Child Evangelism Fellowship/ CEF

Summary

Child Evangelism Fellowship, also known as CEF®, evangelizes boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establishes (disciple) them in the local church for Christian living. CEF has different types of evangelistic programs, but the two most identified with the organization is the 5-Day Clubs® and the Good News Clubs®. These two exciting ministries take place in neighborhood settings such as homes, backyards, schools and community centers all over the world. These fast-paced, one-hour programs are designed to bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level in their environment. Along with the clubs, CEF also has fair, camping, open-air, telephone and correspondence outreach programs for children.

CEF provides classes to train their workers and other Christians who are burdened for evangelizing children. The Childrens Ministries Institute®, a modular 3-month course located at CEF's International Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri, is dedicated to providing quality, practical training for those called of God to take the Gospel message to children. Similar training is offered in various locations around the world.

CEF is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Child Evangelism Fellowship, also known as CEF®, evangelizes boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establishes (disciple) them in the local church for Christian living. CEF has different types of evangelistic programs, but the two most identified with the organization is the 5-Day Clubs® and the Good News Clubs®. These two exciting ministries take place in neighborhood settings such as homes, backyards, schools and community centers all over the world. These fast-paced, one-hour programs are designed to bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level in their environment. Along with the clubs, CEF also has fair, camping, open-air, telephone and correspondence outreach programs for children.

CEF provides classes to train their workers and other Christians who are burdened for evangelizing children. The Childrens Ministries Institute®, a modular 3-month course located at CEF's International Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri, is dedicated to providing quality, practical training for those called of God to take the Gospel message to children. Similar training is offered in various locations around the world.

CEF is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Child Evangelism Fellowship has the following purpose statement:

To evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

Need Program Accomoplishments info

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Child Evangelism Fellowship uses the following to express its statement of faith:

WE BELIEVE:

1. That "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole book called THE BIBLE; that it is inerrant in the original writings and that its teaching and authority are absolute, supreme and final. That the Holy Spirit guided the holy men of old in all that they wrote. 2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21.

2. The Godhead eternally exists in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfection. Romans 1:20; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35; John 17:5.

3. In the Personality and Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. John 1:1,14; John 10:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30-31; Philippians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:19.

4. In the Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, the infallible interpreter of the infallible Word, who indwells every true believer, and is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him and not with ourselves or our experiences. John 15:26; Acts 5:3, 4; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 16:13, 14.

5. That man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, as stated in the Word of God,but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam. Not only was his moral nature grieviously injured by the fall but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil. "The carnal mind is emnity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:7, 8). Therefore, he cannot see nor enter the kingdom of God until he is born again by the Holy Spirit. That no degree of reformation however great, no attainment in morality however high, no culture however attractive, no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies however useful, no baptism or other ordinance however administered, can help the sinner take even one step toward Heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3, 6, 7; Titus 3:5.

6. That Jesus Christ became the sinner's substitute before God, and died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. That He was made a curse for the sinner, dying for his sins according to the Scriptures, that no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can add in the very least to the value of the precious blood or to the merit of that finished work wrought for us by Him, who tasted death for every man. 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:25; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:13, 14, 20, 21.

7. In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ; that His body was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God as the believer's high priest and advocate. Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 2:1.

8. That Christ in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and resurrection is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved and made one with Him. At the time of acceptance of Christ as Savior, He comes to dwell within the believer and to live out His life of holiness and power through him. Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:3, 23-25; Ephesians 1:3; John 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 4:6-7; Galatians 5:16; Acts 1:8.

9. That the Church is composed of all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. It is the body and the bride of Christ. That every believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and having thus become members of one another we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Romans 12:4, 5; Ephesians 4:3-6; Ephesians 5:32; Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 5:13-15.

10. That all believers in our Lord Jesus are called into a life of separation from worldly and sinful practices and should abstain from such amusements and habits as will cause others to stumble, or bring reproach upon the cross of Christ. Believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). 1 John 2:15, 16; Romans 13:14; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10.

11. In the evangelization of the world; that the supreme mission of the people of God in this age is to preach the Gospel to every creature. That special emphasis should be placed upon the evangelization of children. Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19; Matthew 18:14.

12. In the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that the coming again of Jesus Christ is the "Blessed Hope" set before us, for which we should be constantly looking. Our citizenship is in Heaven from whence we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20, 21.

13. That the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body re-united shall be with Him forever in glory. Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:22, 25; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.

14. That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne, when soul and body re-united at the resurrection shall be cast "Into the lake of fire" which is "the second death," to be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). Luke 16:22-23, 27-28; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:5, 11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

15. In the reality and personality of Satan, "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) Ephesians 6:11, 12; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10.

History [ Back to top ]

Child Evangelism Fellowship, also known as CEF®, is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the local church for Christian living. CEF has over 1,200 missionaries overseas, approximately 1,000 of whom are nationals. In the USA and Canada 700 full-time workers and an estimated 40,000 volunteers serve the ministry. CEF was founded by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer in 1937.

Growing up in a religious family, Jesse at the age of 12 was convicted of his own sin and sought counsel from his mother. He was told, "Son, you are too young." It wasn't until Overholtzer was in college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.

Later as a pastor Mr. Overholtzer read one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons which stated, "A child of five, if properly instructed can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult." The Lord used this statement in Mr. O's life to lead him to begin the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship when he was 60 years old. The ministry has grown into the largest evangelistic outreach to children in the world. CEF is currently ministering in over 140 countries and in every state in the U.S.

CEF has different types of evangelistic programs, but the two most identified with the organization are 5-Day Clubs® and Good News Clubs®. These two exciting ministries take place in neighborhood settings such as homes, backyards, schools and community centers all over the world. These fast-paced, one-hour programs are designed to bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level in their environment.

Along with the clubs, CEF also has fair, camping, open-air, telephone and correspondence outreach programs for children. Last year through these combined ministries over 2.8 million children worldwide heard the good news with over 500,000 making professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

CEF provides classes to train their workers and other Christians who are burdened for evangelizing children. The Childrens Ministries Institute®, a modular 3-month course located at CEF's International Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri, is dedicated to providing quality, practical training for those called of God to take the Gospel message to children. Similar training is offered in various locations around the world.

CEF Press® produces and distributes Bible and missionary lessons and related materials for use in teaching children to help accomplish the goals of the ministry. Teaching materials are available to the public by calling the toll-free number 1-800-748-7710. Many products are translated into some 80 different languages and distributed around the world.

Evangelizing Today's Child®, a bimonthly magazine for children's workers published in English at CEF's International Headquarters, is distributed worldwide. Other versions are printed elsewhere in French, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean and Chinese. This magazine offers instruction, teaching tools and inspiration. Each issue is packed with helpful ideas, a full-color visualized lesson and many reproducible pages. Advertising is accepted.

CEF offers a variety of opportunities for involvement in the ministry-from part-time service as a Good News Club teacher or International Headquarters volunteer to short-term, summer or full-time service in the USA or overseas. There are programs for all ages from junior high school age through retirement.

An exciting program for teenagers is Christian Youth In Action® (CYIA). In June all across the USA hundreds of young people are trained to conduct 5-Day Clubs. Throughout the summer they have many opportunities to present the Gospel to boys and girls, experiencing the joy of leading others to the Lord.

Two additional summer opportunities are Summer Urban Missions? (SUM?) and Overseas Summer Missions? (OSM?). College-age adults are trained and teach 5-Day Clubs in large urban centers thru SUM and in foreign countries through OSM. Both programs offer challenging, oftentimes life-changing experiences that God has used to spiritually enrich many lives.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

CEF offers a variety of opportunities for involvement in the ministry-from part-time service as a Good News Club teacher or International Headquarters volunteer to short-term, summer or full-time service in the USA or overseas. There are programs for all ages from junior high school age through retirement.

A program for teenagers is Christian Youth In Action® (CYIA). In June all across the USA hundreds of young people are trained to conduct 5-Day Clubs. Throughout the summer they have many opportunities to present the Gospel to boys and girls, experiencing the joy of leading others to the Lord.

Two additional summer opportunities are Summer Urban Missions (SUM) and Overseas Summer Missions (OSM). College-age adults are trained and teach 5-Day Clubs in large urban centers thru SUM and in foreign countries through OSM. Both programs offer challenging, oftentimes life-changing experiences that God has used to spiritually enrich many lives.

CEF is currently ministering in over 140 countries and in every state in the U.S.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Evangelism Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		311 of 347	26 of 27
Fund Acquisition Decision		215 of 347	22 of 27
Resource Allocation Decision		300 of 347	25 of 27
Asset Utilization Decision		282 of 347	22 of 27

Shining Light [ Back to top ]