WARRENTON, Mo.—Child Evangelism Fellowship, the largest Christian ministry to children in the world, reports that it ministered to nearly 900,000 children in the United States in 2012. This represents a 10.3 percent increase from 2011.
Child Evangelism Fellowship has 15 programs in the United States through which it reaches children with the Gospel, including the popular Good News Clubs; 5-Day Clubs; the Truth Chasers Club, a Bible correspondence club; and Wonderzone.com, a website specifically for children.
“This growth is a result of the goodness and blessing of God,” said Moises Esteves, vice president of USA Ministries for Child Evangelism Fellowship. “We are particularly grateful that the number of after-school Good News Clubs has steadily grown for the last 12 years.” Less than 17,000 children were enrolled in those clubs in 2001; last year, that number exceeded 156,000.
What accounts for the remarkable increase of children enrolled in the those clubs? The landmark 2001 U.S. Supreme Court case, Good News Club et al. v. Milford Central School has certainly been a catalyst. The justices’ decision in this case confirmed the constitutionality of the clubs’ meeting in public schools after the school day ended. This decision markedly improved the accessibility of the clubs to public elementary school children. Once available, the children started coming.
“It’s the biblical curriculum taught by caring volunteers that draws parents and children in,” Esteves explained.
The clubs, which require parental consent to attend, offer a healthy mix of engaging Bible lessons, memory verses, songs and fun-filled games, which all emphasize that one’s faith in Jesus Christ is evident through loving others. Child Evangelism Fellowship recently updated and improved the curriculum, music and visuals for this ministry.
“I see again and again that parents and their children are hungry for the love and meaning that the Gospel offers,” Esteves said. “We at CEF are passionate about this Gospel and sharing its message of hope, love and mercy with children through teaching, praying and caring for them.”
Not only are the parents pleased with these clubs, but so are principals and teachers in the public schools who value the results of the moral and ethical teachings of Christianity. “We hear reports on a regular basis of improved behavior of the children and even improved test scores.” Esteves said.
At Hernwood elementary school, in Randallstown, Md., Baptist Life magazine reports in its August 2012 issue that the suspension rate has dropped from 11.5 percent to 2.5 percent, and report card grades are up since the Good News Club started at the school, according to Principal Cathy Gantz. “That’s hard data. The Good News Club works,” Gantz said. “The Good News Club has just brought peace to Herndon [sic].”
About 4,000 after-school Good News Clubs take place in public schools in the United States. Child Evangelism Fellowship has increased its full-time staff to 710 to handle the increased demands of training, screening and equipping more than 25,000 volunteers who lead the clubs. Still, the demand keeps growing. Many principals around the country are asking for the clubs. Thankfully, pastors and congregations across the country are becoming increasingly interested in reaching spiritually needy children. Having learned that it is legal for them to be in the public schools after classes, many have agreed to partner with Child Evangelism Fellowship and provide the volunteers to lead an clubs in their local schools.
“We are excited about the momentum that is growing,” Esteves said. “There are 65,000 public schools in the U.S. What we have accomplished so far is just the beginning.”
