Oct. 2005

A workshop discussing unprecedented opportunities of reaching the youth with the gospel in the public schools through Good News Clubs

Many well-meaning people believe that Christian teachers and administrators must leave their faith parked at the schoolhouse door each day as they enter to work with our young students. The so-called “separation of church and state” myth is often raised like an iron gate to force Christians to check their faith when they walk on campus. The reality is that not only is this notion untrue, it is illegal. Public schools are not religion-free zones.

Classrooms are full of unchurched children waiting to hear about a Savior who loves them forgives sin. Author and researcher, George Barna, states in his book Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions:

If you connect with children today, effectively teaching them biblical principles and foundations from the start, then you will see the fruit of that effort blossom for decades to come. The more diligent we are in these efforts, the more prodigious a harvest we will reap. Alternatively, the more lackadaisical we choose to be in our efforts to raise up children as moral and spiritual champions, the less healthy the Church and society of the future will be. The choice is yours.

Christian Educators Association International (CEIA), Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), and Liberty Counsel have teamed up together to set the record straight: the doors of the public schools are open for Christians to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to our youth, many of whom are waiting to hear about a Savior who loves them and forgives sin.

Based on recent court decisions, we now have unprecedented opportunity to bring the gospel to the public schools. In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled that Good News Clubs, sponsored by the international ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship, can meet on public elementary school campuses. In 2004, Liberty Counsel won a precedent-setting case that now permits public school teachers and staff to lead Good News Clubs. Good News Clubs are high-powered Sunday school which can now be established in the public schools immediately after school.

Pastors, church workers, school personnel, parents, and other interested Christians around the country have been asking how can we reach our youth with the gospel? Taking the gospel to the public schools is an excellent opportunity. On October 3, during the Super Conference in Lynchburg, Virginia,, CEF, CEAI and Liberty Counsel will be conducting an important workshop to discuss how an exciting vision – starting Good News Clubs on every public elementary school in the nation within the next five years!

This workshop presents Finn Laursen, Executive Director of CEAI and Myron Tschetter Vice President of USA Ministries for CEF. CEAI is a national organization of Christian teachers as an alternative to the ultra liberal National Education Association. CEF is an international children’s ministry which is in all 50 states and more than 155 foreign nations. The workshop also features Barbara Wigg, a public elementary school teacher who won the right for public school teachers and staff to participate in Good News Clubs. When Barbara was told she could not participate in a Good News Club because she was a teacher, Liberty Counsel filed suit and a federal court of appeals ruled in her favor. This case has opened the door for every public school teacher in America to bring Good News to our youth through Good News Clubs. Finally, Mathew Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, will address the legal issues and opportunities.

Finn Laursen was an educator in public school in Ohio for 32 years where he served as a teacher, school counselor, middle school and high school principal, and the last 11 years as a superintendent of schools. Finn shares a powerful message directed to

• Christian educators about their roles in showing Christ to their students through their words and actions in school and out.
• Parents, who bear the ultimate responsibility for their children’s education.
• Pastors and church workers, as CEAI assists local churches and denominations to explore ways they can become involved in education.

Myron Tschetter’s message focuses on the millions of lost children who are ripe to be reached for Christ. Myron is passionate and determined that all children have the opportunity to hear the message of the Gospel. “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14b).

His fervent presentation draws his listeners to center on the children who need to know Jesus and on the program which is a ready resource from which they can learn – after-school Good News Clubs. The goal of CEF’s Good News Clubs is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. That is accomplished by teaching children, ages 5-12, about Jesus through Bible lessons, missionary stories, Scripture memorization and review games—all in a fun and energetic child-friendly way.

There are plenty of extracurricular clubs and activities in public schools -- scouting programs, big brother/big sister programs and 4-H to name a few. People may wonder “What difference is another club going to make?” Many activities are great for helping kids learn new skills or meeting social needs. But they may not address heart issues — spiritual needs. The Good News Club, however, addresses the spiritual needs of the child in a fun and interesting social environment.

In addition to tremendous spiritual benefit, school-based Good News Clubs provide the following:

• Improve race relations
• Inroads against gang activity
• Hope for angry children of abuse, bitter divorce and overworked single partents
• Real-life solutions backed by the power of God’s Word
• Help to children for developing a committed walk with Jesus Christ
• Improve memory skills, grades, attitudes and behavior at home
• The moral foundation needed to combat the pressures of drugs, theft, violence and other harmful influences

Barbara Wigg has been an educator for 21 years. In 2002, as a third grade teacher in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Barbara chose to be a Good News Club teacher hoping to lead the Club in her own school after school hours. After only one Club meeting, she was informed by her principal that a school district policy prevented her, or any other district employee, from leading or participating in any religious activities after school on school grounds. Liberty Counsel came to her defense and won a groundbreaking victory at the federal court of appeals. Barbara shares her story of the two-year legal battle with her superintendent and school board from the first prophetic words shared with her by a stranger, to the court victory that established her case as a precedent for any other school districts who try to stifle First Amendment Rights.

This workshop is a call to action. Make sure you understand the rights of teachers and those who would be involved in ministering within our public schools. Step up, join us on October 3, for it is time to get busy. . . “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).

Coming together in Christ is a beginning.
Praying together in Christ is progress.
Serving together in Christ is success.