What is Good News Club?
Good News Club is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship® in which trained teachers provide a fun and safe environment for children to learn about the Christian faith. Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities focused on the lesson’s theme.
As with all CEF® ministries, the purpose of Good News Club is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.
Can We Really Teach the Bible in Public Schools?
Yes! The Gospel has been taught freely in public schools all over the world for some time. Now children in the U.S. have that opportunity, too! In 2001 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Good News Clubs v. Milford Central School that Good News Clubs can meet in public schools in the United States after school hours on the same terms as other community groups. Children attend Good News Club only with their parents’ permission.
In Oregon, we are also given the right to have children released from school to attend a religious instructional class during school hours. This is in accordance to ORS 339.420.
Where are Good News Clubs held?
Clubs are normally held at a nearby church, community center, or house.
How long are Good News Clubs?
Good News Clubs vary in length, depending on whether they are during school hours. A released-time Good News Club is normally one hour long. An After-School Good News Club can be anywhere from 1-2 hours long.
Good News Clubs start the first week of October and generally end the last week of April.
What Is Taught in Good News Club?
Each week is packed with strong, faith-building teaching straight from God’s word. This teaching is present in powerful Bible lessons, key memory verses, and upbeat songs, all of which are geared towards helping the children grow in their walk with the Lord.
Calendar for 25-26 coming soon
Each club includes a clear presentation of the Gospel and an opportunity for children to trust the Lord Jesus as Savior. Every club also includes strong discipleship training to build character and strengthen moral and spiritual growth, challenging them to deepen their faith in new ways.
There are also fun, interactive games and other activities focused on each lessons themes that help the children learn and remember what was taught, so that the word of God might be hidden in their hearts.
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 Club. They are trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship to have a club that is exciting and informative so that children will want to keep coming. Teachers are asked to sign the CEF Statement of Faith and agree to abide by the policies of the organization. Adults working with the program are screened according to our child protection policy.
If you would like to volunteer to help or teach at a Good News Club, please contact us.
In the United States there is a movement among churches to adopt a public school Good News Club. Read more.
Released-time & After-school Clubs:
A released-time club meets during school, once a week, in the afternoon of the school day. We work with the schools to choose a time. Parents must register their child for the club and then we contact the school to let them know the parent has approved and gives permission for the child to leave the school with approved CEF staff. Children are excused from their regular classes to attend. CEF workers transport the child from the school to the club. After the club, the child is returned to the school by a CEF worker.
All workers must pass a thorough background check and adhere to our Child Protection Policy.
An after-school club meets in the afternoon or evening and is “after” school hours. Many of these programs provide extended hour care options and possible transportation from school to the club location.
Good News Clubs will start the first week of October and meet through April. Clubs will not meet during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas break, or spring break. Other bad weather days or situations may arise that prevent the meeting.
Please contact us @ 541-223-7901 or email: office@cefbentoncounty.org for more information about these clubs!
If a club is not available in your area or school yet, contact us and we can work together to make sure children can have the opportunity to hear the Gospel through Good News Club.