The Constant Ebb and Flow of Ministry

Once again we wrap up another year of ministry here at CEF^® of the Greater St. Croix Valley. There is the temptation to think, “Same old, same old,” but God is always doing something new in the lives and hearts of His creatures - the men, women and children He created for His own good pleasure.

Pastor Brad teaching in Spring Valley

Our ministry has two seasons, summer 5-Day Clubs with teen training and Good News Clubs with adult training throughout the school year. In the 2017-2018 ministry year we had six Good News Clubs with 149 enrolled, 34 first-time professions of faith and 12 assurances of faith. We held five teacher trainings with over 60 in attendance. There were fifteen 5-Day Clubs taught with 275 enrolled, two first-time professions of faith, one assurance of faith and one Christian dedication. There were 50 volunteers putting in over 1,285 hours to make all this happen!

Last year a new Good News Club^® was started in Spring Valley and this year a new one will begin in Luck. It is so exciting to watch the Lord work in giving us new avenues to share the Gospel with children.  We also have interest from two churches for teacher trainings in October and November. We plant and/or water the seeds of God’s Word and He alone gives the increase. Thank you Father for the privilege of working alongside You for the furtherance of Your glorious kingdom!      ~ Lisa Inlow St Croix Valley Chapter

Ministry in Janesville

CEF® Janesville Mark and Maurene Olson joined the Greater Madison CEF team in January 2018, with Mark serving as Volunteer Rock County Ministry Coordinator. With the goal to be on staff full-time by the end of 2018. He and Maurene have been married for 39 years. They have 2 married daughters and 4 grandchildren. Update from Mark: We have a great opportunity for churches to utilize CEF ministries to reach the children of Rock County. Our goal is to build church partnerships for Good News Clubs® (GNCs) and 5-Day Clubs® in every City in Rock County. Right now we have five new supporting churches, and have shared with their congregations the opportunities in Rock County. On June 30, Maurene and I were at the Freedom Fest in Janesville sharing CEF and our role with pastors and others. This led to discussing how we can partner with them to reach Rock County for Christ. We have three new churches that are interested in learning how they can sponsor a GNC at the Elementary School they sponsor. To make these new opportunities in Rock County happen we’d like to be able to become full time paid staff with CEF. That means we need to raise additional financial support. Our goal is to raise $2800 per month for our monthly needs. We have raised nearly $800 per month at this time. We also need $3000 Startup funds for three-month schooling at CEF International Headquarters in Missouri. Would you prayerfully consider becoming a part of our ministry? We are excited and look forward to the opportunity to share CEF with you and to partner with you reaching the children of our county. In His Service ph.# 1-608-314-7341 Mark and Maurene Olson E-Mail. rockcty@cefmadisonwi.com

Madison August Newsletter