Meet Our Team

My wife Ethel had been helping Dale out and teaching the missionary story each week at Western Elementary in Lexington, Ohio. When I retired from being in education after 45 years, I still wanted to have a ministry. I have always loved working with young people. Dale asked Ethel if I might be interested in coming on the local CEF board, and after praying about it, the rest is history. I didn't feel I could still be on the front lines working directly with young people, but being able to work in the background helping to see many children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, seemed like God was leading me in that direction. After about four years now, I have grown to really love what CEF stands for and seeing how God is blessing its endeavors. Mike Mercurio, Committee Chairman

Gail Graham, Committe Member When I was 15, I gave my life to Jesus, so I know the importance of reaching children and teenagers for Jesus. I was asked to serve as Local Committee Secretary for CEF when I retired from the work force. It only took a couple committee meetings before I was very impressed with all that CEF does through the local director and all those who teach Good News Clubs and 5-Day Clubs. CEF is a wonderful organization and many children are hearing the good news of Jesus every day.

CEF focuses on the clear presentation of the gospel. I wanted to be involved with CEF because I felt I lacked the knowledge of sharing God's message of love effectively to children or adults. The gospel is the power of God to change peoples hearts! It sure was for me,and the training and practice encouraged by CEF has been valuable to me in teaching children, and given me confidence in sharing my testimony to others. Mary Elkins, Ashland County Coordinator

Risa Canfield, Committe Member and GNC Leader I became involved with CEF through a Christian friend who took over a Bible club I started at the Loudonville Budd School in 1994. I had moved out of state and CEF provided workers to take over my Bible Club. When I moved back into the area they contacted me and I then became involved with CEF. Three years ago I took the JYC? (J You Connection?) teen course, and started a second club in the Loudonville High School! I am now a board member and I am working to grow a program to help provide for the needs of our teachers and clubs. Serving Christ with CEF has been such a challenge and blessing to my life! CEF has helped me to grow in my Christian walk and it brings me great joy!

I've worked all my adult life with children, having been a school teacher and school administrator. Kaye Hahn, Committe Member

Mark Boyd, Treasurer & Web site guy I got involved with CEF because Dale asked me to be the assistant treasurer. As I learned more about CEF's focus on having children come to Jesus, I knew I wanted to stay involved. I'm so glad I can play a small part in having children come to Jesus rather than being lost for 27 years like I was before I accepted Christ.

As a young child of elementary school age, I attended church regularly with my mother, grandmother, and sister. It was here that I heard the Bible stories of the Old and New Testaments. However, it was at a Child Evangelism Fellowship® neighborhood kids club where I learned how those stories related to me and was to be applied to my life. It was here that I heard the good news of the gospel and chose to receive Jesus as my Savior. Today I serve as the Fund-Raising Chairman on our committee. I find it a blessing to serve Jesus through CEF. Shirley Davidson, Committee Member