Our History
Mr. O came to understand that a 5-year-old child could comprehend the Gospel and receive Christ as Saviour. In 1937, at age 60, he incorporated CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP in Chicago.
Mr. O was known as the modern-day weeping prophet, because he would often weep over the lost children of the world. Matthew 18 (pictured left) confirmed for him the importance of evangelizing children. Mr. O dreamed of an army of evangelists to children circling the globe.
Mr. Jesse Irvin Overholtzer
a.k.a. Mr. O
July 20, 1877 – August 6, 1955
The ministry of reaching children through Bible Clubs began in Berks County in 1940. The Clubs were called Y Bible Clubs at that time. In 1955, it was incorporated as CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF READING AND BERKS COUNTY, INC., though we are widely known as Good News Clubs.
In 1969, Harry Hoffman created Dial-A-Story in which children could call a number to hear a Bible Story. Then if they had a question or wanted to talk to a counselor, they could call another number. Harry kept statistics from 1969-2004: 1,992,287 telephone calls received, 27,658 calls received from children either wanting to be counselled or having questions, and 11,250 decisions for Jesus!
Our NEW office location (pictured below) is a true answer to prayer.
534 Park Ave, Reading PA 19611
Call ahead and come visit and see what God is doing in Berks County!
