The first trip to Korea through Base Ministry (then Youth Missions International) was in 2008. Since then, close to 300 students have been a part of the partnership with Awana Korea.
Around the world, the Awana ministry looks different. Not just because of languages, but because each area is able to contextualize how they minister to local churches. In Korea one of the best ways they have found to help local churches is to help them teach English as a second language to the kids in their church and the community. Native English speakers add to this ability and so Awana Korea and Base would work together to train young people to share their faith through teaching English. This was seen in three different ways.
Camps at local churches - In South Korea the mission teams and interns travel to different churches and help them put on English language camps for their communities.
Big TâNâT Camp - Each year there is a big Awana camp in South Korea where hundreds of kids come to camp, engage in Awana events, and learn to speak English. The people from the US that serve there act as event coordinators and teach English, lead games, and many other fun activities.
Vision Camp - This is a crash course in both speaking English, and American culture. Korean kids come to Orlando, FL and are taken through a few weeks of English language learning and learning American culture. The students who serve at Vision Camp are camp counselors who get a chance to build relationships with the kids and walk them through their learning and activities.
It has been sixteen years since the first trip. Having a partner for this long has allowed us to see the impact that has been made in South Korea and in the students who serve there. Many people who engage once return multiple times because of the impact on their own lives and the impact they see happening in Korea.
Out of nine students people who served during the summer of 2023, six of them are continuing to serve Awana Korea! The great partnership continues and we praise God for what we have seen him do between us.