ABOUT CEF
Who We Are?
CEF is the largest children's ministry in the world. We are relentless in our pursuit to reach children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teach them God's Word, and connect them with local churches.
History
Child Evangelism Fellowship® was founded in 1937 by Rev. J. Irvin Overholtzer, a man with a God-given vision for boys and girls in need of the Savior. His vision continues to live on today.
CEF is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, disciple them in the Word of God and establish them in a Bible believing church for Christian living.
CEF wants to reach the children with the Gospel so that "not one of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:14)
CEF Press offers the very best materials available to help you evangelize and disciple children from toddlers to high school
The Children's Ministries Institute (CMI) provides a thorough foundation and ongoing education for those involved at every level of children's ministry. Courses are offered at CMI, online, and at various locations throughout the country. CMI's central campus is west of St. Louis in Warrenton, Missouri and offers extension sites around the world.
"I'm very burdened that people evangelize the children, not because we say so, but because it is commanded in the Word of God."
Jesse I. Overholtzer, visionary & founder of CEF