November 9, 2025
DULUTH, Ga. — Some Georgia Baptist Churches are partnering with Good News Clubs 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 local church for Christian living.
The Good News Club is a vital ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship, an organization founded by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer in 1937. Overholtzer read one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons, which stated, “A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated, as an adult.” The Lord used this statement to lead Overholtzer to begin the fellowship.
Good News Club Gwinnett/Forsyth lists five things their ministry can do for the schools in their region:
In 2001, a U.S. Supreme Court decision granted Good News Clubs the same access to public school property enjoyed by any other after-school club.
The congregation of First Redeemer Church in Cumming sees the elementary schools of Forsyth County, with 23 schools and 15,500 students, as an undeniable part of their mission field.
Andy Darnell, children’s pastor, said, “First Redeemer is engaged in three Good News Clubs in Forsyth County: Mashburn, Kelly Mill, and Silver City Elementary Schools. We have other schools that have expressed an interest in having one of these clubs on their campus, and I would like to see other churches learning about this ministry and partner with a school in their vicinity.”
First Baptist Church in Duluth is significantly engaged with nearby BB Harris Elementary School. SoYoung Lee, director of the church’s preschool and children’s ministry, explained, “We have been engaged with the Good News Club at the BB Harris School for about ten years. We generally have about 60 enrolled and a regular attendance of 55 or more students. The children include kindergartners to fifth graders."
Lee explained that, "The school is rich in ethnic diversity, with 41 percent of the students being Hispanic, and a significant number of students are Caucasians, Asian, and Indian."
“First Baptist Duluth, under the ministry of our Pastor Mark Hearn, has developed a warm and friendly relationship with the school. The fifth graders have their graduation exercises at the church. In emergency situations, the church has been designated as the school evacuation site. Many of the children in the club come to the church’s Wednesday night programs, and through the years, many have been saved, and some have come into the fellowship of the church.”
Jerry Reeves, a member of the Duluth church who has served on the CEF Gwinnett/Forsyth Board of Directors, is a volunteer with the Good News Clubs, and is currently the church’s coordinator for the church’s involvement in the Good News Club at BB Harris Elementary.
Reeves stated, “Before the COVID pandemic, 41 of the 82 schools in Gwinnett County had Good News Clubs, but since that health crisis, there are fewer schools that are involved. So, the present need for more church engagement is great.”
Renee Koster, the chapter director for the Gwinnett/Forsyth Good News Clubs, has a long list of commendations from school principals who expressed appreciation for the Bible being taught to their students and the benefits derived from what they learn.
Jennifer Redd, the principal at BB Harris Elementary, said, “I appreciate the great people from First Baptist Church in Duluth who come to teach our children the Bible. What they tell our children aligns with our purpose of kindness, love, and respect. The Good News Club teachers are an asset to our school and our community, and they reinforce our students in the learning process.”
Cross Pointe Church in Duluth sponsors three clubs in Gwinnett County: Mason, Corely, and Jackson Elementary. Greg Westmoreland, family pastor at Cross Pointe, commented, “Our long-term goal is to have a club in all four schools in the Peachtree Ridge cluster. That is because our church is just a mile away from the high school, and our NextGen staff is always trying to get into the schools to spread our influence there. Our three clubs average about 70 kids each week, total."
Westmoreland said that "in addition to sharing the gospel, we want the teachers to know that our staff is available to them for any reason. Some of the kids from the GNC have started coming to our church, but that is not our primary goal."
He recounted one experience with a student. “One family needed some spiritual help for a child who did not come to our club. Because God has granted me influence at the school through the GNC, they were directed to me. I was able to help, and his attitude and behavior in class improved. Those stories also get celebrated in our church.”
Ryan Wilson, principal of Mason Elementary School in Duluth, said, “The Good News Club gives our students faith-based values. We also have a diverse student population, and the club gives our students the chance to hear about the Christian faith and fosters Christ-based values.”
Darnell remarked, “To be involved in this ministry takes about two hours one day a week.”
Lee said, “Our GNC meets in small groups right after school, then there is a more intimate setting with one teacher instructing eight children; and then we go to the media room where all the students are together.”
Many Georgia churches are grappling with aging congregations and are searching for ways to engage the next generation. One proven approach is starting a Good News Club in their local elementary school, a strategy that blesses both the children who attend and the churches that host them.
Georgia has 1,852 elementary schools, yet only a fraction currently have a Good News Club. That leaves a vast, untapped mission field open to any congregation willing to step in with compassion and a commitment to share the gospel with children and families.
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