Good News for Children
By Kathy BowmanWhat is a Good News Club®?
Currently over 3,400 weekly school-related Good News Clubs are held across the nation, reaching more than 119,000 students each week. Whether meeting off campus during school hours, or on campus after school, these clubs provide opportunities for children in public schools to hear the Gospel and learn truth from God’s Word.Can we really teach the Bible in public schools?
Yes! The Supreme Court ruled in 2001 in “Good News Clubs v. Milford Central School” that Good News Clubs can meet in public schools after school hours on the same terms as other community groups. After-school Good News Clubs are an asset to schools and do not add any cost or liability to the school district. Children who wish to participate stay after school one hour per week and must have a signed parental permission slip. Parents and guardians arrange for transportation home.The Richardson School District has welcomed Good News Clubs to several of its elementary schools. Town North Presbyterian sponsors a club at Yale Elementary on Collins.
What is taught in Good News Club?
Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from Child Evangelism Fellowship. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story, and review games or other activities focused on the lesson’s theme.At Yale, our Good News Team taught between 24 and 34 children in kindergarten to sixth grade weekly. We provided a healthy snack each week and regularly incorporated a short craft related to the bible lesson.
As with all CEF ministries, the purpose of after-school Good News Clubs is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the Word of God. To accomplish this goal, each club meeting includes a clear presentation of the Gospel and an invitation for children to trust Jesus as Savior. Each club also includes strong discipleship training in order to build character and to encourage spiritual growth. All children are encouraged to attend a local church.
Who teaches a Good News Club?
Christians who are concerned for boys and girls work together volunteering their time and energy to teach Good News Clubs. They are trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship® to have a club that is exciting and informative. Teachers are asked to sign the CEF® Statement of Faith and to agree to abide by the policies of the organization. Adults working with the program are screened according to our child protection policy.The teachers for our Yale Elementary Good News Club are Shelly Hotz, Laura Peacock, Jennifer Allen, and Sara Boling. We can be very proud of these young adults and their heart for the gospel. I personally provide some on-site assistance, and the team serves under the direction of Ed Hotz.
When does the Good News Club meet?
Our Club meets after school between 3:00 and 4:30 pm on a weekday chosen by the school principal. We have suggested a meeting day of Wednesday or Thursday. The Club meets typically from September to Thanksgiving, and from February to April.What are our needs?
- We are looking for additional teens and adults who have a heart to share the gospel to children to take CEF training and join our team.
- Pray that we can make a difference in a child’s life. Pray that God will be pleased to use our efforts to save the lost through the sharing of the gospel.
- Donate money to help us buy snacks and supplies
- Help prepare simple and interesting crafts that children 5 to 12 years old could enjoy and complete quickly. Simple science themes would be a great plus.