Moving On
My heart is heavy as I write this month’s newsletter. I’m concerned for the upcoming fall ministries. Linda and I have had several discussions about this fall’s Good News Clubs and who will be teaching them. Due to a club teacher moving out of state, Dillon moving on from the ministry, and others moving on because of serious health issues we are not sure that we will have the staff to teach all the clubs that are open to CEF®.
The clubs in Schuylkill Haven and Shenandoah are without any helpers which means we will be unable to go into the school to share the Gospel with the children who would attend club. The clubs at Schuylkill Haven and Shenandoah were not large clubs, but does that really matter? What number can be put on the eternal life of a child? I am reminded of Abraham’s conversation with the Lord in Genesis 18:16-33. Abraham interceded for those he did not know in Sodom and we see the compassion of the Lord in His willingness to spare ten righteous people. I know this isn’t exactly the same, but it’s a story in the life of God’s people that reminds me of God’s love for those who are lost in a dying world.
How many children would be worth your time and energy? 50? 45? 40? 20? 10? Sometimes when the clubs or camps are less in number, I wonder if our time could be better spent. Then a child speaks of being abused by a family member, of understanding for the first time that the stories in the Bible are true, or I see a child leaning forward whose eyes show they are soaking in every word ~ every TRUTH ~ they are hearing and I know. I know without a doubt I won’t be moving on because to that one sweet little boy or girl God’s Spirit is moving to awaken them to their sin and their need for a Savior.
On page 4 of the newsletter there is part of a personal testimony from Phil Tuttle about the power of the Gospel in a little boy’s life and a quote from Crawford Loritts about the impact of CEF in the lives of the kids in our neighborhoods.
Will you consider moving? Moving into service as a helper in a local Good News Club®? The children are worth it.
Shelley Hikes
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