not one should perish... Matthew 18:14

Child Evangelism Fellowship^® (CEF^®) of North Carolina in Durham has a simple, but profound threefold purpose: evangelism, discipleship, and connecting local churches to unchurched children and families across our area.  We have a priority calling to serve city kids, block by block, in under-resourced communities of Durham with Gospel-centered activities using the 10 Keys of the Kingdom for biblical discipleship and leadership development. 

March Madness launched campaign 

to sponsor city kids for camps

Coach Larry Parrish was honored with reunion of past players and coaches

  A special day of fund raising and reunion was held at Pop's Trattoria in Durham of past players, coaches, and friends of Coach Larry Parrish March 17th. NCAA basketball tournament games were watched during the afternoon and a roast of Coach Parrish in the evening kicked off a campaign towards sponsoring 1,000 city kids for camp this summer. Coach Parrish, who coached at Jordan, Southern, and Riverside High Schools in Durham, has mentored and made a positive mark on hundreds of athletes, coaches and many youth for 44 years. He started Prep Stars Invitational Basketball Camps and the Junior Prep Stars Basketball School as well as had an impact on the development of the CEF More Than Gold sports camps. The stories were numerous during the reunion. The laughter was refreshing. Some players had not seen each other for over 30 years. Coach Parrish said, "...the memories were worth a million dollars." The campaign will continue throughout 2012. 

To support this effort, all former players, campers, and those interested in helping city kids can sponsor one or more youth at $100/kid. All contributions at any level will go towards sponsoring city kids for camp. Contributions can be received online at CEF donations or by mail to CEF - PO Box 1288 - Durham NC 27702.

Accepting the 10 Challenge in 2012

 Kingdom building for Christian community

   Work will continue in select under resourced communities of Durham throughout 2012.  Many children and their families will hear and see the Gospel in action as local and visiting ministry teams of Christians and indigenous leaders collaborate with CEF.  Biblical expressions of the Gospel will be demonstrated as the 10 Keys of the Kingdom are used.  Students enrolled in urban boot camps, teachers leading Good News Clubs, and pastors of local congregations will be trained and guided to incorporate the 10 Keys for sustainable Gospel-centered ministry. 

More Than Gold sports camps multiply

   Building solid athletic skills and strong Christian character has been the intention behind More Than Gold since its start in 1996. Basketball has always been the camp of choice, however soccer, baseball, wrestling, and cheerleading camps and clinics have also been held over the 15 year history. Tennis will be a new sport for More Than Gold and was added with a fully supported tennis academy in March 2012. Both basketball and soccer will sprint forward in 2012 with a swelling schedule of camps and clinics in communities, city parks, and local organizations. The YMCA hosted a basketball camp April 10-12 in downtown Durham as a new partner with More Than Gold to enhance sports, fitness, and nutrition of city kids and youth. The popular community-based weekend event "Blacktop Games" was held in north and south Durham communities April 14th. Basketball, soccer, corn hole, and a variety of others games for kids and the entire family were offered at the events free to the public. Local churches and ministries collaborated with hosts Christian Assembly and Champions for Life in providing food, music, prayer, and proclaiming the Gospel during these Blacktop Games. Tennis and basketball camps are scheduled for the summer during June and July. 

Communities hold special MLK events

  on Martin Luther King Day of Service

   Prayer walks, a cross-community luncheon, and various events engaging Durham communities were held Mon. Jan. 16th throughout the special day dedicated to service. Community projects, sports competitions, oral history sessions led by community elders, and activities for reflection were held throughout the city including six of the ten resourced-challenged communities where CEF ministers. Click [MLK graphic above] for details and schedule of the events in these communities. 

Christmas parties for kids bring local communities together

   Multiple events during Christmas with stories, treats, and gifts for kids rallied entire communities, local churches, and community leaders to engage the mission of CEF and child evangelism. The story of Christ's birth, life, sacrifice, and ascension was told to hundreds of children and adults during these evangelistic parties. Whether through the eyes of a child or directly from the Bible, the true message of Christmas was proclaimed. Through gifts and kindness many community residents and leaders participated in delivering God's Message to children of all ages. Supporting churches were involved as they are weekly in these communities. New to these type outreach events, the Chinese Christian Mission Church of Durham led Christmas songs in one community and gave gifts for kids at another site.

CEF Honors John & Vera Mae Perkins' Service
   At the conclusion of a quick two-day visit to Jackson, Mississippi last month (November), John Blake (CEF) gave special recognition to Mrs./Dr. Vera Mae Perkins for over 50 years of service as a Good News Club^® teacher, teacher-trainer, and promoter of Child Evangelism Fellowship. With her husband, Dr. John Perkins by her side, the two were honored for their long-time service and promotion of CEF and its mission to reach children for Christ. Read more of John & Vera Mae Perkins life and ministry on a dedication page.

Together for Durham (YouTube) a collaborative urban network of Durham ministries engaging under resourced communities with the 10 Keys of the Kingdom is featured with Dr. John Perkins.

Check out the Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc. International Headquarters site for a global perspective of reaching children worldwide.  Last year over 10,900,000 children were enrolled in various outreach programs sponsored by CEF.