THE AWAKEN CHURCH STORY

Awaken Church was founded in the fall of 1934 with an initial congregation of 19 people meeting in an empty store building in downtown Nampa, on the corner of 14th Ave. S. and 1st St. S. The church was officially organized on November 5, 1934, and its first recorded pastors were Fred and Sarah Byers, who both served as ministers in the church.

The church was officially incorporated in the State of Idaho on May 6, 1944, as Assembly of God Church of Nampa, Idaho, Inc. On January 1, 1986, the corporate name was officially changed to Nampa First Assembly of God of the City of Nampa, Idaho, Inc., which remains its legal corporate name to this day. Through the years, the church has been known as Assembly of God Church, First Assembly of God, Nampa First Assembly of God, The Promise, and Awaken Church. Though the names have changed, it has always been the same church.

There have been 16 pastors and 4 church buildings throughout the church’s 90+ year history. Our first building in Nampa was constructed on the corner of 3rd St. N. and 16th Ave. N. in 1935. It was a 28’ x 60’ building that included a four-room apartment for the pastor. As the church grew and needed more meeting space, the building was raised in 1938 and a basement was added. It was a “daylight basement,” making the front entrance a split level where you could either go up the stairs to the sanctuary or down the ramp to the children’s classrooms, kitchen, and restrooms.

In 1944, as the congregation continued to expand, additional lots were purchased to build a 28’ x 30’ addition, which provided a nursery, additional classrooms, and a prayer room. An adjacent four-bedroom parsonage was also built for the pastor on the newly acquired property. Because of WWII, building supplies were limited, and the church was only allowed to spend $1,000 for materials (new or used) to enlarge the building. When completed, the exterior of the enlarged church was painted light pink—presumably because it was the most economical paint available. For years after the next facility was built, the “old” church on 16th Ave. N. was distinguished from the “new” one by its nickname, The Pink Church.

In the late 1960s, the back half of the block between 16th and 17th Avenues North was purchased, and on March 1, 1970, ground was broken for a new church building. In June 1971, the congregation moved into their new two-story facility. Several months later, the old Pink Church was demolished and replaced with a parking lot. The church continued to minister to the community from this location for the next 36 years. In 1986, the remainder of the property in the city block between 3rd & 4th St. N. and 16th & 17th Ave. N. was purchased.

In May 2002, the church purchased 16.5 acres of land on Ustick Road, north of the Nampa city limits. Four years later, in May 2006, members decided to sell the church building at 304 16th Ave. N. and began what came to be known as the Journey to The Promise. The building was sold in 2007 to a school for delinquent juveniles named G.O. B.A.D. They continued with the original parsonage location for the first time since 1935. G.O. B.A.D. later sold the building to the Boise Rescue Mission, and it now serves as The Lighthouse Men’s Shelter—still a place of ministry to God’s children.

As a mobile church, we held our first service at the Nampa Civic Center on July 1, 2007. The congregation continued meeting there until 2009, when we purchased a warehouse at 2201 N. 20th St. The church remained in that location until the warehouse was sold in July 2014. Once again, we became a mobile church—meeting first in the facilities of Higher Ground on Sunday evenings, and later returning to the Nampa Civic Center for Sunday morning services.

In 2015, we purchased our current property and met on-site for the first time on November 22, 2015, to dedicate it to God’s service. Our first community activity, an Easter Bash, was held on-site on March 26, 2016. Construction began later that year, and we held our first service in this new building on July 30, 2017. During the spring and summer of 2024, the original facility at 575 N. Broadmore Way underwent expansion of the auditorium, nursery, preschool, and restroom facilities. The addition of a Kids Ministry Center is scheduled for completion in fall/winter 2025.

Although where and when we’ve gathered is an important part of our history, it’s not the most important part. What matters most is the result of our gatherings. As noted earlier, we’ve gone by multiple names over the decades—many including Assembly of God in the title. However, in April 2009, the church changed its name to The Promise. This change was made in recognition of a promise given by God to then-Pastor Barry Osteen that He would sovereignly expand the impact of this church in Nampa and the Treasure Valley. Part of that impact has been to awaken people to the understanding of the love and connection God desires to have with them. So, in February 2017, we changed our name again—this time to Awaken Church.

Throughout our 90-year history, we have endeavored to bring the knowledge of God’s amazing love and grace to our community. You could say we have been a missionary church. That doesn’t mean we’ve only sent people to foreign countries—although we have, beginning with our first missionary, Margaret Carlow, who went to Japan in 1948. A missionary is someone sent by Jesus, just as He was sent by the Father. Missionaries are people who dedicate their lives to making disciples, whether at home or abroad. From this church, we have sent out pastors, evangelists, missionaries, prison chaplains, teachers, college professors, government officials, musicians, singers, and even the Director of the National Prayer Center of the Assemblies of God.

AWAKEN CHURCH

VISION & MISSION

VISION: Encounter Driven. People Empowering. We are a family learning to create culture.

MISSION: We desire to see people saved (delivered, made whole, restored), invited into family, and empowered to create culture.

CORE VALUES

• Encountering Jesus: Is our Message
• Empowering People: Is our Heart
• Generosity: Is our Privilege
• Excellence: Is our Spirit
• Sons/Daughters: Is our Identity
• Honor: Is on our Lips
• Passion: Is our Pursuit

JOB SUMMARY

Out of their deep and authentic relationship with Jesus, Awaken Church’s Children’s Pastor will lead the church’s mission to see the next generation saved, invited into family, and empowered to create culture. This pastor will oversee Awaken Kids (birth through 5th grade), equipping parents, leaders, and volunteers to disciple children with creativity, excellence, and the power of the Holy Spirit. They will create environments where kids encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and experience church as a vibrant family through Sunday services and midweek ministry. The Children’s Pastor will work closely with the pastoral team to implement the vision of Awaken Church and ensure that every child’s experience reflects the heart and culture of the church.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Spirit-led and passionate about reaching and discipling children and families.
• Excellent communicator and motivator of both kids and adults.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Team builder who empowers volunteers and staff.
• Creative, innovative, and adaptable to a growing, multi-service church.
• Personally models humility, joy, integrity, and teachability.
• Deep commitment to Awaken’s culture of faith, excellence, and empowerment.
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, theology, or education is preferred, or equivalent ministry experience demonstrating strong leadership and discipleship capability.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience in a children’s or family ministry setting (150+ kids), with demonstrated success in team building, multi-service coordination, and volunteer development.
• Able to speak and preach effectively, or demonstrates a willingness to grow and learn in this area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all Awaken Kids environments, curriculum, and experiences (specifically elementary-age leadership during weekend services, planned midweek events, and family engagement).
• Recruit, train, and develop volunteer teams and department leads.
• Create safe, Spirit-filled, high-energy experiences for kids.
• Partner with parents through intentional resources and relationship.
• Collaborate with Awaken’s Executive and Pastoral Team to align Next Gen discipleship with the overall church vision.
• Lead seasonal events (Kids Camp, Family Nights, Parent Dedications, etc.).
• Steward departmental budget and creative initiatives with excellence.

NAMPA, ID

Nampa, Idaho is a fast-growing city that blends small-town warmth, community values, and wide-open opportunity. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Nampa offers a vibrant lifestyle with a strong sense of family, faith, and future. Framed by mountain views and close to rivers, trails, and outdoor adventure, it’s a place where people come to build both their lives and legacies.

Just 20 minutes from Boise, Nampa provides easy access to the amenities of a larger city while maintaining a safe, friendly, and close-knit environment. Residents enjoy a cost of living that remains accessible, along with excellent schools, community events, and abundant space to grow—personally, professionally, and spiritually. It’s a place where front porches still matter, and vision for the future is matched by a strong foundation of values.

Ask locals what they love about Nampa, and you’ll hear about “evenings on the patio with neighbors, ” “Saturday hikes with the family, ” and “a community that lives with purpose. ” With its blend of natural beauty, deep-rooted values, and growing opportunities, Nampa truly feels like home.