Liberty Counsel Defends CEF Good News Clubs for Equal Access


Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. (CEF) is an international non-profit worldwide children’s ministry with the purpose to share the gospel with boys and girls and to establish them in the Word of God. Good News Clubs are one of the primary ministries of CEF. Good News Clubs typically meet once per week, immediately after school, and are led by trained and vetted local community volunteers. The clubs provide religious and other teaching and activities to encourage learning, spiritual growth, and service to others, as well as social, emotional, character, and leadership development. Good News Clubs do not charge a fee and welcome children with written permission from parents.

In June 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court in Good News Club v. Milford Central School ruled that public schools violate the First Amendment by not providing equal access and equal treatment to Christian clubs when the school has opened the forum to secular clubs.

However, various public schools will attempt to discriminate against and deny the Good News Clubs access to campus facilities on an equal basis while allowing other similar non-religious organizations. That's when Liberty Counsel steps in and represents CEF nationally and, as a result, has never lost a case involving Good News Clubs.

Examples of recent Good News Club cases:

Providence Public School District in Rhode Island - VICTORY!

In a victory for equal access, CEF Rhode Island and its Good News Clubs prevailed in Liberty Counsel’s lawsuit against the Providence Public School District and its superintendent, Dr. Javier Montanez. The Good News Clubs are now free to hold after school Bible clubs. A federal district court approved a Consent Decree that prevents the school district from discriminating against CEF, declaring the Christian clubs are entitled to equal access “on the same terms” as other after school clubs.

Good News Club Wins Equal Access in RI School District

Hawaii State Department of Education - VICTORY!

In a victory for equal access, Liberty Counsel received a preliminary injunction on behalf of CEF and its Good News Clubs against the Hawaii State Department of Education and six different elementary schools. Therefore, the CEF after school Bible clubs must be given equal access as other similarly situated clubs on public school campuses throughout the state.

Good News Club Approved for Hawaii School After Injunction

Good News Clubs Win Permanent Injunction Against Hawaii Schools

Good News Clubs Win Equal Access in Hawaii Schools

Good News Clubs Must Have Equal Access in Hawaii

Hawaii CEF Good News Club Files Suit Over Equal Access

Oakland Unified School District in California – LAWSUIT FILED!

Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit on behalf of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) NorCal East Bay against the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and its superintendent for unlawfully denying elementary school Good News Clubs access to school facilities on an equal basis with other similar non-religious organizations. The discriminatory denial violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, California state law, and school board policy. Liberty Counsel seeks a permanent injunction against OUSD’s unconstitutional actions so the Good News Clubs can resume holding after-school activities on four different campuses.

Federal Court To Hear Oakland’s Discrimination of Christian Clubs

Oakland School District Discriminates Against Christian Clubs

CA School District Sued for Denying Equal Access to Christian Clubs

Oakland School District Denies Bible Club Equal Access