Record breaking start to GNC at Hermansen

For the past several years, we have had a Good News Club at Hermansen Elementary School, in Romeoville, Illinois. As we preparing for the start of the club this year we learned that there was no possible way to distribute flyers to the children through the school as we had done for the last several years. So, we did a mailing to every Hermansen contact and placed flyers in the school office. We realized that this was going to be a different year and that they attendance would probably drop. However, we were praying that God would bring the children of His choosing to the GNC. We were not sure what to expect the first day. To our great surprise, there were 115 children on the first day with a few more children signed up but asbent. Since then, I have been getting calls from a few more parents interested in sending their children to the club. What a great God we serve!! Last year the club enrollment was 115 at the end of the club run. God continues to amaze me. How about you?

A change in plans leads to changed life

Ever since September of last year, I had been planning on being in Warrenton, Missouri with a group of chapter committee members and staff to attend a weekend seminar at CEF International Headquarters. Reservation were made and everything seemed ready to go, or so I thought.

First, my dad got sick and was hospitalized for 7 days. He is getting better each day, but is not up to par yet. Then another person from our group had to cancel because of pressing family needs. Our trip for training and team building was loosing steam and people fast. Then, with our chapter secretary being on medical leave, that left the office work for me. Still I was planning on going. Then I started GNCs again after the Christmas Break. After a week filled with exciting clubs, I had this overwhelming sense that there was too much here for me to do. At the same time, my dad was praying about this trip and had come to the exact same sense as well. So, after months of planning the trip was cancelled. Why after so much effort, would God tell us to postpone the trip? He had other plans.

Instead of going on the trip, I was able to be at my Thursday GNC. One mother was suprised to see me there, since I had told her I would be away. Club went on and the Gospel was presented through out the club. When the invitation to receive Christ was given, Avery responded. Avery is an older sister of one the other children. She came last week as a visitor and not as an attender. Avery must have liked the club because she signed up this week as a GNC attender. Avery came back to talk to me and said that she never wanted to sin again. After explaining and review the Gospel, Avery made a decision and she prayed to receive Christ as Savior.

God in His providence knew exactly where I was supposed to be--at Good News Club yesterday not driving to MO. If I had not listened to God and changed my plans, perhaps Avery may not have made her decision to receive Christ.

Can I help you? Can I help too?

As I was gathering my Good News Club materials from my car, I saw two smiling faces run towards me. Richard and Christian were so happy to see me. I was so blessed to see these two kids so excited about Good News Club that they couldn't wait to get started. Christian said "Can I help you with something?" Richard said "Can I help too?" I was greatful for their help as I had much to carry into the school. As we walked to our Good News Club room Richard and Christian were so thrilled about GNC. They had so much fun last week and were looking forward to another week of club. Once in the room, my teaching partner and I began setting up for the club. As we were doing so Richard and Christian,who were there early, asked about different aspects of club and what was the plan for today. I was nearly done setting up when Christian said "Mr. Steve you forgot the Good News Club sign!" I thanked him and asked him if he wanted to hang it on the door for me. Tp my surprise he did one better. He and Richard took the Good News Club sign and walked up and down the halls of the school shouting "Good News Club. Come to Good News Club. Good News Club!"

I was so moved by these two boys. So eager to learn more about God and not afraid to show it. Even now I sit here amazed at God at how He is working in their young lives. Praise God with me for Richard and Christian, my two little helpers.

Technology brings blessing in Good New Club!

This past week I learned just how much of a blessing technology can be to the Good News Club Ministry. How you say? Read on.

A parent came in with her daughter to a Good News Club I was teaching in and sat down. I knew there was something familary about this mom. I carried on with the club and the mom left. At the end of club, this mom came up to me and said that she thought she knew me. Turns out, we went to high school together. She told me that she and her husband had received the GNC flyer in their daughter's backpack from school and how they were not sure at first if they should send their daughter. The mom saw our website given on the flyer, so she logged on viewed it. She came to the staff page and saw my picture. Then she called our office and heard my voice on the voicemail message. It was confirmed! She did know me and so the rest is history. Her daughter seemed to enjoy herself. I look forward to seeing what God does in through this. And to think this opportunity came about through the blessings of technology. I know that sometimes technology brings problems. But not today! PRAISE GOD!

Rockdale GNC: what a start!

The Good News Club at Rockdale Elementary School began yesterday(Jan 12, 2011), and boy was it a great start! This school has a special place in my heart for many reasons. One, it was the very first GNC I started on my own, second, it was the place were I lead my first two children to the Lord, and lastly because the school reminds me of my grade school in rural Bureau County, Il. Seven years ago, my GNC team and I walked through the doors of this school for a GNC. It is hard to imagine that many years have past.

As we were getting our room set up, the school superintendent walked by and gave me a warm welcome. He showed me all the new improvements the school has made since our last time we were there. It was a great conversation and I was left with such a positive feeling from Mr. Espinoza. He made me feel like he really appreciated our coming in with this program for this school. As the children arrived, they were almost entirely all new to club. As the club progressed, I watched the faces of the children and I saw joy and faced having fun. We have 8 great children attending and they are very new to things of the Lord. This excites me greatly because this means I will be able to watch God move and work in their lives for perhaps the first time!

But the highlight of the day was when one of the older boys Gary*(named changed) prayed to received Christ as Savior!! What a way to start off the new quarter of Good News Clubs! I am so energized and cannot wait to see what will happen next week.

Good News Club: an inside look

For the last five years, I have been sharing with you all about Good News Clubs and how thrilling they are to be apart of. I have shared many stories with you. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If this is true, what about a video. Last month, Mike(my dad and local chapter director of CEF Will County) and I visited the Good News Club at Saratoga Elementary School in Morris. This club has been up and running for well over 10 plus years. This club is filled, and I mean filled with boys and girls eager to learn more about God. Don't believe me? Then watch the video and see just how excited ALL the kids are as they enter and get ready for Good News Club. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do. Each time I watch I say to myself "Wow look at all those kids entering GNC. Will they ever stop?" (For those who love to count there are over 50 kids in attendance on this video. Can you count them all?)