Costa Rica’s political stability tends to carry over in other ways, like its free exercise of religion. Christian missionaries have been particularly effective, and some estimate evangelical Christianity to be 25% of the Costa Rican people. When given solid Biblical materials, like the Awana program, many understand the gospel and come to faith in Christ. Awana exists in Costa Rica to reach kids with the incredible news of the gospel, equip leaders there with courage and proven training methods, and to change the lives of many who wonder if life can provide something more.
Reaching Kids in Costa Rica
There are just over 1 million children in Costa Rica today under the age of 15, but that number is declining each year due to the decreasing birth rate. Many of these children have had the advantage of schooling due to Costa Rica’s importance placed on education. They benefit from Awana program materials that are high-quality and age-appropriate. Since the first club began there in 1985, the gospel of Christ has shown each child in Awana that he or she is precious to God and created especially by Him!
Every week, Awana Costa Rica reaches 841 children with the gospel in their heart language through 14 clubs.
Equipping Leaders in Costa Rica
Awana is a proven program for reaching kids with the gospel. But it disciples the rest of the church through equipping the Awana club leaders, a need particularly felt in Costa Rica’s emerging evangelical church. Discipleship has been shown to be key for the Costa Rican church; without those mentoring relationships, new converts tend to leave the church. Each Awana program is built upon leadership that is trained to reach children, like those who use our Leader-Based Strategy (LBS) curriculum. National missionaries, who understand the complexity of their countries, assist the churches which use the Awana program.
In Costa Rica, there is one associate missionary couple serving the churches with Awana clubs. They help the churches to implement the program and train the leaders.
Changing the World in Costa Rica
Other countries are not like the U.S., where kids have an array of choices for activities. Children in Costa Rica may have few outlets for enjoyment. When a church starts the Awana program, children have a meaningful and fun place to go as they learn about the gospel. Adults are discipled and trained to make more disciples. Awana seeks to reach more children in Costa Rica with the gospel and equip more leaders there.
You can join Awana in changing the world!
- Total Number of Clubs: 14