Below is a portion of a report from Lighthouse Trails Research Project. Many would wonder why such a report would find its way onto a blog dedicated to Bible Prophecy when the subject matter seens completely unrelated. But it is not. One of the specifuc signs of the latter times found in scripture is a general apostasy, a turning away from the truth and an embracing of fables and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1 ). The Awana program for children appears to be doing exactly that. Please read the information in the links below for complete details.
From the Lighthouse:
“Some people may not understand why we write this report about Awana. After all, they have done many wonderful things for children. But that is the very reason we do issue this report – we do not want to see Awana sell out to the fast growing apostasy of contemplative spirituality and the New Age; and because we care about children, we speak up. With more and more public schools teaching kids to meditate and do yoga (Yogi Baba Prem says there is no such thing a “Christian Yoga”) and with more and more Christian schools bringing in emerging leaders like Rob Bell(through his Noomas and his book Velvet Elvis ), millions of children are now placed in harm’s way by learning meditative techniques that will possibly take them into altered states and demonic realms. We hope Awana leadership will reconsider their position on contemplative/ spiritual formation for the sake of children and their parents. And if you have children in the program, please use prayerful discernment in light of these new developments… Read the entire article”
URGENT – Awana Club Participating in Willow Creek Conference
Are They Heading Toward Contemplative/Emergent?
Feb 23, 2006 Awana Clubs has been a respected and trusted Christian organization for many years. Countless children have been Cubbies and Sparkies and have memorized Scripture through the program.
With so much of the church heading into the contemplative/emergent camp, also known as the spiritual formation movement, what a tragedy it would be to see Awana being sucked into this also. Few things are stable these days … is Awana the next to cave in?
A few days ago it was brought to our attention that Awana’s Kevin White sent out a notice to an undisclosed number of Awana youth leaders, letting them know about the upcoming Willow Creek Association’s Student Ministries/Next Gen Leadership Conference (February 27th). The notice encouraged leaders to attend and told them where they could register.
Today, we contacted Kevin White and asked about the notice. He told us Willow Creek (promoters of Spiritual Formation/contemplative) had contacted them and offered them a room or booth. White said he had sent out the notice, and Awana would be there at the conference.
Our concern is that this organization may be seduced into a spirituality that negates the very gospel message that Awana Clubs has tried to promote.
Worthwhile to note, on the Awana website, they are featuring a book by George Barna titled, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions. On the front cover is an endorsement by Willow Creek, Bill Hybels. And the Awana High School program’s 24/7 Ministries lists several recommended resources which they say “have similar ministry interests to 24/7.” These ministries include Youth Specialties and Group Magazine (both emergent and contemplative) as well as Church Growth Institute, NavPress and Youth for Christ (which promotes the the Labyrinth).
If your children are part of an Awana Club, or if you know of a family who is, we encourage you to contact Awana Clubs and share your concerns with them about attending a conference that promotes the New Age and mysticism and also about their connections to these other organizations. The contemplative road is a slippery path to apostasy. May they heed the warning.
Contact Information for Awanas:
630- 213- 2000
1 East Bode Road
Streamwood, IL 60107-6658
Fax:630-213- 5986
Email Addresses
Related Links:
- Notice sent out from Awanas
- September 13, 2005 Awana Letter to Parents Encouraging “Spiritual Formation at the Earliest Opportunity” (This link has now been removed.)
- More on Willow Creek and their Contemplative/New Age Connections
- Awana Ministry Statistics
Update – March 5, 2006: It has been brought to our attention that on the Awana’s High School program 24/7 Ministries, they also promote an organization called. SonLife, which is another organization that pushes the emerging church movement.
Update – March 21, 2006: AWANA and Spiritual Formation
1. Integrating other spiritual formation initiatives into Awana?
2. Awanas Rorheim Institute Promoting Spiritual Formation
Update – May 8, 2006
Awanas Still Promoting Contemplative Materials and Organizations
Update May 26, 2006
Awanas using CD Teaching Aid produced by Youth Specialties
Another Teaching Aid used by Awanas and produced by Youth Specialties
Note: If you are an AWANA parent or teacher, please contact AWANA Clubs headquarters and ask them not to go in the contemplative/emerging/spiritual formation direction but to continue ministering the gospel to children without compromise.