Policies | CEF of Arizona

Statement of Faith

Children's Evangelism Fellowship Statement of Faith

OUR FAITH

WE'RE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

The Father

We believe God is great: all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, and above all Holy. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

The Son (Jesus)

We believe Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He lived a perfect life. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He died on the cross in our place but defeated death in His resurrection three days later to prove His victory and empower us for life.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and that his presence assures us of our relationship with Jesus. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Jesus. He convicts people of their sin. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Jesus. We believe the Holy Spirit seals every believer in the Lord Jesus, and that He empowers us to live as witnesses for Jesus. We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to His church today.

The Trinity

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is all loving and all knowing.

Deuteronomy 6:4 | Isaiah 45:21-22 | Matthew 28:19 | Colossians 1:1

The Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 | 2 Peter 1:21 | John 10:35

You and Me

We believe that God created human beings (male and female) in the image of God and as the supreme object of His creation. He created them sinless, equal in value, dignity, and worth.

We believe that human beings, as God’s sole image bearers, are under God and over lower creation, not to be propped up to be like gods or lowered like animals. We believe human life begins at conception and that an unborn baby is an image-bearer of God. We believe that God created marriage solely for one man and one woman, and created sex only for married couples. Because God created human life and marriage, we value the sanctity of life and godly marriage. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.

The Fall

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives. We refer to this as the fall. As a result of the fall, all people are sinners by nature and in need of a Savior, and Jesus is the one and only Savior of the world. Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Him.

Romans 8:28

Salvation

We believe the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a free gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.

The Church

We believe there is one church, the body of Jesus, consisting of men and women from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We believe that each local congregation is an expression of that universal church.

Ephesians 4:4 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 | Revelation 5:9 | Acts 2:42-47

Protecting Today's Child Video

Protecting Today's Child v4.2 Video

Child Protection Policy

The purpose of Child Evangelism Fellowship® is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. We recognize the privilege and the responsibility this brings to all involved in our organization. There is no more sacred trust given than being entrusted with precious children. Child Evangelism Fellowship takes seriously our stewardship of protecting children in our care. We are acutely aware that those who would hurt children will seek affiliation with Christian ministries to gain access to children. Therefore, we must be diligent, ensuring that thorough screening applies to every person working with children in CEF. Also, we must do everything possible to protect our volunteers and staff from false accusations. Parents entrust their children to us for nurture, safe care, and wise leadership. It is imperative that there are guidelines and procedures in place that will protect children and provide peace of mind and confidence to parents, volunteers, and staff.

POLICY __________________________________________________________________ Child abuse is defined as any verbal abuse, online abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or infliction of injury. Examples of sexual abuse are: rape, incest, sodomy, lewd or lascivious behavior which includes wrong types of speech, inappropriate use of communication devices or touching.

In order to protect the child from abuse and our workers from false accusations, the following steps must be taken.

1. Always provide adult supervision for children in our care.

2. Two-worker (minimum) rule: Two CEF workers, paid or volunteer, must be present at any CEF activity where children or minors are present including online or by phone.

a. Never be alone with a child/child in any setting.

b. Never be alone with a minor in any setting, unless the minor’s parent has signed a waiver.

3. Ensure that all rooms where ministry is taking place are accessible (not locked) with a window in the door or the door left wide open. There should be no private conversations, texts or online chats.

4. Report to supervisory staff all suspicious or inappropriate behavior between any CEF worker and a child or minor.

a. Supervisory staff must complete R9 (see USA Operations & Policy Manual) and investigate incident immediately.

5. Supervisory staff must make random visits of CEF sponsored activities. 6. Overnight activities sponsored by CEF involving children or minors must be approved by the local or state director and the local committee or state board.

7. The R-32 must be signed by a legal guardian before any pictures or videos may be taken of any individual. If a legal guardian is not present to sign the R-32, no pictures may be taken at all.

a. Registration forms that include optional photo release with R-32 verbiage cover the requirements for R32.

b. Pictures and videos may only be used on official CEF owned and operated social media forums and websites.

c. Pictures and videos may not be shared directly to a personal social media forum. However, you may re-share photos or videos that have been posted from an official CEF social media forum or website.

PRE-SERVICE SCREENING___________________________________________________ All volunteers who have contact with minors (in person, online or by phone), all paid staff and all committee/board members who represent and/or participate in CEF:

1. Be screened by a face-to-face interview

2. Show a government issued photo ID

3. Read the Child Protection Policy.

4. Listen to or view the Protecting Today’s Child presentation.

5. Read and sign the Ministry Compliance Agreement.

6. Complete the Confidential Screening Form.

7. Complete the Background/Reference Check Authorization (parent must sign for a minor). For adults (18 and older), in addition to 1-7, CEF must:

8. Conduct a criminal background check with these minimum requirements

• National Criminal Database Search o If a state or county does not report to the National Criminal Database, then a state or county report is required.

• National Sex Offender Registry Search

• Social Security Number Address History Trace Notes:

o These are minimum requirements. State boards determine if additional requirements are necessary for exercising due diligence.

o If your legal jurisdiction requires more, you must also comply with their requirements.

For minors (ages 14-17), in addition to 1-7, CEF must:

9. Check two references, one of which is the pastor.

For all adult staff (paid or volunteer), in addition to 1-8, CEF must:

10. Criminal record check for all states where the worker lived in the past five years.

11. Check at least two references, one of which is the pastor.

For adult volunteers serving at camp or overnight events, in addition to 1-8, CEF must:

12. Check at least two references, one of which is the pastor.

SPECIAL NOTE: Volunteers under age 14 must:

• Always be under the direct supervision of a screened worker aged 16 or above.

• Never be supervised by a single individual (adult or minor).

• Never serve as one of the two individuals in the two-worker policy requirement.

Criminal Background Check Screening Rules_______________________________ Check references in cases where the applicant has a criminal record or other red flag that does not necessarily disqualify him/her from participation in CEF ministries.

The following would prevent a person from working with CEF:

1. Any crime against children. No exceptions.

2. Any sex crime of any type. No exceptions.

3. All felony convictions. Exceptions require the approval of the vice president, USA Ministries.

Rescreening Requirements __________________________________________________ 1. Every worker must review the Protecting Today’s Child presentation annually.

2. Workers who have not been active within one year must have a Criminal Background Check rerun.

3. Every worker must have a Criminal Background Check rerun every five years.

4. A worker transferring to another area must obtain from his former location a signed and completed Screening Procedure Checklist. If the Criminal Background Check was conducted more than five years prior, the transferred worker must be processed as a new worker.

5. All minors (ages 14-17) must be processed as new adult workers when they reach their 18th birthday.

ENSURING COMPLIANCE____________________________________________________ 1. The committee chairman is responsible for ensuring compliance within his local chapter by annually signing and submitting the CPP Compliance Verification Form (OPM, R-22) to the state board chairman.

2. The state board chairman is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Child Protection Policy within his state. Annually, the state board chairman confirms compliance by signing and submitting the CPP Compliance Verification Form (OPM, R-22a) to USA Ministries.

3. USA Ministries monitors to ensure 100% compliance with this policy.

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS__________________________________________________ When any worker has reasonable suspicion that a minor or child is being abused by anyone representing CEF, or is himself accused, or someone whose action would reflect on CEF is accused, the following action must be taken:

1. Call USA Ministries 636-456-4321, ext. 5510 as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Notify your next higher office that this step has been taken.

2. Any person suspected of child abuse will, upon request, voluntarily relinquish or be removed from duties which involve direct contact with minors or children until the matter is completely resolved.

3. USA Ministries will determine the future ministry of the accused staff member or volunteer.

WARNING: Failure to follow reporting procedures of USA Ministries may result in termination of all CEF workers responsible in this reporting process.

All CEF staff and volunteers must fully abide by this policy and all state child abuse reporting requirements.