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Children’s Ministry Trainingfor
Children’s Ministry Training| Children's Evangelist Training Institute | Prospectus |
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"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." |
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Jesus Christ |
The Reality |
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| While we are all aware of the erosion of Christian values and norms in society and around our children, there are also other basic reasons why child evangelism is so urgently needed: | |
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| We here at CET have a burden, a vision, a passion and a strategy to help you to reach these children. | "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that
any of these little ones should be lost."
Matthew 18:14 |
The Institute was founded in 1989. Initially, American and European material was used, but in the course of time it was adapted to the South African and African context. Since 1990 CET has been offering training to students, mostly from South Africa and other Africa countries, but several overseas students have also studied here.
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"So many demands are being made on today's children. Involuntarily the thought comes to mind: Are we keeping in step with the changes as far as children and children's ministry are concerned? Therefore I wish to express my gratitude towards the Lord for CET who specializes in children's ministry." |
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Past. Gerrit de Lange, AFM/AGS |
CET wants to be instrumental in establishing an effective children's ministry in congregations throughout Africa. It has a vision for the Gospel to be presented effectively to the children; that they should be encouraged to respond to it, and should have the opportunity to develop fully their God-given potential for a new life in Christ.
CET has a mission to empower Christian leaders in churches and organisations to establish networks of trained children's workers with the evangelisation and continuous guiding of children in mind. This is achieved by means of centralised residential training courses and also through a de-centralised, tutor-guided correspondence course.
CET has a strategy which is based on the model given to us by Jesus Christ - discipling and multiplication (Matt 28:19,20; also compare 2 Tim 2:2). On completion of their own training, students are able to train others who, in turn can train yet others.
A mentor/tutor system guards the quality of the training. CET believes that it is the responsibility of the churh to reach both its own chidlren and those who are unchurched.
CET wants to help in bringing the vision for children's ministry to congregations, to assist in planning, training and monitoring workers and to encourage an active, successful ministry to the children in the congregation.
| "Unless we take care of the rising generation, the present revival of religion will last only the age of man." |
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John Wesley |
Petra Mountain (the old Bushman Rock Hotel) lies on the Numbi Road, about fifteen kilometres from White River. This is where God has led Rev Johan du Preez in 1990.
Rev Johan du Preez had been a pastor for over 20 years. He was reaching more than 700 children each week. But he noticed that their lives were not changing! Something more was needed. This need led Johan and his wife, Aretha, to Child Evangelism Fellowship, a world-wide organisation. After training at the CEF institute in Switzerland they returned to South Africa. God gave Johan a vision of reaching the millions of children in Africa through an institute simular to the one in Switzerland. The Children's Evangelist Training Institute (CET) was founded and now trains workers who reach the children of Africa, and even further, for Christ.
In 1990 four lecturers trained 8 students at Petra Mountain. Today there are more than 50 full-time staff members. Over 700 children's evangelists have already been trained. With a vision to reach 100 million of Africa's children by the year 2005, the biggest job is still ahead. This will be done by training children's evangelists through correspondence courses under the guidance of tutors.
The ±750 alumni of CET include nearly 60 pastors from many denominations, numerous pastors' wives, Sunday School teachers, missionaries and others from many walks of life, all of whom have received training in effective evangelisation and discipling of children.
CET is grateful that, while around 80% of its alumni are working within South Africa, the others are taking the Gospel message to children in Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Eritrea, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, America, Germany, Israel, Russia, Ukraine and South Korea - reaching ±100 000 children every week.
But millions are still waiting to hear and understand the Gospel. God is looking to us and to you to reach them.
Please heed the voice of God if He is calling you to a ministry with children and "...do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matt 19:14)
We are looking forward to meeting you and equipping you for this great and exciting task.
CET is situated along the Numbi Gate Road to the Kruger National Park, 15 km outside White River in the scenic Lowveld. High up on Petra Mountain and hidden by a paradise of vegetation the CET institute and majestic Prayer Rock rise from the Peebles Valley. In this peaceful place students can concentrate on studies, relax and be still in the presence of the Lord.
Here students, lecturers and other CET staff members live together in a multi-cultural community which encourages the deepening of understanding and wisdom; the growth of enriched perspectives of life. New friendships are formed as students from all over the world get to know each other in class and during free time, but also as they work together in duty teams.
Students are housed in double rooms with own bathrooms. They supply their own linen. Laundry service is available, but students do their own ironing and supply their own irons.
In the case of medical emergencies first aid can be given at the Institute. Good doctors and dentists are available in White River and at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit, should further treatment be needed. Students are responsible for all medical expenses.
White River has a high school as well as several primary - and pre-primary schools for children who come to CET with their parents. Arrangements for the transport of children to and from town remain the responsibility of parents. Care of toddlers can be arranged at CET if there are at least six children needing the service. Parents should apply ahead of time and there is a small fee payable.
Relaxation is encouraged during free time and volley ball, table tennis, hiking or splashing in the pool can be enjoyed. There is a TV room for keeping up with the news and sport of the day or for relaxed viewing and a tuck shop to satisfy a sweet tooth. When the craving for a hamburger gets strong, or something else is needed from town a quick trip to White River (or Nelspruit, on a Saturday) can be fitted in.
When the stress of study becomes heavy, trips to some of the beauty spots and places of interest in the area can usually be organised to bring a change of pace. There is a regular bus service as well as daily flights between Nelspruit and Johannesburg, should the need arise.
Each morning classes start with songs of praise and worship followed by a lecture aimed at the spiritual growth and maturity of the students. This is a valuable time. Skilled instructors guide students in their studies; lectures, videos and visual aids stimulate the learning process. There is ample time between lectures, during tea breaks on the patio, around the dinner table and before the evening study time - to discuss and digest the knottier points of the lectures. Students often testify to a deepening of their spiritual lives during the course.
The Institute has a good library, the ideal place for working on group study projects. Students are given opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical situations, often in class, but also in the in the field. Much of this is done in small group context and valuable cross-cultural experience is gained. Experienced instructors assist in the process of transferring theory into practical skills. The chaplain and mentor are always on hand should students have a need of counselling or somebody who can pray with them about personal problems.
Students develop a vision of opportunities for ministry as they join in a special mission emphasis after meals. Information about the ministries of other children's workers and the spiritual need in foreign countries is shared and prayed for.
On Sunday mornings students attend the churches of their choice in White River. On Sunday evenings students attend a combined worship service at the Institute. At CET different denominations view each other with respect.
Students who study by correspondence get to know other Christians from their vicinity as they meet weekly or bi-weekly to discuss their study projects under the guidance of a tutor. Like the students at the Institute, they experience the value of regular study in the context of a small group. Some groups can tell of new spiritual friendships which have been formed and a caring for the needs of each other.
This all leads to the moment when each student, diploma or certificate in hand, leaves the Institute, equipped for the work in the Lord's vineyard, in His harvest field of young children, waiting to hear His message to them.
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"I owe my life to you at CET (to Jesus too!) as I have changed so much in these three months. I have a future that is exciting and I hope to reach many children." |
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(A former student.) |
The Dynamic Children's Ministries Course equips you for children's ministry in your own congregation and on the mission field. You are trained how to evangelise both the children in your congregation and unreached children and to disciple children in small groups. This course has a strategy and a method by which you can duplicate yourself. After you have completed the course successfully, you can become a tutor, guiding other students through the Correspondence Course (see below). It equips you to equip others for their task in children's evangelism. ("And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Tim 2:2)
The course consists of four modules:
This course can be done in two ways:
Students attend the course at the Institute for a period of three months. Lectures are given in English. Although Afrikaans speaking students can do their assignments in Afrikaans, if prefered, students are encouraged to communicate in English as far as possible, not to exclude anybody from conversations. Lectures can be interpreted for Portuguese and French speaking students, if there is such a need.
Dates for the course: Subject to change. Contact us at CET for the latest details.
Cost: $ 776 or R3 800,00 depending on current exchange rates.
Payment: A deposit of $77 (R380,00) must be paid as soon as the application is approved. The balance is payable on arrival at the Institute.
Prospective students working in a congregational structure will enjoy preference. Students must be dedicated Christians, be literate in English, have completed the application form and accompanying requirements. Possession of a matric certificate will be a recommendation, but each application is considered on its own merits.
The course is done under the guidance of a tutor who guides 6-8 students through the course over a period of one year. (If a tutor is not available in your area, other arrangements might be made.) Exams are not written, but students have to complete assignments and are evaluated after each module.
To complete this course effectively, you will have to budget for up to 8 hours per week, together with a one hour session per week with your tutor.
Date: The course commences each year at the beginning of February.
Cost and duration:
Payment: A deposit of $45 (R220,00) per module is payable. Balance payable on receipt of study material.
Requirements for admission: Prospective students must be dedicated Christians; be literate in English, have completed the application form and accompanying requirements. Possession of a matric certificate will be a recommendation, but each application is considered on its own merits. Students will only be able to continue to a following module if the previous one has been successfully completed and paid in full. Students will be responsible for the full payment of course fees when studies are terminated.
The Challenge To Disciple Children:
Module 4 is still only available as a residential training programme in White River.
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"This course helped me to know exactly what I want to do when I leave here. It is not only theory, it is also practical." "My relationship with God found a completely new dimension. I have long been searching for true peace, joy and rest in God and it was here that I experienced the privilege of making that a part of my life. All praise and thanks to God who led me to this place." |
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Former students |
We have developed this course in children's evangelism to be used in the rural areas of Africa.
The course consists of 3 levels (entry, progressive and advanced) and has already been used with great success in Mozambique. This course can only be done under the guidance of a tutor. To qualify as a tutor, all three levels of the course must be completed successfully. Students receive a certificate after completion of each level. After the successful completion of all three levels, students can continue with Module 2 of the Dynamic Children's Ministries Course. Students will be responsible for the full payment of course fees when studies are terminated.
In the entry level you will:
Topics in the entry level:
After the Progressive Level you will:
Topics in the Progressive Level:
The Advanced Level is in progress, pending evaluation and research currently being done on the entry and progressive levels. This level qualifies the student to become a tutor who can guide other students through the study material of the CAfC Course. After completion of the Advanced Level, students can enrol for Module 2 of the Dynamic Children's Ministries Course.
Each student must be enrolled under the guidance of a tutor. A student who is recommended by a congregation will enjoy preference. Students must be committed Christians, and read and write English fluently. Assignments may also be done in Afrikaans. Applications will be handled on merit.
For each level, a deposit of $5 (R20,00) is payable as soon as the student's application has been approved. The balance is payable on receipt of study material.
Please contact the Student Registrar for more information during office hours at the following numbers:
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+27 (013) 751-1166 +27 (013) 751-1167 |
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+27 (013) 750-0906 (f) |
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petra@soft.co.za |
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Head: Student Registration Children's Evangelist Training Institute (CET) Private Bag X9906 WHITE RIVER 1240 SOUTH AFRICA |
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Online Registration Form |
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