About Us
CEF Chicago exists to share the Gospel with boys and girls across the Chicagoland area, disciple them in the Word of God, and connect them with local Bible-believing churches.
Who We Are
CEF Chicago is a local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship, the world's largest children's evangelism organization. Founded in 1937 by Jesse Irvin Overholtzer, CEF now reaches over 31 million children across 190 countries every year.
Here in Chicago, our team of staff and volunteers runs Good News Clubs in schools, 5-Day Clubs in neighborhoods, and CYIA training for teens across Cook and DuPage counties. There are 1.1 million children in the Chicagoland area, and we are working to reach as many as we can.
Our Vision
Every Child. Every Nation. Every Day.
Urban Ministry
The HUB
The HUB (Housing and Urban ministry Building) is a 16-unit, 38-bedroom apartment complex in Maywood, IL. It serves as CEF Chicago's home base, housing missionaries who are launched into communities throughout Cook and DuPage counties.
Neighborhood children come to The HUB for art, martial arts, basketball, tutoring, and Gospel-centered activities. It is a place where real relationships are built and the love of Christ is shared daily.
1206 & 1208 Madison St, Maywood, IL
1.1M
children in the Chicagoland area
MetroHope Focus City
Chicago is one of only two cities selected for CEF's national MetroHope initiative, a strategic effort to reach children in America's largest urban areas.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Ricardo Sanchez
Chairman
Abraham Morgan
Vice Chairman
Tim Clark
Secretary
Dave Brown
Treasurer
Linda Craelius
Prayer Chairman
Maxine Henry
Our Team
Jonathan King
Metro Director
Born in Israel, loves to do drywall, and in his pastime he enjoys candle making
jonathan@cefchicago.com
Leslie Jaenicke
Finance Coordinator
Keeps CEF Chicago running behind the scenes with dedication and care
leslie@cefchicago.com
Rosalie King
Education Coordinator
Indiana native, Education major, loves learning and enjoys walks in nature
rosalie@cefchicago.com
Zebediah Potter
Ministry Coordinator
Oversees PCM students, likes gardening, and is a wood working enthusiast
zebediah@cefchicago.com
Razilee King
Ministry Coordinator
Grew up in Michigan, interned at CEF HQ, and loves to drive teens to the different clubs
razilee@cefchicago.com
Marvella Black
Volunteer Southside Coordinator
Serves on the Southside of Chicago to reach children and point them to the Gospel
blackmarvella@sbcglobal.netAnna Beth Wildman
Ministry Coordinator
Loves to dress in characters, traveled the world, and enjoys gardening
annabeth@cefchicago.com
Juan Carlos & Susel Martinez
Missionaries
Born and raised in Cuba, Juan Carlos loves to be outdoors and working with his hands; Susel loves reading and prayer
juank_sucel@cefchicago.com
Evie Peterson
Staff
Evie is a Chicagoland native who enjoys teaching, sewing and trivia
evie@cefchicago.comStatement of Faith
What We Believe
The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, absolute in its authority.
2 Timothy 3:16God eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, is fully God and fully man.
John 1:14All people have sinned and need salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
Romans 3:23Salvation is received by faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Ephesians 2:8–9Every believer is part of the Church, the body and bride of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:13The evangelization of children is a priority of the people of God.
Matthew 19:14Jesus Christ will personally return.
Acts 1:11Read the full statement of faith on CEF's national website.
Founded 1937
Part of Something Bigger
Jesse Irvin Overholtzer was told as a boy that he was “too young” to know Christ. It was not until college that he heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as his Savior.
Years later, he read a sermon by Charles Spurgeon: “A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” That truth changed his life. At 60 years old, he founded Child Evangelism Fellowship to make sure no child would ever be told they are too young for Jesus.
Today, CEF operates in all 50 U.S. states and over 190 countries. More than 700 full-time workers serve in the U.S., alongside 40,000 volunteers and 1,200 missionaries overseas. In 2024 alone, over 31 million children heard the Gospel through CEF's ministries.
190+
Countries with CEF presence
533,000+
Trained teachers worldwide
31M+
Children reached in 2024
100M
Goal: children reached per year by 2032
Want to learn more or get involved?
We'd love to hear from you and help you find your place.