can rest in this.
Ministry Description
Awana is an international, Bible-centered children's and youth ministry providing local churches with weekly clubs, programs and training for students in preschool through high school. Our goal is to equip churches to reach kids, and their families, with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him. (Learn about the prayer, vision, mission and values of Awana.)
The acronym Awana comes from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15.
Awana began in 1950 as a youth program at the North Side Gospel Center in Chicago, Illinois. Lance Latham, the church pastor, worked with Art Rorheim to develop a program that would appeal to young people, reach them with the gospel and train them in the Lord’s work. Other churches heard about the success of the Awana program and asked if they could use it. By 1960, Awana had registered 900 churches to start Awana.
Today, more than 12,000 U.S. churches run Awana with programs in all 50 states. Awana can also be found in over 3,900 churches in 109 other countries and six continents. Jack Eggar is our President/CEO. Art Rorheim serves as our co-founder.
Regional missionaries and ministry teams will assist you in establishing Awana as a vital part of your local church's outreach, discipleship and volunteer training. Find your area missionary and contact him today, or learn more about what we believe or register to start Awana online. If you're interested in working for Awana, check out our current job openings. If you're looking for an Awana program in your area, use our club finder to locate local churches with Awana. as a Bible-teaching ministry.
Serving With
Awana Clubs
http://www.awana.org
top
|
