Stories from Austria’s Good News Clubs

The work of Child Evangelism Fellowship in Austria grew steadily through the 1960s and 70s. In 1962, Trudy Kuhlman moved to Vienna at the request of the international office. The city was harder ground than the rural regions, but seeds were planted there too. Some of Vienna’s outstanding evangelical church workers in later years came to faith through those early Good News Clubs.

By 1983, twelve full-time CEF workers were serving across Austria, led by Edwin Keimer from Switzerland. Edwin had come to faith in children’s ministry through a single verse — Matthew 18:14: “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” He served alongside his wife Kathi with quiet joy and dedication. Other workers followed from Canada and Germany, each one committed to bringing the Gospel to Austria’s children.

Beneath the statistics of workers and clubs, there were children — and God was at work in their hearts.

Jochen: A Missionary at Home

Jochen came from a small village and heard about the missionary William Carey at a 5-Day Club. Carey’s story stirred something in him, and Jochen received Christ that week. Afterwards, he declared he wanted to be a missionary too. But it was what he did next that showed the depth of his faith — he and four friends formed a weekly prayer group.

He was clear-eyed about where he was in life:

“I cannot yet be a missionary overseas, but I can be one at home and at school.”

A child, freshly come to faith, already understanding that following Jesus means bringing the Gospel to the people around you. That is the fruit of faithful children’s ministry.

Hans: A New Ambition

Hans came from an atheistic home in Vienna — not a household where faith was welcomed or the Bible opened. And yet he kept coming to the Good News Club, week after week. The seed of God’s Word was being planted.

Sometime later, his mother ran into club leader Faye Rueck at a grocery store and shared that Hans had a new ambition — he wanted to be a Sunday school teacher.

One faithful worker. One child from an atheistic home. One life redirected toward serving God. This is the quiet, eternal work of the Gospel among children.

*This story is taken from the book Harvest Comes in Spring by Ruth E. Turnwall, a former CEF worker.

(Image:Adobe Express)