Chicago Child Evangelism Fellowship

He was a child when he became a Christian in one of our Bible Clubs. He started growing, learning everything he could about Jesus, and jumped into ministry, wanting to spend his whole life serving God. Now he’s 80–and he’s been in ministry ever since he was a kid. Thousands of people have come to know Jesus because of him, but the only reason he came to know Jesus was because someone else cared enough to teach a Bible Club just like the ones I teach in now. When I heard about this incredible man yesterday, I remembered all over again why I do what I do–he could have been one of my kids (if I’d been teaching 75 years ago!). I’ve watched countless children meet Jesus for the first time–who knows what they’re becoming and doing?

Today as I think of this 80-year-old spiritual warrior, I’m praying for Kaitlin, for David, for Kendall, for the others who now know Jesus–that He’ll teach them more about Who He is by putting adult Christians in their paths, getting them involved in churches where someone will care enough to teach them how to read a Bible–so that they can fall deeply in love with Jesus, live life with Him, and introduce Him to their families, teachers, and friends–for the next 80 years.

playing a water balloon game before club started

When I think of where I’ve been this summer, I don’t even have words. I taught the gospel to children in children’s homes, Korean churches, and backyards in Hispanic neighborhoods here in Chicago. Some of these kids had never even heard the song, “Jesus loves me.” Others of them asked me for the Hebrew wording of the Bible verses I used! Some of the children cornered me and begged me to help them ask Jesus into their hearts–they were that ready, they understood that well. Others couldn’t even speak English.

I left David, Patricia, Sara, and so many others behind at the end of the summer–feeling like I was leaving behind baby dandelion seeds–because they’re going to grow and take root and multiply themselves! David became a Christian in a Korean church, sitting on the floor outside a women’s restroom that was so busy with people stepping over and around us that the door should have had a revolving door! (I told you about him a few months ago.) Patricia and Sara are in children’s homes where I and my coworkers were given permission to teach Bible stories–but as soon as we began teaching, we were asked not to use words like “sin,” “death,” and “blood.” But God provided us with leaders at these homes who defended us and made the decision to let us stay, let us teach with those words–on the condition that we would clearly present the gospel. What do you say to that kind of condition? “Uh, sure, YES, of course, I promise!”

Now we’re trying to start weekly Bible clubs in some of these places where I taught over the summer, so these kids can begin to GROW! And that’s only my little corner of Chicagoland–I presented the gospel through Bible stories to hundreds and hundreds of kids this summer–but my coworkers, all across Chicagoland, taught even more children–and their parents! When I think about the number of children–baby dandelion seeds–who heard and accepted the gospel this summer, I’m mind-boggled. When I think about the public schools, neighborhoods, and families where they will now bring God’s light–I’m flabbergasted.

This fall, I’ve had the privilege of teaching workshops alongside my coworkers, where we met with the teachers who will lead the weekly Bible clubs in public schools, homes, and neighborhoods all through Chicagoland. Some of these teachers work in the South Side of Chicago, others are in the northern suburbs–these people are like dandelion seeds: rooted everywhere, multiplying themselves exponentially as they teach others, and very, very hard to uproot. These teachers are taking the gospel to ethnically diverse neighborhoods where children and adults have lived their entire lives in the same six blocks, ethnic language, and culture. I will never visit most of the places these teachers are going, but I am so excited to have the privilege to help equip them with teaching tools, training, and encouragement!

When I think of where all this is going to go, I don’t even have words.

See the upcoming workshops for September, 2010. Call me with any questions and call Kathy to register. Click on Flyer to see image more clearer.

The five of us sat in a circle on the cold tiled floor between the men’s and women’s restroom doors, trying to ignore the hordes of kids, adults, and janitors stampeding around us. I looked at the girl and three boys, all of them Korean, who had just left their scheduled activities to ask me questions about salvation. They all wore the same neon green shirts; they all chattered self-confidently; they all appeared content to talk with each other and not listen to me–all except David. As the others talked about their salvation experiences, David asked, “What’s sin?” I dealt with the other kids’ questions first, explaining how they can be assured that they’re saved, and then I turned to David. As kids yelled and ran in circles around us, David kept his eyes on me the entire time. Over the hubbub, I was barely able to hear the words David prayed after he decided that he wanted to ask Jesus to save him: “Jesus, please cleanse my heart from all my sin.” I hadn’t even used the imagery of Christ CLEANING our hearts, but David must have heard it before and understood this was what he was asking Jesus to do. I am still so amazed that he understood so clearly and put it into his own words so accurately–amidst so much mayhem!

“Have you ever done this before?” I asked.
“No.”
“Do you think your parents could help you start reading the Bible?”
“I don’t know.”

I’ll never see David again. I don’t know if his parents are Christians–although I think he’s planning to tell them all about his new friendship with Jesus. I don’t know if he has any Christian influences in his life. But I helped him figure out how he could get his hands on a Bible and how to find the book of Mark so he can get to know Jesus by reading a little bit every day, and I’m so excited to see David again in heaven and hear how God used him!

Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support this summer! I can tell that you’ve been praying, as the above story shows. This is just a snippet of the ministry chances I’ve had this summer as I scamper madly from Bible club to Bible club. Sometimes I’m teaching kids who grew up with the gospel but need help making salvation personal or growing into a friendship with God; sometimes I can tell I’m charting new territory with kids who have never heard about God before.

Please pray:
1. that God will keep introducing Himself to kids this summer, and that He will create a growing relationship with each child my coworkers and I teach.
2. that God will give me wisdom and energy as I teach the youth group and clean houses–which are my part time jobs that I do alongside teaching Bible clubs once or twice a day this summer!

5-Day Club at Crossroads Church has ended. We had 5 fantastic days of giving the gospel message to children in the community. I look forward to next year as other young children have an interest in joining the team of SMA students and sharing God’s wonderful message with the world as a result of us being out in the community and sharing God’s word in a fun yet effective way. That’s what it is all about “regeneration”. The Lord has worked powerfully once again, as a result of sharing ministry opportunities with our youth, three young students came along side and partnered with me to fulfill God’s purpose for us all. To go out and preach the gospel to every living creature. To God be the glory.

Please keep praying for the spirtuality of the children. We still have three more weeks of clubs, where we will be going out in other communities and shaing the gospel message again.

21 children attended last week’s 5-day clubs. Most of the children proclaimed to be saved. There were five children who said they did not have their own Bible and guess what. I made sure that they were no longer able to make that statement. They now have Bibles. These 5 children were counseled for salvation. Praise God!

This gospel teaching activity was an interesting use of a traffic light. This traffic light illustrated how God will hear and answer when you call on Him. The red light symbolizes to “stop”! God does not want us to move at this time. The yellow light means to “wait” wait on God, now may not be the appointed time to move. Last, but certainly not least the green light means “go”! God has spoken to you and you heard the Lord and Savior tell you now is the time to move.

Love it, love it, love it…how to use easy to relate to symbols and teach children how to obey God.

Below, the children have a funfilled time as they play the review game. This time is where bible truths are reinforced and they can really relate to the memory verse so they can apply it in their lives daily.

Thanks for checking in, come back soon for more updates. To see an actual 5-day club demonstration, visit cefonline.com click on ministries and then click on 5-day club. And as always, please feel free to contact me for more information or if you would like to partner with me by praying, teaching, or giving.

Yesterday was fantastic! Our first club at the park was still a little low on kids, but we taught club to 6 children. And the evening club in the backyard of the Cedeno home, hosted 22 kids up from the 8 we had on Monday. It was awesome! Please PRAY for more children to come out and hear God’s wonderful message of love to them.

Take a look at some of the photos. I had two young girls that are saved ask me how can they be Summer Missionary Assistants? They watched our three trained SMAer’s teach the class and were moved by how effective youth can be to other youth. So we’ll be working with them next year training. How awesome is that!

Both of these young girls already attend our Good News Club at Sunnyside school so needless to say I was overjoyed to see them at 5 day club too. Marisol, host of the evening club, brought Aniya to club. She is making a positive influence on this young girls’ life as Aniya volunteers at the neighborhood library under Marisol’s supervision. That’s what our children need, committed adults to join in on their spiritual journey. God brings us full circle doesn’t he? Tracey, Mom of Jayla and Jasmine also brought along two new friends. Again, committment to the youth is what it is all about. I can go on an on about Pastor Mike and Theresa and their committment to church and CEF, making sure it goes off with the full support of the church, constant encouragement and things like organizing meals for the team and parents to Michaela, trained SMAer. Then their is Kevin and Stephanie, parents of the other two SMA students Michael and Joseph and how they travel daily from Carolstream showing support and committmet to the growth of the their children and the example that sets for others. Twana who provided a ton of snacks and comes everyday to club to help out where she can, Tracey also volunteered to assist and comes and brings other children to club. Thanks to the GNC teachers who freely give of their time to teach the lesson, because they love the Lord and sharing the gospel message with the children.

I don’t want to leave anyone out, so know that if you are not mentioned does not mean your part isn’t significant, keep looking for updates and how your work has made an impact on the growth and spreading of God’s word. Thanks Dave and Charlene for the spaghetti dinner, all of us really enjoyed it.