This holiday season, an interdenominational ministry is stepping up to ensure that millions of children experience the true spirit of Christmas, highlighting the teachings of the Gospel against a backdrop of rising secularism. The Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is launching its ambitious Christmas Party Club campaign, aiming to bring the message of Christ to over 12 million children worldwide.
Founded in 1937, CEF is committed to training individuals in sharing the Christian faith with children. The initiative invites churches and local groups to host clubs from November through January, where activities such as songs, Scripture memory games, and Bible lessons will be on the agenda. The organization aims to train 348,000 volunteers to conduct approximately 367,000 clubs this year. This is a marked increase from the previous year, where they engaged around 295,000 clubs and reached over 9 million kids.
Fred Pry, the Acting Vice President of Administration for CEF, expressed the importance of reflecting the message of Christmas through these gatherings. He explained, “The truth of the Bible is still applicable today no matter what is happening in the world around us.” He believes sharing the message during these Christmas events connects deeply with children. In their sessions, children learn heavenly lessons, such as the “Light of Life,” where they explore how God used light to announce Jesus’ birth and create their own symbolic crosses to share with family and friends.
As they tackle the challenge posed by declining religious engagement among the younger generation, CEF remains committed to fostering a strong disciple-making environment. “When you talk about a gift, and of course, children associate that with Christmas, and then you explain what the best gift was that they received or could receive, well, now it connects,” Pry said, noting that children often react with amazement when they comprehend God’s unwavering love.
CEF’s reach extends beyond borders, with clubs held in countries where Christians face persecution. This vital component emphasizes the role of prayer in their mission. “It’s not the meetings we hold or the decisions we make that bring the strongest results to our ministry,” said Pry. CEF encourages prayer as the guiding force behind their efforts, especially in areas of danger and unrest. In fact, the ministry kicked off its 50 Days of Prayer campaign on November 1, drawing in participants from around the globe to unite in prayer.
Financial support is a cornerstone of CEF’s operations, as providing resources and materials incurs substantial costs—over $1 million annually. Generous donations have fuelled their initiatives, including an impressive gift of more than $500,000 from a single donor last year, underscoring the value placed on eternal destinies amid pressing needs for food and clothing.
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