Q What is Child Evangelism Fellowship?
A CEF® is a fellowship of Christians dedicated to the task of winning boys and girls to Christ. It is an international, Bible-centered, faith ministry. The International Headquarters is located in Warrenton , Missouri.
Q When was CEF Organized?
A Bible classes for children were started by J. Irvin Overholtzer in 1923. He wanted to give boys and girls the opportunity to be set free from the guilt of their sin. CEF was incorporated as an organization in Chicago , Illinois in 1937 and has grown into a worldwide ministry.
Q How Extensive is the Outreach of CEF?
A CEF now has ministries to boys and girls in every state in the United States , every province in Canada and over 150 countries around the world. There are over 1,400 nationals and more than 200 expatriates serving with CEF.
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Q What is CEF's Structure?
A CEF is incorporated at the national and state levels to provide leadership, training and materials. Each state and province has local chapters where most of the work of evangelizing children and training of volunteers is done. The local chapters work with and through churches in their areas to accomplish this task.
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Q What is CEF's Purpose?
A The purpose of CEF is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.
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Q What is a CEF Good News Club®?
A A Good News Club is a neighborhood, Bible-centered club for children ages 5 through 12. It is one of the principle means that CEF employs to reach un-churched boys and girls for Christ.
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Q When and Where are Good News Clubs Held?
A Good News Clubs are usually held throughout the school year for one hour each week. They can meet anywhere children can be gathered together. Homes or community centers often provide contact with children who do not attend Sunday school and church. They provide a setting close to home, which makes it easy for parents to let their children attend.
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Q What Happens at a Good News Club?
A Children sing Gospel choruses and hymns and play games that make learning Bible verses fun. A continuing missionary story opens their hearts to the needs of unsaved children around the world. Exciting Bible lessons stress salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and include an opportunity to trust Christ as Savior. Lessons also encourage the Christian child to grow in his faith.
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Q How Does CEF Help Volunteer Teachers?
A The local chapters of CEF hold training classes at convenient locations to aide the volunteer teacher. CEF trained instructors share proven methods that make clubs meaningful and interesting to the child.
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Q What are the Requirements for CEF Volunteer Teachers?
A Teachers must be born again and committed to the evangelism of boys and girls. They must be willing to spend time preparing lessons and attending training classes. They must show their agreement with the CEF "Statement of Faith" by signing it each year, and abide by the policies of the organization. Details concerning the 'Statement of Faith" and CEF's non-charismatic position are available upon request.
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Q What Materials do CEF Teachers Use?
A CEF Press® provides visualized materials at a nominal cost. The Bible lessons are set up in a five-year cycle and are reusable. Missionary stories and visualized songs are also available along with other child-related helps.
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Q What is a CEF 5-Day Club®?
A Boys and girls gather in homes, backyards, parks, or other outdoor locations one hour each day for five days. The same methods used in the Good News Clubs are used in the 5-Day Clubs.
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Q Who Teaches CEF 5-Day Clubs?
A Young adults from colleges and high schools are recruited to learn firsthand that God desires to work through them to evangelize boys and girls. They receive intensive training to prepare them for this ministry. The training is usually 10 to 14 days in length. Younger teens are recruited and trained as assistants for the clubs. Good News Club teachers and other Christians also teach these summer clubs.
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Q Does CEF have Other Ministries?
A Released-time classes, held in connection with the public schools, provide an excellent opportunity for taking the Gospel to boys and girls. Special Party Clubs attract children and provide great opportunities to share God's promises with them. Fair and open-air ministries meet children right where they are with the opportunity to trust Christ as their Savior. Day and overnight camps provide extended contact and greatly encourage a child's growth in Christ. The CEF Mailbox Club is a Bible correspondence ministry providing age-appropriate evangelism and discipleship to thousands of children, teens, and adults, including many in prison. The ministry is operated almost entirely by volunteers and is provided free of charge.
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Q Why is an Offering Received in CEF Clubs?
A The offerings are a voluntary involvement in the lives of the missionaries the children are learning about in clubs. They look to be part of a project that helps other children around the world. It also provides a way to experience what Scripture means when it says it is "more blessed to give then to receive."
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Q How Does CEF Help the Local Church?
A CEF offers training for workers in Sunday school, children's church, and club programs. CEF provides special programs for the local church and challenges congregations with the biblical mandate to evangelize boys and girls.
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Q How is CEF Supported?
A CEF is a faith ministry dependent on God to supply needs through churches and individuals. CEF's policy is "Ask God and tell His people."
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Q Are Contributions to CEF Tax Deducible?
A Yes. A tax-deductible receipt is issued promptly to each donor. CEF is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
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Q How Can I Get Involved With CEF?
A If you're interested in becoming involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship as a volunteer or as a full-time member of our staff, we'd enjoy the opportunity to introduce you further to the ministries of CEF. Contact us by email and someone will respond to you promptly or call us at (816) 322-7631.
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