AN EXCITED group of children rush through the narrow halls of East Lincoln Elementary, faces flushed with the thrill of the day’s final bell, racing toward the school’s exit. They aren’t heading home yet. They’re setting out on a short but meaningful journey. Just a block and a half away, the doors of College Street Baptist Church stand open, waiting to welcome them into the warmth of what has become much more than an after-school refuge. It’s one of many churches where the Good News Club has morphed into a safe place, where stories of hope and love renew young children’s hearts. Many of these children have experienced unimaginable hardship, but as they cross the threshold, the world’s weight lifts just a little, and something more profound replaces it. There is a sense that here, in this humble corner of Tullahoma, they are seen, heard, and, most importantly, cared for.
Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), a global organization, inspired the inception of the Good News Club at College Street.
“CEF is dedicated to child evangelism, and one of their primary ministries is the Good News Clubs,” shared Patrick Waller, the lead pastor at College Street Baptist Church.
These clubs offer after-school programs where children engage in Bible lessons, enjoy snacks, participate in music, play games, and recite memory verses. Despite the unique difficulties of operating within public schools, CEF ensures that these clubs fully comply with legal requirements, allowing them to function as a bridge between local churches and schools.
“At this time, there’s just so much violence, division, disruption and brokenness. In the midst of all of that, there is a light in Christ and in the gospel. It is manifesting itself through Good News. It’s a joy to be a part of,” Waller explained.
When Waller arrived at College Street Baptist Church three years ago, he felt a strong calling to reach out to East Lincoln Elementary, where about 90% of the students are on free or reduced lunch programs.
“There is a significant socioeconomic gap on this side of town, which often leads to family issues,” Waller explained. “Many of the kids we work with come from broken, hurting families. If there’s anything that can help with that, it’s the gospel.”
The road to establishing the Good News Club at College Street was not without complexities. Initially, the program faced logistical hurdles because of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were hesitant to allow external programs on their premises. However, the proximity of College Street Baptist Church to East Lincoln Elementary opened up a creative solution.
“We worked out an arrangement where the kids who signed up for the Good News Club are dismissed about 10 minutes early, and our volunteers walk them to the church,” Waller said.
Though different from the usual in-school setup, this system has allowed the club to flourish.
One of the biggest challenges has been building trust with parents and the school community.
“It can be difficult for parents to trust us with their children, especially when we’re transporting them to an off-campus location,” Waller admitted.
But over time, the club has proven to be a safe and nurturing environment, focusing on the spiritual and emotional well-being of the children.
“We’re not just here to preach — we’re here to love these kids and their families, to show them that there’s good in the world, that there’s Christ, redemption, and genuine love.”
The Good News Club has completely transformed the young participants in the long term. Waller noted that many kids who have aged out of the program still ask to be part of it.
“We have kids who have moved on to middle school asking, ‘Where’s the Good News Club?’” he shared.
Waller and his team are still all-in on their mission as the program kicks off its third year.
“We had around 40 to 45 kids last semester, and we’re hopeful that the time adjustment will help us reach even more,” Waller said.
Through its partnership with CEF and the committed team of volunteers, the club continues to shine a light on East Lincoln’s children, showing them they are loved, valued, and not alone.
Waller would like to thank Mr. Hargrove and the staff at East Lincoln Elementary for allowing College Street to share their love of God with their students. Without their help, the program would not have been as successful as it is today. Waller is also grateful to God for allowing them to pour into the children’s lives every Wednesday.
“We get to have them for an hour and a half on a Wednesday afternoon to show them something that is vastly different from what they’re seeing in the world.” GN
