Contact: Marie Guthrie, Senior Director of Ministry Communications, Awana, 630-540-4600

STREAMWOOD, Ill., Sept. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- Awana announced September 3 that it is streamlining its operations by nearly 10 percent.

Awana, a leader in children's and youth ministry, has made investments to strengthen its organization that reaches toddlers through high school age youth. The slower than expected revenue growth in FY08 and early FY09 created the need for expense reduction. The measures taken impact open staff positions, operating expenses and current headcount.

"As a non-profit organization, our revenue stream comes from program materials, event fees and donors," said Awana President/CEO Jack Eggar. "While the number of churches using Awana is increasing around the world, our revenue projections have fallen short of expectations over the last two years. We believe that the current economic challenges facing churches and families are impacting our ministry."

Eggar added, "It is a difficult decision to reduce our workforce. We greatly value our staff, many of whom have worked at Awana many years. Yet, our commitment is to maintain a solid financial position for the long-term good of the ministry. Therefore, we made necessary reductions to our operations."

Staff members leaving Awana receive career support that includes severance and job search services.

Awana continues to remain committed to helping churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ. Priorities will continue to revolve around fully integrated programs for children and youth ages 2 to 18. Awana is confident that its call for parents and churches to partner in raising kids with enduring biblical faith - modern-day Josephs - will be a message that the Christian community will continue to support.

Awana is an international ministry that helps children and youth grow spiritually by learning to apply the Bible to their lives. Each week, nearly 1.5 million kids take part in Awana through more than 17,000 churches in over 100 countries.
To learn more about Awana, visit www.awana.org.