Leadership Team
Albert Crawford
Chester County - Chairman
Ernest Witherspoon
Lancaster County - Vice Chairman
Skip Stutts
Lancaster County –Treasurer
Yvonne Dixon
York County - Secretary/Outreach
Eddie Boykin
Lancaster County - Outreach
Vanessa McLamb
Ministry Coordinator—York County
Catawba River Chapter Director
Donna Robbins
Office Assistant
Albert Crawford
Chester County - Chairman
Ernest Witherspoon
Lancaster County - Vice Chairman
Skip Stutts
Lancaster County –Treasurer
Yvonne Dixon
York County - Secretary/Outreach
Eddie Boykin
Lancaster County - Outreach
Vanessa McLamb
Ministry Coordinator—York County
Catawba River Chapter Director
Donna Robbins
Office Assistant
State Director
Lee Stillinger
The History of Child Evangelism Fellowship:
Child Evangelism Fellowship, also known as CEF, is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the local church for Christian living. CEF has over 2,900 missionaries overseas, approximately 2,200 of whom are nationals. In the USA and Canada 700 full-time workers and an estimated 40,000 volunteers serve the ministry. CEF was founded by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer in 1937.
Growing up in a religious family, Jesse at the age of 12 was convicted of his own sin and sought counsel from his mother. He was told, “Son, you are too young.” It wasn’t until Overholtzer was in college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.
Later as a pastor Mr. Overholtzer read one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons which stated, “A child of five, if properly instructed can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” The Lord used this statement in Mr. O’s life to lead him to begin the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship when he was 60 years old. The ministry has grown into the largest evangelistic outreach to children in the world. CEF is currently ministering in countries around the world and in every state in the U.S.
Growing up in a religious family, Jesse at the age of 12 was convicted of his own sin and sought counsel from his mother. He was told, “Son, you are too young.” It wasn’t until Overholtzer was in college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.
Later as a pastor Mr. Overholtzer read one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons which stated, “A child of five, if properly instructed can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” The Lord used this statement in Mr. O’s life to lead him to begin the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship when he was 60 years old. The ministry has grown into the largest evangelistic outreach to children in the world. CEF is currently ministering in countries around the world and in every state in the U.S.
Statement of Faith
WE BELIEVE
1. That "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole book called THE BIBLE; that it is inerrant in the original writing and that its teaching and authority are absolute, supreme and final. That the Holy Spirit guided the holy men of old in all that they wrote. 2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21.
2. The Godhead eternally exists in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfection. Romans 1:20; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35; John 17:5.
3. In the Personality and Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. John 1:1,14; John 10:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30-31; Philippians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:19.
4. In the Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, the infallible interpreter of the infallible Word, who indwells every true believer, and is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him and not with ourselves or our experiences. John 15:26; Acts 5:3, 4; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 16:13, 14.
5. That man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, as stated in the Word of God, but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam. Not only was his moral nature grievously injured by the fall but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:7, 8). Therefore, he cannot see nor enter the kingdom of God until he is born again by the Holy Spirit. That no degree of reformation however great, no attainment in morality however high, no culture however attractive, no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies however useful, no baptism or other ordinance however administered, can help the sinner take even one step toward Heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3, 6, 7; Titus 3:5.
6. That Jesus Christ became the sinner's substitute before God, and died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. That He was made a curse for the sinner, dying for his sins according to the Scriptures, that no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can add in the very least to the value of the precious blood or to the merit of that finished work wrought for us by Him, who tasted death for every man. 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:25; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:13, 14, 20, 21.
7. In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ; that His body was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God as the believer's high priest and advocate. Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 2:1.
8. That Christ in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and resurrection is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved and made one with Him. At the time of acceptance of Christ as Savior, He comes to dwell within the believer and to live out His life of holiness and power through him. Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:3, 23-25; Ephesians 1:3; John 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 4:6-7; Galatians 5:16; Acts 1:8.
9. That the Church is composed of all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. It is the body and the bride of Christ. That every believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and having thus become members of one another we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Romans 12:4, 5; Ephesians 4:3-6; Ephesians 5:32; Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 5:13-15.
10. That all believers in our Lord Jesus are called into a life of separation from worldly and sinful practices and should abstain from such amusements and habits as will cause others to stumble, or bring reproach upon the cross of Christ. Believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). 1 John 2:15, 16; Romans 13:14; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10.
11. In the evangelization of the world; that the supreme mission of the people of God in this age is to preach the Gospel to every creature. That special emphasis should be placed upon the evangelization of children. Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19; Matthew 18:14.
12. In the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that the coming again of Jesus Christ is the "Blessed Hope" set before us, for which we should be constantly looking. Our citizenship is in Heaven from whence we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20, 21.
13. That the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body re-united shall be with Him forever in glory. Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:22, 25; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
14. That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne, when soul and body reunited at the resurrection shall be cast "Into the lake of fire" which is "the second death," to be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). Luke 16:22-23, 27-28; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:5, 11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.
15. In the reality and personality of Satan, "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) Ephesians 6:11, 12; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10.
WE BELIEVE
1. That "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole book called THE BIBLE; that it is inerrant in the original writing and that its teaching and authority are absolute, supreme and final. That the Holy Spirit guided the holy men of old in all that they wrote. 2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21.
2. The Godhead eternally exists in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfection. Romans 1:20; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35; John 17:5.
3. In the Personality and Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. John 1:1,14; John 10:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30-31; Philippians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:19.
4. In the Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, the infallible interpreter of the infallible Word, who indwells every true believer, and is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him and not with ourselves or our experiences. John 15:26; Acts 5:3, 4; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 16:13, 14.
5. That man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, as stated in the Word of God, but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam. Not only was his moral nature grievously injured by the fall but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:7, 8). Therefore, he cannot see nor enter the kingdom of God until he is born again by the Holy Spirit. That no degree of reformation however great, no attainment in morality however high, no culture however attractive, no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies however useful, no baptism or other ordinance however administered, can help the sinner take even one step toward Heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3, 6, 7; Titus 3:5.
6. That Jesus Christ became the sinner's substitute before God, and died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. That He was made a curse for the sinner, dying for his sins according to the Scriptures, that no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can add in the very least to the value of the precious blood or to the merit of that finished work wrought for us by Him, who tasted death for every man. 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:25; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:13, 14, 20, 21.
7. In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ; that His body was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God as the believer's high priest and advocate. Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 2:1.
8. That Christ in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and resurrection is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved and made one with Him. At the time of acceptance of Christ as Savior, He comes to dwell within the believer and to live out His life of holiness and power through him. Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:3, 23-25; Ephesians 1:3; John 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 4:6-7; Galatians 5:16; Acts 1:8.
9. That the Church is composed of all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. It is the body and the bride of Christ. That every believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and having thus become members of one another we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Romans 12:4, 5; Ephesians 4:3-6; Ephesians 5:32; Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 5:13-15.
10. That all believers in our Lord Jesus are called into a life of separation from worldly and sinful practices and should abstain from such amusements and habits as will cause others to stumble, or bring reproach upon the cross of Christ. Believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). 1 John 2:15, 16; Romans 13:14; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10.
11. In the evangelization of the world; that the supreme mission of the people of God in this age is to preach the Gospel to every creature. That special emphasis should be placed upon the evangelization of children. Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19; Matthew 18:14.
12. In the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that the coming again of Jesus Christ is the "Blessed Hope" set before us, for which we should be constantly looking. Our citizenship is in Heaven from whence we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20, 21.
13. That the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body re-united shall be with Him forever in glory. Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:22, 25; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
14. That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne, when soul and body reunited at the resurrection shall be cast "Into the lake of fire" which is "the second death," to be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). Luke 16:22-23, 27-28; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:5, 11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.
15. In the reality and personality of Satan, "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) Ephesians 6:11, 12; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10.
Our VisionOur ministry vision is to reach Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day.
Every Child:God has given His people a clear commission—to reach every creature with the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our special mission in CEF is to evangelize every child. In the last ministry year our workers worldwide reached over 25.4 million children! CEF is committed to reaching 15 percent more each year. Strategic ministry choices such as Good News Club in public schools and concentrating on high potential growth countries will help us reach this goal.
Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Every Nation:CEF is a worldwide ministry serving in every region of the world in an ever expanding way.
Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
Every Day:We are committed to leading children to be in God’s Word every day. As children grow in their relationship with the Lord through meditating on His Word, they develop godly character, which produces much fruit to the glory of God, including spreading the Gospel to their peers. We now have over 800,000 Wonder Devotional Books in Africa. Right now we are working to reach 500,000 children in Asia with the books.
Psalm 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
Only as we trust in God and call upon Him are we empowered to do His will. Programs come after prayer, never before it.
We have over 2,900 workers worldwide led by eight regional directors. There are also tens of thousands of volunteers worldwide. God works through His people, godly leaders, staff and volunteers in order to accomplish our goals. The sun never sets on CEF ministry. We provide training, equip our workers with ministry tools and support them through fund-raising and ministry development.
TrainingTraining is offered worldwide with the support of our education department. The training of local workers and volunteers multiplies our ministry and enables us to reach many more children with the Gospel than we otherwise could. Through Super Seminars, Teaching Children Effectively™ courses and the 12-week Children’s Ministries Institute courses, CEF is enabling those with a burden for children to effectively evangelize them. For the past eight years we have trained over 250,000 teachers every year. We have institutes in every region. Training is key if we are to see more children reached for His glory. We want to challenge more of the workers we have trained to enter full-time ministry.
EquippingEquipping the volunteer teachers is the primary goal of our literature ministries, which includes literature development and production. Because many of our workers are in developing nations and are unable to afford the needed curriculum, we distribute materials to trained teachers, free of charge. Our regional directors confirm that this is one of the reasons we have expanded ministry over the last ten years. Our goal is to send more and more material every month.
In addition to our biblically sound and colorfully illustrated Bible curriculum, some of the most strategic tools we offer are the 60-Day Wonder Devotional Books, which encourage children to begin a lifetime habit of time alone with God. We are also known for our evangelism tools, such as The Wordless Book.
SupportingIn CEF we need a growing number of national workers on the front lines to see the children evangelized and we also need an increasing support team to get behind these workers – both are vitally important. The work of CEF cannot continue without the Lord’s provision. We are committed to helping our workers in different parts of the world present the need for resources within their own countries. However, in many countries, because of poverty or oppression, it is impossible to raise the needed support from within. For this reason we are committed to building a connection between those who are called and equipped by God to do ministry and those who are blessed and able to provide the finances needed to sustain it. God is our source—we “trust Him and tell His people”—the rest is up to Him. So our prayer is that the Lord will send out more laborers and also that He will raise up a team of supporters for them. We are creating a new and more effective Sponsor a National™ program to enable ministry growth and worker retention across the world. “How will they hear without a preacher?” CEF is looking to God to provide for 1,000 SPAN workers, supported appropriately and consistently so that the work goes forward.
EVERY DAY we are actively pursuing our ministry goals.
Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day.
Every Child:God has given His people a clear commission—to reach every creature with the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our special mission in CEF is to evangelize every child. In the last ministry year our workers worldwide reached over 25.4 million children! CEF is committed to reaching 15 percent more each year. Strategic ministry choices such as Good News Club in public schools and concentrating on high potential growth countries will help us reach this goal.
Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Every Nation:CEF is a worldwide ministry serving in every region of the world in an ever expanding way.
Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
Every Day:We are committed to leading children to be in God’s Word every day. As children grow in their relationship with the Lord through meditating on His Word, they develop godly character, which produces much fruit to the glory of God, including spreading the Gospel to their peers. We now have over 800,000 Wonder Devotional Books in Africa. Right now we are working to reach 500,000 children in Asia with the books.
Psalm 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
Only as we trust in God and call upon Him are we empowered to do His will. Programs come after prayer, never before it.
We have over 2,900 workers worldwide led by eight regional directors. There are also tens of thousands of volunteers worldwide. God works through His people, godly leaders, staff and volunteers in order to accomplish our goals. The sun never sets on CEF ministry. We provide training, equip our workers with ministry tools and support them through fund-raising and ministry development.
TrainingTraining is offered worldwide with the support of our education department. The training of local workers and volunteers multiplies our ministry and enables us to reach many more children with the Gospel than we otherwise could. Through Super Seminars, Teaching Children Effectively™ courses and the 12-week Children’s Ministries Institute courses, CEF is enabling those with a burden for children to effectively evangelize them. For the past eight years we have trained over 250,000 teachers every year. We have institutes in every region. Training is key if we are to see more children reached for His glory. We want to challenge more of the workers we have trained to enter full-time ministry.
EquippingEquipping the volunteer teachers is the primary goal of our literature ministries, which includes literature development and production. Because many of our workers are in developing nations and are unable to afford the needed curriculum, we distribute materials to trained teachers, free of charge. Our regional directors confirm that this is one of the reasons we have expanded ministry over the last ten years. Our goal is to send more and more material every month.
In addition to our biblically sound and colorfully illustrated Bible curriculum, some of the most strategic tools we offer are the 60-Day Wonder Devotional Books, which encourage children to begin a lifetime habit of time alone with God. We are also known for our evangelism tools, such as The Wordless Book.
SupportingIn CEF we need a growing number of national workers on the front lines to see the children evangelized and we also need an increasing support team to get behind these workers – both are vitally important. The work of CEF cannot continue without the Lord’s provision. We are committed to helping our workers in different parts of the world present the need for resources within their own countries. However, in many countries, because of poverty or oppression, it is impossible to raise the needed support from within. For this reason we are committed to building a connection between those who are called and equipped by God to do ministry and those who are blessed and able to provide the finances needed to sustain it. God is our source—we “trust Him and tell His people”—the rest is up to Him. So our prayer is that the Lord will send out more laborers and also that He will raise up a team of supporters for them. We are creating a new and more effective Sponsor a National™ program to enable ministry growth and worker retention across the world. “How will they hear without a preacher?” CEF is looking to God to provide for 1,000 SPAN workers, supported appropriately and consistently so that the work goes forward.
EVERY DAY we are actively pursuing our ministry goals.
- Visit our website often for updates through news articles.
- Sign up for our email updates.
- Join us at our National and International Conferences.
- See our current ministry statistics.
Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day.
