CEF of Peninsula staff has been praying specifically to start a Good News Club at James River Elementary for nine years. In 2015, a team from another club held a Christmas Party Club there and 37 children attended! One little girl even faked her grandmother’s signature on her registration, she wanted so much to attend. Seeds were planted, but we wanted to do more. CEF of Peninsula staff began praying for an area church to sponsor a GNC team.
James River is the school attended by children from The Grove – a depressed neighborhood – whose very real physical needs (food and clothing) are the reason for the creation and ministry of Grove Christian Community Center.
God answered our prayers in a strange way this spring. He called six women from six different churches to form a team. Then when the school hesitated to let us hold a club there, the Grove center opened their doors to have the Good News Club at their facility! Director, Katie Patrick said she had been praying for new ways to minister to the families spiritually. Isn’t our God good?
Less than 10 children came, they are precious, and it is a start! David* surprised us with his heartfelt prayers to close our large group time. Angie* was very quiet when she first came, but began to participate and answer the Bible Review questions. The children wrote out prayers to God during their small group that touched the team and kept them on their knees.
The Good News Club team heard back from JRES Principal Angel Washington that she would welcome a GNC at the school in the fall.
Pray that God will raise up more team volunteers and that God’s perfect timing will mean many children will come to GNC in the fall and learn to trust Jesus more, or for the first time! AMEN
