is a Bible-centred, international and interdenominational organisation. We seek to work together with local churches in order to evangelise and to help saved children grow in their faith. CEF works in many countries around the world. The organisation is made up of workers who are born-again believers.
That every child will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel at least once.
That children in every nation will have access to the Gospel through an established and well-developed CEF ministry.
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.
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.
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.
James and Velma Kiefer started the ministry in Germany
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).
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.
Bernard and Harriet Swanson (from USA) arrived in Gothenburg to begin the work in Sweden.
Following the CEF Institute in USA, Sam and Sadie Doherty were appointed CEF Regional Directors for Europe.
Kilchzimmer is bought by CEF Europe and completely renovated. In 1973 the first CMLC takes place there.
Roy and Ruth Harrison moved to Switzerland to start the Literature Department.
CEF purchased a watch factory in Holderbank to use as the print shop for Europe.
Paul and Audrey Reid started the Education Department, based at Kilchzimmer.
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.
The first three month Institute in Russian is held outside Kiev.
The print shop in Holderbank was sold; CEF literature could be printed in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
CEF Area Directors were appointed – Jakob Wiebe for Eastern Europe, Sebastian Edelmann for Central Europe and Chris Haaijer for South West Europe.
Gerd-Walter Buskies became the European Director.
Henry Berry becomes Area Director for South West Europe, Roy Harrison cares for North West Europe.
CEF ministry is established in all 48 countries of Europe.
Children’s Ministry Leadership Courses (CLMC) are now offered each year across the Region, with courses in 2016 being held in Ireland, Kilchzimmer, Romania and Ukraine.
45 years after the official opening, Kilchzimmer is closed with a big thanksgiving service.
Stephen Garrett becomes Area Director for South West Europe.
Stephen Chambers becomes Area Director for Northwest Europe.
During the Covid 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.
Iulian Mangalagiu is appointed European Director.
Andrew McMullan is appointed as the new Area Director for South West Europe.
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 the button below or contact us
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 to explore our full range of resources. You can also visit our TeachKids website for additional tools and inspiration.
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Over 500 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 equipped for ministry.
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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.
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.
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.
Twice a year, CEF Europe releases a magazine called On Mission, packed with stories of impact and ministry updates from across the continent.
Want to catch up on past issues and receive the latest editions straight to your inbox? Click below to explore and subscribe!
