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?)

"Can you pray for my dead grandma?"

"Can you pray for my dead grandma?" asked Peter*. Ms. Marilyn, the teacher of this District 86 school Good News Club had just asked this children what they wanted to talk to God about. Ms. Marilyn's first reaction, to herself, was "yes. these children are new to God's Word." Ms. Marilyn explained to Peter that we cannot pray for someone who has already died, but we can pray for you and your family. As the weeks went by Ms. Marilyn and her team faithfully taught Peter and the rest of the group from God's Word explaining who HE is, of His love for them, how He paid the price for their sins, and how He wants us to get to know Him better.

I was able to visit this club the very last meeting. Ms. Marilyn had previous told me that these kids were new to the things of the Lord and how excited she and her team was to share God with these precious children. As I observed the club, I noticed that one boy in particular was answering most of the questions and being very engaged with the club time. Later I realized it was Peter. Peter has come along way. He understands who God is and how much God loves him. Peter, who at the beginning of Good News Club, had little understanding of the things of God, leaves GNC with a firm grasp on who God is. I am not sure where he stands with the Lord, but Peter is getting closer to God. Pray with me for Peter and other children just like him all over our chapter area. Peter is proof positive that the need to reach and evangelize children is greater than ever before.

*name has been changed.

The Warmth of God's Love

A.O. Marshall Elementary School was adopted last school year by Faith Bible Church. The team from Faith does a Good News Club in the Fall and again in the Spring. There is alot of time in between for this children to forget what they learned about God. So, I one day early this Fall I was brainstorming with the team from Faith about this concern and I presented them with the idea of making Good News Club scarfs to give to all the GNC kids. They loved the idea. Soon the Faith Bible Creative Ladies group began making the scarfs. They did a beautiful job on them too.

So the last meeting of the Fall GNC, the team passed the scarfs out to each child explaing, " Each time you wear this scraf this winter remember what you have learned and that God loves you. Also remember that Good News Club will be back." The kids loved them and took this picture for you to see. Pray with me that as these kids where these scarves this winter they will remember the truths they have learned about our Great God who loves them and us too!

Proverbs 22:6 Comes to Life

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Tuesdays I am teaching a Good News Club with two dear friends at Troy Craughwell Elementary School. Each week a brother and sister come to the club. Along with this brother and sister come, mom attends with their 2 year old and an infant. It is so nice to see a family so supportive of this GNC and of each other. The brother and sister are always eager to come each week and tell us last week's memory verse. So yesterday, the kids walked in with mom and their 2 year old sibling in a stroller. The older two said Ephesians 2:13 very well. But, their two year old sibling started saying the prior week's verse Proverbs 3:5-6, perfectly. The mom says that she didn't directly teach him the verse, but he was around when she reviewed the verse with the older siblings. Imagine this two year old, learning this long verse perfectly. Wow! No one can tell me God does not work in the lives of children!