Awana - Central Virginia

03/13/2026

Dear Friend,
We deeply appreciate your partnership in our mission to develop resilient disciples. Thank you for valuing child discipleship. It's inspiring to witness churches and leaders throughout Virginia working hard during tough times to build strong, lasting connections with children.

Over the past seven months, Lisa and I have been greatly blessed by your prayers and support. As we've traveled from meeting to meeting, sharing our vision with hundreds across Virginia and beyond, your commitment to praying for us and the generous financial support many of you have provided has truly encouraged us. The notes of encouragement and thoughtful questions about our progress have sustained us and helped us remain focused on what matters most: helping children and youth around the state know, love, and serve Jesus.
With all of our efforts through numerous meetings and presentations, we've reached just 35% of our fundraising target. Continuing in prayer and perseverance, we face an important upcoming deadline: by April 30, 2026, we need to secure at least 70% of our full funding goal. We are confident in our calling and have stepped out in faith, believing that serving as Child
Discipleship Missionaries is God's direction for us.

We ask for your prayers. Specifically, please pray that God will provide 30 individuals willing to commit $100 per month
(or the equivalent) over the next 45 days. If God speaks to your heart, we would appreciate monthly supporters of any amount.

I share this with you, as you are such an essential part of this ministry. Your prayer and financial gifts make this all possible. It is important to us that we remain transparent and open.

Thank you!

In His service,
Jeff & Lisa Ball
Awana Virginia
[email protected]

03/13/2026

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note from your retired missionary, Wendy Shields.

I want everyone to know that Jeff and Lisa Ball are the Awana Child Discipleship missionary candidates for all of central Virginia, going from the Radford area to the Fredericksburg area, to the North Carolina border, and the eastern shore. It is a very big area to cover.
Honestly, the hardest part of this position is not the area we cover or the time on the road, but finding those special people who have the heart and passion to reach kids for Christ and will become financial ministry partners. It is not easy to know who to ask, how to ask, and when to ask.

Almost 500 people follow this page, and I am asking each one of you to prayerfully consider being a part of Jeff's team. It would be great if you could also talk to your church about also supporting them. You could make them a part of your Awana Club's budget.

Our children need Jesus, and Awana is a wonderful source for child discipleship. Please join Jeff's team today.

Serving Him together,
Wendy Shields
Retired Virginia missionary

Send a message to learn more

03/07/2026

Super Saturday at Heritage Baptist Church. Bible quizzing, T&T games and Sparks-a-rama What a wonderful day!

12/29/2025

My wonderful wife Lisa and I are happy to introduce ourselves. We've been married for 32 years and are blessed with two incredible children, Jessica and Jeffrey. In addition, we have the joy of raising our 14-year-old granddaughter, Sydney.

In 2014, I answered the call to full-time Christian Ministry and later earned my degree in Christian Ministry from Liberty University in 2021. Supporting those who serve God and follow His call is truly my passion. As an ordained pastor, I've spent several years serving as youth director at my sending church, Cartersville Baptist Church in Cartersville, Virginia. Working with young people has been one of my greatest blessings.

This June, Lisa and I began deputation, preparing to take on the role of Child Discipleship Missionary in Central Virginia. We look forward to partnering with this community to reach kids and youth with the Gospel and God’s truth.

Currently, we're connecting with potential ministry partners, and I would love to meet all of you and build these relationships. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch—any recommendations or support toward expediting our deputation process are deeply appreciated, whether through introductions or financial contributions. We look forward to the day when we are fully funded and able to serve you all full-time.

https://donate.awana.org/give/jeff-and-lisa-ball/

12/29/2025

Hi Awana family, (a note from Wendy Shields)

As your retired missionary, I want to share one more thing with you. I am handing this page over to the new missionary for our area. I have listed his contact information on this page and will share a note from him. Currently, we must help him get on the field by being part of his support team. He and his wife love reaching kids for Christ, and we want to see them on the field as soon as possible. Please pray about financially supporting him, individually, as a club, and/or as a church.

Wally and I loved serving with you and being a part of your ministry. I miss all of you and pray for your commitment to Reach Boys and Girls with the Gospel and Christ and train them to Serve Him. Love you always!

The next post will be from Jeff and Lisa Ball.

Send a message to learn more

11/12/2025

What a blessing to be part of such a legacy.

11/10/2025

Seventy five amazing years of ministering to families and boys and girls for Jesus Christ.

11/03/2025

Wow!

02/21/2025

Last Saturday I was blessed to be with Trek and Journey students competing in Bible quizzing and games. What a joy it is to still be able to hear these young people so in love with God's Word.

02/21/2025

Let's think about this.

Worth pondering. 🙏

01/01/2025

Research junkies rejoice!

This 2024 report looks at the present-day reality for churches, families, and children.
Did you know that most parents today are millennials?
Do you know the three primary areas of concern for parents and church leaders?
Did you know that despite the challenges, the vast majority of parents are optimistic in what the future holds for their children?

See the full report for free at:

State of Child Discipleship Report equips you to come alongside parents as they raise their children in a world pulling for their attention.

12/31/2024

Thinking of all of my wonderful Awana friends and family. I've been praying for you. I hope that you are reaching many boys and girls for Christ this year.