Get to know us

About CEF Pasadena

Child Evangelism Fellowship is a Bible-centered organization of born-again believers. Our purpose 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.

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CEF has many ministries for children, but the primary ones are the Good News Club and the 5-Day Club: fast-paced, one-hour programs that bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level, in their environment.

These clubs meet in neighborhood settings such as homes, backyards, schools, and community centers all over the world. Along with them, CEF has fair, camping, open-air, and internet ministries for children.

Training

Training Christians to effectively minister to children has been core to our ministry since it was founded in 1937. Training is offered throughout the USA and around the world through seminars, conferences, and formal courses, including the Children's Ministries Institute at CEF International Headquarters in Warrenton, Missouri.

CEF Press

CEF Press produces Bible and missionary lessons and related materials for teaching children. Many are translated into more than 89 languages. Visit the CEF Press store.

Youth and summer missions

Christian Youth In Action trains teenagers to conduct 5-Day Clubs each summer. College-age adults can also serve through Summer Missions, teaching 5-Day Clubs in large urban centers and in other countries.

Meet our director

Sheida Catalan

Sheida has loved teaching as long as she remembers. She began by commandeering the attention of the captivated chickens in their coop, years ago, in the basement of her childhood home in Iran.

Soon after receiving Christ, she was asked to teach in children's ministry, and she has ministered to children in various ways for 37 years. Her teaching career includes home educating her own children through high school and educating youth at Biola University.

“We are praying for an army of people who are called by God to bring the Gospel to these broken children.”

Sheida has been married to the love of her life, Gamy, for 35 years. They have two grown children and three delightful grandchildren.

Our team

Serving alongside Sheida

Lucie Sarkissian
Answered the Lord's call to work with children.
Read bio: Lucie Sarkissian
Lucie worked as a medical administrator, but since childhood she dreamed of working with children. Upon discovering CEF Teacher Training classes, the Lord called her to work with children in her church and in Good News Club.
Michael Ditty
Accountant and treasurer
Pasadena Chapter's expert accountant and treasurer.
Read bio: Michael Ditty
Michael worked for an investment firm for 30 years. He is Pasadena Chapter's expert accountant and treasurer, and his dedication and volunteerism are a blessing to all. He enjoys golfing and travels widely.
Glovioell Dixon
Serving in Good News Club for nearly 40 years.
Read bio: Glovioell Dixon
A blood-washed believer in Jesus Christ, her Savior and King. She is married to her earthly king, Johnny, and her precious daughter is Caprice. She has been privileged to serve in Good News Club for nearly 40 years, and she also teaches the Word of God to female inmates in the Los Angeles County Jail.

Board

Meet our board members

Hovan Sarkissian
Chairman of the Board
Business man, entrepreneur, and pilot.
Read bio: Hovan Sarkissian
Born in Cairo, Egypt, of Armenian descent, Hovan is a self-made business man, entrepreneur, and pilot. He serves as Chairman of the Pasadena Board.
Dolores Ditty
Board member
Master Teacher and Teacher Trainer.
Read bio: Dolores Ditty
Her dream was to be a school teacher. She was introduced to CEF 30 years ago, and since then the Lord has used her as a Good News Club teacher and a Teacher Trainer par excellence at the Pasadena Chapter. She is a Master Teacher and uses her creativity to add fun to Party Club demonstrations.
Phillip Jones
Board member
Pastor of Crosspoint Baptist Church in Pasadena.
Read bio: Phillip Jones
Phillip has served in various ministries, many of them working directly with children. After 8½ years as lead pastor of a church east of Atlanta, GA, God called him and his family to plant Crosspoint Baptist Church in Pasadena in 2016. He and his wife McKenzie have three boys: Levi, Noah, and Luke.
Alice Peterson
Board member
Serving with the Pasadena Chapter for over 45 years.
Read bio: Alice Peterson
A nurse by trade, Alice has served with the Pasadena Chapter for over 45 years. She has taught Good News Club, and in her church she has been an inspiration to many teachers. She loves music and sets Bible songs to familiar tunes.
Bernetta Driver
Board member
Good News Club coordinator at Washington Elementary.
Read bio: Bernetta Driver
A Pasadena native and retired Realtor, Bernetta has worked with young people for over 20 years. Her desire is to see others come to Christ, and she is a faithful intercessor. She is the Coordinator of the Good News Club at Washington Elementary, and since 2019 has served as Director of Kingdom Kids Ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church, her church of 50 years.
McKenzie Jones
Board member
Teaching others God's Word is her passion.
Read bio: McKenzie Jones
A wife and mom to three amazing young men. McKenzie loves to teach Good News Club and JYC and to help her husband as he pastors CrosspointLA in Pasadena.