Summer 2023 - Ministry Update
Emma, our summer intern, teaching a 5-Day Club in Marblehead, MA.
New Interim State Director
Dear friend of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Massachusetts,
Thank you. As the interim state director for CEF of MA, the words “thank you” need to be my first words to you. My name is John Romano and I have served full time with CEF since 1986, most of those years as state director for CEF of Maine. Previous to 1986 I pastored a small Baptist church in Eastport, Maine. In January of 2022 I began serving our CEF family across the USA is a pastoral role.
God has placed a burden on my heart to help CEF of MA reach the unchurched children of this state. In August the state board approved me as a temporary state director. I have also been approved by our USA leadership in Warrenton, MO.
I am thankful for the privilege of serving. I am thankful for those who came before me. Tim and Linda Beachell are good friends and co-laborers in Christ. Mike and Shirley Velardo, who preceded the Beachells, were also good friends and co-laborers in the Gospel. I am thankful for a faithful and hard-working state board. I am thankful for our staff here in MA: Amy Mansfield, Jessica Gagnon, and our newest staff member, Robert Richards.
I am thankful for our prayer partners, volunteers, and donors. I am thankful for the many children reached with the Gospel throughout this past summer. We have included a harvest report for you. Our state board and our staff have a vision for the fields that are ripe for harvest. I am thankful for the Good News Clubs that will so begin this fall. We will share the Gospel with hundreds, hopefully thousands, of children at the Big E and later on at the Topsfield Fair. I am thankful for those who will be there to serve, but they do need more help.
After thirty-six years of leadership in CEF of Maine, I summed up that ministry with two short phrases; “God is faithful, and His people are generous”. I am counting on God’s faithfulness and the generosity of His people here in Massachusetts. We need God’s blessing upon this work and we are seeing His blessing daily.
Robert is our only full-time worker and his support level is currently at about 10%. Amy serves approximately ten hours a week; she has a burden for full-time ministry, but there are no funds available. Jessica works ten hours a week in the office; she is essential to the work.
We are trusting God to meet our needs. Would you prayerfully consider joining us as a prayer partner, volunteer, or donor? We are thankful for those of you who already partner with us.
‘Til Every Child Knows,
John, on behalf of our staff and state board.
P.S. My wife, Ronna , and I support the ministry for CEF of Massachusetts as monthly donors. Our desire is to lead the way and set an example for others to follow.
Summer Ministry
Christian Youth In Action
The 2023 summer ministry season has come to a close and looking back on it I am overflowing with praise at what God has done here in Massachusetts.
Christian Youth in Action (CYIA) was held at the beautiful Camp Marion this year. I am grateful for being able to partner with CEF of RI and CT again this year and for those individuals and churches who donated to provide food for our volunteer staff. 32 young people from across lower New England attended and all learned how to share the Gospel with others. a big part of CYIA is discipleship, and it is always a privilege to watch the Lord working in the hearts and lives of the students. several dedicated their lives to the Lord, promising to go where He wants them to go and do what He wants the to do. We ended CYIA with a first for us, the baptism of 4 students. Please continue praying for the students who attended, that they would stand firm in their faith. and that they would use their training wherever the Lord leads them.
I am so thankful for all the Lord has done this summer. He was faithful in providing a place to have CYIA this year, providing teachers, and providing the funds needed to make ministry happen. And I am thankful for all of you who hosted clubs, provided emals, prayed, encouraged, and donated to make this ministry possible. It could not have been done without you!
5-Day Clubs
After CYIA, we hit the ground running, teaching eleven 5-Day Clubs around Massachusetts for 6 weeks. In total, 181 children attended, with 7 making decisions to receive Jesus as their Savior, and 3 were counseled for assurance of their salvation. Praise the Lord!
One of those who made a decision was a 7-year-old boy who had A LOT of questions about God and the Bible. He did not go to church and his mother (who is married to another woman) couldn’t answer his many questions. This boy came to club and found answers. He believed on Jesus as his Savior from sin and then had a voracious hunger for God’s Word. He came for counseling every day so he could ask more questions. He was only supposed to come the first two days, but ended up coming the entire week because he loved it so much. and while he was being taught in club, his mother was being ministered to by the other moms from the church. she was so thankful we had answers. The boy ended the week by praying, “Thank you, God, for loving me so much! That you for this club!”
At every club this summer, whether it was churched or unchurched children, thay all had so many questions about the Bible and doctrine. Here are some common questions:
Why did Jesus have to die?
Is God technically 3 gods?/What is the trinity?
was Satan an angel?
What about dinosaurs?
What do I do if I sin again?
Let us remember how important it is to teach children the truth of God’s Word in a way they can understand. They are not too little, and if we don’t teach them, they will look for answers from the world which is all too happy to give them.
Coming this fall
Good News Clubs
The new school year has begun so that means it’s time for Good News Clubs to start! It’s been difficult to get clubs back up and running after the schools opened back up, but God is opening doors in His perfect time. Two new clubs are in the works to start this year in Greenfield and Leominster, in addition to the club that has been faithfully running for several years in Attleboro on Thursday afternoons. Please pray for these clubs, that there will be no hindrances in getting them going, for the teachers who have committed to being there each week, and for the children who will be ministered to.
Have you been thinking about starting a Good News Club in your town? It’s not too late to start one. A club can be held in a shool, church, community center, or home. Please reach out to CEF of MA to find out how your church can sponsor a Good News Club in your town.
Fair Ministry
It is an exciting time for CEF of Massachusetts. Right around the corner is one of the most fruitful mionistries that CEF participates in. We’re talking about Fair Ministry. Each year we have the privilege of serving God by bringing the Gospel to thousands at New England’s 2 largest fairs: Topsfield and the Big E.
At our CEF booth, people come make Wordless Book crafts that give the Gospel. Maybe you have thought about being a part of this wonderful ministry. It’s very easy to become involved and we provide everything you need, including complete training.
some of our own CEF ministry workers have started out as being a part of the Fair Ministries and you can too. We have a strong need for volunteers, especially on the weekends. If you want to serve God in a safe and friendly environment where people come to you thirsty for God’s Word, then fair ministry is your opportunity.
The time is here, the booths will be ready, and people will come. If you would like more information, or want to be a part of this wonderful time, please let us know! Thank you, and God bless.