Looking Behind

   I’d like to take a brief look and review some of the highlights from 2022. While our gaze should never be in the rear view mirror, it is good nonetheless to take time to contemplate what God has done. Here are some of those things:

    In January, as covid restrictions eased, Calvary Chapel Modesto taught a 5-week Good News Club^® at Dieterich Elementary in Modesto. This was one of the few clubs during the 2021-22 school year that met in person, and it was as blessing to be a part of children coming to know Christ (see picture above).

    In February CC Modesto did the same thing at Agnes Baptist Elementary in Modesto, and that club has continued on as a full-time club this school year.

    In March I had a radio interview with KAMB (see separate article), which bore fruit later in the year, and in May we held our successful Spring Fundraiser, the Beautiful Feet 5k.

   In August we helped Bible Christian church in Le Grand conduct a 5-Day Club^®. That same church plans to start a GNC^® at Le Grand Elementary early next year.

    As we rolled into October, God blessed us with our first in-person banquet since covid and supplied abundantly for our financial needs. We also saw the successful start of GNCs in Denair and Valley Springs.

    We also voted on two new committee members in 2022. While seeing one step off, and another stepping off at the end of this year, we are in a good position moving forward. And having Veronica in our office for a full year allowed me to get out and visit pastors up and down our area.

God willing, we will have 18-20 clubs back running again in area schools. 2022 has been a blessing, and we are eagerly anticipating the year to come. 

January – A boy receives Christ at Dieterich Elementary in Modesto.

And then records his decision so that he’ll remember it.

Praise & Prayer

– Praise God for the children coming to know the Lord as their Savior! That is the result of all office work, pastor visits, committee meetings, and trainings!

– Praise God for all of the volunteers in 2022 who gave of their time to bring the Gospel to the children.

– Praise God for all of our faithful supporters who gave of their financial resources this past year so that the ministry could move forward.

– Praise God for supplying CEF Norcal with a new State Director! Pray for Chelsea Cummins as she begins her new role this month.

– Praise God for each partnering church who have allocated resources, people, and time to speak in their churches. Churches are vital to our success in reaching children for Christ.

– Pray for God’s favor in 2023.

March – Counseling taking place at Agnes Baptist Elementary.

Partnerships

   Without partnerships CEF would not be able to reach children with the Gospel. Primarily we partner with churches and individuals, motivating, training, equipping, and supporting them to reach out to the children in their circles of influence. But from time to time, we also partner with other ministries. Let me tell you about one such partnership.

    In November of 2021 I made a visit to talk with Tim Land, the Manager of KAMB radio based out of Merced. Among other things, I was interested in a possible radio interview to get the word out to a lot of people about the ministry of CEF.

    In March of 2022 I sat down with Dave Benton in the KAMB studios for an interview during the morning commute. We talked about the ministry in general, and about Good News Clubs in specific. Of particular interest was the fact that we were able

to conduct our clubs on public school campuses.

    Shortly after that I received a call from Michelle Turpin from Denair, who heard me on the radio and wanted to discuss starting a GNC. We met in on April 27^th, contacted the school in July, trained her team in August, and began the club on October 5^th.

    On October 12^th, almost a year from the initial visit that I had with Tim Land, and seven months removed from my interview with Dave Benton, two children responded to the Gospel and received Christ as their Savior at the Denair GNC. And it was all because Michelle Turpin heard my interview and God moved her heart to begin a GNC!

    I am so grateful for the ministry of KAMB, and for their partnership with us for the sake of the Gospel. They certainly share in the victory of what is happening in Denair.

This interview in March…

Led to this club in October…

Which led to this young lady receiving Christ!

Looking Ahead

   As we look forward to the new year, what is it that we would like to see happen? Let me give you just three things.

1. We would love to see a full-time field worker come on staff by the fourth quarter of the year. This person would make pastor visits, conduct trainings, and help launch new clubs.

2. It is our desire to have at least one club active in each county in our area. That means we need to pray for Mariposa, Alpine, and Mono Counties. We want to be reaching all of the children in the Central Valley North area.

3. We would like to conduct sixteen one-time outreaches that would develop into long-term outreach to the children.

If God wills we will live, and also see these goals accomplished. Will you partner with us in praying for these things to be accomplished?

July – Tuolumne City Outreach.

August – 5-Day Club in Modesto.

A Good End = A Good Start

2023 is just days away!

Will you help us end the year financially strong by prayerfully considering giving a year-end financial contribution? Here are a few ideas:

1.   Cash Gift (send it to the address below)

2.   Gift of Stock (see the article below)

3.   Online Gift (click on the button below)

We are asking the Lord for $20,000 in year-end donations.

Can you help us have a good end (2022), so that we are sure to have a good start (2023)?

CEF Central Valley North

2925 Niagra St, Suite 6

Turlock, CA 95382

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

A Gift of Stock is also an option for year-end giving.

When giving appreciated assets, such as public stock, you not only receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock, but you also avoid capital gains tax.

Timing is everything! As you consider your year-end giving, remember the IRS has very specific deadlines to claim credit on this year’s taxes, depending on what you give.

For cash gifts, it’s all about the postmarked envelope. For stock, its the transfer that matters. Checks from your IRA account have to be fully processed by December 31.

For more information on how to best give a gift of stock to CEF, click HERE. Simply fill out your contact information, choose “donation information” from the drop down menu, and type “gift of stock” in the “Other” box. We will get back to you promptly with the next steps to take.

You can also email Joel Cripe at [email protected], or call our office

(209) 250-2561.