Randall Murphree
AFA Journal editor
August 2010 – Ten-year-old Uriah discovered last year that he can trust God to help him in tough times. Megan understood that God will always be there for her. Carlos prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Carlos, Megan and Uriah are among more than 10 million children around the world who encountered the Gospel through Child Evangelism Fellowship in the past ministry year.
“God has called us all to be part of the beautiful process of leading children to Him,” said Reese Kauffman, president of CEF. “It is amazing that the God of all allows us to be part of His plan for humanity – and that in that plan the spiritual life of a child is as important as that of an adult.”
Founded in 1937, CEF is the world’s largest ministry to children. Yet, CEF workers minister at a personal level. SPAN (Sponsor a National) is one of CEF’s most effective evangelistic outreaches. Workers sponsored in this program are fully trained by CEF to evangelize and disciple children full time. They already live on their mission field, so they know the language and customs. Their support of approximately $200 per month is underwritten by individuals in the U.S.
Ministry to military children is another CEF outreach. About one million children call the U.S. military “home.” After three years of CEF ministering at Fort Hood, Texas, all seven elementary schools on post had a CEF Good News Club. That ministry has now spread to Missouri, Kentucky, California and Washington. To expand this ministry, Reese said the financial need for this fiscal year is about $90,000.
“This is amazing to discover how CEF is reaching literally millions of children each year, even on public school campuses,” said Tim Wildmon, AFA president. “They deserve the support of churches and individual believers as well.”
Good News Clubs have been the CEF standard bearer through the years and remain one of the most strategic programs to reach kids for Christ. The following questions and answers are adapted from information at the CEF Web site.
Q: What is a Good News Club?
A: It is a ministry in which trained teachers meet with groups of children in schools, homes, community centers, churches, apartment complexes – just about anywhere the children can easily and safely meet. Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson, songs, Scripture memory, a missions story, games and activities focused on the lesson’s theme.
The purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel and establish them in the Word of God in a local church.
Q: Can we really teach the Bible in public schools?
A: Yes! In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Good News Clubs v. Milford Central School that GNCs can meet in public schools in the U.S. after school hours on the same terms as other community groups.
Q: What is taught in a GNC?
A: An exciting Bible lesson with colorful materials from CEF is presented each week. Each club includes a clear presentation of the Gospel and strong discipleship training to strengthen moral and spiritual growth. All children are urged to attend a local church.
Q: Who teaches a GNC?
A: Christians who are concerned for boys and girls work together volunteering their time and energy to teach GNCs. They are trained by CEF to have a club that is exciting and informative so that children will want to keep coming.
In the U.S., there is a movement among churches to adopt a public school GNC. CEF offers church partners a strategic plan, materials, training, support and mentoring. Through a God-centered partnership between the local church and CEF, children’s lives change and churches grow. A team from your church will bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the school children.
CEF takes care of the major logistics of getting a club started: contacting the school, providing liability insurance and conducting background checks.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: There are several opportunities. You can pray for the children and teachers in the club, you might become a club teacher or leader, or you might be the catalyst to get your church involved. 
NEXT STEPS
CEF depends on churches and individuals to volunteer, contribute, and/or to be a sponsor or prayer partner. To learn more:
Child Evangelism Fellowship
P. O. Box 348
Warrenton, MO 63383-0348
800-748-7710
www.cefonline.com
