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