Good News Club

What is a Good News Club?

Good News Club is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship in which trained teachers meet with groups of children in schools, homes, community centers, churches, apartment complexes, just about anywhere the children can easily and safely meet with their parent's permission. Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities focused on the lesson's theme.

As with all CEF ministries, the purpose of Good News Club is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.

What is taught in Good News Club?

Each week an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press is presented. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities focused on the lesson's theme.

Each club includes a clear presentation of the Gospel and an opportunity for children to trust the Lord Jesus as Savior. Every club also includes strong discipleship training to build character and strengthen moral and spiritual growth. All children are encouraged to attend a local church.

Who teaches a Good News Club?

Christians who are concerned for boys and girls work together volunteering their time and energy to teach Good News Club. They are trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship to have a club that is exciting and informative so that children will want to keep coming. Teachers are asked to sign the CEF  Statement of Faith and agree to abide by the policies of the organization. Adults working with the program are screened according to our child protection policy.

In the United States there is a movement among churches to adopt a public school Good News Club.  Read more.

Can we really teach the Bible in public schools?

Yes! The Gospel has been taught freely in public schools all over the world for some time. Now children in the U.S. have that opportunity, too!  In 2001 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Good News Clubs v. Milford Central School that Good News Clubs can meet in public schools in the United States after school hours on the same terms as other community groups. Children attend Good News Club only with their parents' permission.

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
Good News Club v. Milford Central School District
June 11, 2001

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It is legal to allow Good News Club to meet in school facilities.

On June 11, 2001, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that Child Evangelism Fellowship could have access to public school facilities to conduct Good News Clubs. The decision stated that Bible clubs such as the Good News Club must be given the same access to school facilities accorded any other non-school-related outside group.

In Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school which allows use of its facilities to secular groups may not discriminate against religious groups. The Good News Club case involved an adult-initiated and adult-led after-school religious club sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship.

The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2001 confirms equal access to public schools. In the decision the Court ruled:
  • Free speech rights had been violated because of our religious viewpoint.
  • Restrictions must not discriminate against speech based on viewpoint.
  • Permitting Good News Club to meet on school premises does not violate the Establishment clause.
  • The danger that children would believe the school to be endorsing religion is no greater than the danger that they would perceive hostility towards religion if the club were excluded from this public forum.
See page 147 - 194 of the following PDF document from the Supreme Court of the United States. 
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/boundvolumes/533bv.pdf
You can also list to the case argued before the Supreme Court at:
 http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2000/2000_99_2036
In 2017 over 645,740 school children attended an after-school Good News Club conducted in over 6,000 public schools.
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