North Valley News

Ministry Newsletter of Joel Cripe,

Child Evangelism Fellowship

August 2024

Stops Along The Way

Travel with us through Summer 2024

At the end of this month Nadya and I will take our annual vacation. Where we are going we have been many times before. I am already planning out what stops we will be making along the way. Each stop will have a story of its own that will be remembered and talked about throughout the year. Summer ministry is like that. So let me tell you about several of the stops we have already made over the last 11 weeks. We won’t linger long at each stop, but I think they will be an encouragement to you.

Stop #1

(Calaveras County Fair)

May 16-19

Our first stop was at the Calaveras County Fair in Angels Camp. Technically May isn’t summer yet, but I’m counting it as it was the first major type of “summer” type event outside of the Good News Club program. Ten volunteers shared the Gospel with 406 children and 70 of them received Christ. Of note at this fair was the carnival worker who came to our booth after reading one of our tracts, and ended up receiving Christ.

Stop #2

(West Point Outreach)

May 18

West Point is a stop that few people make or are even aware of. It is a very small community in Calaveras County between the towns of Mokelumne Hill and Pioneer. I joined a community picnic put on by the West Point Southern Baptist Church. Seven children and one adult heard the Gospel. I will always remember this stop because Janice (pictured) made a Gospel bracelet and prayed to receive Christ. Our sign does say “free Gospel bracelets for children of all ages”, and Janice took me up on it. The Gospel is also for people of all ages, and Janice, age 69, proved that to be true!

Stop #3

(Walker Chaplain Visit)

May 30

It’s easy to forget that Mono County is part of our local chapter, but it is. Nadya and I made the trip to the town of Walker to visit with the chaplain of the Marine Mountain Warfare Base there. It was our first step into the realm of military ministry. Right now, though it is a closed door, I am encouraged to take steps into unreached areas. Please continue praying that God will open the door to reach the children on this base.

Stop #4

(Christian Youth In Action)

June 15-21

Did you know that CEF Norcal holds two week-long training camps for teens? One of those camps is in Cupertino and Nadya and I were on staff. Nadya taught the class on how to counsel children and I was the campus pastor. Nadya was also in charge of a small group and a leader in training. Benjamin Harrison, our local missionary from Turlock, joined 45 other students from the Greater Bay Area and prepared himself to reach children for Christ.

Stop #5

(Modesto 5-Day Clubs)

June/July

Stop #6

(Mother lode Fair)

June 27-30

Stop #7

(Le Grand 5-Day Club)

July 22-26

Stop #8

(Convoy of Hope Outreach)

July 27

Stop #9

(Crossroads Kids Training)

July 28

Nadya and I were invited last month to talk with the children at Crossroads Church in Turlock about what we do as missionaries. After a brief introduction of our ministry we then proceeded to train 41 K-4th grade children how to share the Gospel using the Good News carabiner and dog tags pictured above. In CEF our mission is to evangelize, disciple, and establish children, but our strategy is to motivate, train, equip, and support believers to do that. Just this summer we have trained adults, teens, and now children to do just that!

Thanks for Traveling With Us!

Now that is the end of our summer road trip. We covered multiple cities in five different counties. Now another adventure is already being planned and is almost upon us. Good News Clubs start this month and you’re invited to join us for that trip as well. But, for now, get out of the car and stretch your legs, because the Good News Club season is a 9 month road trip that covers many miles. Blessings!