August 10, 2026
54 million children return to school. Who will shape their worldview?
Good News Club® surrounds children with caring mentors, Christ-centered community and biblical truth
ST. LOUIS — As more than 54 million children head back to school, many families are looking beyond school supplies and class schedules to prepare children for the year ahead. Research suggests faith can be an important part of that preparation, linking religious involvement with stronger academic performance and higher student achievement.
Helping children discover biblical faith is central to the mission of Child Evangelism Fellowship® (CEF®). Through weekly clubs and special events offered throughout the year, children hear the Gospel, grow in God’s Word and develop lasting relationships with caring Christian mentors.
“As a new school year begins, children are forming habits, friendships and values that can shape the rest of their lives,” said Fred Pry, CEF Vice President of Administration. “It’s during these formative years that we have the privilege of pointing children to the hope found in Jesus Christ and investing in their spiritual lives.”
Good News Club® brings the ministry of CEF into schools and communities through weekly gatherings where children explore the Bible together. Good News Club meets in more than 3,300 schools across the United States and in thousands more worldwide, including churches, community centers and homes.
The ministry’s impact is evident in CEF chapters nationwide. At Sacajawea Elementary School in Caldwell, Idaho, a bilingual Good News Club has grown steadily during its first three years, serving both English- and Spanish-speaking families.
One CEF of Idaho leader remarked, “Our Good News Club has grown both spiritually and in attendance. One of our teachers speaks Spanish fluently, allowing her to connect with children and parents, and the school loves having the club there.”
In Milwaukee, a new Good News Club at Townsend Street School is introducing children unfamiliar with Christianity to the Gospel.
One Children’s Ministries Institute® graduate recalled, “After eight months of effort and prayer, the club met for the first time with five children. When one girl asked, ‘What’s a Bible?’ we were reminded that these children have little knowledge of or exposure to Christianity, but they are hungry for truth, love and belonging. That first group grew to 10 the next week, and we can’t wait to see what God will do this school year.”
Another teacher said, “Our Good News Club at Schulte Elementary School continues to flourish. We welcomed 10 new students to our Easter Party Club and saw students place their trust in Christ. It is so sweet to see these young believers growing in their love for God and understanding of His Word.”
The ministry also continues shaping future Christian leaders. One former student, now studying Children’s and Family Ministries at Lancaster Bible College, credits CEF with confirming God’s call to ministry after years of serving as a student, counselor and teacher.
The former student shared, “My calling to ministry was not an audible voice, but a bunch of tiny doors God opened. Serving as a counselor at Camp Good News — and hearing a teacher affirm that calling — was my final confirmation.”
“Every school year brings new opportunities to reach children during some of the most formative years of their lives,” Pry said. “Our prayer is that every child hears the Gospel, knows they are loved by God and trusts Him, then grows within a Christ-centered community that encourages them throughout the school year.”
Child Evangelism Fellowship® (CEF®), founded in 1937, has been establishing the Good News Club® ministries 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.
###
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.
