HR1077LRB098 21141 MST 58999 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize Art Rorheim, co-founder of
4AWANA Clubs International, on his commitment to his faith, his
5family, his State, his country, and to churches across the
6world; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Art Rorheim's wife and co-worker for the past 75
8years, Winnie, is considered his most important partner in the
9ministry; marrying in 1939, they weathered some lean times in
10the early years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, In the 1930s, Art Rorheim volunteered as a weekly
12club leader at the North Side Gospel Center under the direction
13of Dr. Lance Latham, and later became the youth director; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Art Rorheim and Dr. Latham were pioneers in
15creating the youth director post, prioritizing ministry to
16children and teens, and created a new midweek ministry called
17AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed); and
 
18    WHEREAS, AWANA blossomed, drawing over 500 children and
19teens to the Gospel Center each week; other churches learned
20about its success and inquired about its availability; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, As the Executive Director of AWANA, Art Rorheim
2expanded the organization into a worldwide ministry, with over
314,000 churches, orphanages, and Christian schools operating
4in over 100 countries, impacting over 700,000 young people in a
5given week; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In his mid-90s, Art Rorheim continues to welcome
7opportunities to share his heart, wisdom, and experiences with
8a variety of audiences in various venues, speaking at AWANA
9Ministry Conferences, churches, on radio programs, and has been
10interviewed by a wide range of print, online, and radio media;
11he still travels the world to speak at conferences and meet
12with ministry leaders and partners; and
 
13    WHEREAS, When Art Rorheim looks back at his years in AWANA,
14he cannot imagine his phenomenal journey without Winnie by his
15side, recognizing that "The Lord brought us together for a
16reason, and I'm glad He did"; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
18NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
19we recognize Art Rorheim, co-founder of AWANA Clubs
20International, on his commitment to his faith, his family, his
21State, his country, and to churches across the world and; and
22be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Art and Winnie Rorheim as an expression of our
3esteem and respect.