August 2019 Praise and Prayer

     It has been a while since I sent out these notes.  Thought is was better for you not to have to wait to receive your receipts.

     Praise the Lord for the good recovery.   I am pretty much back to my regular work schedule. 

     The BIG project is month as been developing a registration form for volunteers.  It has been a prayer request for some time,  and appreciate your prayers.  It seems to be working and glory goes to God for it happening.   I pretty much do these types of things by trial and error.  So God is the One the guides.  

      As I work with processing Volunteer Registrations I have been encourage to see God raising up volunteers.   There are almost 800 who volunteered for CEF ministries in Wisconsin.  Praise God for these willing servants. 

  Thank you so much for your part in the ministry as well.  It is through people like you that I can continue to serve in the capacity.

   THANK YOU.

Carolyn

August , 2019

Praise

¨ For those who volunteer to help in the ministry. Not only those working with the children, but some serve on committees, while others help with various projects that help us get resources to those working directly with the children.  

¨ For the family of Christ, and for your prayer and encouragement as I recover from surgery.

¨ For the fruit this summer.  For the children that were impacted by the gospel as well as what God has done in the lives of the summer missionaries.

Pray

¨ For the chapters as they get Good News Clubs started,  Pray especially for wisdom in getting the word out to the children and families about the club.  Pray many parents will register their children for club. 

¨ Continue to pray for God to supply the needs of the ministry.   Southeast WI Chapter has a special need of additional funding. 

¨ For the clubs in North Central WI.  Pray that those who are interested in working at a Good News Club will have success in getting into a good location.

¨ For local directors & committee members for several chapters.

¨ For wisdom as I work in my position as Assistant to the State Director/Teacher Trainer as well as Assistant to the Director in Southeast WI

Abbotsford Good News Club.

Stephanie and her sister have been teaching a Good News CLub in Abbotsford for the last two years.  Here is a recent report of what God is doing. 

Hello everyone!  

It's almost hard to believe that the past several months went by as fast as they did! We started club in October, and decided that yesterday would be our last time for the season.  Spring break at the Abbotsford school is next week, and we figured it would be easier to just have our last lesson before that, rather than come back for one more time...

For our last lesson, it was an "Under the Sea" themed review party.  We decorated the room with some colored paper fish, and all of our activities had a "Sea" theme.  We had no idea how many would come, so when sixteen children came filing in, we were excited and surprised!  Besides the usual noise, it went just fine.  We did a few more songs and review games, and I was happy to see how many of them were singing along with the songs!  

It was just about time to go, and I asked if all of them could quick stand in front and we'd take a group picture (that pic is attached to this email...my sister Stacey and Sarah are pictured with the kids).  They were all more than happy to do that :)  Then all of us gathered in a circle and held hands while I prayed.  It was a precious memory I will hold onto for a long time.  Many of these children will be moving into middle school, and won't be able to come back next year.  Some may move out of the area over the summer.  There is a chance that we may not see some of them again.  It is a sobering thought...thinking about all the time we were able to have with them, and to instill the Bible truth into their little hearts, and now to let them go.  

Seeds were planted...of that I am sure.  Many of these dear ones I will never forget.  And perhaps they will grow up never forgetting us. But, most of all, I pray that they remember what the Lord has done for them and how very much HE loves them!!

Thank you all SOO much for your prayers and support!  It was so clearly felt.  If the Lord lays it on your heart, please continue to pray.  I was just looking over the attendance records, and found out that around 40 children came through club over the course of the year!  Some were just once, some were regulars that came every week.  But to have been able to interact with 40 different children?  That is awesome!  God provided in amazing ways.  

As most of you know, some of our club kids aren't the only ones who will be moving on this coming year...I (Stephanie) will be getting married in early June and moving to Minnesota where my fiance, Justin, is from.  It has been a beautiful, God-scripted journey thus far, and we are excited to see how He continues to lead us!  My sisters, Stacey and Sarah, plan to continue doing Good News Club this next school year, so keep them in prayer as well as they prepare and teach.  

Blessings to each and every one of you as you continue to serve the Lord where He has placed you!!

In Christ, Stephanie LaSee

April 2019 Praise and Prayer

   Praise the Lord with us for the young people who have signed up to be Summer Missionaries this summer.   There are 36 that are planning to attend Christian Youth In Action at Camp Fairwood and another 6-10 that will be trained as Assistant Missionaries in the local chapters.   The Assistant Missionary option is an introductory position.  They are trained to do some, but not all of the teaching at the club with the hope that they would enjoy teaching children and become Summer Missionaries the following year.  Now the chapters are busy interviewing these young people, helping them to prepare for training as well as aiding the young people as they raise funding to participate this summer. 

  Appreciate the expression of love to those of you who responded the recent letter regarding needed additional support.  Thank you also for those who are continuing to give.  It is confirmation that this is where God wants me.  THANK YOU.

Carolyn

Praise

¨ For the encouraging reports of children that are being reached through Good News Clubs.   Over 1500 children are hearing the gospel in Good News Club this year. 

¨ For a new club starting in Holcombe WI. 

¨ For the opportunities to train and equip children’s workers.

¨ That with the pledges and one time gifts, the $8400 goal has been met. 

Pray

¨ For that the Summer Missionaries that participate this summer will have a heart for evangelism and children’s ministry

¨ Continue to pray for God to supply the needs of the ministry.   Southeast WI Chapter has a special need of additional funding. 

¨ That preparations in anticipation of having hip surgery this summer will go well.— pray that I’ll stay on a special diet that will help make surgery go smoother. 

¨ For local directors & committee members for several chapters.

¨ For wisdom as I work in my position as Assistant to the State Director/Teacher Trainer as well as Assistant to the Director in Southeast WI

February 2019 Update

February, 2019

I believe that you all know that I am currently dividing my time between the local (Southeast Wi) and State (CEF of WI) chapters.   It has added variety to my schedule!   I am in more of a support role.    Helping where needed.    Much of what I am doing is related to technical “stuff”  -  internet, online forms, tracking registrations and reminding chapters when of missing documentation.   It doesn’t sound as exciting as working directly with the children and volunteers, but certainly a necessary part of the ministry. 

I have been working with several chapters that don’t currently have local directors yet have ministry going on.   I have been helping with keeping the ministry going.  I’m still seen at some of the training in Southeast and I am also working with the middle schoolers and JYC program.  I’ve also been doing some computer related projects for the local chapter. 

Time sure has passed quickly.   I remember as a high schooler thinking that 2020 was far into the future.  Yet it is next year!   For me, 2020 marks 40 years of full time ministry with CEF.  God has shown Himself faithful in providing for the need all these years.  Some of you have been giving toward my support during these years. I am very grateful to each of you and God for your prayers, encouragement and support.  As the years have passed, people gave as they were able.   The group of regular supporters changes slightly each year.  Some that gave during those first years of ministry are now in heaven.   Or are not able to give because of changing circumstances.   A few of you have just recently started to support. 

For this year, I have been asked to increase my financial support base by $8400.   This seems that an insurmountable goal.   The approach that CEF has is “Ask God and Tell His People”.    I am asking God to provide the needed funding.  And now I am sharing with you the need.  Will you ask God if you could be part of meeting this goal.   As God prompts you to give, be sure to earmark it as Assistant to the Director and add my Account # HQ00 3699 in the memo line or use the response slip so that it will be applied to the goal.  

Another of my goals is to send out more updates.   Email is a quicker and easier way of communication.   Please send me your email address, and I’d be glad to include you in future updates.   Send your email address by emailing me at cgross@cefwi.org or on the response slip.  The need is both for financial and prayer support.     

I appreciate your interest in the ministry to which I am called by God.   Thank you so much.

On behalf of the children,

Carolyn

Carolyn Gross

Assistant to the Directors of

CEF of WI & Southeast Wi

March 2019 Update

 This month Christian Youth in Action is on the minds of many in CEF of Wisconsin.   March 31 is the deadline for young people to sign up to be summer missionaries and attend CYIA (Christian Youth In Action).  We are anticipating that 40-45 young people will be attending the training this summer.  

A tendency of mankind is to put things off until the last minute!  Though we are expecting that 40 young people will sign up,  there are only 5 who have completed there application by mid-March.   The last two weeks will be busy for me as I process these applications and communicate results to the local chapters.   Pray for those that God wants to attend to listen to His call.

Appreciate the expression of love to those of you who responded to my recent letter regarding needed additional support.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  Thank you also for those who are continuing to give.  It is confirmation that this is where God wants me.  THANK YOU.

 

Carolyn

March, 2019

Praise

à For safety during the harsh weather

à For a new club starting in Holcombe WI. 

à For a good response to my letter regarding support.

à For good progress on customizing the special computer software

à For the opportunities to train and equip children’s workers.

Pray

à For Good News Clubs to finish strong.  Many of them will have their last meeting in March or April

à Pray for God’s choice of Summer Missionaries to work in the Wisconsin. 

à Continue to pray that God would supply the additional $6900 needed in order for me to continue ministering with CEF in Wisconsin

à That preparations in anticipation of having hip surgery this summer will go well.

à For local directors & committee members for several chapters.

à For wisdom as I work in my position  as Assistant to the State Director/Teacher Trainer as well as Assistant to the Exec Director in Southeast WI

2018 Update In Local Chapter

 In the Local Chapter
One of the projects has been to customize an online system to give staff members access to data without having to come to the office.   At first there were so many options that I didn’t know where to start.  I came to realize there is a whole community of people who are looking to accomplish the same thing.  I’m thankful that the chapter decided to invest in some technical support that has helped immensely.   This will be a continuing project, and your prayers are appreciated.
 I have also been coordinating the CEF middle school program (JYC) in the chapter.  This is the 6^th year that I have been involved in working with JYC.     Those from the first group have now graduated high school.   Some who didn’t have any church connection are now attending church, some have chosen Christian colleges, and one is currently raising support to join a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) team.   This last year was somewhat a challenge with a few young people who didn’t seem to want to participate in the club and caused some disruptions yet were wanting to be there. We continued to share God’s Word believing that it will not return void. We are glad to offer club at the public school where they can grow spiritually as well as educationally.
In JYC the children were asking why Christmas is celebrated on December.  (so I looked it up).   It seems the first record of it being celebrated on Dec 25^th was in 336.   At that time the Roman Emperor was a Christian.  A few years later is was declared an official holiday by the Pope.  It seems we have gotten away from the original intent of Christmas.   Trust that this year you take time to celebrate the real reason for Christmas.
This year there are four locations for JYC.   So far 29 children are enrolled in the three clubs.  Praise God for the burden for middle schoolers that God put on the heart of volunteers.  The fourth club is waiting for permission from the school to have the club.

Thank you for your interest in that ministry to which God has called me.  Your prayers and support have allowed me to continue to train and equip others to reach the next generation. This is my 38^th year of ministry.  I’d like to let you know more frequently through email  what is happening and share some praise items and prayer requests.

Send me your email address and I'll be glad to add you to the list for updates and praise & prayer items.

Sharing Christ with the children.
Carolyn Gross


Donations can be made through the CEF Southeast WI    Donate

2018 Family Update

Family Update

I was able to get up north to help celebrate my mom’s birthday this year. All the brothers and sisters except for one was in attendance at her birthday party.  I also learned this summer that the history of sharing the gospel goes back more generations of my family than I had realized.  My great grandfather was a church planter and was involved in planting 11 churches. This would have been in Europe.   Several of these churches continue to have an impact in their communities.

It reminds me of the verse that God used to call me into the ministry. 

Psalm 78:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,
⁷  so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;


Thank you for your interest in that ministry to which God has called me.  Your prayers and support have allowed me to continue to train and equip others to reach the next generation. This is my 38^th year of ministry.  I’d like to let you know more frequently through email  what is happening and share some praise items and prayer requests.

Send me your email address and I'll be glad to add you to the list for updates and praise & prayer items.

Sharing Christ with the children.
Carolyn Gross


Donations can be made through the CEF Southeast WI    Donate