CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 8.0

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.

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. See waiver included in package
3. At CEF training or overnight events, all CEF workers under 18 must follow the “Rule of 3” during times they are not supervised by at least two adults over the age of 18. The rule of 3 means there should always be 3 or more people in your group.
4. 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.
5. Report to supervisory staff all suspicious or inappropriate behavior between any CEF worker and a child or minor. a. Supervisory staff must complete R 9 (see USA Operations & Policy Manual) and investigate incident immediately.
6. Supervisory staff must make random visits of CEF sponsored activities.
7. 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.
8. The R-32 must be signed by a legal guardian for children under the age of 13 before any pictures or videos may be taken of individuals. If a legal guardian is not present to sign the R-32, it is not recommended that pictures are taken. a. Registration forms that include optional photo release with R-32 verbiage cover the requirements for R-32. Minors age 13 and up may sign an R-32 for themselves but may not sign permission to join a club for themselves. b. Pictures taken of large groups in the open-air, spectaculars, and fair ministry: If there is no R-32 on file, faces must be blurred beyond recognition. c. Pictures and videos may only be used on official CEF owned and operated social media forums and websites. d. 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. May be screened by a face-to-face interview.
2. Show a government issued photo ID.
3. Read the Child Protection Policy. 3 Version 8.0 | 2025
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. 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: 4 Version 8.0 | 2025 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.

PROCEDURES
Following are steps and resources to ensure compliance with the USA Child Protection Policy. Screening New CEF Workers Resources: • Protecting Todays Child presentation o Listen at 866-878-4182 o See video at cefonline.com/childprotection • Child Protection Policy (see cefonline.com/childprotection) For the following resources, log in as staff at the Resource Library and search: CPP • Template for online screening instructions • Waivers • Protecting Todays Child manual • Individual documents from PTC manual o Ministry Compliance Agreement o Code of Conduct o Authorization for Background and Reference Check o Screening Checklist o Interview Form and ID Check o Audio and Video downloads of the PTC presentation Steps in processing a candidate: 1. Follow policy using the Screening Procedures Checklist. 2. Evaluate results of a. Reference checks b. Criminal Background Check(s) c. Face-to-face interview, using the Interview Questions provided d. Confidential Screening Form (salvation experience and conviction of crime response—does it match Criminal Record Check?) 5 Version 8.0 | 2025 3. If the potential worker is eligible a. notify him of results b. invite him to work with CEF 4. If the interested party is ineligible a. offer to provide him with a copy of the Criminal Background Check Report b. explain the Child Protection Policy c. Offer contact information of background check provider for questions regarding results. 5. Consult with your state office to determine where records must be permanently filed. Handle electronic records the same as paper with regard to file retention; state must have access. 6. All child protection records must be filed in a safe, secure place. All records must be treated in a confidential manner and retained permanently.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse by a CEF Worker
1. A volunteer who suspects abuse must report the suspicion to the state director and comply with legally mandated reporting requirements. a. All observed suspicious or inappropriate behavior taking place during ministry activities must be reported immediately to the local CEF director. b. If abuse of a child or minor is suspected by anyone in CEF ministry, it must be reported to the local director immediately. 2. Local director contact state director for direction. 3. State director shall: a. Take all allegations seriously. b. Call USA Ministries at (636-456-4321, ext. 5510) within 24 hours of the time that the incident becomes known. USA will give instructions for next step. c. See that the CEF USA Worker - Alleged Child Abuse Report R 9 (in the OPM) is completed and forwarded to usa@cefonline.com. d. Keep a record of all telephone calls and correspondence. e. Comply with all legal, mandated reporting requirements. f. Gather all CPP records, screening forms, etc. of the accused. h. In the event of press inquiries, refer inquirers to USA Ministries (636-456-4321, ext. 5510) or use the sample press release provided (p. 7). Any person suspected of abuse must be removed immediately from duties until USA Ministries concludes an investigation. 

CODE OF CONDUCT
This code of conduct outlines what is considered appropriate interaction between a CEF worker and a minor child. This code should be followed by CEF staff and volunteers.

Appropriate & Encouraged Interactions
• Praise, encouragement, & acknowledgement • Rewards available to all who achieve • Pats on the back or shoulder • Side hugs • Handshakes & high-fives • Asking a child’s permission to help with things like, shoe tying, putting on back packs or outerwear (jackets) & gathering personal effects to take home. • Warmth & kindness • Public social media alerts to groups of kids & parents through an official CEF operated forum. 

Inappropriate & Prohibited Interactions
  • Isolated one-on-one interactions • Risqué jokes • Profanity • Favoritism • Gift giving to individual children • Frontal hugging • Photographing or video recording individual children without R-32 permission • Contact outside of program activities • Exchanging of personal email or phone numbers • Private interactions through social media, computer, or handheld devices

Harmful & Prohibited Interactions
• Patting buttocks • Lap sitting • Actions or speech that humiliates, threatens, ridicules, degrades or frightens. • Corporal Punishment of any kind • Touching of personal areas; face, mouth, legs, breasts, stomach, genitals. • Intimate, romantic or sexual conduct • Showing pornography or involving youth in pornography

CHILD PROTECTION VIDEO

Please watch Protecting Today’s Child using one of the options below. A new window will open when you click either option, so your Volunteer Application will remain open and ready to finish after watching the video.

Follow the link: Protecting Today's Child
OR
Visit this Website: Child Protection - Child Evangelism Fellowship

STATEMENT OF FAITH

WE BELIEVE -
That “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” by which we understand the whole book called THE BIBLE; that it is inerrant in the original writing and that its teaching and authority are absolute, supreme and final. That the Holy Spirit guided the holy men of old in all that they wrote. 2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21

The Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfection. Romans 1:20; Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 4:35; John 17:5

In the personality and Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. John 1:1, 14; 10:30; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30, 31; Philippians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:19

In the personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, the infallible interpreter of the infallible Word, who indwells every true believer, and is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him and not with ourselves or our experiences. John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4; 1:8; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:13; John 16:13-14

That man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, as stated in the Word of God, but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam. Not only was his moral nature grievously injured by the fall but he totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and subject to the power of the devil. “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7,8). Therefore, he cannot see nor enter the kingdom of God until he is born again by the Holy Spirit. That no degree of reformation however great, no attainment in morality however high, no culture however attractive, no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies however useful, no baptism or other ordinance however administered, can help the sinner to take even one step toward Heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:3, 6, 7; Titus 3:5

That Jesus Christ became the sinner’s substitute before God, and died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. That He was made a curse for the sinner, dying for his sins according to the Scriptures; that no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can add in the very least to the value of the precious blood or to the merit of that finished work wrought for us by Him, who tasted death for every man. 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:25; 4:4- 5; 5:8; Colossians 1:13-14, 20-21

In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ; that His body was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God as the believer’s high priest and advocate. Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 2:1

That Christ in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and resurrection is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust in Him as our Savior we pass out of death into everlasting life, justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His acceptance, loved as He is loved and made one with Him. At the time of acceptance of Christ as Savior, He comes to dwell within the believer and to live out His life of holiness and power through him. Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:28; 4:3,23-25; Ephesians 1:3; John 17:23; Galatians 2:20; 4:6-7; 5:16; Acts 1:8

That the Church is composed of all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. It is the body and bride of Christ. That every believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and having thus become members of one another we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; 1:10-13; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:3-6; 5:32; Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 5:13-15

That all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ are called into a life of separation from worldly and sinful practices, and should abstain from such amusements and habits as will cause others to stumble, or bring reproach upon the cross of Christ. Believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). 1 John 2:15- 16; Romans 13:14; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10

In the evangelization of the world, that the supreme mission of the people of God in this age is to preach the Gospel to every creature. That special emphasis should be placed upon the evangelization of children. Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Matthew 18:14

In the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that the coming again of Jesus Christ is the “blessed hope” set before us, for which we should be constantly looking. “Our citizenship is in Heaven from whence we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20-21

That the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body reunited shall be with Him forever in glory. Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:22,25 Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne, when soul and body reunited at the resurrection shall be cast “into the lake of fire” which is “the second death,” to be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Luke 16:22-23,27-28; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:5,11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

In the reality and personality of Satan, “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10

LIFESTYLE OF A LEADER

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is called to evangelize children and raise them up as followers of Christ. CEF leaders play a vital role in this mission. We expect our leaders to be active in a local Christian faith community (Hebrews 10:24–25) and to live by the standards of Christian leadership set forth in Scripture. The Bible makes it clear that Christian leaders are held to a higher standard (Titus 1:7–9; Romans 12:2). Leaders are called to live lives above reproach—marked by self-control, integrity, and faithfulness to God’s Word.

1. Sexual Relationships & Marriage

The Bible teaches that sexual intimacy belongs within marriage between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4–5). Sexual activity outside biblical marriage—including fornication, adultery, or cohabitation—is sin and not acceptable for CEF leaders. Leaders must conduct themselves in ways that are above reproach.

2. Sexual Identity & Gender

Our identity is found in Christ (1 Peter 2:9–10).God designed sexual expression for biblical marriage. Sexual activity between individuals of the same gender, or outside marriage, is sin (Romans 1:26–27). God created two distinct genders—male and female (Genesis 1:27). CEF leaders are expected to honor God’s design for gender identity.

3. Pornography

Scripture identifies lust and pornography as sin (Matthew 5:27–28). Leaders must not engage in pornography or any sexually explicit material.

4. Divorce

CEF places a high priority on healthy marriages and encourages reconciliation when difficulties arise. While divorce does not always disqualify someone from ministry, CEF leadership will review each case in light of Scripture.

5. Substance Use & Addictions

Leaders must model self-control. Use of alcohol or tobacco should never occur around children and must always be moderate and sensitive to others. Leaders with a history of addiction must be in recovery. Ongoing, unrepentant addictions disqualify a leader from service.

6. Financial Integrity

Leaders must handle personal and ministry finances with honesty and integrity (2 Corinthians 8:20–21). Misuse of CEF property, funds, or data—including theft, fraud, or embezzlement—will not be tolerated.

7. Behavioral Standards

Leaders must maintain a culture free from intimidation, hostility, violence, or inappropriate behavior. Offensive or threatening conduct is not acceptable.

CEF leadership is committed to holding each other accountable to these biblical standards. We also desire to be redemptive—encouraging restoration and healing for those who struggle. However, ongoing, unrepentant behavior that contradicts Scripture is incompatible with leadership in CEF. Being part of the ministry of CEF is not a right, but a calling and privilege. Those who serve in leadership should gladly strive to live holy, godly lives as examples for the children and families we serve.

To promote safety, CEF requires that each volunteer applicant submit a picture of his/her driver's license to confirm identity. Please upload a picture of the front of your driver's license in this application or email a picture of your driver's license to: mason.cef@gmail.com

CEF must receive your driver's license picture before your application is considered complete for review.