Child Evangelism Fellowship®
Our Vision
Every Child
That every child will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel at least once.
Every Nation
That children in every nation will have access to the Gospel through an established and well-developed CEF ministry.
Every Day
That children who put their trust in the Lord Jesus as Saviour will grow in their faith by spending time with God, in His Word every day.
CEF beginnings in Europe
Since 1947, when five missionaries arrived in Europe from USA, the work has grown to become one of the largest children’s missions serving throughout the continent. The CEF region stretches from Greenland in the west to Russia in the east and from Finland in the north to Cyprus in the south. Over 630 CEF workers are assisted by many thousands of volunteer teachers and committee members. A CEF ministry exists in every country of the region. It is encouraging to know that over 900,000 children learn of the Saviour each year through various methods of outreach. Thousands of Christians attend teacher training courses and CEF teaching materials are available in 38 European languages. CEF is committed to taking the life-changing message of the Gospel to all children.
- 2022
- 2020
- 2018
- 2016
- 2015
- 2011
- 2010
- 2006
- 1999
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1977
- 1974
- 1971
- 1969
- 1966
- 1964
- 1963
- 1953
- 1949
- 1947
- 1946
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2020
During the Corona pandemic many countries offer online clubs and online training. The weekly livestream in Lapland is watched by over 1,000 children and probably adults, too. Stephen Chambers becomes Area Director for Northwest Europe. -
2018
45 years after the official opening, Kilchzimmer was closed with a big thanksgiving service. Stephen Garrett became the Area Director for South West Europe. -
2016
Children’s Ministry Leadership Courses (CLMC) is now offered each year across the Region, with courses in 2016 being held in Ireland, Kilchzimmer, Romania and Ukraine. -
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2011
Henry Berry became the Area Director for South West Europe. Roy Harrison took on responsibility for North West Europe. -
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2006
CEF Area Directors were appointed – Jakob Wiebe for Eastern Europe, Sebastian Edelmann for Central Europe and Chris Haaijer for South West Europe. -
1999
The print shop in Holderbank was sold; CEF literature could be printed in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. -
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1994
The first three-month Leadership Training Institute in Russian was held outside Kiev. -
1993
Roy and Ruth Harrison became European Directors. Launch of the distribution of 25 million tracts to children in Eastern Europe and the follow-up through correspondence courses. -
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1977
CEF purchased a watch factory in Holderbank to use as the print shop for Europe. -
1974
Roy and Ruth Harrison moved to Switzerland to start the Literature Department. -
1971
Kilchzimmer is bought by CEF Europe and completely renovated. In 1973 the first CMLC takes place there. -
1969
Gus Matero and Max Mackie, based in Finland, made their first visit to the Soviet Union. -
1966
The first Leadership Training Institute (today: CMLC) was held in English at Lamorlaye in France in the buildings of the European Bible Institute. Trudy Kuhlman, who was working with CEF in Vienna, travelled to Czechoslovakia to visit some of Mildred Droppa’s contacts – the beginning of the CEF work in the “closed” communist countries of […] -
1964
Following the CEF Institute in USA, Sam and Sadie Doherty were appointed CEF Regional Directors for Europe. -
1963
The first European CEF Conference was held in Lisbon, Portugal with 35 participants, with Mrs Ruth Overholtzer (the wife of the founder of CEF) taking part. It was followed (in July 1970) by a European CEF Conference in Sweden. -
1953
Henry Eskelund, who had married Minnie (née Larsen), took the CEF Institute in USA. In 1954 Herman van Brummelen, who had married Marie (née Tripp) took the Institute in USA. Both couples returned to Europe to direct the work in Denmark (Eskelunds) and the Netherlands (van Brummelens). -
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1947
Minnie Larsen arrived in Copenhagen to begin the work in Denmark. Mildred Droppa arrived in Prague to begin the work in Czechoslovakia. She only served there for two years, before the communist regime forced her to leave. -
1946
Bernard and Harriet Swanson (from USA) arrived in Gothenburg to begin the work in Sweden.
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2022
2022 - 2022
Iulian and Anca Mangalagiu became the new European Directors.
Our Strategy
Training
We believe passionately that those who teach children from the Word of God, should have quality training. You can find out more about the wide variety of training possibilities offered by CEF®.
If you want to know more about CEF training, click button below to contact us
Equipping
We offer a wide variety of materials for those active in children’s ministry. Contact the CEF office or visit the online shop in your country. You can also visit our TeachKids website.
If you would like to know more about CEF literature go to RESOURCES.
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SHORTFALL Project
Over 600 CEF workers in Europe have answered God’s call to serve Him and take the Gospel to children and teenagers across our continent. However, due to the economical or religious context in some countries there are 300 CEF workers who do not yet have all the funding needed for ministry.The SHORTFALL project exists to meet this need and enable every CEF worker to be fully resourced for ministry.
Why CEF®and the local church?
CEF worker as an active member
We believe that every CEF worker should be an active member of a local church.
As members they help their local church to develop their ministry to children or get involved in other areas.
Prayer support of the church
We believe it is the church which sends workers out to the mission field, prays for them and supports them financially, as possibilities allow. As CEF, we therefore believe it is important that our missionaries have a home church with which we co-operate closely and transparently.
Prayer support of the church
We believe it is the church which sends workers out to the mission field, prays for them and supports them financially, as possibilities allow. As CEF, we therefore believe it is important that our missionaries have a home church with which we co-operate closely and transparently.
Opportunities for serving
We believe that the local church is responsible for evangelising the lost and strengthening believers, providing opportunities for the latter to serve. As CEF we support churches in their mandate through training, resources and by providing opportunities for full-time and voluntary ministry.
CEF of Europe Leadership
Regional
Director
Iulian & Anca Mangalagiu
Area Directors
Central
Darko & Lidija Adamek
Western
Stephen & Grace Chambers
Eastern
Igor & Viktoria Dragunov
Southwest
Andrew & Beulah McMullan
Department Leaders
Literature and Multimedia
Bogdan Bassara
Education Department
Linda Corry
Leadership Development
Philip Annett
Partnership Ministry
Claire Bain
Member Care Department
Chris & Lynn Holt
I.T. Department
Vilijam Valentini