Faith | He loves the after-school Good News for kids
Today’s parents of school-age children often live lives in constant motion. Life is busy and the demands and opportunities for young children seem to push all the buttons.
Families have options to have their sons and daughters in all kinds of sporting activities starting almost from birth. For example, we want our children to be safe in the water, so swim lessons early on are almost a must.
The choices are almost endless—soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, dance, cheer, and martial arts. Also their are community activities at local libraries, schools, churches, chess clubs, Lego building, 4-H, reading events, and many more.
One after-school club that I have been associated with has an interesting history.
On June 11, 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling that opened the doors for after-school club meetings in public school buildings for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).
This particular worldwide organization’s purpose is to introduce children to Jesus Christ and help them, and their families, to find good local Bible teaching churches where they can be nurtured in the Word of God. This was a momentous ruling and provided a win-win situation of helping parents with a good, safe after-school activity for their children and also being able to reach those who knew little—if not anything—about the life-changing person of Jesus Christ.
My first experience with a Good News Club, which is the name these after school clubs are called, was at an elementary school in Kennewick, to be taught weekly. The final school bell would ring and we quickly had 29 enthusiastic children fill the gym where we were holding our club.
It was a fun time with a Bible story, gospel presentation, games, singing, and of course, snacks. My only job, other than helping out, was to do an activity with the children. I came prepared to organize a basketball-shooting relay race with some fun adjustments, which the kids very much enjoyed.
Not realizing that the activity needed to be related to the Bible story lesson, I was gently instructed to make sure that I made some application of the activity to the lesson, or that I should use the recommended lesson activity.
During every club, the person and the saving work of Jesus Christ is introduced. The children are told in a simple way that God the Son, who is known as Jesus Christ, was born a baby and then lived a perfect sinless life in order to pay the penalty for the sins of each individual.
This amazing act of love was accomplished by Jesus’ death on a cross and provides forgiveness for all our sins. It gives God’s righteousness to those who trust in Christ’s death on the cross for their sins. This gift of salvation guarantees adoption into the family of God, and eternal happiness in Heaven.
Another ministry that they do is 5-Day Clubs throughout the summer where local teens that have been trained during a statewide camp are used to teach and interact with children aged 5-12.
I attended one of these camps where our local teens are trained. I had a great time working with some of them on how to teach children and have a more vibrant relationship with God.
My group actually taught, played games, and gave the gospel to a gathering of children. I was overwhelmed with the positive interaction and fun they had with the children, which was life changing for some of the teens who showed them how much of a Godly impact they had.
I am thankful that our children and grandchildren have the opportunities that CEF provides. Any organization such as CEF that helps spread the life-changing news of Jesus Christ is a blessing to our families, community and country.
