For over 30 years, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) has been working in Burundi with one clear mission: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” They are helping churches reach and disciple children in simple but powerful ways.
In the past year, with just 14 staff, CEF trained more than 300 teachers from 77 churches. Through their training, teachers are learning how to share Jesus with children in a clear and engaging way. As Anastase, the country director, puts it: “We train and equip teachers so that whenever they stand up and teach about Jesus to children, they will be confident and ready.”
Vanessa knows this change personally. She has been teaching Sunday school for two years, and was filled with enthusiasm but lacked training. Her classes felt difficult, and attendance was intermittent, but after attending a two-week training, things changed. Today, she stands in front of about 50 children every Sunday with confidence. “The training was mainly focused on how to lead a child to Christ effectively,” she says, “since then, I’ve seen a tremendous change in the lives of the little ones I teach!”
Anastate is backed by a dedicated team. Bienfait started as a volunteer in 2022 and is now leading the Bujumbura branch. He continues to train teachers like Annabelle, who are in turn reaching more children. Last year, more than 2,500 children were reached. Many of them are now growing in their faith, not just hearing about Jesus but learning how to follow Him. The teachers can see the tangible outworking of their classes.
Blessed Kind, 14, joined a Christian Youth In Action workshop, during a school break one day, expecting something simple. But after a week of learning, singing, and praising God, he went out with other children and teachers to share the message with others in the streets for their Open Air, street evangelism programme, where they preach to street kids and share the Gospel.
“Preaching to young children like me during the Open Air season built a lot of confidence in me. I was truly touched by seeing children kneeling in the middle of the street to be prayed for. It was my proudest moment, and I will forever cherish it,” he says.
This is the ripple effect of faithful investment. When one teacher is trained, many children are reached, and seeds are planted in young hearts. And as these children grow, so does the hope that a generation firmly rooted in Christ will rise, walking faithfully along the path they have been shown.
