​Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.

Christmas is a day of wonder and joy for our little ones, and our bigger ones as well.  But times have been tough.  Our children and grandchildren don’t always understand the pressures we face.  Yet we want to give them what will bring a tear of joy, an explosion of laughter, or an ear-to-ear grin.

Christmas is also the day we celebrate the birth of the King of kings, Jesus the Messiah, the Good Shepherd who came to seek and to save the lost.  He would give the greatest gift, the ransom of a life for a life, to redeem all who believe in Him.

We know Jesus loves the little children of the world and wants them to hear and believe the gospel message.
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​Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is the oldest and largest organization focused on elementary school children. We know all children need Jesus and CEF is active around the world. But, perhaps right now in our culture our children need the strength and hope only Jesus can provide, more than ever.

​Cedar Rapids Bible Chapel (CRBC) is a small, New Testament Church on Oakland Road Northeast in Cedar Rapids. Its involvement in CEF harkens back to the 1970’s Good News Clubs and has been refreshed in the past 10 years with support in many ways, including enduring prayers and financial support, Board members, teens as summer missionaries, hosting summer 5-Day Club™, volunteering at Good News Clubs, Kids Blast and fundraising events.

When I first joined CYIA, I did not realize the impact it would have on my life. I was excited to be sharing the Gospel with kids, and I was looking forward to building relationships with them and leaving an impact on their lives. But I had no idea what a difference it would make!

The Fall Good News Clubs focused on the life of Moses and the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. The children learned that God always has a way to save His people.  God saved His people from slavery in Egypt just like He saves all who believe in Jesus from eternity without God.

A survey by the International Bible Society indicates that 83% of Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between ages 4 and 14.  The Barna Research Group indicates that American children 5 to 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ and that falls to 14% from 14 to 19.  This data shows the importance of encouraging children to consider following Jesus as their Lord and Savior at a young age.