July 20, 2026
Celebrating Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, the pastor who changed children’s ministry forever
As the ministry marks Overholtzer’s 149th birthday, CEF® reflects on nearly 90 years of introducing children to Jesus Christ
ST. LOUIS — July 20 marks the birthday of Child Evangelism Fellowship® (CEF®) founder Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, who established the ministry in 1937. Nearly 90 years later, CEF has grown into the world’s largest evangelistic outreach to children, serving in most countries around the globe and in every U.S. state.
According to Fred Pry, CEF Vice President of Administration, “As we celebrate Jesse Overholtzer’s birthday, we give thanks for God’s faithfulness through his life and for the lasting impact of the ministry he founded. At CEF, we remain committed to carrying forward the work Mr. Overholtzer was called to begin, equipping believers and providing children everywhere the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Raised in a religious home, Overholtzer became convicted of his own sin at age 12. He sought counsel from his mother, who told him, “Son, you are too young.” It would not be until college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.
Years later, while serving as a pastor, Overholtzer encountered a sermon by renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon. One statement in particular profoundly impacted his thinking: “A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” As Overholtzer reflected on those words, the Lord reinforced their truth through the testimony of a mother who came to faith after witnessing the transformed lives of her daughters. Together, these experiences convinced him that children could genuinely understand and respond to the message of salvation. He began intentionally sharing the Gospel with children — and watched God transform lives.
At age 60, despite having no administrative experience, Overholtzer founded Child Evangelism Fellowship. When others questioned the work by asking, “Why?” he answered, “Why not?” Confident that “There is no lack with God!” Overholtzer led CEF for the next 15 years, helping the young organization grow into the foundation for today’s worldwide ministry.
What began with one man’s willingness to trust God now reaches children around the world through thousands of faithful workers. Today, CEF carries that legacy forward through ministries such as Good News Club®, Christian Youth In Action®, extensive teacher training, and partnerships with local churches. In 2025, 3,849 full and part-time CEF missionaries reached children across the globe, with many of these missionaries serving in their own countries. More than 600,000 people received CEF training to help share the Good News. Together, they are carrying forward the work Overholtzer began nearly nine decades ago, helping ensure children around the world have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.
“Mr. Overholtzer believed children could understand and respond to the Gospel, and that belief continues to guide CEF today,” said Pry. “Whether we are serving children across North America or around the world, our mission remains the same: to equip believers, partner with local churches and faithfully proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the next generation. We thank God for Jesse Overholtzer’s example and pray that future generations will answer God’s call so every child in every nation has the opportunity to know Christ.”
To learn more about CEF founder Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, click here for the CEF Press book, “The Indomitable Mr. O,” which shares his story of struggles, trials, and ultimate triumph.
Child Evangelism Fellowship® (CEF®), founded in 1937, has been establishing the Good News Club® in countries around the world for decades.
In 2025, more than 34 million children worldwide were impacted by the Good News through CEF ministries.
For more CEF news, see the ministry’s latest edition of the online magazine Impact.
CEF is an international, nonprofit, Christian ministry that has been dedicated to seeing every child reached with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipled and established in a local church since 1937. CEF is located in all 50 American states and in most countries around the world, with over 3,800 paid staff and tens of thousands of volunteers around the world.
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To interview a representative from Child Evangelism Fellowship, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.
