How God Can Use Summer Ministry

For many people, summer is a time to relax. Most people look forward to taking time to go on vacation, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying being outdoors. But for those involved in CEF’s summer ministry, summer is not a time of relaxation – it is a very busy, sometimes stressful season! Is summer ministry worth all of the work our staff and volunteers invest?

Here’s what some people shared when asked what the benefits of summer ministry are:

For the church

Pastor Scott Plays Games with children

“We are a smaller and older church and we didn’t know how doing summer ministry with CEF would really work. God works in amazing ways, and even though our clubs were not very well attended, we were able to build new relationships in the community. Our community saw that our church cares enough to leave our 4 walls and go to where they are, and children not only attended clubs but received the life-saving Gospel that will lead to lives surrendered to God. The best part is that, because we broke out of our comfort zone, our volunteers and prayer warriors have been more committed and excited to take what we have learned from this experience and apply it to the rest of our ministries.  Team­ing up with CEF allowed us to go beyond our walls and impact a community that desperately needs to know the Lord.”

– Pastor Scott Ehle, new church partnership through GNAA® ‘17

For the hostess

“I host 5-Day Clubs® because it allows me to fulfill the command of God to go and make disciples. I want the children in my neighbor­hood to hear about Jesus and how they can be saved. Hosting 5-Day Clubs helps me to build relationships with families in my community, and impact them for Christ.”

- Emma Swan has hosted 5-Day Clubs in her yard since 1978

For the summer missionary

“Being a summer missionary not only benefits the children who are taught, but the missionaries who are involved. During Christian Youth In Action® training, I really become closer to God and learn a lot about relying on His strength in whatever I do, whether it be ministry work or just day-to-day chores. In general, I become more confident in Him as well as more equipped to share the Gospel in whatever circumstance I might find myself.”

– Lauren Parsons, 5th year summer missionary

For the child

Parachute Game at club

Last summer, a 10-year-old boy named Daisean attended a 5-Day Club in Milwaukee sponsored by Ethnos church. On the last day of club, he came back to be counseled. He had a lot of questions about different gods he’d heard about. “Is Jesus more powerful than Thor?” “Is Zeus real?” “Did God create Mother Earth?” By the end of that conver­sation, Daisean put his trust in Christ as Savior. He understood the Gospel and was excited to have the real God on his side to be his helper. At the rally on Friday night, he told a visiting CEF staff worker, “Jesus came to earth, and He died for three days and came back to life. If you believe in God, He will accept you, so I believed in Him and we prayed, and He accepted me.”

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with relaxing during the summer, summer ministry is worth the work! Through CYIA, countless young people are impacted in their walks with Christ. Through 5-Day Clubs, children who might never be able to attend church or Good News Club have the opportunity to hear about Jesus. Partnerships with churches and individuals are strengthened and lives are changed.

This summer, we have eleven summer missionaries who are excited to at­tend CYIA training from June 10-22. We are praying for forty 5-Day Clubs, and we anticipate reaching hundreds of children! 
SE WI June 2018 Newsletter