John Blake shares his "Heart for City Kids"

My Journey: God’s Game Plan #3 — Updates

October 18, 2023 in Current Topics, Newsletters | 1 comment

Over 2+ years / Brain Cancer / Glioblastoma / Seizures / Surgery / Treatments: Radiation, MRIs, Chemo, Infusion, Palliative, and Speech/Aphasia … Our journey continues.

August 2023: Last week my MRI showed a suspicious area and on Friday, September 1, 2023, a biopsy was done in the same area of brain as before. More cell activity and growth were discovered. I feel fine, but last two days I’ve been resting per doctor’s orders. More treatment, possible clinical trial to follow. Please pray God’s leading in our continued journey.

Current Update — On September 28, 2023, a resection (removal of brain tumor present) was to take place. While in the pre-op area, my surgeon came in and advised me not to have the surgery. This surgery required me to be awake, so it was critical that I was able to respond quickly to him. By using picture cards, he and another doctor realized that I wasn’t able to say what many of the pictures were – I knew what they were, but just couldn’t say them. At that point, Dr. Cook hesitant to do the brain mapping as he was afraid it might cause more damage, maybe lose my speech forever. I agreed. I’ve had so many conversations since then that have been so precious. Now, with my oncology team, I am taking chemo (presently on a 28-day cycle), and will be re-evaluated for progress at the end of October.

See more information and updates about John’s health journey, his family, and CEF of Durham Area during this challenge: my blog site johneblake.blog. Despite all of this, ministry is going forward with support from our dedicated volunteers and board members. My focus will be to mentor, develop strategy, and plan for continued growth kingdom building for CEF 2024.

Funding for CEF Durham: Kingdom-Building Ministry in 2023-2024

God has continued to bless CEF Durham with funding to cover ministry expenses. As we go forward, new and even more exciting work is being conducted in Durham within current ministry programs such as Good News Clubs, Power & Light (schools), Camps for City Kids (sports), Prayer (Pray Durham), and Community Events. Thanks to all our supporters. We hope you will continue to stand with us and give. There will be a need in 2023 and 2024 for new staff/supporters for us to go forward. Praise the Lord!!

Prayer Request for CEF Durham Area in monthly

Pray for CEF funding for 2023-2024 ministries
Pray for Board & Staff to confirm our vision, passion, and listen to Holy Spirit in 2023-2025
Pray for Connections in scheduling for Power/Light & Clubs
Pray for new ministries and clubs in Alamance-Burlington, Durham Nativity School, Orange, Granville, and Durham communities

Contributions to Child Evangelism Fellowship of North Carolina

Durham Area Chapter are tax-deductible by the IRS as a 501c3 org. Funds, Stocks, and Sponsorship donations toCEF Durham go towards funding its various local ministries. Give via USPS mail: CEF Durham PO Box 1288 Durham, NC 27702 / Give via website: gospeltokids.org — If you get CEF Durham’s newsletters by USPS mail, but would like to receive by email or other social media: send your email address or phone # for texts.

Tweets by cefdurhamnc

Contribute to our 2023 Annual Fund, Summer City Kids, or Sport Camps

July 27, 2023 in Camps for City Kids, Current Topics | Leave a comment

CEF’s purpose has remained unchanged for 85 years. For over 30 years the Durham Area Chapter has created new programs and changed some ministry methods, but our purpose to reach, teach, and disciple children for Christ will never change. We operate as a faith-based, donation-supported organization, with the staff, board members, and financial sub-committee sharing the fund-raising responsibilities. Thank You for contributing to boys and girls we minister!

Financial and prayer support come from churches and individuals who share the vision of reaching kids with the Gospel and teaching them in Christian living. Our Annual Fund covers all organizational costs and direct ministry expenses. Camps for City Kids funding cover summer staff, classes, and equipment.

Fun play, basic skills, and court fitness are offered by CEF and summer staff members conducting classes to build character, understand their value/power, and change things in their world. Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Kickball, Pickleball and Soccer to be held in conjunction with Bible, Power & Light, Reading, Etiquette weekly this summer from June 20-July 13, 2023.

For the year, CEF Durham Area hopes you will continue to stand with us to give, volunteer, and pray. There will be a need in 2023 for new staff funding for us to go forward. Funds, Stocks, Property & Sponsorship as donations to CEF Durhamfunding local ministries. Contributions to Child Evangelism Fellowship of NC Durham Area are tax-deductible by the IRS as a 501c3 org.

Community Ministries this summer

June 27, 2023 in Camps for City Kids, Ministry Development | Leave a comment

How does a person go from vulnerability to security? From need to independence? It starts when they begin to see they are loved and valued, just as they are. And when they have the tools and opportunities to create a new path forward.

Outreach serves vulnerable people through relationships and community services that prepare them to reach their God-given potential. Our staff, donors, volunteers, and church and community partners work together to bridge the gaps with services and programs that address their physical, emotional, academic, social, and spiritual needs. Because that’s what it takes for any of us to thrive.

Connect. Celebrate. Serve.

We’re a part of each community we serve. And we know that healthy communities are built with intention, and built by the people who live there coming together in good times as well as hard times. Each of the neighborhoods we’re invested in is made up of a diverse and dynamic group of people. So we facilitate a host of events that support and celebrate our friends, neighbors, and church partners.

Many of the kids (and families) that we work with have basic needs whether in school or in their neighborhood. As we minister, and reach out to these families, God has provided through other ministry partners and spiritual leaders ways we can help. For example, food was given out just yesterday (see pictures below) by Pastor Michael Harley, who runs this ministry with CEF Durham. This month the ministry trailer was used for neighborhood events and to deliver 4,000 lbs.+ of food and 2,000 lbs. of cleaning supplies to families.

John Blake shares community-based strategies for biblical transformation of city kids, families, communities, and cities. From current topics, to developing a heart for the city and how to develop sustainable ministry are covered. John also articulates pivotal paradigms of the 10 Keys of the Kingdom, requirements for biblical transformation, and 10 Dynamics of Transforming a Community. The beginnings of a series on how to leverage biblical justice towards Diversity is most recent. Since January 2010, John has been sharing significant aspects of his 30 years of ministry experience. Find John’s blog at John Blake shares his “Heart for City Kids” — 919.630.9434

Summer Camps with CEF Ministries & Youth

June 16, 2023 in camps, Camps for City Kids, Mission Posts | Leave a comment

Building solid athletic skills and strong christian character… Just one summer camp experience can change a child’s life for a lifetime.

Bible Clubs, Power & Light, Etiquette, and Reading

CEF’s purpose has remained unchanged for 85 years. For over 30 years the Durham Area Chapter has created new programs and changed some ministry methods, but our main purpose to reach, teach, and disciple children for Christ will never change.

This summer, the Durham area has six trained young people who attended Christian Youth in Action camp and will be summer missionaries in our area. Six adults will be ministering along with these young people. These young people/adults will go to camps and communities where children are, ready to teach and work/have fun with kids around Durham for five days a week this summer. Praise the Lord!!

Financial and prayer support come from churches and individuals who share the vision of reaching kids with the Gospel and teaching them in Christian living. Our Annual Fund covers all organizational costs and direct ministry expenses. Camps for City Kids funding cover summer staff, classes, and equipment. Thank You!

Contribute

Durham Ministers in Prayer, CEF Durham, PrayDurham, and the National Day for Prayer Task Force pray for our Nation, State, our Communities

May 2, 2023 in Current Topics | Leave a comment

“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

We will also gather on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 12 Noon at the Bull located at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran Street, Durham, NC for our National Day of Prayer. We will have the National Day of Prayer, Prayer Guides for everyone. Please join us and bring someone with you.

Please pray for the National Day of Prayer Task Force throughout this week and then join us in prayer on May 4^th, first at your local community prayer gathering and then with the world at 12:00 p.m. The 2023 year the theme… “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” from James 5:16.

Pray Durham connections with Durham Christians

Durham Ministers in Prayer, Durham County Courthouse Prayer, Shielding First Responder Badges, Prayer for Local Schools, Adopt Your Street for Prayer, Prayer at Detention Centers, National Day of Prayer, Global 4/14 Day of Prayer, Triangle Prayer Room, and other local events and weekly praying gathering at [ https://www.facebook.com/PrayDurham and https://praydurhamnc.com/local-prayer-groups

2023 National Prayer For America

We come with fervent hearts to praise You Lord. You are The Word, the Way, Truth and Life. The Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, Almighty God who was, and is, and is to come. You clothed Yourself in flesh and dwelt among us, to remove our sin and clothe us in Your righteousness that we might dwell with You forever and ever… Prayer for America

Happy Easter & Contribute: Our 2023 Annual or Summers Sport Camps

April 6, 2023 in Camps for City Kids, Capacity Building | Leave a comment

7MIT helps City Kids learn & live for Jesus!

February 2, 2023 in "City Kids", Camps for City Kids | 1 comment

7 Most Important Things in the World: Further benefits of using the 7MIT allows children to hear the Message of Salvation as well as the Word of God over and over, week after week, via Scripture-match to all seven statements and a catchy tune with actions in every song verse. Kids will enjoy clapping, stomping and shouting as they sing this visualized song about the seven most important things in the world: 1. God loves me! 2. Jesus never sinned! 3. I have sinned! 4. Jesus died for me! 5. Now Jesus lives! 6. I put my faith in Christ! 7. I can live for Him! Words/Music: John & Sean Blake

Through weekly teaching and repetition of the 7MIT children will be challenged to memorize and apply these seven statements. A further benefit of using the 7MIT allows children to hear the Message of Salvation as well as the Word of God over and over, week after week, via Scripture-match to all seven statements and a catchy tune with actions in every song and verse.

John and Sean Blake originally developed 6 most important things for city kids to memorize, then wrote the song to match. It was found to be extremely effective in communicating God’s Word and the Message of Salvation to non-readers and those with short attention spans. Later, the song and list of important things grew to seven. Most children, youth, and teachers love the song, but may not fully utilize the contents, so here is how we use the 7MIT every week in clubs.

7MIT is being taught throughout the world within CEF Good News Clubs – in other countries (as we knew): Canada, China, France, Ghana, Honduras, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom, USA, etc.

There are 4 verses to the 7MIT Song… Teach a new verse each day or week that goes with the important thing to be taught that week, and always sing/review previous verses. The 7MIT statements should be grouped and taught to match the song (i.e. teach #2 and #3 together and #4 and #5 together). The #6 statement can be emphasized every week and/or at any time appropriate in your teaching segments.

Use the 7MIT as a review/remix when the Message of Salvation: GOSPEL is presented in a lesson, memory verse, or invitation/challenge. Emphasize the target 7MIT which is being used in your main teaching that day. The 7MIT is the Gospel. It can be used as a stand-alone Gospel presentation or while giving an invitation to receive Christ as Savior. The entire 7MIT usually should not be fully explained in one teaching segment of a Bible lesson or when using the song. See how we introduce and lead the 7MIT below in a Good News Club. (Older version of #6 being used)

CEF Ministries in communities, schools, churches and beyond into 2023

December 27, 2022 in Capacity Building | 1 comment

Our Vision: Reaching City Kids for Christ Foundation Steps Toward Reaching a City for Christ through…

God has continued to bless CEF Durham in 2022 with funding to cover ministry expenses. As we reach out to those around us in prayer, we do so knowing that we carry the authority of the Name of Jesus as well as protection from evil. Through our expressions of the Gospel, God’s Light and Truth bring about change in the spiritual climate within the community we reach through ministry.

Kingdom Building: Bless the lost. Relationship with fellowship. Prayer walking. Every Christian is a Minister. Proclaim the Gospel. Biblical discipleship in schools, neighborhoods, and marketplace. Identify assets and meet needs. Transformation: Kingdom of God is near/has come to the City.

CEF continues to go forth in 2023. Michael Harley, Lou Brogden, Christina Snowden, David Johnson, Darrell Moser, Steve & Millie Hannamans, and many other volunteers work with city kids in our Good News Clubs and Power & Light. CEF supports many families with basic needs – food, furniture – plus the Gospel is presented and shown in love for God’s children on a regular basis. Kids we minister with have parents or families in prison or crisis. CEF prayer groups/discipleship offered to these families. Thank you to all supporters – for this coming year, we hope you will continue to stand with us and give.

What’s In A Good News Club?

November 18, 2022 in Current Topics, Education, Leadership | 1 comment

Good News Club® is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship in which trained teachers meet with groups of children in schools, homes, community centers, churches, apartment complexes, just about anywhere the children can easily and safely meet with their parent’s permission. Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities focused on the lesson’s theme. As with all CEF ministries, the purpose of Good News Club is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.

Virtual Good News Clubs can be viewed at U-Nite, is the CEF YouTube

U-Nite is a CEF YouTube channel which shares God’s Word in a fun, engaging way to draw children to both understand and apply biblical truths to their lives. Songs, Bible lessons, and Scripture verses presented are great ways for children to memorize God’s Word as they sing of God’s promises and commands, the message of salvation, and other biblical truths. Each Bible lesson clearly teaches the Gospel since it is woven throughout the lesson.

School Good News Club^® ministry held immediately after school in local public and private schools is happening with the partnership of local churches, ministries, and CEF. These 60-90 minute Bible-centered clubs are held with parental permission. Other programs, like mentoring, tutoring, and character values education may be offered at adopted schools depending on need and available resources.

CEF Bible lesson series offer a systematic approach to Bible teaching.
Each series includes five or six lessons based on a theme, character or book of the Bible.
Biblically sound Gospel presentations and growth applications are built into each lesson.

Funding in 2022-2023 for Kingdom-Building Ministry

October 29, 2022 in "City Kids", Camps for City Kids | Leave a comment

Funds, Stocks, and Sponsorship donations to CEF Durham go towards funding its various local ministries. This year (2022), God has continued to bless CEF Durham with funding to cover ministry expenses. As we go forward, new and even more exciting work has been shown for Durham. We, as with other CEF ministries worldwide, know and trust that God’s Work, Done God’s Way, Will Never Lack God’s Supply. Thank you to all supporters. For this coming year, we hope you will continue to stand with us and give. There will be a need in 2023 for new staff/supporters for us to go forward. Please pray and invite others to support this ministry.

Kingdom-Building with GNC Teachers

CEF Durham has 50+ teachers for club activities within schools/neighborhoods. We need more teachers to minister in area schools and communities. Michael Harley and other volunteers work with families of our Good News Clubs to support them with basic needs – food, furniture – plus the Gospel is presented and shown in love for God’s children on a regular basis.

During 2022-2023, Bible Lessons will be taught in local communities and schools from the Old and New Testaments as follows: God: The One Who Knows, My Heart (David), God Rules: Be Strong (Daniel), God: The One to Follow (Peter) CEF offers 6 sessions of U-Nite clubs on our YouTube channel where songs, Bible verses, and activities are accessible to clubs.

Volunteers for CEF