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CEF trains young people (14-22) to lead a 5-day mini VBS with high-energy games and songs, teach exciting Bible and missions stories and introduce kids to the one who loves them most, Jesus Christ!
This training prepares young people to become active members in the Body of Christ, serving their church through children’s ministry. They are equipped to teach in 5-Day Club, Vacation Bible School, Sunday school or any outreach to kids. They learn to share a clear and simple Gospel message with children, their peers, and adults! |
"What's my summer compared to a child's eternity?" |
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2025 CYIA Summer Recap |
"Four years ago, I was scared to talk to anyone I didn't know, let alone stand in front of twenty kids that I'd never seen before! But now I have confidence to jump up with a smile and share Jesus' love with kids who have never heard of Him.... I have been able to have meaningful conversations with kids in our community, and even just last week I was able to encourage a girl who is wanting to share the Gospel with her friends at school. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do this without CYIA!" |
CYIAers lead 5-Day Clubs during the summer months. They teach, they counsel, they pray and they play like crazy!
You're part of a team, so you don't carry the full load. You can pick the role(s) you're comfortable with, and grow into the roles that challenge you.
You're part of a team, so you don't carry the full load. You can pick the role(s) you're comfortable with, and grow into the roles that challenge you.
Team Leader
Responsible for organizing and assigning duties for each team member, and filling in wherever needed. Usually a multi-year veteran CYIAer.
Ministry coordinator
Organize summer schedule, recruiting and training CYIA/SMAers, delivering teens to club locations; responsible for team and club records/paperwork, including registration forms, name tags and attendance/record keeping—primary contact between club, host, and CEF® office. Usually a multi-year veteran CYIAer with a driver's license. Can be a part-time, temporary paid position!
Counselors
Responsible for counseling children who respond to the invitation during club and passing on counseling information to the Ministry Coordinator. Usually also a Bible Lesson teacher.
Bible lesson teacher
Responsible to learn and teach the Bible lesson for each club. Bible lessons are always evangelistic, so Bible Lesson teachers need to be proficient in sharing the Gospel (learn about the Wordless Book). Must be a second-year or later CYIAer.
Missionary story teacher
Responsible to learn and teach the Missionary story for each club. A great start to teaching in a 5-Day Club. Usually a first-year CYIAer.
teacher assistants
Responsible for leading of the songs, memory verse and/or review game time during club. Another great way to get started in 5-Day Clubs. Suitable for new or experienced CYIAers.
Recommended: 2
Recommended: 2
summer missionary ASSISTANT (SMA)
Help with game time before and after club, sit with children to help maintain attention and minimize distractions, participate in skits, hold props/visuals. Perfect for youth ages 12-14, who are not ready to commit to training camp.
2025-2026 DatesMonthly Meet-Ups (training and fellowship)
Last Sunday of the Month, 1-4pm (Generally) CYIA Training Camp Early June 2026 5-Day Club weeks Mid-June to Mid-August Camp Good News (CYIAers encouraged to volunteer) Elementary Camp - dates coming soon Middle-School Camp - dates coming soon Cost for each camp: TBD Summer Ministry Finale Late August 2026 |
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Q: What if I am not quite old enough to be a CYIAer, what can I do?
A: If you are between the age of 12-14 you can be a SMAer (Summer Missionary Assistant)! You would receive training locally in order to help at clubs.
Q: How do I become a CYIAer?
A: Start by filling out the forms below. Then in June when we have our CYIA training camp, you will learn all of the teaching techniques and systems to running a 5-Day Club. Once you are done with these you will officially be a CYIAer!
Q: Where will I get my training?
A: The 1 week training is usually at Jericho Hills camp in Lucas, Iowa. For one week you will study and learn new techniques about teaching 5-Day Clubs. This camp does cost, but we will help you raise support if needed. There are different levels of training depending on your experience with CEF and age. You will pass practicums to be able to teach different sections.
Q: What will I be doing as a CYIAer?
A: After you complete the training at camp, you will be working with your team leader as clubs are scheduled to make sure that there is help for each club and decide who will be teaching what parts of the club. Once you are assigned to your clubs you will decide on transportation to the club location, this may be via car pooling, driving yourself, or having someone drop you off and pick you up. You may have several clubs in one day, but this is not always the case. These clubs are often in back yards, parks, houses, and churches. At the club you will be doing activities, songs, a missionary story, a Bible lesson, and more. Teaching will be decided on level of training you received at camp and what practicums you passed.
Q: What is my time commitment and is there any salary?
A: This is at minimum a 3 week time commitment in the summer. The first week you will receive training and then after that you'll spend at least 2 weeks teaching 5-Day Clubs. It is your choice to either raise support (salary) or not. If you choose to raise support we will help you with this process.
Q: What is the benefit of being a CYIAer?
A: The reason is in the name of the ministry, Christian Youth In Action. We want to share God's love with children, teaching them about Jesus and helping them to learn more about the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations. When you take action with us as a CYIAer you join us in showing children the truth of the Gospel. Not only are you bringing the Good News to children, you are gaining skills that you can use the rest of your life to share about the truth of God.
A: If you are between the age of 12-14 you can be a SMAer (Summer Missionary Assistant)! You would receive training locally in order to help at clubs.
Q: How do I become a CYIAer?
A: Start by filling out the forms below. Then in June when we have our CYIA training camp, you will learn all of the teaching techniques and systems to running a 5-Day Club. Once you are done with these you will officially be a CYIAer!
Q: Where will I get my training?
A: The 1 week training is usually at Jericho Hills camp in Lucas, Iowa. For one week you will study and learn new techniques about teaching 5-Day Clubs. This camp does cost, but we will help you raise support if needed. There are different levels of training depending on your experience with CEF and age. You will pass practicums to be able to teach different sections.
Q: What will I be doing as a CYIAer?
A: After you complete the training at camp, you will be working with your team leader as clubs are scheduled to make sure that there is help for each club and decide who will be teaching what parts of the club. Once you are assigned to your clubs you will decide on transportation to the club location, this may be via car pooling, driving yourself, or having someone drop you off and pick you up. You may have several clubs in one day, but this is not always the case. These clubs are often in back yards, parks, houses, and churches. At the club you will be doing activities, songs, a missionary story, a Bible lesson, and more. Teaching will be decided on level of training you received at camp and what practicums you passed.
Q: What is my time commitment and is there any salary?
A: This is at minimum a 3 week time commitment in the summer. The first week you will receive training and then after that you'll spend at least 2 weeks teaching 5-Day Clubs. It is your choice to either raise support (salary) or not. If you choose to raise support we will help you with this process.
Q: What is the benefit of being a CYIAer?
A: The reason is in the name of the ministry, Christian Youth In Action. We want to share God's love with children, teaching them about Jesus and helping them to learn more about the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations. When you take action with us as a CYIAer you join us in showing children the truth of the Gospel. Not only are you bringing the Good News to children, you are gaining skills that you can use the rest of your life to share about the truth of God.
1) Student Information/Registration Form
Required Annually
When you're ready to commit to a summer of CYIA and 5-Day Clubs, fill out the Information/Registration form to let us know.
Next...
2) CEF Ministry Compliance Agreement
Required Annually
Watch or listen to the Child Protection Policy below, then read and submit the Workers Compliance Agreement Form linked below.
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Next...
Use this form to tell us of any medical issues we should be aware of while your child serves with CEF of Iowa's CYIA program, and to grant us permission to obtain any necessary treatment in urgent or emergency situations. You will be notified as soon as possible of any such situations.
Next...
Use the form below to grant permission for your minor child to travel and serve with his/her teammates, chapter staff, volunteers, etc., participating in the ministries of Child Evangelism Fellowship, without the presence of an additional adult or minor. Whether you grant this permission or not will not affect your child's ability to volunteer with us.
Finally...
Use the form below to grant or deny us permission to use photos or videos that include you to advance the work of the Hawkeye Chapter of CEF. Whether you agree or disagree will not affect your ability to volunteer with us.