In this newsletter you will find year-end stats from our Good News Clubs, a report on our Chicken BBQ fundraiser, and an invitation to a Super Saturday training seminar. Prayer requests are listed throughout, and to the left.
Please continue to pray for us this summer. Our ministry does not stop, just because school has! We have 5-Day Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, teacher trainings, and preparation for the next school year.
Thank you for your support,
CEF of GBA
Good News Clubs
Our GNCs have come to an end, along with the 2022-23 school year. Here are some facts from this year:
3 School Districts open to Good News Clubs – Buffalo, Frontier (Hamburg), and Lake Shore (Evans)
7 Public elementary schools served through GNCs
23 Teachers and helpers in these clubs
63 Children who attended a GNC during the 2022-23 school year
10 Students put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation
Though many challenges presented themselves this year, we rejoice at what God has done in our public schools!
Please praise the Lord for what He has done, and pray that these numbers will all greatly increase next year!
A note about our teachers:
Twenty-three different people taught or helped in a Good News Club this school year. These include teenagers, senior citizens, parents, men, women, school employees, people who have done this for many years, and people who have done this for the first time. Some are retired, and some squeezed this around a full-time job. Several teachers this year had serious health problems or physical limitations. The one thing they all have in common is a love for children, and desire to see them know Jesus. We appreciate each one of them.
Thank you, Teachers!
Club Testimony
by some of our GNC teachers
This was our first year back in the school since Covid, and most of the kids who signed up for GNC were brand new. We had only 3 returning students. These three had attended when in Kindergarten or 1st grade. Now they were in 3rd and 4th grade.
All school year we prayed that our students would come to know Jesus as Savior, and praise the Lord some of the new kids did! The three returning kids were a concern though. None of them talked to a teacher during an invitation time, although all three participated in the other aspects of the club.
Finally during one of the last meetings of the year, one of our teachers bluntly asked the entire class “Who here has asked Jesus to save them?” (note that this is not recommended! A one-on-one approach is better when dealing with children and salvation 😉 ) Thankfully the kids were all honest in answering. A few said they had not, and still had questions. A few answered that they had done so in a recent club.
Then one of the 4th graders spoke up: “I did that before, in the other club.”
The third grader chimed in: “Yeah, me too.”
When the teacher asked them to explain, they both told how they had accepted Christ during our pre-Covid GNC, when they were younger. Even though we had not seen them in three years, they still remembered their salvation experience, and were holding on to it for their assurance of salvation! We were so thrilled that the Lord had saved AND sealed these sweet girls. Please pray for the third student, a boy, who is still unsaved.
Please pray for this boy, and all the other students who attended a GNC but for various reasons have not yet put their faith in Christ.
Chicken Barbeque
On Saturday, April 22, we held a chicken barbeque fundraiser at the Hilltop Baptist Church in Angola. The weather did not cooperate and the day was cold and rainy. In spite of this, we did still manage to make a small profit, and introduce our ministry to some people in the community. We are grateful to the pastor and staff of Hilltop Baptist for allowing us to use their facilities. We are also very grateful to the teachers of the Highland Elementary Good News Club for their help in serving the food.
We may have another fundraiser like this towards the end of summer. Hopefully the weather will be better. We’ll let you know!
Please pray for the finances needed to continue spreading the gospel to children in WNY.
Teacher Training
A “Super Saturday Seminar” is planned for this August in Buffalo. If you would like to be trained to work in a Good News Club, or if you are a pastor/church leader and would like your people trained, please reach out to us. We’ll be glad to give you more details about this FREE training day, or set up a time that works for you.
Topics will include:
Why the emphasis on children
Presenting the Gospel to children
How to teach a memory verse
How to teach songs
Giving a gospel invitation
How to lead a review game
and more!
Please pray for more GNC teachers in WNY, so we can make a greater impact for the Kingdom of God!
A note to Pastors and Church Leaders:
This free teacher training is not just for those who will teach in GNC. It will help Sunday School teachers, Wednesday program leaders, VBS helpers, Missions trip volunteers, and even moms and dads who influence their children at home! We exist to help YOUR CHURCH further the gospel among the children of your community.
Thank you to all who came and supported our fundraiser on April 22. Although the weather did not cooperate at all, we are still grateful for those who bought one of our delicious chicken dinners. We hope to have another one later this year. Stay tuned!
In this newsletter you will read updates from all of our public school Good News Clubs, and a Salvation Testimony from a recent GNC. We also invite you to our Chicken Barbeque on April 22! Information on the front page of our website.
Thank you for your time and prayer, as you read through this update.
Sincerely,
CEF of GBA
Good News Clubs
We currently have five afterschool “Good News Clubs” up and running in WNY public elementary schools.
Highgate Heights (Buffalo School District). They consistently have 8 students in their club. Before Covid and the bussing issues they had a lot more coming, but we are grateful for these precious souls.
JT Waugh Elementary (Lake Shore District). Some of the students in this class came knowing absolutely nothing about God, Jesus, or the Bible. It is exciting but also challenging to have such blank slates to work with. Please pray for their understanding and salvation. They have had 12 students attend this club.
Highland Elementary (Lake Shore District). They have had five children trust in Christ as Savior since they started! Some of these have attended church and shown real growth too.
AJ Schmidt Elementary(Lake Shore District). They have 7 students enrolled, and one has trusted in Christ for salvation this year.
Cloverbank Elementary (Frontier District). Though they had to overcome many obstacles, we rejoice that this club is up and running! Pray for the faithfulness of these students, as they have to leave the school at dismissal time, then have someone drive them back to the school. They have had 10 different students attend this club.
Please pray that these students will come to know Jesus in a real and personal way (f they don’t already), and we will see changed lives!
More GNC Reports
Blasdell Elementary (Frontier School District) – In spite of the dedication and willingness of the teachers each week, this club has proven too difficult to sustain. Due to bussing and security issues, the students were required to leave the building at dismissal time, then be brought back by a parent or guardian to the school for GNC. This has shown itself to be a greater challenge than expected, and the club has closed for this year. THANK YOU to our dedicated teachers for doing your best!
Lovejoy Discovery School (Buffalo School District) -There is still nothing to report. We truly need God to touch the hearts of the school administration, that they will let us back in, and we can restart this club.
West Seneca School District – Despite the enthusiasm of the superintendent to start a Club in their district, we have not been able to secure a location or time that works for both the school and our GNC teachers. Please pray that – even if we have to wait till next school year – we WILL get Good News Clubs running in this district.
Please pray that each of these doors would stay open, and that the teachers would not be discouraged by the waiting and uncertainties.
A Salvation Testimony
From one of our JT Waugh teachers
The Good News Club of Highland Elementary School in Derby, NY has seen wonderful fruit since beginning this past fall of 2022. On February 7, 2023 during one of our classes, we had 2 children accept the Lord as their personal Savior. (They are just 2 of 5 who have come to know the Lord since we began!).
During the class, the children were learning about Bartimaeus and how his faith made him whole. The Bible verse that day was John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”. Our verse of the week and the story both made heavy conviction on the children. Multiple children raised their hands to be dealt with, and 2 of the children made a profession of faith- Mason D. and Neveah S.! Other children had the opportunity to pray with an adult about other things that may have been upsetting them, while others learned more about the Lord but were not ready yet.
Seeing this fruit has been a blessing to all of the workers, and we continue to pray that more in the class of 11 will come to know the Lord.
Please pray especially for the children who have heard but have not believed on Jesus.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support this 2022. We appreciate each one of you.
In this newsletter you will read updates on our public school Good News Clubs, a Salvation Testimony from a recent GNC, a note about teacher training, and some ways that you can get involved in our front-line battle!
Sincerely,
CEF of GBA
Good News Clubs
We currently have five afterschool “Good News Clubs” up and running in WNY public elementary schools:
Highgate Heights (Buffalo School District). This was our first club to reopen in person. The lead GNC teacher there also teaches in the school, so she was able to begin easily. There are 12 students enrolled in this club.
Blasdell Elementary (Frontier District). We have had some miscommunications, obstacles, and sicknesses to overcome in restarting the 3 clubs we used to have in the Frontier school district. Thankfully, the Blasdell GNC was finally able to start again in November. There are 3 students enrolled.
JT Waugh Elementary (Lake Shore District). We are grateful for a cooperative and supportive administration in Lake Shore. They have welcomed us back into all three of their elementary schools with open arms! JT Waugh was the first to restart, and there are 10 students enrolled. (See testimony below.)
Highland Elementary (Lake Shore District). This GNC was adopted just this year by the Hilltop Baptist Church of Evans. Seven people from their church were trained in all aspects of a Good News Club, and they have excitedly jumped into this opportunity! They have 12 students enrolled. Two of these children also attend their church.
AJ Schmidt Elementary (Lake Shore District). Our newest GNC had one meeting so far – A Christmas party club on Dec. 22 – and is looking forward to a great 2023. They already have 6 students enrolled.
Please pray that these students will come to know Jesus in a real and personal way (f they don’t already), and we will see changed lives!
We are also working to begin these Good News Clubs:
Cloverbank and Big Tree Elementary Schools (Frontier School District) – these two clubs have been active for several years, but as mentioned, there are obstacles in restarting them this year. The teachers are ready to go, we just need wisdom in how exactly to move forward.
Lovejoy Discovery School (Buffalo School District) – As with the two Frontier schools, we have teachers in place and ready to go, we just need God to remove the barriers that are holding them back.
West Seneca School District -The superintendent of this district has enthusiastically welcomed us to start clubs in their schools. We have a church sponsor, and trained teachers trained ready to go! We are working with the school administration to figure out which school would be the best fit for us, and plan to begin by the end of January. Stay tuned!
Pray that each of these clubs would start soon, and that the teachers would not be discouraged by the waiting and uncertainties.
A Salvation Testimony
by one of our JT Waugh teachers
The week’s lesson was on King David and Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s disabled son (2 Samuel 4 and 9). Mephibosheth had been living in poverty, until King David extended an invitation for Mephibosheth to join David’s family, and live in the palace. The comparison was made to how poor and hopeless we are, in a spiritual sense, yet the King of Kings offers us the same opportunity – come be part of My family, and someday live in my heavenly home! The choice was Mephibosheth’s.. He could accept or refuse King David’s offer. We have the same choice. God does not force us to choose Him, but lovingly waits for us to make our decision.
At the close of the lesson, the children were given the chance to accept the invitation, and let Jesus come into their lives. One girl in particular was hanging on every word. When the other kids bowed their head and closed their eyes, she indicated that she wanted to speak to a teacher privately.
During that counselling time, she said she really wanted to join God’s family, but didn’t want to give up her own family! 🙂 The teacher explained that accepting Christ actually means you then have TWO families, and this 3rd grader gladly put her faith in Jesus as her Savior.
Please pray for more children to understand the gospel and be converted.
Teacher Training
Our teacher-trainer-extraordinaire has been hopping this fall, travelling to several churches and even someone’s home, preparing teenagers and adults to teach in CEF Good News Clubs. Over the past 3 months she has led 14 different people through the classes and process of becoming certified GNC teachers. Some of these new teachers have already started in clubs, others are just waiting on the sidelines for the paperwork and administrative details to be finalized before they too join the work.
For information how you can be trained (or have your congregation trained) to work with CEF, please email our teacher trainer, tlklindsey@gmail.com , call/text us 716-394-7820, or click the volunteer link button below. We especially welcome pastors and church leaders to contact us, and let us explain how we can benefit your church!
Please pray for more churches and individuals to see the need, and take the first steps to reach the children in public schools.
Join Us!
We are on the front lines of a battle for the children of Western New York. Every week our teachers report some form of spiritual battle as they engage in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We need…
* prayer partners
* financial supporters
* teachers to lead clubs in schools
* assistants to help in school clubs
* pastors and church leaders to see the potential, and encourage their people to enlist.
Visit cefbuffalo.org and click on our “Volunteer Form” button to get started!
Our Staff & Committee D. Hastie, Chairman C. Durham, Vice Chairman T. Jones, Treasurer J. Lindsey, Secretary J. Maloney, Prayer Chair L. Nephew, Member J. Peters, Member D. Piwowarczyk, Member R. Tablante, Admin. Asst.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support over the summer. We hope you enjoy these updates on our Summer Ministry, the “Super Saturday” Teachers Training, and our mission for this school year. None of this would be possible if not for friends like you.
In Gratitude,
CEF of GBA
5-Day Club. In July we held a CEF 5-Day Club (Backyard Bible Club) in Angola. Twenty-six children came during the course of the week and heard lessons on how God “Turned Around” the lives of Rahab, Mephibosheth, Zacchaeus, the Ethiopian Treasurer, and Saul/Paul. They also played fun games, ate snacks, learned new songs and memory verses, and heard a missions story. One day they even got to pretend they were “camping”, thanks to the thunderstorm that passed through right at Club time, and made everyone run inside for cover.
Vacation Bible School. A church in West Seneca incorporated the CEF 5-Day Club curriculum “Turned Around” into their safari-themed Vacation Bible School. On the first night of their VBS they had 10 children, and by the last (fourth) night they had over 35!
A few children raised their hands for salvation. One boy even skipped game time because he wanted to know the truth. Someone had been teaching him about “the levels of heaven” and earning salvation. This boy very openly admitted his interest and relief that Jesus had died for his sins and that he could be saved that night! And he was!
Party Clubs. A church in Hamburg sponsored four CEF “Party Clubs” in the Buffalo area. These action-packed day clubs were full of learning and fun. All were well attended, and everyone who came seemed to have a good time. Some children accepted Christ as Savior, too!
In case you missed it:
An identical Teachers Training Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 15. Please contact us for the details if you are interested in attending.
Teacher Training
On August 20 we hosted a Teacher Training Seminar for anyone interested in becoming a GNC teacher, or anyone who wanted a refresher course in teaching. We were pleased to have 23 different people attend, representing five churches. There were sessions on every element of a Good News Club: Songs, Memory Verse, Bible Lesson, the Review Game, Witnessing to a Child, and the Importance of the Teacher.
Any attendees who wished to take the next step in their volunteer service were also given the chance right then to sign up for a background check and personal interview. Through this, we processed 12 additional people to become “official” Good News Club teachers, praise the Lord!
A CEF of GBA Double Testimony
Back in April, we helped pilot a CEF program called “Go and Tell, Children Reaching Children”. Over the course of several weeks, older children and younger teens were instructed in use of the Wordless Book to lead other children to know Jesus Christ as Savior. One of the boys in the class, 11-year-old C, then attended our 5-Day Club in July. During the Club, 6-year-old T asked if someone could show him how he could be saved.
C asked if he could, and then used the knowledge from his CEF class to lead T to Christ. T was so excited to tell everyone he knew about his salvation, and even got baptized a few weeks later.
Praise the Lord for a CEF program that teaches children how to evangelize. Praise the Lord for a CEF program that brings children to be evangelized!
Back to School
It has been a challenge to get back into full in-person Good News Clubs this fall…but when does God’s work not have challenges?
Lord willing, there will be eight GNCs up and running in the Greater Buffalo area by the end of October. We are also working to start (or restart) schools in 3 more districts.
Please pray for these clubs starting soon:
Buffalo Public Schools –
School #80
Lake Shore School District –
Highland Elementary
AJ Schmidt Elementary
JT Waugh Elementary
Frontier School District –
Big Tree Elementary
Blasdell Elementary
Cloverbank Elementary
If you know any children in these schools, please register them for Good News Club! Visit www.cefbuffalo.org and click the link that says, “Sign Up Now!”
Please pray for clubs to also start/restart in these school districts:
Eden
Holland
West Seneca
Mailing Address
Our new mailing address is:
P.O. Box 21
West Seneca NY 14224
There have been some glitches in this transition. We appreciate the patience of those who have tried to send mail to us. If you are a financial supporter, please consider switching to online giving, as it would help us avoid any mail-related issues in the future. Thank you again for your support!
On Saturday, April 22, we held a chicken barbeque fundraiser at the Hilltop Baptist Church in Angola. The weather did not cooperate and the day was cold and rainy. In spite of this, we did still manage to make a small profit, and introduce our ministry to some people in the community. We are grateful to the pastor and staff of Hilltop Baptist for allowing us to use their facilities. We are also very grateful to the teachers of the Highland Elementary Good News Club for their help in serving the food.
