Nine years of ministry followed at this local church where we were grounded in the scriptures. Over a five year period, we both attended Tampa Bay Bible College’s evening institute which further equipped us for the work of the ministry. During this time, George served as Chairman of Deacons, Chairman of Building Committee, Awana Commander & Awana Clubs of South Florida Advisory Board Chairman, and Bible teacher. Tina served as Nursery Chairman, Awana Secretary, Choir Member, and VBS teacher. Seven years of exciting ministry growth followed at First Baptist of Citrus Park where both our sons attended Citrus Park Christian School. Pastors Harold Warner and Bob Baker introduced us to the joy of One-to-One Discipleship. We continued serving the Lord in the Awana Clubs of our local church and had nearly three hundred kids in weekly attendance. Burdened to serve the Lord in a full-time way, we both responded to the invitation during a World Mission Conference in the spring of 1992. Shortly thereafter, we were both commissioned as faith-supported Awana Missionaries to Central Florida. In order to fulfill this ministry call, George resigned his twenty year career in the insurance industry. Tina completed her Biblical Counseling Internship at Tampa Bay Theological Seminary in 1994. Under George’s capable leadership, the Central Florida area grew from 60 church in 1992 to 124 churches in 1995 using the Awana Club program. The Awana Treasure Coast Scholarship Camp began in 1993 serving the churches of Florida and South Georgia with George serving as Camp Director. Taking note of the explosive growth in Florida, the executive leadership invited him to join the team as Director of Communications at the Awana Home Office in Streamwood, Illinois. What a joy it was for George to promote Awana Clubs International by traveling the United States with the founder of Awana, Art Rorheim, sharing the history, ministry and vision of Awana on radio, television and in the local church!