Happy Summer, Friends and Supporters!
Another school year has come to an end, and we are praising the Lord for the good things He has done. Below you will read testimonies from some of our Good News Clubs, which were shared at our Appreciation Dinner on May 29. Please mark your calendars for June 4, 2027, and plan now to attend the Dinner next year. You’ll be glad you did. – CEF of GBA
174! This past school year, we shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with at least 174 elementary and middle schoolers through our Good News Clubs. Last year we reached 96 students, which was wonderful, but what a blessing to almost double that number in 2025-26. To God be the glory.
Good News Clubs Final Reports
Elementary School. We had a total of 14 kids this year. Our after-school program eligibility this year was limited to just third and fourth graders. By the end, we had all of the fourth graders that were enrolled in after school care, except for one. The other kids were so persistent that this one girl whose mother originally said no, kept asking her, so she kept asking her mother, and eventually she gave in and was allowed to come.
There is an eighth grade boy that walks home. He found out I did good news club, and asked if he could come. It was awesome that even though there were no older kids except for him, he still came faithfully.
We had two children come to know the Lord this year. Several of the kids that came this year also had come in the past and had already given their life to the Lord. This group was by far the most curious group I’ve had. Every week I had to be prepared for so many questions. They just wanted to know more and more, and it was awesome to see their eagerness to learn.
Middle School. Total of 38 kids over the spring session, averaging 11 a week. Any teen without a Bible was given one. They were incentivized to bring their Bibles to class, and the majority did. They were taught the gospel, power of the Bible to change them, role of the Holy Spirit in the believer, and prayer basics, among other topics.
After a class on prayer, we had one young man bring a teacher over so we could pray for her sick husband. She was very appreciative, and we have since chatted with her about his upcoming surgeries and current health state.
The class went from 3 the first week to around 17 the next, because somebody took the initiative to put posters around the school. This “somebody” may or may not have been bribed with Tim Hortons gift cards 🙂
The core of the group was a handful of respectful 8th grade boys. They are pumped to get something going in the high school next year.
Elementary School. We have two children, James and Ella who are brother and sister. This was the 2nd year with our two “spiritual children”, and we could really see the growth in their relationship with the Lord. They came every week, thanks to the dedication of their mother and grandmother (who is also their Sunday School teacher at First Lutheran Church of Blasdell.) Both kids have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
We covered lessons about Jesus as the God who saves, and is the Creator King. They learned how God uses common, ordinary people like Esther and Joseph to protect and save His people.
We will miss them this summer, and pray for the Lord to continue to lead, guide, and protect them.
Two Elementary Schools. On the last day of Club, all parents and grandparents were invited to a pizza party, and presentation of what their children had learned. The children quoted the Ten Commandments, sang some Club songs, and recited some memory work. One of the lead teachers then shared the gospel with all who attended. We had 22 parents at each event!
Hotel Club. We are so blessed to have this ever-changing opportunity! It is hard to get anything consistent going there, with so much coming and going, but this past year we did have a Christmas Party Club, an Easter Party Club, and started weekly classes again in April. Our attendance varies widely- we had 40 for Christmas, but some weeks no one shows up.
The teachers are so dedicated, and excited to be there, though! One of the kids’ favorite segments of class is Peter and Paula, two puppets that help teach them the Bible lesson 🙂
The biggest blessing is when we hear from the parents that this is just what THEY needed. So many of their stories are just so sad, it’s a blessing that we can given them some encouragement to follow Jesus. We pray and hope that what we are doing will bring them to God.
New School Update. One of our representatives attended a school board meeting in May, and was able to meet the superintendent, and members of the school board. They were very receptive to our request to start a GNC there this fall, and the superintendent himself called a few days later to thank us for our interest. Please pray that the process continues smoothly, that there is no opposition, and we can start there in October.
Help Needed. CEF of GBA is a committee-run organization, and we need more members to help oversee the growth of our ministry. Our current committee is stretched thin, and needs help in building prayer support, reaching into public schools and spaces, creating partnerships with area churches, and fundraising. Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 18, at First Baptist Church, 120 Main Street in Hamburg. We meet from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Anyone is welcome.
