Mary’s Lamb
Mary had a little Lamb,
His fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.
He followed her to school each day
T’wasn’t even in the rules;
It made the children laugh and play
To have a Lamb at school.
And then the rules all changed one day,
Illegal it became
To bring the Lamb of God to school,
Or even speak His Name.
Every day got worse and worse,
And days turned into years;
Instead of hearing children laugh
We heard gun shots and tears.
What must we do to stop the crime
That’s in our schools today?
Let’s let the Lamb come back to school
And teach our kids to pray!
Author unknown
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Baby boomers can still remember singing Christmas carols in grade school programs. Did your school system have an Easter holiday or simply a Spring break?
Landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in 1962-63 began the ban on prayer and Bible reading in public schools. Quoting a speech by professor and senior fellow William Jeynes to the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. on August 13, 2014:
“On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment because it represented establishment of religion. In 1963, in Abington School District v. Schempp, the court decided against Bible readings in public schools along the same lines.”1
“Since 1963 Jeynes said there have been 5 negative developments in the nation’s public schools:
- Academic achievement has plummeted, including SAT scores.
- Increased rate of out-of-wedlock births.
- Increase in illegal drug use.
- Increase in juvenile crime.
- Deterioration of school behavior” 2
After 39 years of enforced silence, another U.S. Supreme Court Ruling established the opportunity for children to hear Bible truths and voice prayer in school again!
According to the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in the case of Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, June 11, 2001:
“It is legal to allow Good News Club® to meet in school facilities.”
In June 11, 2001, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that Child Evangelism Fellowship® could have access to public school facilities to conduct Good News Clubs. The decision stated that Bible clubs such as the Good News Club must be given the same access to school facilities accorded any other non-school-related outside group.
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2001 confirms equal access to public schools. In the decision the Court ruled:
- Free speech rights had been violated because of our religious viewpoint.
- Restrictions must not discriminate against speech based on viewpoint.
- Permitting Good News Club to meet on school premises does not violate the Establishment clause.
- The danger that children would believe the school to be endorsing religion is no greater than the danger that they would perceive hostility towards religion if the club were excluded from this public forum.”3
Today Child Evangelism Fellowship, the world’s largest mission agency to children, continues to share the Gospel through after school Good News Club, for ages 5-12.
“MARY’S LAMB” is able to go to school!
Would you like to be part of taking the GOSPEL, the LAMB of GOD to our public school children?
Child Evangelism Fellowship works together with churches, schools and communities so kids are able to hear and understand how to receive Christ and grow in their faith.
On the Virginia Peninsula, CEF serves an area of 5 cities and 13 counties, with 91 elementary schools and an enrollment of nearly 42,000 children. Presently we have Good News Clubs in 12 schools.
Will you consider how you can get involved and reach children with the Gospel through the Good News Club ministry?
Jesus said, “…your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matt.18:14
We have an open door to share Jesus with elementary aged children in public schools. Parents give permission for their children to attend Good News Club immediately after school. Workers needed include: leaders, teachers, helpers, prayer warriors, and other support. We would love to start a Good News Club in a school near you and your church. The Lamb of God is patiently waiting…
Contact Tom Boor of CEF Peninsula today to find out how you can get involved!
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt.9:37
1 CNS News 2 Ibid 3 CEF Supreme Court Ruling
