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Teens Contribute to the Ministry

Brother and sister duo Kyra and Jackson are no strangers to Good News Club. Both were club members for many years while in elementary school and the Becker family even held club in their home one year when Sharonville Elementary did not host us. A couple years later both Kyra and Jackson, now 16 and 14, became part of the Sharonville Elementary team led by Pastor Casey of Grace Bible Presbyterian in Sharonville. When they heard there was a need for helpers during Youth Group, both quickly volunteered. They lead songs, play the review game, interact with kids at table time and assist Pastor Casey with the Bible lessons by engaging the children with questions.

Kyra asks the review questions in the Bible lesson review game

Jackson leads the Good News Club theme song sung every week
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The Beckers enjoyed their Sharonville club. "My biggest blessing was on the last day," Jackson reports. "One of our students talked about how she had shared what she was learning in Good News Club with her cousins and parents. She told us that she had been sharing a whole lot and they were very interested in what she said." Kyra told us, "I just love watching the kids grow in their faith throughout the year. At the beginning of the year they aren't sure about club but by the end they were so excited about all they were learning and were very sad on the last day."
The Beckers' experiences have led them to consider becoming summer missionaries with CEF conducting 5-Day Clubs with CEF's Christian Youth in Action (CYIA). They will receive their week-long training in June at Cedarville University and then be part of 5-Day Club teams in Ohio.
Teens often help in Good News Clubs and the children love having them there and look up to them as role models. In fact, Pastor Casey's daughter, Julia, also helped in Sharonville club this year with songs, snacks and the review game as did her older sister, Madison, last year. If you know any teens who may be interested in serving with CEF, please have them contact us at (513) 456-1675.

Did You Know?
That children hear the gospel every week at Good News Club and have an opportunity to talk to a teacher about it one-on-one?

Third Curriculum Series for 2017-2018

Thus far this year Bible lessons were from the Old Testament. The third series introduces children to narratives found in the Acts of the apostles. In God’s Plan in Action: The Early Church, children learn about God’s protection and provision in the days following Christ’s resurrection along with basic apologetics of why we believe Jesus rose from the dead. They learn about the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of believers, how they can stand strong in the midst of persecution and more.

The weekly lesson themes in the series are:
1 - Jesus Is Alive! (Matt. 28; Luke 24; Acts 1:1-14)
2 - The Helper Has Come! (Acts 2:1-41)
3 - God's Church Is Persecuted (Acts 5:12-42)
4 - Saul Trusts in Jesus as His Savior (Acts 8, 9)
5 - Paul Trusts God's Strength (Acts 9:20-31)
6 - Review Party

Lockland Update: Praise the Lord there are 36 children registered in the Lockland club! We had ZERO at the first club meeting. God is so good and thank you for your prayers. Please continue praying for this ministry.

Meet the CEF Cincinnati Chapter Committee

Our chapter is blessed to have a committee member who has been involved with CEF for many years. Betsy O'Kresik recently moved to Lebanon from the Dayton area where she was involved with the Dayton CEF chapter for nearly four decades. She began helping in a club in her neighbor's home when her four children were young. In 1980, Betsy became the secretary in the Dayton office and eventually became the chapter's Director. In our chapter Betsy coordinates prayer support, reports our statistics to the state office and her vast experience with CEF procedures and policies makes her a valuable resource. She also helps with the Lebanon Good News Club near her home.

Betsy has been married to George for 54 years, has four grown children and ten grandchildren. She praises the Lord for his compassion and grace that He has given her through the years.