Children play a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel, and the Child Evangelism Fellowship is making significant strides in this regard. In 2024, their Christmas Party Club effort aims to reach an astounding 12.6 million children with the good news. | Courtesy of Child Evangelism Fellowship

Amidst Religious Decline, a Beacon of Hope

In a world where concerns about the waning influence of religion among younger generations abound, the Child Evangelism Fellowship emerges as a shining example. This interdenominational group is dedicated to bringing the gift of the Gospel to children across the globe during this Christmas season, filling their hearts with the love of Jesus.The ministry, founded in 1937, equips fellow Christians to engage with children and guide them on the path of discipleship. Studies have shown that younger generations are less likely to be religious and attend church compared to previous generations. However, the Christmas Party Club campaign offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.For this holiday season, the CEF aims to train 348,000 volunteers and conduct 367,000 Christmas Party Clubs. These clubs, which start in November and sometimes extend into January, provide a rich array of activities such as songs, Scripture memory, review games, and Bible lessons.One particularly impactful lesson is the "Light of Life" lesson. It teaches children how God used light to announce the birth of His son and allows them to create their own "Light of Life" cross. This hands-on experience helps children connect with the message of Christmas on a deeper level.

The Power of Volunteer Training

Volunteers play a vital role in the success of the Christmas Party Club. They work within the countries where the clubs are held and are trained by CEF workers. With around 3,600 staff members worldwide, many stationed at refugee centers, these trained individuals guide volunteers through the club materials and demonstrate how to use them effectively.Last year, CEF staff and volunteers held 295,000 clubs and reached 9.1 million children worldwide. This significant growth from 169,000 clubs in 2022 shows the increasing impact of their efforts. In 2023, the ministry also conducted 12,900 training seminars and trained 277,500 volunteers.

Overcoming Challenges in Persecuted Countries

Christmas Party Clubs are held in various countries, including those where Christians face persecution. The CEF administrator emphasizes the importance of prayer in their mission. They believe that it is through prayer before the throne of God that they can make the strongest impact.In these dangerous countries, the 50 Days of Prayer initiative has gained significant traction. Starting on November 1st, over 400 people worldwide have signed up to join CEF in this prayer effort. While the numbers related to the Christmas Party Club are still being tallied, the ministry has already begun teaching children.

Gratitude for Donors

Samantha Kamman, a reporter for The Christian Post, highlights the gratitude towards individual donors who believe in CEF's mission. Providing free materials worldwide typically costs the organization over $1 million, and last year, one donor gave more than $500,000 to support their work."When we look at our world today, there's a lot of people doing good things for children, but when it comes to a person's eternal destiny, the value is immeasurable," Pry said. "These donors recognize the value of a life spent for eternity and are willing to support it."The Child Evangelism Fellowship's Christmas Party Club campaign is a powerful testament to the power of faith and the importance of reaching out to children. Through their efforts, they are making a lasting impact on the lives of millions of children and spreading the love of Jesus.