Christmas has a way of sending me back to the people who first showed me what faith looked like. For you it might have been a parent who prayed at the end of every day, or a Sunday school teacher who never forgot your name. Maybe it was a youth leader who saved you a seat when you weren’t sure you belonged anywhere.
Benjamin is the youngest of four brothers. His story shows us a life full of loving-caring adults, journeying in faith with him.
Every child needs someone who will show up. A mom who encourages, a leader who listens, a volunteer who celebrates milestones, or a ministry director who creates a safe welcoming place where a child feels valued. Those people need someone behind them too.
For fourteen years, leaders showed up week after week. They came in early and listened as he practised his verses before others arrived. They made room for the way he learns. They celebrated his progress and encouraged him to keep going.
The community of Awana has been a place where Benjamin has been able to thrive. Encouraged in his faith, challenged in what he can do and stretched as he lives out his faith on his own, the same way the leaders lived out their faith as an example to him and all the kids.
Benjamin’s mom kept showing up. She encouraged him along the way, supported his efforts, and motivated him when learning took practice and perseverance. The progress Benjamin made was the result of the people who believed in him and walked alongside him year after year. She believes that anyone can do this with someone walking alongside them.
Because someone was there for him, Benjamin is learning to be that someone for others.
Behind Every Someone Is Another Someone
Every child needs someone who will show up. A leader who takes the time to listen. A volunteer who celebrates a well earned milestone. A ministry director who creates a place where children feel safe, welcomed, and valued. Someone who believes in a child, even when the next step feels difficult.
But those people need someone behind them, too.
Behind every leader who sat with Benjamin at Awana were people who prayed and gave. Their generosity helped provide the training, materials, and resources that made it possible for leaders to show up ready to serve.
Some of those supporters may never meet Benjamin. He may never know their names.
But they were there for him.
And you have been one of those people.
Your generosity helps equip volunteer leaders, support ministry directors, and provide resources that churches use to disciple children and encourage families in their faith.
You help put resources into the hands of people who are there for children like Benjamin. You help create opportunities for children and families to learn, grow, and discover what it means to follow Jesus.
You become part of their story.
Will You Be Someone Who Is There?
As we look ahead to another year of ministry, would you prayerfully consider making a Christmas gift that goes beyond your usual giving?
If you have given at the same level for the past few years, perhaps this is the year to stretch a little further. Your increased generosity can help us continue equipping the people who show up for children and families every week.
Whether you give $50, $100, $250, $500, or another amount that is meaningful to you, your gift helps ensure that leaders have the support and resources they need to serve well.
One day, a child may look back and remember the person who encouraged them, the leader who made room for them, or the volunteer who helped them discover what they could do.
They may never know the names of the people who made that moment possible.
But someone was there.
This Christmas, would you help make sure someone is there for the next child who needs to know they are seen, valued, loved, and believed in?
Thank you for praying, giving, and helping make ministry possible for children and families across our churches. Thank you for being part of the story of a child you may never meet.
With gratitude,
Your Awana Family
