Awana is our exciting program for children ages 3 through 6th grade. Children from every background are given a place to belong, build confidence and grow in faith. We focus on bible study and scripture memorization in fun and memorable ways. We meet every Tuesday from the months of late August through the first week of May, teaching lessons, working in small groups, leading games and bible stories, and more! AWANA stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed," a reference to 2 Timothy 2:15 which states "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

 Last year we prayed, and the Lord answered with 18 volunteers. What an amazing answer!!! This year we have enough volunteers and are still growing with more clubbers joining. Thank you for praying for Awana clubs.

Being a Sparkie is so exciting! We shine for Jesus.

This fall, we had our Parent’s Night. Guess what? We had an amazing 73% parent participation! The parents and Sparkies made a craft together, played games, and reviewed Bible verses. What a great night! The parents experienced what it’s like to be a Sparkie, and we are so thankful they joined us.

We also had our first tree decorating day—it was wonderful! The clubbers and parents made a variety of ornaments for our very first Awana Christmas tree, now displayed in the foyer. Along with making ornaments, we shared coffee, milk, juice, and cookies. It was a great day of work and fellowship.

Finally, we wrapped up with our Awana store. The children had the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for their family members. It was such a blessing to see the clubbers thoughtfully review items and choose gifts with great care. What a beautiful way to end the year—teaching the clubbers to think of others, not themselves, during Christmas. We look forward to the rest of the year and finishing strong.

Team: Eligia David (director), Betsy Abbey, Marisol Castro, Israel Soriano, James Schunk, Enid Rivera

Cubbiess is the club designed for children who are in the two years prior to beginning regular Kindergarten. The Cubbies Program features scripture memorization and basic Bible truths that pre-schoolers can understand. The program materials help our Cubbies' parents to actively participate in their child's spiritual development. These children come to know who God is and how much He loves them!

For us leaders, serving in child discipleship ministry helps us grow in teaching these preschoolers to gain wisdom for how the bible applies in each of us as God's children. Teaching them how to pray interact with others as we used the time with providing weekly lessons, puppet shows, bible songs and having them learn core truths about God. Through relationships and scripture, children are discipled to grow in deep and lasting faith.

Team: Minerva Rodriguez,  Ruby Gomez, Gabriel Roberts (Moody Bible Student)

The purpose of the Children’s Church is to gather the children to study God’s Word, setting before them the plan of salvation and the need of Christ as their personal Savior. For the saved children, our prayers, plans, and efforts are that “Christ (would be) formed in them” (Galatians 4:19).

From September through May, we use the “Answers in Genesis” curriculum, a 3-year Bible study that gives the message of the Bible through 7 “C” concepts:  Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross and Consummation. During the summer months, Grades 1-5 listened once again to a Christian adventure audio series, “The Brinkman Adventures” where important lessons are taught for the Christian life.

In March, we recognized the many years of leadership that Children’s Ministry Director, Mrs. Eligia David, gave us. She stepped down in order to focus on her other church responsibilities.

New in 2024 was the incorporation of “Family Sunday” into our morning services, where all children, ages PreK through 6th grade, attended worship with their families for the entire service. Much of the worship in the Bible displays families worshiping together, even the young taking part in hearing God’s Word. We distribute children’s bulletins that align with the sermon theme so that the older children can develop their skills in understanding a sermon. We also want the children to know that they are valuable participants: they sang in two December worship services, made table decorations for a missions meal, and made crafts for seniors at Central Baptist Village.

We have seen numerical growth in each class of our children’s church in 2024 from families who attend MCA and other families new to MBC. We are grateful these parents entrust us with their children.

Thanks to our teachers who faithfully teach our children: Betsy Abbey & Rosalia Lopez (PreK), Christ Martin and Juanita Medellin (1st & 2nd gr.), Lisa Chohan and Jenny Rasmussen (3rd-5th gr.), and a special thanks to Manny Arroyo who assisted with the teaching last summer.  

Do you want to join us? Contact the church office or talk to Chris Martin for details.

This ministry exists to give families at MBC with young children a time to refresh their spirits and strengthen their faith through worship and Bible study, while knowing that their children are in a clean, safe and caring environment. Thanks to all the volunteers who so lovingly and patiently care for our youngest family members.

The team of nursery volunteers is on a rotating basis so that each one serves on the average of once a month. We are grateful for these workers who served in 2024: Vicky Arce, Lissie Berrios, Sue Bowman, Lisa Osborn and Dorcas T.