While I'm away this month, I've asked some others to write in this space. This week's entry is by Karen Madeira, a mom of two boys who took on the job of leading an after-school club at her boys' public elementary school. At the start of the year I wrote about a HUGE opportunity to reach kids right in their own schools. These clubs are slowly being established in schools across North County. All I can say is, if we're going to stand around and bemoan the fact that "They took God out of the public schools" yet not act on this opportunity - shame on us!
If the Good News Club parent volunteers had a nickel for every time we heard “You can’t teach Jesus at a public school!”… Oh, but we can! Thanks to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling, the Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Good News Clubs are allowed to meet at public schools after hours just as any other community group can. Many parents are unaware of this law or the opportunity to reach un-churched children through this program.
Child Evangelism Fellowship is a Bible-centered organization started in 1937 whose mission is to reach children around the world with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. C.E.F.’s Good News Club is a worldwide, after-school program recently started at El Camino Creek Elementary School. In early 2008 several E.C.C. moms had heard a GNC was in full swing at nearby Mission Estancia Elementary. It soon became apparent our campus of over 900+ kids needed a GNC of our own. Under the leadership of Lynda Wennerstrom (a NCCC mom) and with the help of many parent volunteers, the GNC was launched for one six-week session
in May 2008.
The program offers games, music, snacks, and Bible stories one hour each week for six-week sessions throughout the school year. E.C.C. is blessed to have many parents willing to help, as well as area church leaders willing to lead the prayer and Bible story time. NCCC’s 4th-6th grade pastor Mark Friestad, as well as D.J. Bosler and Zach Beck of Coastline Community Church are a few who have presented relevant and entertaining Bible lessons. This brief but powerful exposure to scripture may be the only times many of these children will hear the Word of God!
Because the program is free to all participating students, many un-churched kids show up simply because a classmate has invited them, or their parents view it as convenient, no-cost childcare. They may have no idea of the eternal impact the GNC may have on their child! In fact, on the last day of GNC at E.C.C. about six children raised their hands proclaiming they were asking Jesus into their hearts! Isn’t that what we as believers are here for? To share the Good News of our Lord and Savior, and who better to start with than children?
If your child’s elementary school doesn’t yet have a GNC, begin now praying for one. Ask God how you can help reach kids through this dynamic opportunity. For more information on Child Evangelism Fellowship or the Good News Club, visit www.cefonline.com, or www.goodnewsclub.us . If you have any questions about the GNC at E.C.C., contact Karen Madeira at kkmade@mac.com.
Info, articles, and thoughts for parents of kids at North Coast Calvary Chapel.
