September 2021 News & Prayer Letter
Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter about what is happening in CEF of Greater Buffalo. In this newsletter you will read reports from our summer “Five-Day Clubs”, and an update on our public school “Good News Clubs”.
Sincerely, Brian Ide, CEF of Greater Buffalo
“Five-Day Club” Report #1
We were so excited to be able to have a Bible club in our own backyard! This was our fourth summer living in our current home, and we want our neighbors to know who we are and what we stand for. We were praying that a dozen children would come, but God went above that, and gave us 20! Some of these were from nearby churches, including our own, but we did in fact have some of our neighborhood kids show up.
This year’s curriculum had a detective theme, and each day the kids would discover a new “clue” about who Jesus is. Each lesson also presented the gospel very clearly, and we were so thrilled to hear some of our neighbor kids pray to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.
Another cool answer to prayer was the weather – all reports said it was going to rain all week long. It did pour the Sunday before we started, so we had club in the driveway that Monday, but there was no more rain the rest of the week, praise the Lord.
We had so much fun, too! There were parachutes and beach balls and bean bags, new songs, lots of snacks, fun prizes, missionary stories, and the Bible lessons that taught about Jesus. We look forward to making this an annual event at our home!
– Calvin & Rebekah (Club in Angola)
Five-Day Club Report #2
My daughter, Rebekah [no relation to the Rebekah of the previous report], and I had an opportunity to do two Five-Day Clubs in August. Rebekah had the privilege of giving the Bible lessons and presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I had the privilege of telling what God did through a missionary named Mary Slessor.
God taught me many things through studying Mary Slessor’s life and seeing all that God did through her. Mary wanted to do big things for God, but the reality was that God did big things through Mary.
God also taught me many things by actually doing CEF. The biggest thing was: “GOD IS ABLE!” I am willing to be used by God but my full reliance should be and is, on Him to do it, because I know I cannot do it without Him. I have always felt like a Moses, unable to speak well (Exodus 4:10). I can talk one-on-one or one-on-two, but anymore and I get too nervous and mess my words up.
Over the past couple of months, God has put me into a few different teaching positions, one of them being CEF. “Wow!” is all I can say because I know for fact that it is God who does it not me. I do not have it in myself to do any of those things. God is able to do all things (Ephesians 3:20), including teaching through me. If God can use a donkey to speak to Baalam (Numbers 22), He can use me to teach children.
I am very thankful to God and to CEF for allowing me to help with these Five-Day clubs.
– Nancy (Clubs in Derby & Frewsburg)
Five-Day Club Report #3 (Pre-school!)
“I’m Not Too Little!” That defiant statement has been echoed many times as little children try to do big people “stuff!” When it comes to knowing God they are absolutely right! Jesus said in Matthew 19:14…”Suffer (allow) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Little Kids Can Know God® is a wonderful teaching tool designed by CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) to assist teachers of preschool children in teaching of wonderful Bible truths.
These teaching tools enable the teacher to effectively teach children 2-8 years and those with differential abilities, to know and understand God, the gospel, sin and many life lessons.
This summer I had the privilege of teaching preschool Bible classes to little ones at a faith- based daycare center in Western New York. On day 1 the children were reluctant to come to be with the stranger on the Bible Time rug. By day 3 they were running to the rug with happy, expectant faces! The songs, motions and colorful Bible stories taught with love, prayer and purpose made the difference. In 2 days they were taught that GOD made everything out of nothing, God loves me, God made me, I have sinned and that Jesus died and rose again, (“came back to life” in “Childreneze”).
My prayer is that I will be able to teach these preschool children and many others on a weekly basis. I also pray that more volunteers will answer the call to make a difference in the lives of children in the tender years. Not only do we at CEF have wonderful, colorful Bible based curriculum but we also have free training to equip YOU to serve in this needful, foundational ministry. There is an open door in your churches, schools, neighborhoods and some day care centers to reach the “Little Ones” during their tender years. We at CEF of Greater Buffalo, NY are ready to partner with you, help you and train you, to serve in this needed ministry.
C.H. Spurgeon said, “A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe, and be regenerated, as an adult.” We don’t wait until the child is five years old to teach them to hold a spoon or wash their hands. We need to start teaching children the Word of God at a very early age. They are NOT Too Little!
– Joan Lindsey, IOT, Certified Preschool Bible Teacher-Trainer
(Clubs in Buffalo)
P.S. To contact Joan directly about training for preschool ministry, send her an email at tlklindsey@gmail.com. Or visit cefbuffalo.com and click on the “Volunteer’s First Step” button.
Good News Clubs
With school in session across the county, we look forward to resuming our after-school “Good News Clubs” soon. We are planning to have all in-person clubs this year in Buffalo, Hamburg, Eden, Lakeshore, and Amherst. Some of these clubs will be in the schools, and other will have to be offsite. (Pray for the school administrators who have to make difficult decisions about things like this.)
If you would like to register your child for Good News Clubs, visit our website or contact Brian directly. We will contact you with the exact details as soon as we know them.
Help Wanted
If you are considering volunteering with CEF of Greater Buffalo Area, please visit our website: cefbuffalo.com. Click on the “Volunteer’s First Step” button and you will be asked some basic questions about yourself, and the area(s) you would like to help. We will contact you about what you can do to further help!
You can also donate easily online. Your gifts are always appreciated.