Campaign Update
We're over half way there! 193 children have been sponsored so far in Good News Club this year! But we have over 225 enrolled and more signing up each week. Will you make a difference in these children's lives? Only $8.33 a month will support all the materials needed to teach that child the "Good News" of Jesus Christ. Do it today! |
GNC Teacher Spotlight Jeff Havlik The Harding School Good News Club got off to a slow start at the beginning of the school year - September, but with perseverance and prayer, by Christmas the Club had three children enrolled. The Club has grown since then and has great potential especially with the leadership of the new Club Director, Jeff Havlik. Jeff first began working with CEFSB last year, but demonstrated his true potential as this club year started. He and his wife, Linda, who serves on our CEF Board, attend Synergy Church and have 2 grown children and one granddaughter. Jeff works Monday through Friday for the County of Santa Barbara, Public Works - Real Property Division, but his heart is always with the Lord and bringing the gospel to all people, especially kids and youth. Jeff recently said this about Good News Clubs, "I look forward to Good News Club where I get to immerse myself in the kids each week, pouring Christ into them. I love spending time with them singing, playing, talking and learning about our loving Lord Jesus Christ. Looking into their wonderful, innocent faces is a high point in my week and always helps recharge my batteries." Thanks, Jeff for all you do for Him and His kids! |
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Greetings!
It was great when 37 new children registered for Good News Clubs between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but imagine our elation when we have continued to see kids every week since the beginning of the year! Yes, that's right! We've continued to grow at record number! We're well over 225 kids regularly attending Good News Clubs each week in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria and we continue to grow! We aiming for 300 kids by the end of our club year in May! God is good!
Colleen
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February is the month when we are called to express our love to people closest to us - our family - our friends - to be sure! But how should we treat those that don't like us - who might even be considered our enemies?
Kids in Good News Club heard a lesson about "Getting Even With Mr. Rodriguez" for their Valentine's Day Party and learned that maybe the best way to "get even" was to show love and kindness to that "enemy". The kids in this fictitious, but true to life lesson were told that instead of doing rotten, nasty deeds that would harm another person, you should help them and demonstrate God' love to them.
Good News Clubbers were then challenged to "random acts of love and kindness", finding little, maybe even seemingly insignificant ways to be "Kind To Everyone" just like the club that the kids in their Valentine's lesson had done.
In the following weeks since our Valentine parties, clubbers have cleaned up their classroom after school, picked up another child's books and papers that spilled, shared an umbrella on a rainy day with another child who forgot one - all in an effort to show God's love and kindness to everyone.
What about you? When was the last time you demonstrated a random act of kindness? Do it today!
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CEF International Now in 170 Countries!
With the opening of five new countries, one in each of our regions, CEF is now in 170 nations! For a country to be considered open for CEF work there must be active ongoing ministry taking place. Each of these five countries is a sensitive nation, which we will refrain from naming for the safety of our workers.
Only 38 nations remain before CEF will have reached children in every nation of the world with the Gospel of Christ. There are five remaining in West Africa, one in the Southern Africa/Indian Ocean region, eleven in the Caribbean, nine in the Middle East and two in Europe. Also remaining are two countries in East and Central Africa and eight in the Asia/Pacific region. Latin America continues to have an active ongoing ministry in every country of the region.
Pray with us as we pursue this goal so that every child may hear and have the opportunity to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior! It is within reach!
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A Word from Our Chair
Steve Richardson, Board Chairman
It is such an honor to be serving on the Board of Directors for CEF, during these exciting times, seeing lives amazingly changed by the hand of God. We, on the Board, have initiated opportunities for each of us to be more intimately involved with a Good News Club, its staff and the children. We have each adopted a Club and committed ourselves to become "Champions" for the staff and children at "our" school. Several on the Board have begun to visit with and volunteer at a number of the Clubs. In addition, Board Member Bill Gowler and his wife Dolores have created an on-line prayer chain to facilitate meaningful prayer over all aspects of the ministry. The Board also has a vision for developing a closer relationship with the children's ministries of local churches; encouraging parents of children most likely impacted at their public school, to see the value of their children becoming "missionaries" at a Good News Club. I know that it is easy for us to see these times in which we live as challenging and nearly overwhelming, that is until we see the miracle of children giving their lives to Christ at a Good News Club and we are reminded that "nothing is impossible with God". Our responsibility is simply to have great faith as we make ourselves available. Thank you to each and every one of you for answering that still small voice of the Lord, recognizing Him, and responding with prayer and support.
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In the Good Ol' Summertime ...  Is a time to reach kids with the gospel! Before you know it, school will be out for the year and kids all over the Southcoast will be looking for something to do! Well, if the kids aren't, you can be sure parents are! CEF Santa Barbara has the answer! It's called 5 Day Club and it is exactly what it sounds ... a 5 day club for children to attend and learn the good news about Jesus Christ and love for us. 5 Day Clubs meet in all kinds of locations, including local parks, the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs and even in neighborhood backyards. In order to reach all these children, CEFSB is looking for leaders. In particular, we are looking for high school and college people who may have a little more free time during the summer. And 5 Day Clubs are a great way for high school students, who must complete 40 hours of community service to get those hours in and have a blast while doing it! If you or someone you know (like a student living in your home who spent too much time watching TV or hanging out downtown) is willing to help serve, contact us at www.CEFSantaBarbara.org or 805.845.3188. And be sure, a great time will be had by all! |
Save the Date ... For the 4th Annual Friends of CEF BBQ! Sunday, June 5 is the date for the 4th Annual Friends of CEF BBQ, held once again at the lovely Glen Annie Ranch in Goleta. Last year, guests were fed a delicious supper, prepared by the Santa Barbara Kiwanis Club of tri-tip and chicken and all the fixin's. The Santa Barbara Model A Club was also on hand to show off their turn of the century automobiles, the cars that started the Ford Motor Company. Later in the afternoon, our gracious host, Fred Duerner, took guests for a spin in his own Model A around the ranch - "Mr. Toad and His Wild Ride" didn't have more fun!
This year we hope to welcome back the Kiwanis and Model A Clubs and also welcome more live music. Invited guests will include all those who have generously supported CEF of Santa Barbara this year with either their time, talents or treasures. We hope you are included in that list! |
Thank you for being a part of the greatest mission of all - reaching kids for Jesus Christ! Your support allows us to make the love of Christ real to hundreds of kids each year. We CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
Every prayer and every dollar of support makes it possible for children, most of whom will never attend a Bible believing church or go to Sunday school or any other Christian activity have a chance to have eternal life. Blessings to you!
In His love,
Colleen Ishimaru
Area Director
CEF Santa Barbara
CEF Santa Barbara is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. All contributions are fully tax deductible as allowed by state and federal law. You can donate with any major credit card on-line at www.CEFSantaBarbara.org You can also donate shares of stock. For more information contact CEF at 805-845-3188.
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