CYIA Winter Retreat

Can you believe that 2010 is almost here? Well, plans have been made for the Winter Retreat at Camp Fairwood where Christian Youth In Action® also takes place in the summer. The Winter Retreat will take place Jan. 22-23, 2010.
This is a wonderful way for the Summer Missionaries to reconnect after a whole semester of school has gone by. It is also a great way to introduce some potential Christian youth to an opportunity to serve the Lord next summer, 2010, by attending Christian Youth In Action training camp , June 13–25, 2010.
Our Summer Missionaries not only learn how to teach a Bible verse, or a song, or a Bible lesson, but they also learn how to work together as a team, and how they can use the gifts that God has given them as individuals to serve Him. They also learn how to interact with boys and girls who may not even know Who Jesus is.
If you know a young person who loves the Lord and is serious about serving Him, let him/her know about the Winter Retreat and Christian Youth In Action.
Christian Youth In Action® provides an opportunity for anyone 14 years of age or older to serve children in the Greater Madison Area.
Learn more about being a CYIA Summer Missionary at the Winter Retreat January 22-23. Applications are on our website or call the CEF office.

Summer Missionary Testimony by Moriah Erickson

CEF has been an amazing program in helping me grow in my relationship with Christ.  My freshman year was my first year participating in CYIA, and CEF helped me make my relationship with God personal.  God really opened my heart to missions that summer.
My first summer, I prayed with seven little girls to receive Christ as their Savior.  That is the most amazing feeling in the world! 
    Moving forward, last summer was my third summer with CEF.  Fair ministry was what God used to really teach me this summer.  I had taught many shifts that week, and nearing the end of the week, I had not prayed with a single person to receive Christ.  I was really discouraged.  It was the end of Friday night, and we were closing up the tent when two teenage boys walked in.  We asked our usual question "Would you like to hear the story of the wordless book?" and they agreed.  I was very nervous because both of these boys had been in some of my high school classes.  I started telling them the story, and soon found out that one boy was a firm atheist and the other was not sure what he believed.  As I shared the story with them, I just felt an overwhelming peace and excitement telling them both the story and my own testimony.  I know that the Holy Spirit was the cause of that.  Experiences like this really show you God's presence.
    I would love to participate in CEF this next summer, so that God can show me more of Him and who He wants me to be.  I feel that this next summer, God will teach me many new things and use them to prepare me for college in the fall.  I would love sharing my experiences and teaching skills with other students by being a team leader this summer.  I am praying that if it is God's will for me to go again to CYIA that He would provide that support because with college coming in the fall, it will be hard to meet ends.  Thank you for all your prayers and support! 
God Bless,
Moriah Erickson

Teacher Enrichment January 9th

January 9th, 2010 Curriculum

Series:
1)Patriarchs
2)Deal or No Deal– Come and share in the possibility of FREE merchandise.
3)Wonderzone
4)Wonderzone Trailguide-Learning how to be a trailguide. ( Work from home & mentor children on the CEF Wonderzone website.)
5)Valentine Lesson-TBD later.

For Good News Club® workers or anyone interested in learning about great CEF materials. We will be giving you tons of ideas to make your class not only fun and exciting for the children, but also effective in teaching them spiritual truths that will change their lives. Great for Sunday School, AWANA, parents, etc.

CYIA 2010

Would you or anyone you know be interested in gaining experience as a missionary? Christian Youth in Action® provides an opportunity for anyone 14 years of age or older to serve children in the greater Madison area.
Learn more about being a CYIA Summer Missionary at the Winter Retreat January 22-23.
Orientation 1 April 24th @ CEF Madison office
Orientation 2 May 15th @Camp Fairwood
CYIA June 13th-25th
Contact the CEF office at
608-242-4002 or
office@cefmadisonwi.com for details.

Well its been a while but the blog is back!

TCE-1 is now in the home stretch as the participants have been learning Bible verses, the Wordless Book and now Bible lessons. Thanks to all the IOT's for all their patience, we are having a blast!

God Answers Prayer!

This week at our Monday Morning Meeting we talked about experiences our Summer Missionaries had last week. There were 15 new decisions made to follow Christ. And the children attending the clubs got to see answers to prayer themselves!
In one club they prayed for a sick boy, asking God to heal him so he can attend 5 Day Club. The next day he was better and came to club!

Rock County Fair

Moriah's awesome testimony from the fair:

One night, just as we were closing down the tent, two boys from my school (my grade and above) stopped by our tent. I started telling the wordless book, and one boy (19yrs) asked me so many questions about God and told me that he was on the fence between God and evolution. I really felt God using me, because I know that I couldn't have told him all the answers on my own strength. The other boy, (my age), told us that he was a firm athiest. I could really tell the first boy was seeking, and I really feel like he understood what we were telling him. He was going to come back to the fair today to talk with us, but sadly, he never showed while I was working :(. Through that experience, I was just soo reassured of my faith. God really is the true God and He is amazing! He works in so many wonderful ways!! After the boys left, I was just jumping with excitement that we just even got to share with them about our wonderful Lord! God really gave me an excitement to teach today, and it is wonderful! Please pray for these two boys.

VBS @ Hillcrest

We have had the wonderful opportunity to partner with Hillcrest Church this week to teach at their VBS. As many as 96 children have attended in a single night! Summer Missionaries are doing a great job teaching the Bible lesson, missionary story, prayer, memory verse, and more.

Stoughton Fair

This week summer missionaries are at the Stoughton Fair, using the Wordless Book to share the gospel with fair-goers. We hope to update the numbers daily so check back tomorrow to see how God has been working.

Day 1 - The Wordless Book was shared with 79 children and adults and there were 17 new professions of faith.

Day 2 - The Wordless Book was shared with 92 fair-goers and there were 21 new professions of faith.

Day 3 - The Wordless Book was shared with 64 people and there were 31 new professions of faith.

Day 4 - The Wordless Book was shared with 103 fair-goers and there were 18 new professions of faith.

Day 5 - The Wordless Book was shared with 42 people and there were 9 new professions of fail.

We praise God that 380 people heard the message of salvation this week and that 96 people indicated their need for salvation. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

Pictures from Camp

Children listening to the Bible lesson.


Praying for the missionary family in Haiti.


In prayer.


Talent show


Laughing so hard he cried.


Practice club @ camp.


Teaching the actions to a song.


Being cooperative children during a practice club.


Welcome to 5-Day Club!


Morning song introducing the Weather Man!


Free time.


A cool ride.


Studying hard.


Learning new skills



Barrel rides


Hangin' out


Playing together

Special helper =)


Learning to minister to all types of children.


Monkey face


Cabin bonding


Being silly!


Team building


Trying to learn the trick to escaping the handcuffs.


Smiles


Family bonding time.


Building strong friendships.

CYIA Start of Week 2

It has been an incredibly busy time at camp. Summer Missionaries have continued to learn and pass their lessons. We took a short break from classes on Sunday to enjoy some time with family and friends. Today (Monday) we start teaching actual clubs. It's great to have the practice before returning to Madison, but it is also very stressful to do it for the first time. The weather has been VERY hot and humid, but we are surviving. =) Please continue to pray for us. There are many items that we need to accomplish before the end of the week. I am having trouble getting pictures to post today, but will hopefully have an opportunity towards the end of the week. Thanks for staying connected with us while we're gone.

Week 1 of CYIA

Hey all! Camp is going well. I, Michelle, am amazed at how quickly students are learning their information. Everyone is healthy and doing well. They have already passed their memory verse and song presentation, as well as their Wordless book. We will be working on completing a Bible Story lesson or Missionary Story lesson today (Friday) and tomorrow. We will run through a practice club on Friday. Summer Missionaries have loved the mail they have received! Thanks so much for thinking of them and supporting their experience here. I'll try to get more pictures posted soon! Please remember to pray for us.

CYIA Commissioning Service

Yesterday the Christian Youth in Action summer missionaries were commissioned into ministry at Hillcrest Bible Church in Oregon.


Summer missionaries who were able to attend the service.


Worship was lead by Pastor Fred, Emily (Summer Missionary) and Ric.


The committee members present introduced themselves. Together they have more than 90 years of experience with CEF!


Pastor Eric spoke from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, challenging the summer missionaries to remember that God has an eternal plan and that their role is to cheer on his work.


Summer missionaries introducing themselves.


Jim spoke about his experience growing up with CEF. He encouraged summer missionaries not to get discouraged throughout the summer, but to remember that while they may not see immediate results, God is at work.

Thank you to Hillcrest church, members, and missions committee for their help and role in making this service a success! Thank you to Sharon for taking pictures!

Oakfest

On Memorial Day, CEF was invited to share the gospel with people attending the carnival at Monona Oaks Church. Teachers, volunteers, and Summer Missionaries shared the Wordless Book and facepaint with those in attendance.