"Father Abraham"

Yesterday I visited a GNC at Saratoga Elementary School in Morris. This is a club that has been going for years and meets all school year. This week they started talking about Abraham from the CEF Press lesson series Patriarchs. To help the kids understand the promise God made Abraham, the GNC team has been teaching them "Father Abraham." Lead teacher Carol Adair uses this song to discribe how God's promise to Abraham has been fulfilled in believers like you and me. This version of "Father Abraham" is unlike what you sang as a child. View and enjoy as I sure did yesterday.

"I''m ready. I want to be God's child."

Jasmine. We first met here three years ago in Good News Club at her school. She has come off and on since then to GNC when she can. She has always been on the quite side, but was always listening and ready to learn more about God. At the end of each lesson we always give an invitation to receive Jesus as Savior. Kids who respond to this invitation go back for counseling; those boys and girls that are serious and ready to become God's child are counseled accordingly. As long as I have known Jasmine, she has never responded to an invitation.

This week, Jasmine came back for counseling after the Bible lesson! She told my teaching partner, "I have always seen people come back to talk to you about God, but I never have. Now I am here." Jasmine told my teaching partner everything about who God is and what He has done for her on the cross. Jasmine said "I'm ready. I want to be God's child." Praise God that Jasmine is now apart of God's family. I marvel at God. This is Jasmine's last year at her elementary school and GNC is almost over for the year. I am amazed at God.

Girl's most prized possesion? Her new Bible!

Part of my job as Good News Club Coordinator is to work with the personnel that teach the GNCs. It is so great to watch someone come into teaching a GNC with the intent on teaching for the kids' sake but end but being ministered to through the teaching of Good News Club. I recently received an email from one GNC teacher that I want to share with you.

"The club at Wood View was wonderful, and I thought I'd better give you a little update. We had 8 kids enrolled...the kids came...with lots of questions and I made one girl very happy. Last year I never got my hands on some Bibles to pass out, and I already knew the kids that were dying to get a Bible for over a year. Mrs. Zierman...brought a giant stack of Bibles. I gave one to Kiara who had something like an overview of the Psalms that she was reading, and that's all she had. She was very happy to get her own New Testament. I gave one to Akayla too. Akayla has always been GLUED to my Bible. She'd come back to counseling just to get ahold of it. I had never really got an answer from her if she had a Bible, but I got one yesterday. She had she had a preschool Bible that she could read in about a minute, so I gave her a Bible....She couldn't believe that it was really hers, so I put her name in it, her face glowed. She spent the rest of club thanking us and hugging it. I made a little girl very happy yesterday."

God is doing some great things. Let's pray for Kiara and Akayla that their excitment about Jesus will continue and blossom into a strong relationship with HIM. I will never grow tired of hearing or being apart of stories like this.

Kids love singing about the Good News

In Good News Clubs, there is not a lot of time for song time, so when we sing a song because it has a good teaching message, not just because the song is a nice song. One song that is often sung in Good News Club is "Good News Good News." I visited the GNC at Aux Sable Elementary School recently and was thrilled to see how much these kids love singing about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Don't believe me, then see for yourself in this video that I took. It brings a smile to my face each time I hear them sing it, because for them this is more than a song. The truth of this song is now the core of each child belief system, because each child in this club has received Jesus as Savior!

Distractions in a Good News Club

This week I visited a Good News Club held at an elementary school in Bolingbrook. On a normal Monday, the GNC meets in the Library. However, this meeting of the club was moved to the cafeteria where we shared the room with an after-school day care program. I have been in some very difficult club settings in my day, however this one was quite challenging. It is not the children at the club who are difficult, but rather the distractions. The distractions at this club were so many that I shot this video to show you. (Readers of my blog will note that the most challenging club I was teaching is shared in a blog post "Doing a GNC in a consession stand." ).

In this video, the GNC just got started and the teachers are beginning with the song "I have a friend who really loves me." Listen to the noise and distractions. (Note the loud noises you hear are not from GNC). For the first half of this GNC, it was difficult to teach in. But eventually it calmed down. The major point I want to make is that the people teaching GNC's, just like myself, are so dedicated to getting the Gospel to these kids that we will not let anything stop us from completing our God-given task!

If only

Someone sent me this recently and I just love it. If only people would read God's Word and pay as much attention and excitement to Him as we do billboards

"Takin it to the Street"

Yes, we are "takin it to the street." We are taking Good News Club flyers to the streets. Four school districts in our chapter do not allow flyers, for GNC or another outside group, to be distributed to students. This makes getting kids to come to our GNC after school more challenging.

Well recently, we went, on the advice of Liberty Council, went to the parking lot of a school at dismissal to pass out flyer to parents as they drive in to get their children. I must admit I went to do this with fear and trepidation. I was thinking, "Would we be allowed to do this? Will someone stop us? Will parents take these flyers?" We made plans to go, copies the flyers, and attached candy to each flyer. Then we were went to the school with two of our committee members. We prayed and then took it to the streets. I was amazed to see this working. Parents stopped and took the flyer. We ended up passing out over 50 flyers to parents in cars that day. I was watching in amazement at God working.

With the pressure of denial of distribution of flyers coming at us, we are meeting it head on and taking every possible opportunity to get the word out. So far we have done this at two schools. One school showed no results from this and the other showed a fantastic result of more kids attending a club. So, yes we are taking it to the street. We will be doing more of this in the future in an effort to get more children to hear God's Word and then give them the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior.

Update on Elijah

This week, Elijah came in and told us that he knew his memory verse Matthewy6:33. We were excited, of course. Elijah said, " I lost my paper with the verse on it." Each week we send the kids home with a verse token which has the week's memory verse on it. We asked Elijah how he memorized it if he lost his memory verse token. Elijah said, " I used my Bible that you gave me." How awesome it is to see kids opening and using their Bibles. Elijah was able to do this because he had a Bible and we are teaching the clubbers how to find a verse in the Bible. We found that the kids in our GNC don't know how to use a Bible. Elijah does now! This little guy and others like him make this ministry so rewarding.

Elijah: Portrait of a Life Changed

When Elijah first came to Good News Club, he was very quite and shy. For several weeks of GNC we barely heard one peep out of Elijah. Then two weeks ago, Elijah responded to an invitation to receive Christ as his Savior. After being counseled, Elijah prayed to become a child of God! My teaching parnter and I were so excited for Elijah. As I have said before, sometimes you can tell immediately that a child meant business and is now God's child and sometimes you just don't know. Well that day we left it in God's hands.

God has shown us what He is doing in Elijah' s life. The next week, Elijah came back and said the previous week's memory verse word perfectly at a fast pace. At the end of that week, we pulled Elijah over and gave him his first ever Bible. My teaching partner said now he had a Bible. Elijah, looked down at his feet and said, "Well actually my mom says we have a Bible somewhere in the house, but she's not sure where it is." Elijah knew lying was a sin and he could not lie to his teachers. God is working in Elijah's life! He is truly God's child. Each week we watch him grow more and more in his faith! Elijah is a changed little boy! To God be the Glory!

Multiplication in Action

Faithful readers of this blog know that part of my ministry is training others to teach and reach kids for Christ. During a 5-Day Club this summer, I took this short video clip of one of the Will County Chapter's missionaries teaching the most important part of the club, the invitation to receive Christ. Watch and see how your support of me is duplicated in other children's workers to go and do like wise. Enjoy

High Octane 5-Day Club adds excitment

This year, we added games to 5-Day Clubs and called it High-Octane 5-Day Clubs. It added much fun and drew kids into our clubs. One host tells how three kids were suddenly there at the club because of the parachute games. At the end of the week, these new kids to us and the host came to Christ. Take a look and see what fun these games can be.

A drawing a window to Taylor's heart

Every time have the privilege to teach a Bible lesson it is so amazing to watch God use the lesson in the lives of the kids. Often times I can see how God is doing this through the way kids are listening to the Bible Lesson. Taylor was no different. Taylor came to 5-Day Club in Coal City. The first day she came I was teaching the Red Page Bible Lesson from the series the Visualized Wordless Book, from CEF Press. This lesson tells of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout the lesson, Taylor was on the edge of the couch listening and hanging on every word. At the end of every lesson there is an invitation to recieve Jesus as Savior. The flashcard for this is pictured on the left of the image above. Taylor went home that night and from memory drew this picture. God was using this flashcard to remind her of what she learned that afternoon. The next day came and Taylor gave me this picture. I was so encouraged and blown away by it. During this days lesson Taylor was even more into the lesson, if that is possible. She raised her hand in response to the invitation to receive Christ, but did not go back. At the end of club that day, Taylor told us she would not be there for the last day. So, one of my teaching partners pulled Taylor aside and lead her to the Lord!

T-Shirt Review Child's Faith

Crafts are always fun for the kids at Day Camp. This year we designed t shirts. We told them they could design their shirts however they wanted. These are the original ideas of two kids from Day Camp. After they were finished I was so encouraged. Not only were they learning more about God, they were applying these truths to there lives . Plus whenever they wear these t-shirts now they share their knowledge of God with others.

Todd really connects to the Bible lesson

We met Todd last year at Good News Club. Since then Todd has been at every children's event we offer. Last summer at our Day Camp, Todd received Christ as Savior. Yesterday I saw him at GNC at his school. I was teaching the Bible lesson from 1 Kings when Elijah ran for his life after being threated with death by Queen Jezebel. The objective for the lesson was to realize that when things go wrong in your life remember that God is faithful to take care of you even when it seems like he can't. When I shared that Elijah felt all alone, Todd could relate. He says he feels that way every day at lunch. At the end of the Bible lesson, I said "I'm not sure what problems you are facing, but I do know God is faithful to take care of you." Todd broke in and shared his problem with me. As he shared, I could see this was something Todd really was struggling with. Todd clearly knew he was God's child, but this issue was causing him pain. So, I had the privilage of giving him ways he can trust God to take care of him. Todd really took the memory verse to heart, Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." How great it is to stand back and watch God work. It was an amazing scene to watch. At first I comment to my teaching partner later, "Wow! Did you see what God is doing in Todd's life.!" I'm not sure why I am suprised, because before we entered the school that day, we prayed for God to prepare hearts of the kids, to do a work in their hearts, and to teach through us, and that is exactly what God did.

"I love this part!"

Last month, we started a Good News Club at a brand new elementary school in Shorewood, Troy Hofer Elementary. What a club this is! There's about a dozen kids coming every week who are visibly excited at what they are learning about God. It is remarkable to see how this group of kids is really getting into God's Word. This week during my Bible lesson, Michelle kept moving closer towards the front, because she really wanted to hear everything she could. At the end of the lesson I always give an invitation to receive Christ as Savior. Just before I asked all the kids to bow their heads and close their eyes, Michelle looked up at me and said, "I love this part!" This made me smile. Praise God that He is doing a work in these kids lives.

Local School successfully adopted by local church

Several months ago, Church of the Good Shepherd of Joliet indicated their desire to adopt Crystal Lawns to have a Good News Club. Several weeks of training passed. The team was ready and we went in April 15. An experienced CEF teacher went with me to mentor and transition this GNC to the team from the Church of the Good Shepherd. The last two weeks the team has done a fantastic job of teaching the GNC. Richard, Jake, Karen, Don, and Danielle are doing well teach this great group of kids more about God. This group really listens intently went the Bible is taught. After two great weeks, I have given this club over to Church of the Good Shepherd!! Our chapter's first successful GNC-Church adoption this year. I left that school yesterday rejoicing and praising God for supplying more workers to share the Word! This makes four local schools adopted by churches. The search continues on for more churches to adopt schools.

Easter Egg Hunt a Huge Success

What a day we had on Saturday April 11. Thank you one and all for the role you played in helping make this day a success. 52 kids came to our Easter Egg Hunt. The day was first divided into three 20 mintue stations where they play games, learn a memory verse and have a snack, and listen to an Easter Bible lesson. The most important part of this is the Bible lesson. When the first group was given a change to receive Christ, five kids responded. When asked why they came back, each one responded "I want Jesus to be my Savior" " I want to be God's child" "I want God in my life" In total 16 kids prayed to recieve Christ as Savior. I have posted a slideshow for you to see just what happened that day. Praise God!

"Mom!! I'm God's Child"

Alexis started coming to my SPARKS program at church after attending VBS last summer. As far as I can tell, she does not attend church anywhere execpt at my home church on Wednesday evenings. Alexis has enjoyed coming to SPARKS this year. Towards the beginning of the year, Alexis came for the fun and did the memory verses without truly understanding what she was mem0rizing. Readers of my blog know that I have switched my SPARKS Bible lessons to PreSchool Bible lessons. Boy have we seen a turn around in the comprehension and retention of what is being taught from the Bible. Yesterday after the Bible lesson, Alexis indicated that she wanted to become God's child. So, her SPARKS leader, my mom, was able to counsel Alexis about becoming God's child. And she prayed and is now God's child. After her she was finished, My mom brought Alexis to me to tell me what she had done. She told me and she knew she was God's child. Over the course of the night, we took her to tell two other people whose child she was now. Each time, Alexis became more fluent in expressing what had happened. Then at the end of the night, my mom brought Alexis to her mom and told her what had happened. Alexis looked at her mom and said "Mom! I'm God's child!" Praise God for this changed life!!!!

"Can I pray?....No I want to pray!"

In the final moments of Good News Club at Creekside, we were planning to close off the club in prayer. I asked my teaching partner to pray. Before she could begin, Destiny (see article: Destiny: The girl who almost forgot about GNC") raised her hand and asked to pray. Then Yorel said no I want to pray. Fantasically surprised, both kids prayed. Destiny prayed first and she spoke so freely to God. It is so clear from this prayer that Destiny was speaking to her friend- God. It was so natural. Then Yorel prayed "Thank you God we can come to GNC and have fun Oh God and thank you that they [my teaching partner and I] came to our school so we can learn more about you." What a great way to end our GNC at Creekside! Praise God for what He is doing in the lives of these precious children.

"He needs me! He needs me!"

Yesterday at GNC, we finished the missionary story of Abner Pineda. My teaching partner told them, "By the time you become an adult, Abner will need someone to take his place." Without missing a heart beat, Yorel raised his hand and said, "He 'll need me. He'll need me. I want to be a missionary. In fact, I want to drive their now." Praise God that someone Yorel's age has such a passion for missions. I pray that God will continue to guide him. After all, I was about Yorel's age when I first learned of missions and expressed a desire to get involved in missions.

Kids learning to pray

This week I have been overwhelmed by the move of God in the lives of the kids I am teaching in Good News Clubs and AWANA. Many of these kids in these clubs are beginning to understand what prayer is and the importance of them praying. When given an opportunity to pray this week at GNC on Monday, Yorel volunteered and prayed the Lord's Prayer perfectly. We have never covered this in GNC. Tuesday also, we had Tommy volunteer to pray to close the GNC. Tommy prayed a prayer that just was amazing. Tommy is about 3rd grade, maybe 4th. He prayed to God so confidently and elloquently. My GNC teaching partner for that club turned to me later after the club in utter amazement. So it is great to see that kids like Yorel and Tommy in my GNC are coming from good solid Christian homes. Sadly this cannot be said for all the kids I reach in GNC or AWANA.

For my AWANA kids, it has been an up hill climb understanding who God is, because most of them came to us not knowing much of God at all. It has been a slow process, but just last night in our lesson series on prayer, the kids each one by one volunteered praying to God. It is such a blessing to hear kids who a few months ago did not understand much about God, praying to HIM!!!!!

"How do I know what God wants me to do?"

During the gospel application of my Bible lesson this week at Good News Club, Sophie raised her hand and said " How do I know what God wants me to do?" We were discussing that sin is breaking God's law. Sophie had no idea how she was to know what God wanted her to do. So, I replied, "We find that out in the Bible, God's Word". Sophie replied, "What if you don't have a Bible." This was a fresh reminder to me. Some kids come to GNC and have really no idea who God isl, let alone know about the Bible. I gave Sophie a Bible along with a Wonder Devotional book. Pray that Sophie will continue to have this desire to know about God. This stands as a testimony to the truth that lack of knowledge of God crosses all social, cultural, and economic barriers. All kid need to learn about God.

Destiny: the girl that almost forgot GNC

Destiny is new to Good News Club this year. Each time the Bible is taught, Destiny is so focused and really listening to God's Word. Typically, Destiny is one of the first kids to come into GNC. Yesterday, as GNC began, she was not there. Another girl Jaime was not there either. Jaime's brother Jaylun was at GNC. So, we had to get her off the bus. It turns out that Destiny and Jaime are on the same bus. Both girls had forgotten about GNC. Destiny, who almost forgot about GNC, sat and entered into the club. When the invitation to receive Christ was given, Destiny responded and received Jesus as Savior! Praise God!!!! It is just like a good friend of mine, Bill Allison, says Destiny "had a divine appointment with God" and nothing could stop her from keeping that appointment.

Good News Clubbber desires to live for HIM

I just spoke with Ruth Johnson, GNC teacher at Union Elementary School in Joliet. For several times now Malik has come back to talk to Ruth about becoming God's child. Malik tells Ruth about how much he loves God and desires to live for Him. Malik brings his Bible each week and will tell you that he is reading it. The only thing, however, is the Malik does not recognize or yet understand what sin is. All of us have tried talking to him about this, but Malik is not ready. So, we are praying for him. Please pray that God would do a work in Malik's heart and life

A break through with Kyle

Kyle has been coming to my SPARKS program since September. He is a very active child with a vivid imagination. Often times throughout the year Kyle would answer questions with the most odd comments like "I've been to Heaven. My dad took me there." The comments have gotten more and more strange. Most of these comments come in response to a question when we as teachers ask the class a question during the Bible lesson. Recently, we have made the switch to pre-school lessons from CEF PRESS. Last night we had a lesson about Nehemiah and the importance of prayer in every situation. During the Gospel application, I asked "What did God do to prove His love for you? " Kyle raised his hand. With fear and trembling, I called on Kyle. He answerd "Jesus died on the cross!" When we heard that every leader in the room applauded Kyle. Kyle still has that vivid imagination, but the Gospel is finally starting to click with him. I am just in amazed at how God is working in the lives of Kyle and the rest of my SPARKIES.

"Why do we sin?'

For the last several weeks I've noticed that they kids in my SPARKS group were not really understanding what was being taught during the Bible Lesson. So, last week I taught using the Preschoolers Can Know God series. They seemed very much more engaged in the lesson. During the Gospel application in my lesson, I posed the question "Why do we sin?" Then one girl raised her hand "because we are not perfect!" WOW. I never really understood if this girl was understanding what was being taught! But God did. I was so encouarged to hear this precious first grade girl, who never said a word before during the Bible lesson, give such a great answer! YOu never know what God is doing through you!

1st grader with a passion for the lost

Walker's Grove Good News Club started yesterday with a huge response. 13 kids came for the first meeting! One girl Kristen blew me away by with her own testimony. Kristen, a first grader, responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Savior. When she came back, she stated that " I want God in my life." As we continued it became evident that she is already a believer. Her next words were a pleasant surprise! Kristen spoke about her friend Rachel and how she really wants Rachel to come to know and love God. So, Kristen told her about God but Rachel didn't want to listen. Burdened for Rachel to come to God, Kristen told her parents and then they got involved telling Rachel about God. School vacation or something happened. Then Kristen began looking for Rachel to talk to her more about God. Unfortunately Rachel moved away!

How awesome to have a first grader with such a passion for her friends to come to GOD!!!!

"God wants tto spend time with me?"

"God wants to spend time with me?" Jaylun asked at Good News Club yesterday. Jaylun attended GNC last year, but this year things are starting to sink in with him. I wish you could have seen the look on Jaylun face when he said this! Jaylun seems to be interested in GNC but is having some problems paying attention and really listening. Deep down Jaylun wants to hear and learn more about God, but there is something is keeping him from doing so. Please pray with me for Jaylun, especially on Mondays when he is at GNC.

Teaching to Change

I had just begun my Bible lesson on Naboth's Vineyard at Chaney Monge Good News Club when Hannah raised her hand. I just finished teaching that coveting, wanting what someone else has, is a a sin. Hannah raised her hand and said " My mom says that it is ok to want what someone else has." I was not expecting that. I had to think fast, but couldn't. The Holy Spirit gave me this "At first just wanting what someone else has is ok, but when you starting thinking about it and dwelling on it, then it becomes a problem." During the rest of the lesson, I watched how Hannah responded to the Bible lesson. By the end of the lesson, Hannah finally understood. She saw how coveting could be a problem and left with ways she deal with coveting when it arives in her young Christian life. What a joy it was to watch God work in her life that day!

This is a reminder that I am simply God's vessel so that His work can be accomplished!

A 4yr old prayer warrior

Four year olds can pray! Especially young Mark. Mark received Christ as His Savior at three years old. Mark was not rushed into anything. He knew he was a sinner and wanted to be forgiven of his sin. Since then, Mark has really been growing, phsyically and spriritually. Young Mark attended a party club that I had recently. The theme was being ready for Christ's return. Right before we had our snack, Mark volunteered to pray. The following is his prayer. I hope this encourgaes you as it does me. "Dear Jesus, thank you for our snack. take care of us for the rest of our lives until we go to be with you!" AMEN!

God's Encouragment

This school year, it has become harder and harder to establish a Good News Club in the public schools. The latest tactic to block a GNC is to allow the use of the room but not allow GNC flyers to be distributed to students. This makes it very difficult to get the word out about GNC. Often times school officals say that they don't want to offend anyone so they won't pass out any non school flyers. Despite this, God still is victorious. Many schools thankfully still allow GNC flyers to be distributed. I walked into one such school, Troy Crossroad. I noticed that on the wall of the cafeteria, where we have GNC, is this mural with the words "We are all wonderfully made." Sound familiar? Pslam 139:14! What an encouragement to me that in times where some schools are trying to discourage the GNC from coming in, God shows this mural to me as a reminder that God is at work and His will will be accomplished no matter what men say. Below is the full mural as it is in the school cafeteria for all to see every day.

"I know that just being good is not good enough to get into Heaven"

When asked the question "How to go to Heaven?", many unbelieving kids will say "Be Good." McKenzie walked into GNC at Edna Keith with this belief. She is an older girl, 4th or 5th grade. Typically, kids this age rarely come to a GNC, thinking it is for little kids. But not McKenzie, she has been coming for several weeks. This Monday when she heard her GNC teacher share the Bible lesson, it clicked in her mind that her previous view of be good and you'll go to heaven was wrong. The Holy Spirit was working in her heart. When the chance to talk to the GNC teacher about becoming God's child, McKenzie responded. When asked why she came back, she said "I know that just being good is not good enough to go to heaven." She wanted to become God's child. So, in the gym of Edna Keith Elementary School, McKenzie became God's child and now knows she will be in Heaven one day. Pray with me for McKenzie as she grows in her faith.

GNC Teacher Shares Testimony

Part of my job as Good News Club coordinator is not only to work with the boys and girls but also to work with and encourage the adult volunteers. Recently I had a conversion with one GNC volunteer. She was sharing about how the club she is in and what God is doing. She mentioned that her fellow teacher mentioned that she really has a way with kids. This GNC teacher responded. "Actually, I'd rather be teaching teens and adults then kids. You see I never had a normal childhood and cannot relate to where children are at today. However, when I get up in front of a Good News Club or any other group of kids, the Lord Jesus makes me a kid so that they will listen to God so that He may relate to them."

Praise God for the work He is doing in the lives of the GNC kids as well as the staff that teaches them.

Teaching the Bible in School? You can do that?

"Teaching the Bible in School? You can do that?" Marcus asked. Marcus's son Adrian attends Union school and was shocked when his son came home with a flyer for Good News Club that was starting at Union. Intrigued by the prospect, Marcus called. I explained that it was true that the Supreme Court in a 6 to 3 decision granted us equal access to school use after school. Marcus and his wife and son are believers and are simply thrilled that Adrian can learn more about God after school. When Adrian's mom, Michelle, picked him up after the first week, she was beaming with excitement.

This is a reminder to me that many many people in our community have no idea that we can share the gospel in the classrooms after school with a Good News Club. I pray that this excitement catches on. Who knows, perhaps Marcus and Michelle may want to get involved themselves in a Good News Club?

"I want to really become God's child!"

Rey has come with his brother Richard to Good News Club at Troy Crossroads since we started this month. His first week, Rey went back with one of my teaching partners for counseling. Rey said that he wanted to be God's child. So, he prayed to receive Jesus. When my partner presented Rey to me after this, Rey wouldn't tell me what he had just prayed. At the time I just assumed he was just shy.

Then this week, Rey came back for counseling after I gave the lesson. When asked why he came back, Rey said that he wanted to become God's child. I asked him about his last time with my teaching partner. Rey said that he really didn't mean it when he prayed. He went on to say that he had been behaving bad lately. Rey then said, "I want to really become God's child!" So, he prayed to recieve Christ, only this time he meant it. After his prayer, I went over assurance with Rey and he was bursting with excitment because he knew that he was now God's child. When Rey prayed a thank you prayer to God for making him God's child, Rey prayed "God thank you that you are God. Please help me to be good. Thank you for forgiving me and making me your child. You are my God. I pray that all the people of the world would come to know you as Savior!"

This truly was a moment for me to step back and watch God work! Praise God for Rey's decision.

Local Churches adopt Public Elementary Schools

In the last decade or so, CEF has had a program called Adopt-a-School, where local churches commit to adopting a local school and making it their mission field. The primary focus of this program is to have an afterschool Good News Club funded, supported, and staffed by the adopting church. In our chapter, we have had three churches come on and adopt a school for a Good News Club: Second Baptist Church of Joliet, Alpha Missionary Baptist Church of Bolingbrook, and First Baptist Church of Morris. For years, these three churches have faithfully run GNC in their adopted schools through CEF.

This year one new church has joined the ranks: Church of the Good Shepard Evangelical Covenant of Joliet. They will be adopting Crystal Lawns Elementary School. We are really excited to see this church join us to reach the kids of Crystal Lawns.

Just yesterday, we met with a local church in New Lenox. They are considering officially adopting a school in New Lenox. The pastor has expressed interest and will present the opportunity to his congregation and church leadership. Pray with me that this local church will adopt this school in New Lenox so we can share God's Word with the children of our chapter.

GNC student comes with some great questions

When Good News Club at Troy Crossroads met this week, it was so great to see more kids attending the club. After the previous week of one student it was a joy to see four more kids join. One of these kids is Richard. When Richard first came in he was a little reserved. He was not sure what was going on. After realizing that GNC was a club about God, Richard got into the club. You could tell he was listening because he was asking some deep questions. As I was talking about the Wonder Devotional Book and the importance of reading the Bible daily, Richard asked "If I already know the Bible, why do I have to read it?" Then, later on when talking about why God allows bad things to happen, Richard said "God allows bad things to happen because He has a purpose."
Then out of the clear blue sky, Richard asked "Why do some people worship on Saturday, the Sabbath, and Sunday, the Lord's Day?" I really enjoyed being able to answer these questions. Clearly, Richard knows alot about God and I believe is a believer. What an awesome privilege it is to have such a great opportunity to help young Richard to grow in his Christian life. Pray with me as we continue this GNC that Richard would get excited and desire to get to know God personally.

Mom attends Good News Club too!

Yes that's right GNC is for parents too! When I visited Saratoga GNC recently, I noticed that in the middle of the club, a mom came in and sat with her sons during the Bible lesson. After the club was over, she said "I love sending my kids to Good News Club every Thursday. It is like an additional Bible lesson for them before Sunday. In fact I love coming too to hear the Bible lessons myself!"

This mom comes each week at about the same time each week. In fact, she is even telling her friends about GNC and how much she loves sending her kids each week! How awesome to see a parent this interested and excited about her children's spiritual life.

Sparkie knows what lying is. Just ask!

At SPARKS last night at my home church, we talked about lying and the importance of starting off the new year by honoring God by telling the truth. One of my SPARKS leaders asked what does lying do? Desarae responed: "Lying breaks God's heart!" Earlier this year, Desarae received Jesus as her Savior. And what a difference we have seen in her. Her reply to what is sin is proof that Desarae understands who and what God is.

Junior TCE 1 "student" receives Christ as Savior

We first met Tajmarra when her mom signed up to take Teaching Children Effectively Level 1 this past fall. There was no one able to babysit for Tajmarra so, her mom brought her to TCE 1. During the demonstrations in TCE 1 Tajmarra always would join in to hear what was being taught. During breaks, Dad and I had a chance to interact with her. During the course of the class, I discover that Tajmarra is attending Grand Prairie Elementary. So, this week I called her home and invited her to come to GNC after school. Yesterday was the first day of GNC at her school. Tajmarra came. Now for the first time, she was the one who we were teaching to. After the Wordless Book was given Tajmarra responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Savior! Who knows, maybe when Tajmarra grows up may take TCE 1 for real.