Happy Spring, Friends and Supporters!
Here are some updates about the Good News Clubs we facilitate in public schools, transitional housing, and in a day-training program for those with special needs. We have also included a “Save the Date” for a Chicken Barbeque on May 31, and two more ways you can be involved in CEF of GBA: 5-Day Clubs and our developing Prayer Team.
Prayer requests are listed throughout. As always, we are grateful for your financial and prayer support.
Thank you, CEF of GBA
Good News Clubs
We praise the Lord for seven public school Good News Clubs in four school districts! About 100 children attend these weekly Clubs. Some are small with just one or two students; others have 25. Some have two dedicated teachers, others have a rotation of five or six teachers. Some Clubs meet right in the school, immediately upon dismissal; others have to wait a few hours past the closing bell to gather. One Club meets off-site, at a nearby church. Some are warmly welcomed by school administration; others feel hostility and face an uncertain future.
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus Christ said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” One chapter later, in Matthew 19:14, He said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
We believe that every time a Club meets, Jesus Christ is present, and is showing His love to these precious little children. Each child has an eternal soul, and God wants each to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. He also wants each to have a relationship with Him on earth, and follow His extraordinary plan for their lives.
As the school year winds down, please pray for the GNC students that have not yet put their faith in Christ alone for salvation. Please especially pray for those in 5th grade, as they will move on to Middle School next year, and our chance to influence them will probably end. (Except in Buffalo Public Schools, where they will stay through Grade 8.)
Pray for the salvation of all our Good News Club students.
Hotel Club
We continue to host a weekly Good News Club in a transitional housing unit in Hamburg NY. Several times we have heard rumors that this facility is closing, but every Tuesday that we’ve shown up, kids have attended our Clubs! The attendance ranges from 4 to 30 kids each week, and there is almost always a parent, teenage brother/sister, or other adult present, too.
Since our attendance fluctuates so often, these meetings are not conventional “Good News Clubs” – they are more of a weekly CEF “Party Club”. We have crafts and balloon animals and prizes and try to make sure the kids are having fun as well as learning. Many children that attended our Clubs at the beginning of the school year have already moved on to more permanent housing.
We PRAISE THE LORD for this brief chance to influence these precious souls for Jesus! Several have made professions of faith, others are getting close! We will keep walking through this door, as long as it is open.
Pray for our Hotel Club attenders to be saved, and learn truths that will help them in their lives. Pray for this facility to stay open so we can continue to teach there.
Special Needs Bible Group
Our dear sister in the Lord, Monique Lindsey, was a missionary to those with special needs in Liberia, West Africa, until she was diagnosed with cancer in late 2023. She then returned to Western New York and began treatment at Roswell Park. She still wanted to continue her work with special needs people, and gives us this report:
Aspire of WNY runs a day-training program at the Tri-Main Building in Buffalo for individuals over 18 years old. They meet there and learn daily living skills. Aspire runs this and other centers in the Western NY area.
About a year ago, I approached them with adding a Bible study group and language training. It is offered to any who wish to join with us. On average, we have about 12 members, but the group is growing. We have a mixed group of individuals. Some have cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, intellectual and/or behavioral challenges. The staff are also welcome to join the group and some are now members themselves.
When we first began, many of the group had had no formal Bible training. Now, we have gotten to the point that they understand the Gospel and are beginning to accept Christ as Savior.
There is interest in other clubs, but I need more teams to lead them. I am happy to train any CEF team to work with such diversity in the group. Mostly interested group leaders just need to love them.
Monique’s cancer has progressed, and she may be going Home to be with the Lord soon. We may need someone to take over this ministry. If, however, the Lord chooses to heal her, she could use help in starting more special needs Good News Clubs! Please let us know if you are interested in sharing the love of Jesus to those in our special needs community.
Pray for the hearts of these individuals to be open and understanding of the Gospel. Pray for Monique, and her mother Joan Lindsey, who is one of our founding committee members.
“Christ… of What?”
The GNC was singing “Stop/Go/Watch” and the teacher paused to explain the line “Go! And tell the story of the Christ of Calvary.”
“Calvary,” she explained, “is the name of the mountain where they put the cross when Jesus was crucified.”
“Oh!” said a 5th grade girl, “That makes so much more sense! I thought we were singing ‘Christ of CALORIES’, like when he fed all those people with bread and fish.”
Chicken Barbecue
Save the Date! May 31, 2025, Noon-4:00 pm (or sold out)
West Falls Bible Church, 1823 Davis Rd, West Falls NY
Presale tickets are available for $15 each, or pay $16 at the door. Price includes a half chicken, 2 sides, dinner roll with butter, and dessert item.
All proceeds to benefit CEF of Greater Buffalo Area.
Contact us for pre-sale tickets: admin@cefbuffalo.org or 716-394-7820
Pray for the financial success of this fundraiser, and for God to continue to provide our needs.
Summer Opportunities
Have you ever prayed for the children in your neighborhood? Maybe this summer will be the year they hear about Jesus. Maybe YOU can make that happen by hosting a “5-Day Club” at your home!
A 5-Day Club typically runs from Monday-Friday, for about 1.5 hours in the morning or afternoon. Can you sacrifice that time in order to give your neighborhood children the chance to meet Jesus?
We will gladly provide you with curriculum and as much assistance as we can (depending on the dates and times you choose). Email our ministry coordinator at rperrotti@cefbuffalo.org.
Pray for many 5-Day Clubs to be held around the Greater Buffalo Area this summer.
Prayer Focus
One of our ministry goals in 2025 is to develop a powerful prayer team that will intercede for the children of Western New York. Our committee members Larry and Hope are excited to lead this charge! We are now looking for people to join the team. If you’re not already, please join our email list. We hope to start sending out special prayer lists for our Clubs and other ministries soon!
Ask the Lord if He wants you to join the CEF of GBA Prayer Team.
