CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF BRADFORD COUNTY history as told by faithful workers of the ministry....
In 1940 an Athens girl, Frances Johnston was graduating from Moody Bible Institute. Her mother invited Ruth Smith, a friend and neighbor, to attend the graduation. Frances. was gifted in song writing. Many of her songs are included in the Salvation Song Books. Probably the most familiar is the Wordless Book Chorus. Another Athens young lady, Kathryn McClarty taught school in Ithaca, but spent summers in Athens teaching summer Bible classes to children in Greens landing. These two ladies influenced Ruth Smith to become enthusiastic. Through one of them, probably Kathryn McClarty, the Bible Club Movement in Philadelphia was contacted. A field worker, Miss Jordan came to our area to inform the small group of interested folk of evangelism for children. Ruth enthused her Sunday School class to help prepare the lesson materials, a very tedious task in those days.
This included coloring the figures and putting flannel on back of the huge sheets of figures with paste. The figures then needed to be cut out. Armed with homemade flannel board, easel, figures, Bible, and a heart of love for children, she would ride a bus three miles then walk another mile to a home on Pitney St. and another on Hoover St. Her enthusiasm spread to others. Classes were held in the E. Athens School along with home clubs. Pastor David Holden from the Church of the Open Bible and his wife helped in these early days. They taught in Greens landing and McDuffee St. schools. In 1942 Ruth invited Mrs. Eleanor Campbell to attend a leaders’ conference in Pottstown. For some time, Eleanor's heart had been burdened to reach children, so she was grateful for the invitation. With meager training, simple materials, and devotion to the cause, they marched on. They taught in Ellistown, S. Waverly, Centerville, Bentley Creek and Hanlon Hill schools. Bible Club did not feel led to come and organize the growing work, so they contacted Child Evangelism Fellowship of Eastern Pa. in Lancaster with Helen Oldenwelder as State Director. They came right away and gave them much needed help.
While this was going on in the northern part of our county, God was working in the southern part. Pastor John Griner of the Christian Church in Franklindale had been teaching a Bible class in the Franklindale School. In 1942 he left for the mission field. Before leaving he prayed for someone to take his place teaching Bible class in the school. Two of his church members had recently been saved. In their newfound joy they were busy giving object lessons in their Sunday School. John Griner approached Grace Schanbacker and her sister Alice Weller about the need. Grace consented to go teach if Alice would go to lead the singing. Their joy and burden for the children grew for they soon added the schools of LeRoy, Luthers Mills, Powell, and W. Burlington to their list.
While this was going on in the northern part of our county, God was working in the southern part. Pastor John Griner of the Christian Church in Franklindale had been teaching a Bible class in the Franklindale School. In 1942 he left for the mission field. Before leaving he prayed for someone to take his place teaching Bible class in the school. Two of his church members had recently been saved. In their newfound joy they were busy giving object lessons in their Sunday School. John Griner approached Grace Schanbacker and her sister Alice Weller about the need. Grace consented to go teach if Alice would go to lead the singing. Their joy and burden for the children grew for they soon added the schools of LeRoy, Luthers Mills, Powell, and W. Burlington to their list.
In the mid-forties they joined forces and had our first week of camp. (Ed Martin was pastor of the Franklindale Church at this time. His wife Alfreda become one of our early volunteer directors.) They used the Methodist campgrounds at Loyalsock, fully staffed by volunteers, bringing with them bushels of garden produce and baked goods. About 30 children attended this first camp. These faithful workers conducted regular spring children's rallies in various churches across the county, attended CEF retreats at: Lancaster, Keswick, Heart Lake and Poconos. Eleanor Holden continued to be a great help. She used J. Irvin Overholtzer's "The Victorious or Spirit-Filled Life" in our training classes, while several of the volunteers would work together in giving helps and object lessons. Training classes we held regularly in different areas during the years. These include: Wysox, Canton, E. Smithfield, Columbia Crossroads, and Athens.
While Eleanor Holden was volunteer director the ministry increased, taking on the following classes: Windham Center, E. Smithfield, Wetona and Big Pond. She directed a half-hour children's program on the new radio stations WATS, using recorded programs with live announcements. Later she had six months of live programs. Due to increased responsibilities with her husband founding Bible Lighthouse, she resigned her position with them. At this time, the ministry was reaching 1,000 children. The State office came again in 1953 and helped us to reorganize with a committee. Shortly after this, CEF hired Edith Wittmeyer, a former summer missionary, as full-time director. She received $25.00 per week, and CEF furnished her a car and Rex Ford (committee chairman) kept it in running order and polished. Edith taught several Good News Clubs in her local area, adding the schools of Warren Center, Mosherville and New Albany, and held regular training classes. She introduced the correspondence course for children. She worked diligently for 15 years, and in June of 1969 she left to complete schooling to go as a missionary in Central America.
While Eleanor Holden was volunteer director the ministry increased, taking on the following classes: Windham Center, E. Smithfield, Wetona and Big Pond. She directed a half-hour children's program on the new radio stations WATS, using recorded programs with live announcements. Later she had six months of live programs. Due to increased responsibilities with her husband founding Bible Lighthouse, she resigned her position with them. At this time, the ministry was reaching 1,000 children. The State office came again in 1953 and helped us to reorganize with a committee. Shortly after this, CEF hired Edith Wittmeyer, a former summer missionary, as full-time director. She received $25.00 per week, and CEF furnished her a car and Rex Ford (committee chairman) kept it in running order and polished. Edith taught several Good News Clubs in her local area, adding the schools of Warren Center, Mosherville and New Albany, and held regular training classes. She introduced the correspondence course for children. She worked diligently for 15 years, and in June of 1969 she left to complete schooling to go as a missionary in Central America.
During the interim adjoining counties gave Bradford County help with teacher training. Malcom Murphy, Bruce Breese, Mark, and Peg Henry, all from Ulster area had recently been added to our committee. With committee meetings being held in the committee members homes. Through their efforts, an apartment and office in Ulster was secured for our next director, John Metzger. He and his wife directed the work for 3 years then moved on. Peg Reigh came soon after but only remained a few months before leaving to be married. She was a terrific organizer. She started the Troy Fair Booth and helped us to better plan for summer missionaries. Her planned day camp at Mighty Oak was carried on by Ginnie Landis from State Office. Ginnie gave Bradford County needed help, at this time. Susquehanna county directors came over to give teacher training classes on a regular basis. Carla Matthews, a former Bible class student of Grace and Alice in LeRoy school become the next director. Carla was followed by Alissa Isbell in 1980, also from our county. She left 1982 to be married.
Peg Henery, our own committee member and faithful one who performed many duties during periods of being without a director felt burdened to take over the work part time. Peg blossomed out into a very efficient full-time director. In June of 1989, Dan and Sharon Russell took over the work.
History of CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF BRADFORD COUNTY, INC. provided by Eleanor Campbell and Dora Hibbard
Peg Henery, our own committee member and faithful one who performed many duties during periods of being without a director felt burdened to take over the work part time. Peg blossomed out into a very efficient full-time director. In June of 1989, Dan and Sharon Russell took over the work.
History of CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF BRADFORD COUNTY, INC. provided by Eleanor Campbell and Dora Hibbard
Teachers Prayer
I want to teach my students how to live the is life on earth.
To face its struggles and its strife and improve their worth Not just the lesson in a book or how
the rivers flow but how to choose the proper path Wherever they may go.
To understand eternal truth
And know the right from wrong and gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song
For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom an in grace Then I shall feel that I have won, And I have filled my place
And so I ask your guidance, God That I may do my part for character and confidence and happiness of heart.
James J. Melcalf
I want to teach my students how to live the is life on earth.
To face its struggles and its strife and improve their worth Not just the lesson in a book or how
the rivers flow but how to choose the proper path Wherever they may go.
To understand eternal truth
And know the right from wrong and gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song
For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom an in grace Then I shall feel that I have won, And I have filled my place
And so I ask your guidance, God That I may do my part for character and confidence and happiness of heart.
James J. Melcalf