Adding to the ABC’s

As of June 11, 2001 the Milford Law was passed. The Supreme Court ruled that CEF Good News Clubs® could be conducted on campus in the public schools. Later, the Equal Access Law was passed and it was ruled that CEF Good News Clubs® were to be given ‘equal access’ with other secular after school activities. These two rulings have opened the door for us to share the gospel with children right where they are each day! We treasure this opportunity and emphasize that the After School Good News Club teaches excellent morals and positive character traits to kids.

2 Peter 1:5-8 says that if we start with faith and add to it goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, then we will be effective and truly productive. I don’t know any parent who would not want their child to exhibit these qualities, which are just as essential to life as reading, writing and arithmetic. It is a thrill to know that CEF can add these valuable traits and, in doing so, support good character and academics simultaneously.

Life Change Happens Sutton-ly

When Mrs. Debbie Sutton started working with children at New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach, she never dreamed it would be for 43 years. Hundreds of children have been taught by this Saint who weekly pours her life into the children who attend her Wednesday night Good News Clubs®, held at the church. Some of her current students are the children of those who participated in her classes when they were young. Occasionally, she even encounters adults in the community, former students, who report they are still going to church and now bringing their own children.

Sometimes I wish God would change us overnight, as suddenly as a microwave cooks, but He doesn’t. Most of the time, He chooses to work slowly over the years through those who are faithful to Him and His call on their lives. When they partner with others to accomplish God-sized tasks, He grants them success. This is the type of lasting life change that happens Sutton-ly.

A Fair to Remember

“We accepted Christ at the L.A. County Fair many years ago. . .” an older couple commented as they stopped at our booth to reminisce. When we had children, we brought them to the Fair to hear the gospel at the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Booth. Then, our daughter brought her children to this booth so they could receive Christ also.” “I guess that makes you ‘Fair Booth Spiritual Grand-parents’,” I said with a grin.

Yes, every year I hear stories like this. They each have slightly different details, but the point is always the same. Did you ever go to the fair to meet God? Most people probably don’t, but if they visit the CEF Booth they are in for a surprise. CEF of Southern California has had a booth at the L.A. County Fair for 40 years, to which many can “give testimony” of changed lives. This year, CEF volunteers from all over Southern California manned the booth for 18 consecutive days. During that time, 1,902 children, teens and adults heard the gospel and 610 of them chose to give their lives to Christ. Now that is what I like to call A Fair to Remember!

Mele Kalikimaka

CEF’s Annual Fund raising banquet had a Luau theme this year. It was an honor to have our State Directors attend and get into the spirit by dressing in tropical garb as did over 100 other CEF supporters. We said Mahalo (thanks) to God for all His work among us during the 2007-2008 school year.

As I compiled a slide show entitled A Year In Review, I reflected on the milestones recently achieved in reaching the children. This year represents several accomplishments for our chapter, such as: adding three new community-based Good News Clubs® , three new After School Good News ClubsÒ , and partnering with many new volunteers. It is through these new developments and the faithful ministry of those who have stayed the course, that a total of 263 children responded this year to the gospel. Most of these clubs, I get to visit personally. I am privileged to work with such committed volunteers and am able to see children come to Christ weekly. It is all part of the blessed work that we get to do. And now, as we say Aloha to the 2008-2009 school year, I want to wish you all Mele Kalikimaka, which means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian. May God bless you and your family in the coming year.

Donor Thank You Note

December 2008
Dear Donors,

During this beautiful season when we celebrate Christ’s birth, I wanted to THANK each of YOU, specifically, for the way God has used you in my life. Even in the midst of these financially difficult times , you have shown me how He can provide for all my needs. I have been humbled many times by unexpected generous special gifts that have been given. I have been truly blessed!

THANK YOU also for the way you have lifted me up in prayer. It bolsters my spirits, when things get hard, and reminds me that I am not alone. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I am really grateful to have such a committed ministry team!

May the Presence of our Lord be very real to you during this season and into the new year.

In His Peace, Nancy Aposhian
Outreach Coordinator

Child Evangelism Fellowship

Greater Long Beach Chapter

Housekeeping Update
I wanted you to be aware that our local CEF office had recently adopted a new policy. Any donations that are received after the 25th, are included in my paycheck for the following month. Please take note of this. Thank you.

Christmas Card 2008

One Good Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

This is me, 4 years ago, when I visited Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. You can't see me very well because I don't have a telephoto lens. The only camera I had was an old digital camera that I was given when a friend upgraded their own. He let me use it for my trip to Chicago and then let me keep it. I was thankful and have used it constantly for the last 4 years. I am always taking pictures of our ministry activities so I can put them in the newsletter for you to see what we are doing. They say “one good picture is worth a thousand words” so I make good use of them in my letters. It is now time to purchase a new camera which will cost approximately $300. If you would like to help me get a new digital camera, put the word “camera” in the memo of your check. Thanks for your help.-Nancy

The check should be made out to Child Evangelism Fellowship (or CEF for short) and sent to the attention of "Project N." CEF Address: 16815 Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower, CA 90706.

CYIA 2008 Records-Greater Long Beach

6 Summer Missionaries

20 Bible Clubs

313 children heard the gospel

47 children put their trust in Jesus

In Good Company

Earlier this year, Nancy was asked to teach two clowning seminars at the CMTA Convention (a place where many churches get equipped). The clowning seminars were about how to get started in Clown Ministry and when it makes sense to use clowns for your church outreach events. Of course, Starburst was part of all the excitement. She was ready to shine as she taught, networked and exhibited for the Child Evangelism Fellowship Bookstore. It was a privilege to assist others in finding and using their gifts. Above Starburst is pictured with Michael and Eva LaFond, some of the staff from the new Kidhelper Resources. I found I was in good company with others who are committed to building up the ministries of the church as well.

Faithfulness Rewarded

One of our students, Joseph Mastron, attended the CYIA Training Retreat for his 5th year in a row. He was honored in front of all his peers by the CEF Southern California State Director awarding him with a brand-new Children’s Ministry Resource Bible. He has been faithful to help out both during the summer and the school year. I am proud of this big accomplishment and maturity that he has developed along the way. We were off to a great start for our summer of ministry back in the Greater Long Beach Area!

First Big Steps

We arrived home from CYIA Retreat encouraged and were ready to get to work but requests for Bible clubs seemed to come in slowly. After the first two weeks we were plenty busy. As our 6 Summer Missionaries worked as a team, God brought us to areas where kids were hungry for the gospel.


One hostess, Nicole Sweeton, called before the club to ask us to pray for Paul, a neighborhood kid from an atheistic home. When the subject of God came up, Paul told Nicole’s children that he believed in nothing. The next week, we came to her house to conduct Bible Club. When Roger gave the invitation the first person to go back and pray with him was Paul!


In a few instances, our high school summer missionaries arrived at a 5-Day Club only to discover that kids their own age had been invited. In the past, teens who come to Bible club get bored, stop participating and sometimes make fun of whoever is teaching. Our Missionaries beautifully just kept going, focusing on the smaller children. The teens either left or participated, playing along but we did not have any trouble.

Not only were the children’s lives touched, but our Summer Missionaries discovered how to trust God in a whole new way. For example, we all prayed for the Father of one of our Missionaries when he went to the hospital unexpectedly. Later that week, he was restored to health. Another student had serious family problems and we prayed for her. God chose this summer to bring reconciliation and forgiveness in her family. We thank God for how faithful He was to us.


Every journey starts with a first step. This summer, God showed us that if we will trust Him with the details of our lives, we are taking the first big step in the incredible journey that He has planned for each of us.

Off To A Great Start

Christian Youth In Action (aka: CYIA) is a program of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in which high school and college students are trained to present the gospel to children in the context of a Bible Club. Every year we hold a Training Retreat where students spend their mornings studying what and how to share with children. Then in the afternoons they conduct Bible Clubs in the afternoon for hands on experience. The club is called a 5-Day club becuse like VBS it runs for 5-Days in a row. The students alternate responsibilities as they prepare as a team. The students worked hard to study their Bible lessons, memory verses, missionary story, songs and games so they would be ready for their part of the club.

Christian Youth In Action this year saw noticeable success. Thanks goes out to those of you who were praying for our week in Riverside at the CYIA Training Retreat! The records show the great work God did among us.

• 29 students
• 13 staff
• 9 Bible Clubs
• 165 children heard the gospel
• 44 responded in faith!