The Vision of Chicagoland ‘08
For many years there have been several states and large cities in America that have had a small Child Evangelism Fellowship® presence. God has been increasing in our hearts a desire to help these states and cities to reach the boys and girls for Christ. We felt that maybe the USA CEF® family could come together to one location and work side-by-side with local churches to reach the unchurched children in those communities. God laid on our hearts to invite Gilberto Celeti, from Brazil, to join us for a couple of days and tell us how they have been doing this for 16 years.
As we felt the Lord's leading and burden for areas needing development, we knew that we needed expertise to formulate a plan. We called on Gilberto Celeti from CEF of Brazil. Gilberto has extensive background in pioneering work not only in his own country of Brazil but worldwide. He has done pioneering for the past sixteen years in Latin America as well as Africa.
We studied the Brazil model and gained insight from Gilberto. One of the key components of this model is a resource that is abounding here in the work of CEF in the USA. That resource is people. We have 750 staff nationwide as well as thousands of volunteers, committee members and students.
The Brazil Model
The Brazil Model has several outcomes that guide the focus and effort of pioneering. This is a proven model that is time tested. It has had great success worldwide and we anticipate great things from it.
- Children are reached-especially the first step of this method involves high impact outreach into communities where CEF does not currently have a presence.
- Churches trained-churches are trained to effectively carry out the Great Commission through reaching children and families within their communities.
- New Staff Raised-as we take an area by storm and raise community awareness, we are confident that God will raise up believers who are so impacted by this effort that they feel the call of God to reach the children of their area full time.
- Renewed passion and vision for the CEF family-the involvement of the CEF Family will result in members returning to their home ministry with vision and passion that will be contagious. This results in established CEF family members helping other areas who are in need on a local or state level.
- A CEF Family gathering-this is a gathering of a diverse family to bring their gifts, training and skills to come together in collaboration to not only reach children and infuse a CEF area in need but also to encourage one another.
Why Chicago?
Chicago was chosen as the first area to launch the Good News Across America project. This was chosen because of its historical significance to the CEF and its first outreach efforts. This is where visionary ideals became practical ministry for Mr. Overholtzer and the first CEF committee. Just as Mr. O sought the support of Chicago church leaders, Chicagoland ‘08 is a partnership between dedicated CEF missionaries and Bible believing churches in Chicago.
The image to the left is a prayer map that was located in the first CEF office in Chicago.
(For more information on the history of CEF in Chicago, read the chapters "Chicago Crucible" and "Trajectory" from The Indomitable Mr. O.)
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