5-Day Clubs ^®

^{and the local church}

Purpose:

A.   To reach the unreached child in our neighborhoods by providing a safe & enjoyable experience where they can hear the gospel.

B.  To train up leaders -young people and adults, who have made a commitment to Christ, to share their faith and disciple children.

Personnel: 

Capable young people 15 years of age and older are trained for 2 weeks using effective and proven methods.  The first week is practical classroom instruction and the second week is supervised teaching in small teams.  These young people are then sent out in teams of at least two.  References from previous churches are available upon request.

Program Format:

The clubs run Monday to Friday.  The missionaries usually arrive & leave on Saturday.  This makes them available to be introduced and participate in your Sunday service.

We have three options available for club formats. Each one includes the same 1 ½ hour teaching program, but is placed in a different setting with various activities added.

A contest is used for fun and incentive.  The summer missionaries will be prepared to keep track of points but the contest format and prizes are the responsibility of the church.

A church may choose a single format or a combination of formats:

1 Backyard club - 1 VBS

1 Backyard Club - 1 Soccer Club

1 VBS - 1 Soccer Club

Backyard Clubs – 2 hours

Families from the church host the club for the children of their area. They help with registration, provide a snack,  perhaps a craft (additional time will be needed), a godly role model and a continuing contact with Christian believers.

 We pray that this contact will help children establish a relationship with Jesus and the local body of believers.

  Targeted age is for children   6 – 12 yrs. old.  Children on either end of this continuum can participate but the ministry will not be as effective if they make up a large number of the group.

This club happens in the backyard of the church family. It is good to have a blanket to sit on, as well as an indoor venue in case of rain. The club begins with games as the children arrive and are registered. It then moves into singing, a skit, memory verse, Bible lesson, review game, puppet skit, continued story, and snack. It is followed by more games before the children leave. This gives opportunity to get to know the children away from the teaching time. Up to 3 clubs can be held each day at different locations in your community.  This allows the ministry to be in a place that is accessible & familiar to the children.  Late morning, afternoons & early evenings are common times for clubs.  Consideration should be given for adequate time to move from one club to the next. 

Soccer Clubs - 3 hours

This club happens in a local soccer field, with a rainy day alternative. The church arranges the location for the club, as well as getting 1 ball for every 2 children expected. Pylons or other markers are also needed. One helper for every 10 children for groups larger than 15 needs to be provided.

The targeted age is 8-12 years.  Children on either end of this continuum can participate but the ministry will not be as effective if they make up a large number of the group.

 These clubs are not training camps for soccer.  The summer missionaries use a number of drills, games and scrimmages to enhance soccer skills but the emphasis is relationships, teaching and evangelism.

The club begins with an extended period of soccer drills as the children arrive and are registered. After a drink break, they settle on the ground for their teaching time, which is the same as in the backyard option. After the teaching time is over, soccer activities/games are played for the remaining time. Up to 2 soccer clubs can be held during the day.

Vacation Bible School – 3 hours

This club takes place in a church or community centre. The church is in charge of crafts, recreation, refreshments, and registration. The schedule is set up differently from the other clubs, as the children begin all together in an opening session, but then are split into two groups where one group has craft/activity time while the other group enjoys a time of Bible instruction. After a refreshment break, the groups switch around participating in the sessions they have not yet been involved in. This may be followed by a recreation break and then the  final closing session with everyone together again. It is possible, but difficult to do this in a shorter time period.

Targeted age is for children   6 – 12 yrs. old.  Children on either end of this continuum can participate but the ministry will not be as effective if they make up a large number of the group.  One helper for every 10 children for groups larger than 15 needs to be provided. Up to 2 VBS’s can be held during the day in different locations, keeping in mind travel time between them.

Cost:

It costs CEF $450-$500 a week to cover our costs, but we are happy to do it on a donation basis.  The church is responsible for the billeting of the summer missionaries from Saturday (supper) to the next Saturday (breakfast). 

Churches are encouraged to share a missionary team between neighbouring communities.  If the  churches can take on the  responsibility for the travel between the communities it would be a great help.