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

2018 Update Around the State

Around the State

Another part of my responsibility is working with chapters that don’t have a local director.  Madison, Upper Fox River and North Central chapter are actively seek God’s choice to fill that position.  I have a different role is each of the chapters.  In Upper Fox I helped them with their Teaching Children Effectively Class this fall; for Madison, I facilitate their staff meetings. Presently all their staff is part-time but God is giving the new open doors for ministry in that chapter. In North Central I mentored their summer coordinator and am coordinating their Good News Club.  I also keep in contact with a Good News Club in an area where there is not a chapter.   As I work with these chapters, I am thankful for the volunteers who are burdened to reach the children with the gospel. 
The projects I am involved with are mostly related to registrations.  I process registrations for several CEF programs as well as track the necessary documents related to our Child Protection Policy.  I’m glad to be of help to the local chapters although I sometimes feel like a pest.  Glory goes to God for guiding me in figuring out how to develop and process these several forms.
In Wisconsin last ministry year over 5500 children attended a CEF related activity. Thanks to God for the opportunities to share His Word with the children.   This was done mostly through volunteers.  Over 800 volunteers registered a desire to be involved in this ministry.    Praise God for each one of them.


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

December Praise and Prayer

December is a special opportunity to share the purpose of Christ coming to earth.  Most of the clubs will have a Christmas Party, where the children can invited their friends to come and hear the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray that many new children will come.

I have been working with the Good News Clubs in North Central because they don’t have a director right now.  There are 15 clubs meeting.   I praise the Lord for these clubs and the people who do them year after year.   Some of the clubs are held in the morning as children arrive to school.  They must be shortened to only 40-45 minutes, but it certainly is good to see the workers seek out new opportunities to share the gospel.  Over 250 children are enrolled in the clubs. 

As the year comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to again thank you for your prayer and gifts to the ministry.   Many of the chapters including Southeast are struggling financially and living on shoe string budgets.  Your giving keeps us working.  Thank you so much. 

Carolyn

December, 2018

Praise

à For the 13 Good News Clubs and 2 JYC in North Central Chapter

à For a new club that will be starting in the Madison Chapter

à For each of the staff that God has brought to the ministry here in the state

à For children who are coming to know Christ and growing in Him through the ministry, Pray for many to attend the club Christmas Party

à For good progress on customizing the special computer  software

Pray

à For increased attendance at the Good News Clubs

à For a 13 year old boy who have been disruptive in one of the JYC clubs, he is still struggling. 

à That I might be a blessing to the staff around the state.

à For local directors for Greater Madison, North Central, and Upper Fox River.  Pray also for committee members needed in 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

November Praise and Prayer

Clubs are getting into a routine.   Many Good News Clubs are starting their second series—which covers the life of Daniel.   The title of the series is God Rules:  Be Strong.  Daniel is a good example of God blessing faithfulness.   The reason for Daniel being put into the lions den was because his enemies want to get rid of him.  Yet he stayed faithful to his commitment to God and prayer.  God blessed his faithfulness.   Though Daniel we are reminded that we follow God not to impress others, but because of our commitment to Him. 

As we teach today’s children we don’t know what they will be facing, but do know that they will need to have strength to stay faithful to God.  Pray that they will be faithful to Him even in troubled times. 

Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.   Because of you I continue to work to reach the children of Wisconsin with the gospel.

Carolyn

November, 2018

Praise

à For the Good News Clubs that are being held around Wisconsin

à For the four JYC clubs being held in Southeast WI

à For each of the staff that God has brought to the ministry here in the state

à For children who are coming to know Christ and growing in Him through the ministry. 

à For good progress on customizing the special computer  software

Pray

à For increased attendance at the Good News Clubs

à For a 13 year old boy who have been disruptive in one of the JYC clubs

à For a 13 year old girl who is seeking for the truth as she attends JYC

à That I might be a blessing to the staff around the state.

à For local directors for Greater Madison, North Central, and Upper Fox River.  Pray also for committee members needed in 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

October Praise and Prayer

Praise the Lord for those who are volunteering to serve in Good News Clubs around the state.    In the last month I’ve processed over 300 volunteers for the ministry.  It is exciting to me to see the laborers God is raising up to teach the children. 

Another part of the ministry is equipping those volunteers.  In the last month I have been involved in several different trainings,  some in Southeast Wisconsin, but some in other parts of the state.  It is a joy to teach the Teaching Children Effectively Class in Portage.  There are three persistent students.  For one of the students, teaching children is a new venture,  yet his attitude is so positive.  He is willing to learn and apply.

On the local scene, clubs are getting started for the school year.  JYC are a little slower in getting started.   Pray for additional workers for these clubs  — most clubs are running with two people,  but it would be better for a third to join the team. 

Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.   Because of you I continue to work to reach the children of Wisconsin with the gospel.

Carolyn

October, 2018

Praise

à For over 300 volunteers who are planning to work in Good News Clubs and JYC

à For a group of 12-13 years olds who are Leaders in Training.  They are helpers to the small group leaders and are often children who attended as clubbers, but now that they are older want to be helpers. 

à For the fact that the schools are open to letting us have Good News Club.

à For being able to have club at Weyauwega Elementary School

Pray

à For increased attendance at Mead Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM.  Praise for the progress already made.

à That I might be a blessing to the staff around the state.

à For local directors for Greater Madison, North Central, and Upper Fox River.

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

September 2018 Praise and Prayer

August 2018 Praise and Prayer

  August is a transition month for CEF ministry.  The summer ministry winds up as families get ready for school and the start of school means the start of Good News Clubs.

One of the pleasures of this ministry is working with volunteers around the state, especially those in chapters without directors, or uncharted areas of the state.   This month I have been touch base with some of these volunteers.  There is a team doing Good News Club in the Eagle River area.  It is such a blessing to see their dedication as they don’t have a lot of local support, yet are faithful in doing the club.  I’m sure they’d appreciate your prayers.

North Central WI chapter is currently without a director, so I have been connecting with them to keep their Good News Clubs going.  20 came to the GNC Kickoff on a Saturday.  It was good to meet these workers, some who have been doing clubs for years.   Praise the Lord for the continuing outreach of the Good News Club. 

Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.   Because of you I continue to work to reach the children of Wisconsin with the gospel.

Carolyn

Praise

à For over 1000 children in SE WI who attended 5-Day Club this summer

à For a very positive response to JYC.   All four teams who had club last year are planning to start, and a possibility of a new one

à For God for the volunteers, especially those who are returning again this fall to do Good News Club

à For providing an office manager—Heidi, for the CEF Madison Office

Pray

à For the need for directors around the state — Madison, Upper Fox River, East Central and North Central are all in need of local directors

à That the parents will be excited about their children attending Good News Club in the community.  

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for the chapter. This is a huge project. 

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

July 2018 Praise and Prayer

  

Training is a key to CEF.   Training allows for more children being evangelized and discipled.   Christian Youth In Action is the training school for those teaching 5 Day Clubs during the summer.  For many of these young people it is the first time in a leadership position as they conduct the clubs.  For about 1/2 of those who attended CYIA this year, they had already attended CYIA in previous years. 

The Disciple Class that I coordinate is composed of young people who have returned for 3-4 years.   This year it was a challenge as we sought to offer a special course on adapting the club to teaching Christian growth.   The young people were asked to present a Bible lesson focused on the saved child.  Most of them were able to successfully present a growth lesson the first time.  It was a joy to hear their lessons and pray that they will use it as the share throughout the summer.     Thank you for praying of me as I presented the material.

Praise

à For 42 summer missionaries who will be scattered throughout Wisconsin teaching children the gospel and encouraging them to grow in Christ. 

à For a very positive response to JYC.   All four teams who had club last year are planning to start up again in the fall

à For God answering prayer regarding my stamina at CYIA.  God is good.  Even providing a stool to lean on as I taught which helped immensely.

Pray

à For the staff in Madison, especially Jeaneen who is having some physical difficulties.

à For the summer missionaries as they teach 5-day clubs in July and August

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for the chapter. Good progress has been made in the last month, but there is much more to do. .

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

June 2018 Praise and Prayer

  June is when Christian Youth in Action takes place in Wisconsin.  This is a major event which we work on for most of the year.  On Sunday, June 9th 42 young people arrive, and spend the next two weeks learning how to share their faith with children through 5-Day Clubs. 

For about half of the young people, this is the first time attending CYIA.  Your prayers for these young people (mostly high school age) this summer is appreciated.  Praise the Lord for this next generation of believers who are desiring to share their faith through children’s ministry.

After training they will return to their local areas and teach 5-Day Clubs for the summer.   It is always a fruitful time of ministry as children hear the good news and are challenged to accept God’s gift of salvation.   

As June started I had a bit of a challenge as I discovered that one of my email addresses had been hacked.  I lost all of my contacts but thankfully it was one that didn't have a lot.   Pray that there will not be damage done by the hackers.   Thanks to those who let me  know what was happening. 

Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.   Because of you I continue to work to reach the children of Wisconsin with the gospel.

Carolyn

June, 2018

Praise

à For the Good News Club that were held throughout the state and for the children and families that were impacted by the teaching of God’s Word

à For many of the volunteers who worked in Good News Club and JYC and are already looking forward to doing it again in the fall.

à For the 42 young people being trained as summer missionaries in Wisconsin

Pray

à For the staff in Madison as they work together without a local director

à For the preparation for the Disciple Class at Christian Youth In Action, Pray especially for stamina for me as I lead the class.

à My email has been hacked.   Pray that no damage is done by the hackers.

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for the chapter. Pray for wisdom in setting it up to be user friendly.

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

May 2018 Praise and Prayer

  This month the bulk of my time will be spent preparing for Christian Youth In Action.  I am coordinating the Disciple Class.  This is a group of summer missionaries most of whom has returned for their third or fourth year.  We praise God that the young people return year after year.  I was chatting with one of the summer missionaries about the idea of shortening the time of training for the more experienced, and she mentioned how she really looks forward to the fellowship with the other young people and would sad if we requested less of a commitment to training from them.  Praise God for this healthy attitude. 

The course material for this class is new this year, so there is much to prepare including lesson plans, visuals, student notes, plus preparing to actually teach the sessions.   Your prayers are appreciated as Jeaneen Dau and I co-teach this class. 

Praise

à For the children that have been reached through Good News Club is school year.  Praise for two new clubs that are starting this month. 

à For the four JYC clubs that are meeting in the southeast WI and for the 46 tweens that have attended

à For the young people who have applied to be summer missionaries.

Pray

à For the staff in Madison as they work together without a local director

à For the preparation for the Disciple Class at Christian Youth In Action

à For wisdom for host locations for the 5-day clubs this summer

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for the chapter. Praise for the progress being made, and pray for wisdom in setting it up to be user friendly.

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

April 2018 Praise and Prayer

April 2018

It has been a blessing to be able to work with several of the chapters around the state.   One of the chapters that has been without a director for about a year now is Madison.  There has been quite a transition so that right now the person who has been on staff the longest has only been there for just over a year, which means a lot of unknowns. 

As God puts together the staff, He is also providing opportunities for ministry.   Several churches are very interested in partnering with CEF to reach their communities for Christ.  The chapter also is sponsoring an event called Good News Spectacular — a one day event for families to enjoy, and also hear about Jesus through the story of the Wordless Book.  Pray with us that this will be a fruitful outreach.

The chapter has had a good number of Good News Clubs this year and are working toward reaching more of the children in the clubs.   Praise God for the volunteers that have been involved. 

Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.   Because of you I continue to work to reach the children of Wisconsin with the gospel.

Carolyn

April, 2018

Praise

à For the children that have been reached through Good News Club is school year.  I have been club in North Central and Southeast and am encouraged about what God is doing.

à For the four JYC clubs that are meeting in the southeast WI

à For the young people who have applied to be summer missionaries. 44 have applied to attend CYIA.

Pray

à For the staff in Madison as they work together without a local director

à For the young people as they prepared to be summer missionaries

à For wisdom for the  summer coordinators in North Central, it is their first year and they have 13 summer missionaries to manage. 

à For continued wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for the chapter.

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

March, 2018 Praise and Prayer

March, 2018

As one works in ministry, they find themselves looking ahead.  For CEF it means thinking about summer ministry in February and March.  March 31 is the deadline for applications for being a summer missionary.  From a ministry perspective that means having applications and interview materials ready for directors as they identify young people in their area who will teach during the summer.
We are looking forward to a fruitful summer.  Asking God for those He wants to work this summer. We are preparing for 50 young people.  Pray with us that God would show us who those are that He wants to be involved.
In addition to thinking ahead, the Good News Clubs are continuing.  Many will be held through mid-April.  Pray that as children hear of the good news they will respond and not delay.
Thank you so much for your investment in the ministry that God has called me to.  Because of you I can continue to work to reach the children in Wisconsin with the gospel.

Praise: that parents give permission for their children to attend Good News Club
           For the four JYC clubs that are meeting in Southeast Wisconsin
           For the 30 tweens who are enrolled in JYC
           For God providing the financial support to allow me to continue serving with CEF

Pray: For the staff in Madison as they work together without a local director
For God's choice of summer missionaries to serve in 2018
For those attending Good News Club and JYC to make a postive decision to be followers of Christ
For wisdom in customizing a CRM (Customer Relationship Teacher Trainer in the state as well as the local chapter.