Awana is our exciting program for children ages 3 through 8th 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. We also extended our program to include Jr. High! Thank you for praying for Awana clubs.
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. We also extended our program to include Jr. High! Thank you for praying for Awana clubs.
Cubbies
Cubbies 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, April Guerrero, and Stephanie Hernandez
Feedback from leaders:
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, April Guerrero, and Stephanie Hernandez
Feedback from leaders:
"I’ve been growing in this ministry as a teaches me patience just like God has with me. II’m seeing firsthand how important, it is to start sowing seeds for the next generation."
"I’ve seen Him move by reminding me that the highest rank one can have in the body of Christ is servant."
"Being in Cubbies program has given me a great opportunity to get back into teaching and working with kids after taking a break. It’s so rewarding to teach God’s word and see their little minds working and learning. I see God working through Ruben at home as he is recalling most of the stories and talking about them and asking for the questions. He has taken what he’s learned to heart and it’s fun to see how he applies his lessons to his daily activities."
Sparks
To be a Sparkie is so exciting! We shine for Jesus. We started with 23 sparks and on average 18 every Tuesday. Incredible!! We had some amazing theme nights, crazy hair day, sports night, family night and Christmas shopping day. It's amazing to observe the Sparks shopping for their family. Some are very thoughtful and amazing negotiators. The Sparks are learning to use their Bibles to locate verse, helping each other with tips they use to locate the verse.
We ask that you pray for the team and sparks to continue to shine Jesus and to apply the lessons that are taught to their lives.
Sparkie Team: Betsy Abbey, Enid Rivera, Marisoll Castro, Israel Soriano, Eligia David, Naomi (PCM)
Sparkie Team: Betsy Abbey, Enid Rivera, Marisoll Castro, Israel Soriano, Eligia David, Naomi (PCM)
truth & training
In 2025, we have had a good amount of help from Moody students Nate, Chloe, and Gladys. Non student help included Hector (security), Maria (check in), Diana (teaching), and Samantha (games). And of course we would have been in complete disarray if it wouldn’t have been for the guidance and experience Christina brought. The blueprint she has provided is allowing T&T to run as smoothly as it can.
It has been encouraging to see the growth and maturity in the leaders, especially the students. Chloe has shown much growth in the past year, and it shows in her teaching and leadership role over the students. She takes ownership of the lessons and it clear that she wants the kids to learn the Gospel. Gladys has brought a positive energy to the group. She has the gift of encouragement, and uses it to push our teachings forward. And Nate has been a true leader. He is always willing to step up and fill in wherever he is needed. This 2026 winter/spring session is his last with us, and he will be missed. But we have seen so many times in scripture and in present time when our God has provided. We trust He will provide, as He already has.
Hector and Maria have been welcome additions in 2025. Although they have assisted in background roles, they have stepped up and been available when needed. Having Samantha concentrating on games has been helpful as well. It helps the teaching & student leaders focus on lessons and the small groups. Lastly, we sadly lost Diana in 2026 due to scheduling conflicts. However, we have Yaslin now, who has offered to help as her schedule permits.
Our Christmas party went very well. We decided to move the party to an earlier date to allow for the Moody students to participate this time around. It allowed for a time of socializing for them and the parents/adults. The party also serves as a strategic time to get to build bonds and even friendships with all involved. Plus, its just a fun night overall.
As one bible scholar puts it, I think one of our roles in T&T is to “put a stone in their shoe”. We arent tasked to create theologians overnight. Like we see in 1 Corinthians 3, what we are doing is the watering of the seeds. Along with the parents, and the church as a whole, the expectation is to see God grow the kids into spiritual maturity. We definitely have already seen this in the student leaders. With the kids its subtle, but it is there. The kids are starting to show and develop the fruits of the Spirit. Its amazing to witness things like love, joy, peace, and kindness develop in all of them. Specifically the fruits are showing in the way they interact with each other. It’s a small community that is being created by the children. And if God grants it to us, it would be amazing and so encouraging to see these communities grow as the kids become young adults, and then adults.
For 2026, the yearly Phantom Ranch visit has tentatively been changed to a single day instead of an overnight sleepover trip. We will need to work on a schedule that will condense the normal 2 days into 1. Our Grand Prix night will continue this year, however, we really need to have more of us involved in the details involving the planning and execution. And more involvement in general of membership will always be welcome!
It has been encouraging to see the growth and maturity in the leaders, especially the students. Chloe has shown much growth in the past year, and it shows in her teaching and leadership role over the students. She takes ownership of the lessons and it clear that she wants the kids to learn the Gospel. Gladys has brought a positive energy to the group. She has the gift of encouragement, and uses it to push our teachings forward. And Nate has been a true leader. He is always willing to step up and fill in wherever he is needed. This 2026 winter/spring session is his last with us, and he will be missed. But we have seen so many times in scripture and in present time when our God has provided. We trust He will provide, as He already has.
Hector and Maria have been welcome additions in 2025. Although they have assisted in background roles, they have stepped up and been available when needed. Having Samantha concentrating on games has been helpful as well. It helps the teaching & student leaders focus on lessons and the small groups. Lastly, we sadly lost Diana in 2026 due to scheduling conflicts. However, we have Yaslin now, who has offered to help as her schedule permits.
Our Christmas party went very well. We decided to move the party to an earlier date to allow for the Moody students to participate this time around. It allowed for a time of socializing for them and the parents/adults. The party also serves as a strategic time to get to build bonds and even friendships with all involved. Plus, its just a fun night overall.
As one bible scholar puts it, I think one of our roles in T&T is to “put a stone in their shoe”. We arent tasked to create theologians overnight. Like we see in 1 Corinthians 3, what we are doing is the watering of the seeds. Along with the parents, and the church as a whole, the expectation is to see God grow the kids into spiritual maturity. We definitely have already seen this in the student leaders. With the kids its subtle, but it is there. The kids are starting to show and develop the fruits of the Spirit. Its amazing to witness things like love, joy, peace, and kindness develop in all of them. Specifically the fruits are showing in the way they interact with each other. It’s a small community that is being created by the children. And if God grants it to us, it would be amazing and so encouraging to see these communities grow as the kids become young adults, and then adults.
For 2026, the yearly Phantom Ranch visit has tentatively been changed to a single day instead of an overnight sleepover trip. We will need to work on a schedule that will condense the normal 2 days into 1. Our Grand Prix night will continue this year, however, we really need to have more of us involved in the details involving the planning and execution. And more involvement in general of membership will always be welcome!
JR. High
This year, we expanded our Awana program to include junior high students. Andrew and Allysa Catrinta felt a strong stirring to rebuild a youth group from the ground up, creating a space where students could continue growing in their knowledge of Christ. They have been faithfully leading and directing the program alongside Brandon Oliver, Allison Salazar, Sandra Poenar, Josh and Lissi Pagan, and Frankie Nguyen.
It has been a blessing to see good attendance, with most students coming from MCA. On a typical night, we welcome between 8–15 students. Each evening begins in the sanctuary, where all Awana grades gather to sing worship songs led by Andrew, followed by prayer. From there, we move to the gym for open gym time and organized games, and then transition into time spent in God’s Word and small groups.
This year, we studied the story of Daniel, with a particular focus on his youth and his boldness in following God within a culture that opposed Him. During small groups, students read Scripture together and engage in thoughtful discussion, exploring what the passage says, what they understand, and how they can apply it to their lives.
Some nights, we change the format and host Q&A sessions, giving students the opportunity to openly ask leaders any questions they may have. These nights have been especially impactful, offering insight into where students are in their doubts, curiosities, and personal struggles. It has been encouraging to hear how deeply they are thinking about challenging topics and matters of faith.
We began 2026 with a new series on the life of David and are excited to continue getting to know our students, walking alongside them, and cultivating trusting, Christ-centered relationships.
It has been a blessing to see good attendance, with most students coming from MCA. On a typical night, we welcome between 8–15 students. Each evening begins in the sanctuary, where all Awana grades gather to sing worship songs led by Andrew, followed by prayer. From there, we move to the gym for open gym time and organized games, and then transition into time spent in God’s Word and small groups.
This year, we studied the story of Daniel, with a particular focus on his youth and his boldness in following God within a culture that opposed Him. During small groups, students read Scripture together and engage in thoughtful discussion, exploring what the passage says, what they understand, and how they can apply it to their lives.
Some nights, we change the format and host Q&A sessions, giving students the opportunity to openly ask leaders any questions they may have. These nights have been especially impactful, offering insight into where students are in their doubts, curiosities, and personal struggles. It has been encouraging to hear how deeply they are thinking about challenging topics and matters of faith.
We began 2026 with a new series on the life of David and are excited to continue getting to know our students, walking alongside them, and cultivating trusting, Christ-centered relationships.