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A teacher holds up a lesson card for children sitting on mats in a driveway, hands raised
Coming upOct 17 · An Evening of Praise

Sharing the Gospel with Chicago's children.

CEF Chicago reaches boys and girls across Cook and DuPage counties with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

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Chicago's neighborhoods from the air at dusk, streets running to the lake

There are 1.1 million children in Chicagoland.

Chicago was selected as one of only two cities in the nation for CEF's MetroHope initiative, a strategic effort to reach children in America's largest urban areas with the Gospel. Your support helps us reach the children of Cook and DuPage counties.

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Three leaders in blue shirts smile outdoors while children gather behind them
Children and a leader crouch on a lawn beside a stone church during a game
Two teenage boys read an open book together
Children sit on blankets in a front yard behind a sign that reads 5-Day Club here today
The Chicago skyline and lakefront from the air at sunset
A girl decorates Christmas cookies at a table
Two teenagers wearing lanyards smile with their heads together
Children stand in a line under the trees in a park
Children line up along a brick building during a game
Teenagers wearing name badges sit at tables and listen
Two girls make a craft together at a folding table outdoors
A small group of children sit in a circle on a lawn in front of houses
A teenager in a yellow CYIA shirt teaches children sitting on a tarp beside an apartment building
A large group of teenagers in matching green shirts cheer on a set of outdoor steps
A smiling woman in a knit hat holds a hand-written sign that reads Free Ham Giveaway, presented by CEF
A leader stands with a line of children in a park

A year of clubs, camp, and training

Six programs for children, teens, and the adults who teach them.

Find out more

Lives changed through CEF

“When I was four years old, I went to a Good News Club in my neighborhood. It was there that I heard the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. CEF has been foundational in my walk with the Lord from a young age.”
Karen
“When I was only three, I was led to the Lord by my brother who'd been trained in a Teaching Children Effectively course. A couple of years later I started going to 5-Day Club and Good News Club then attended Christian Youth in Action (CYIA) and began teaching at age 12.”
Becca
“I started to attend Good News Club when I was 7. The Bible lessons were so engaging! The leaders truly cared about us, and I felt the love of Jesus through them. CEF changed the trajectory of my life.”
Marta
Five young people in matching black shirts smile from the seats of a van

A local team, based in Maywood

CEF Chicago is a team of staff and volunteers. Our home base is The HUB, an apartment complex in Maywood that houses missionaries serving communities throughout Cook and DuPage counties.

Meet the teamAbout The HUB

Jobs and internshipsOur history

Follow along

Photos and updates from the clubs as they happen, posted on Instagram and Facebook.

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Children and teenage leaders play a game on bright mats on the grass

Help us reach the next child

Donations fund teaching materials, volunteer training, and the coordination needed to run clubs in schools and neighborhoods across Chicagoland. Children attend for free.

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