Hattans honored for 40 years of Awana service

Rick and Fairy Hattan of Aurora were honored Sunday, June 8 for 40 years of service as missionaries in Awana Clubs International. Their ministry partner, Rusty Gulbranson of Sidney was on hand to present a commemorative plaque to Hattans in a worship service at Aurora Evangelical Free Church where they are members. 
Pastor Dale Janzen and Gulbranson prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for the Hattens’ many years of innovative, sacrificial service adding a prayer for strength to carry on. A cake reception followed the worship service.
The Hattans both grew up in the Aurora area  and children they responded to the gospel; Fairy trusting Christ at age 5 and Rick at age 10. The Lord used the ministry of their local church and Bible camps to mold and guide their lives, fostering a love for the Lord. In 1985, having a strong desire to serve in full-time ministry and with the early influence of children’s ministries in their lives as well as their involvement in local Awana Clubs over the years, they became Awana missionaries for Nebraska and Southeast Wyoming.
Over the past 40 years of club and missionary experience, the Hattans have used their creative, organizational and visionary gifting to start and strengthen over 275 different Awana clubs around the region. They usually log over 10,000 miles a year driving through their area. They have a dream to see Awana clubs in their 100 counties so that the 500,000 kids of Nebraska and Southeast Wyoming will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Rick was recently awarded a 50-year service pin in Awana and is one of only 12 people in the United States to receive one. The Hattans have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
Awana is a worldwide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for children ages 2 to 18. As the global leader in child and youth discipleship, Awana gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.