The West Central Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) recently organized. The organization has its headquarters in Natchitoches and has as its purpose ministering to children ages 4 to 14 in Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, Rapides, Grant and Winn Parishes.
Child Evangelism Fellowship is a nondenominational, Bible-centered organization composed of born-again, evangelical believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. The program is school based in the West Central Chapter.
CEF has many different ministries for children, but the primary ones are the Good News Club and the 5-day Club. These fast paced, one-hour programs are designed to bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level.
Along with these clubs, CEF also has camping and internet ministries for children. Last year through these combined ministries over 16.4 million children worldwide heard the Good News.
CEF is a worldwide organization with programs in all countries except North Korea. It is the oldest and largest child evangelism program in the world. CEF is 85 years old (established in 1937).
Intensive training is required for individuals to participate in the ministry. This training is provided locally in person, online and at the Children’s Ministries Institute located at the CEF International Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri.
CEF research has determined that 85% of the people who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior do so between the ages of 4 and 14. However, research has also found that 80% of the children in the U.S.A. are not associated in any way with a church. Therefore, CEF is designed to introduce children to Christ and then affiliate them with a church near their homes.
The West Central CEF Chapter Board members are as follows:
Ron Brown – Chairman
Twana Harris – Vice Chair
Lori Thompson – Secretary
Sheila Noe – Treasurer
Directors:
Joey Bynog
Bro. Dean Johnson
Tim Murchison
Bro. Ronnie Williams, Sr.
Staff Members:
Donna Deason – Director
Melody Murchison – Ambassador
The Board and Staff have developed a three year plan:
Year 1: Establish Good News Clubs in all Natchitoches Parish elementary/middle schools.
Year 2: Establish Good News Clubs and other CEF programs in Sabine, Vernon, Grant and Winn Parishes. Additionally, a Pilot Program will be established in Rapides Parish.
Year 3: Establish Good News Clubs and other CEF programs in Rapides Parish.
Progress to Date: Half of the Natchitoches Parish elementary/middle schools have Good News Clubs.
The Goal/Vision of the organization is: Every Child — Every Parish — Every Day.
The WCCEF Chapter is tremendously grateful for the cooperation of the Natchitoches school Principals and Natchitoches School Administration. Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. has written a letter of support that is on the WCCEF website. The Natchitoches Parish churches have been extremely supportive and have provided a considerable amount of funding for the program. One main reason the Chapter is experiencing success is due to the outpouring of people who are volunteering to support the organization’s staff.
Additional information concerning the West Central Child Evangelism Fellowship Chapter is available at the program’s website: WCCEFofLouisiana.com. For more information contact:
Ron Brown: ronbrownlpc@suddenlink.net, 318-471-6900
Donna Deason: dmdeason70@yahoo.com, 318-471-6495
