About
Child Evangelism Fellowship ®, also known as CEF ®, is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the local church for Christian living. CEF currently has 3,423 missionaries around the world, 96% of whom are nationals. CEF trained nearly 400,000 people and reached over 20 million children with the Gospel in 2016.
CEF was founded by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer in 1937. Growing up in a religious family, Jesse at the age of 12 was convicted of his own sin and sought counsel from his mother. He was told, “Son, you are too young.” It wasn’t until Overholtzer was in college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.
Later as a pastor Mr. Overholtzer read one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons which stated, “A child of five, if properly instructed can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” The Lord used this statement in Mr. O’s life to lead him to begin the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship when he was 60 years old. The ministry has grown into the largest evangelistic outreach to children in the world. CEF of Nebraska was incorporated in December of 1960. Currently, there are six chartered chapters in Nebraska, five with full-time missionaries, and one without. There are three other chapters which need to be chartered. Our vision is to see God establish at least 25 full-time missionaries in Nebraska in the next five years and to be reaching more than 20,000 children each year with the Gospel. Wouldn’t it be great if every child in Nebraska could have the opportunity to hear of and respond to Jesus? Please pray with us to the “Lord of the Harvest, that He would send laborers into His harvest.” As you pray for laborers, full-time, part-time, volunteers, ask the Lord if He would have you to be a laborer in His harvest of children. He is “not willing that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14). We have found that the majority of Christians today became a Christian between the ages of 4-14. It is no surprise really, because Jesus stated that “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) Our passion is to work within the 4-14 Window; with those who are between the ages of 4 and 14. We estimate that number to be around 250,000 children in Nebraska. Since they are already children, they more readily and easily respond to the Gospel than do those who are older. Come join us in the most vital work!