Pioneer Clubs - a Christ-centered kids club program

More Testimonials

“When I was in [Pioneer Clubs], it was known as Pioneer Girls. Our leaders were Sonny and Grace. Both were single ladies. It is a wonder we didn’t drive these ladies crazy. But they not only taught me about my relationship with God, they gave me valuable lessons on how to be a friend to everyone I meet. Now I am the coordinator of Pioneer Clubs at my church and I am also a leader. I am trying to give the same lessons to the kids that I learned while in club....I would not trade my time with the kids for anything. When you can see a difference in the kids, and you hear from others how they see a difference in them, you know the Lord is working.”

Maria Lynch
Club Coordinator/Leader
Pebblebrook Baptist Church
Mableton, Georgia

“Pioneer Clubs has blessed my daughter, Lois, and now her two sons, Kyle and Nathan. I have been privileged to be a club leader since 1964 at the church they attend.”

Marilyn Quitno
Club Leader
Monroe Center Union Church
Kirkland, Illinois

“Pioneer Clubs has turned out to be a better program than we ever thought it would be. It’s the best thing our church has ever done!

Stacy Lee
Club Coordinator
Hillcrest Baptist Church
Columbus, Ohio

“Last year, a boy named Joey joined Pioneer Clubs as a Scooter. He enjoyed what he learned and did so much that he shared all of his experiences with his mother, Brandy. She became so intrigued that she began bringing Joey to club and staying to talk with other moms and workers. Before long, she was using her talents to make props for our Christmas pageant.

“Brandy was searching for Jesus. She continually asked about Jesus and what her son was learning. She didn’t hesitate to approach anyone in search of answers to her questions. She began attending our Sunday morning church services. It wasn’t long before she dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized right along with our children from Pioneer Clubs.

“Brandy is now a vital member of Pioneer Clubs as a Pathfinder coleader, and of our congregation as a member of the Sunday morning worship team. You can find her in the service every weekend accompanied by her husband, sons, nephew, and other extended family members.

“Brandy always gives the glory to God for her new life, but she never hesitates to add that it was Joey’s experiences at Pioneer Clubs that started it all. We praise God for this family, and for the influence of Pioneer Clubs on the families in our community.”

Rhonda Wright
Club Coordinator
New Life Church
Ilwaco, Washington

“We are reaching our children, their friends, our community, and touching others in faraway lands. Our leaders testify to the great blessing they are receiving. Thank you for your dedication to Christ. Your staff is always helpful and encouraging.”

Ellen Guffey
Club Coordinator
Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Florence, South Carolina

“I have seen Pioneer Clubs change the life of my son, Paul. He heard a lesson on forgiveness of sins when he was in Pathfinders. During that lesson, the leaders explained that if you told God you were sorry for your sins he would forgive you. The leaders had the children write their sins on a piece of paper and burn the paper in class. Paul was so excited that his sins had been forgiven. He told me all about it after the club meeting. That night as we were reading stories, Paul asked me if it was okay if we read from the Bible that night. Wow! I couldn't believe it—my son had accepted Christ for the first time in his life.”

Jeannine Larcom
Parent of club member

“One of our Pathfinder Club members told his leader that he had used our lesson about “Love One Another” with a bully at school. The bully cried and became a friend to the club member. The leader encouraged the club member to invite him to Pathfinders, and the club prayed as a group for God to open hearts and doors for the bully to join us next year.”

Valorie Eddy
Club Coordinator
Trinity Heights United Methodist Church
Flagstaff, Arizona

“A tornado swept through southern Indiana on November 6, wiping out a third of a trailer park in Evansville and destroying several blocks in a residential area in nearby Newburgh. One of the 20 people killed was a Scooter in our Pioneer Clubs program. He was known by a lot of the club members. We bus in about 35 kids from remote neighborhoods, and few are from our church or churched at all. At the next club meeting, our pastor visited each club group to tell them about the boy and the importance of trusting Christ as Savior and being in his care. That evening two of the Pathfinders and at least two of the Trailblazers came to Christ.”

Ray Stein
Club Coordinator
Oak Hill Evangelical Free Church
Evansville, Indiana

“Years ago I was a member of Pioneer Girls. I have some wonderful memories of Ohio Camp Cherith. I learned so much of God’s Word and about his love. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with my Pioneer Girls sisters.”

Jaleyn Dobbs
Creston, Iowa

“I used to be a Pioneer Girl from 1980 to about 1987. I loved Pioneer Girls, and still keep in touch with some of the friends I made in club. Between club and teaching from my parents and church leaders, I became a Christian when I was 13. Pioneer Girls has had a major impact on my life.”

Dara Bigsby
Front Royal, Virginia

“Jeannette Norton had three boys of her own whom she cared for and nurtured. She also cared for and nurtured hundreds of girls through Pioneer Clubs. I was one of those girls. Before Jeannette became my mother-in-law, she was my Pioneer Girls leader. We met weekly in her kitchen in Green Creek, New Jersey.

“I can remember one particular meeting long ago when I was in high school. We were making red candles. One of the club members dropped a pot of melted wax down the front of Jeannette’s electric stove, under the burners and splattering onto the floor. Two sisters began to argue about what happened and whose fault it was. Our project was over because you can't clean up wax until it hardens. All Jeannette said was, "Okay, let’s do something else." There were no complaints, no demands, no anger from Jeannette.

“Years later, I asked Jeannette if she remembered that night. She recalled cleaning up the wax the next day and said, “I've learned to give my things joyfully.” God loves a cheerful giver. That was Jeannette, a cheerful giver.

“I was 16 years old then. I am 49 now. How Jeannette handled that incident impressed me and I have remembered it all of these years. Jeannette passed away this past February at the age of 86. She was generous with her belongings, generous with her time, generous with her knowledge and wisdom, and generous with her love. Today I am a mother and a Pioneer Clubs leader who is striving to live up to her example.

“The relationships between leader and club members can have life-lasting effect.”

Ruth Norton
The Lighthouse Church
Pioneer Clubs Alumna and Leader
Rio Grande, New Jersey

“I have been leading Skippers for two years now, and it is a wonderful challenge. On a normal night I have 15 kids, including a set of triplets! I love teaching them, and I learn so much from watching them. The Skippy puppet is their favorite thing about club. Our Skippy has had to have his ear put back on three times because the kids love to see him and listen to what he has to say.”

Laura Gunthner
Skipper Club Leader
Faith Presbyterian Church
Seminole, Florida

“Our six-year-old son had started Tiger Cub Scouts (a fine organization), but my husband and I felt a real tug on our hearts for the Friday night kids program at church and felt divided. We threw ourselves into Scouts for a couple months, but it wasn’t satisfying. Then our good friend’s son was murdered just before Christmas, and, at the memorial service at their church, we picked up a pamphlet about Pioneer Clubs. We went online and checked it out. It was just what we were looking for....it had the badges and curriculum like Scouts, but most importantly it taught about our Savior. Knowing that our friend’s son had accepted Christ as Savior made that senseless tragedy a little more bearable. It also helped us to decide the most important thing for our son (and all children) should be making sure they know that no matter what situation they face in life, God is there with them and they need not be afraid.

“And so our Pioneer Clubs started with only two small boys (one of whom was our son) on a Friday night. We had the boys make posters our first night and announced the club in church the next Sunday. It was like a floodgate opening–I have never had so many people say to me, “This is an answer to prayer!” Our next meeting had 14 kids, and since then we have been steady at 30-35 kids every Friday! Even unchurched neighborhood kids are very faithful in attendance.

“Who else but God can take a senseless tragedy and make something incredible out of it!”

Rhonda Wasnock
East Shelby Community Bible Church
Medina, New York

"One of the men who I asked to be a leader had never worked with kids. He would not have volunteered, but since I asked, he said yes. After awhile he shared in his adult Sunday school class that leading Pioneer Clubs was a great experience for him. He was in the Bible much more than at any other time in his life. He was learning and growing so much because of working with the kids."

Cindy Switzer
Club Coordinator
Sandtown United Methodist Church
Philadelphia, Mississippi

“Every week at our Pioneer Clubs meeting we take a ‘Kids Helping Kids’ offering. Throughout the year I present various local and world mission projects that assist children in some way. In January, the children chose to give their money to Bus of Hope, a street ministry for children in Phenom Phen, Cambodia. Each week I shared with the club members about the needs of the children in this area of the world. It was great to see their hearts reach out to these children.

“After one club meeting, a mother came up to me and told me that her 5-year-old daughter had begun collecting apple seeds. Curious about her daughter’s new collection, she had asked the girl why she was collecting apple seeds. Her daughter explained that her plans were to plant the seeds, grow apples, sell the apples, and give the money to Bus of Hope.

“On the evening of our last offering for Bus of Hope, one of our 11-year-old girls gave me an envelope with the words Bus of Hope written on it. When I opened it, I found over 100 dollars. The girl had shared the ministry of Bus of Hope with adults from her church, and they pledged to give toward Bus of Hope for additional Bible verses the Pioneer Clubs member memorized.”

Cindy Williams
Club Coordinator
Horizon Church
Lost Creek, West Virginia

“We recently had a new family bring their four children to Pioneer Clubs. They were new to the community and to church. After coming to club a couple of weeks, the parents began telling me how bad things were at home and how hard life was. The mother told me that it seemed they were on a downward spiral. I asked if they had ever accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. They said no. We went into the sanctuary, and they gave their lives to Christ for the first time. It was an awesome moment that may not have happened had they not been bringing their children to club.”

Deb Parker
Club Coordinator
Fowler United Methodist Church
Fowler, Indiana

“Our first fall, an eight-year-old boy of divorced parents began attending club. His father would bring him to club and Sunday school, but wouldn’t come to church himself. He was always very friendly, but just was not ready to attend any services himself. The boy was very faithful, however. He began asking his dad spiritual questions that his dad had no answers to. Finally, the father began attending our church. He came every Sunday and listened intently. He very carefully investigated for himself the claims of Christ, and he accepted the Lord as his Savior. He has begun voraciously devouring the Word of God and every other good, scriptural book he can get his hands on. Then the son accepted the Lord for himself, so now they’re united in Christ.

Elaine Rudy
Club Leader
Anchor Baptist Church
Genoa City, Wisconsin

“I have been a coordinator at New Life for eight years. During that time, our attendance has steadily grown from a beginning of 20 to over 120 registered kids last year, 70 percent of whom came from the community. Pioneer Clubs has been a great conduit for our church youth group and continues to be a blessing for the church members who are part of this ministry, our church family who bring their kids, and members of the local community, some of whom have come to Christ through the ministry of Pioneer Clubs.”

Ken Bencivengo
Club Coordinator
New Life Evangelical Free Church
West Haven, Connecticut

"God has been doing marvelous things with our Pioneer Clubs. We started with a total of 12-15 children, and now have about 45 that attend regularly. We had a roller skating party and had 78 present. The kids are so excited and make sure every person along their way is told about club!"

Deborah A. Miller
Club Coordinator
Faith Fellowship Church
Cleona, Pennsylvania

“Club continues to be a key part of the children’s outreach segment of our ministry. We always see new faces as we use Pioneer Clubs to reach out to those in our community.”

Ralph Nagle
Club Coordinator
First Baptist Church
Allentown, Pennsylvania

"PC is a great curriculum. I haven't heard a single child say she was bored."

Loretta Bezara
Club Coordinator and Leader
Evangelical Covenant Church
Grand Rapids, MI



		More Testimonials “When I was in [Pioneer Clubs], it was known as Pioneer Girls. Our leaders were Sonny and Grace. Both were single ladies. It is a wonder we didn’t drive these ladies crazy. But they not only taught me about my relationship with God, they gave me valuable lessons on how to be a friend to everyone I meet. Now I am the coordinator of Pioneer Clubs at my church and I am also a leader. I am trying to give the same lessons to the kids that I learned while in club....I would not trade my time with the kids for anything. When you can see a difference in the kids, and you hear from others how they see a difference in them, you know the Lord is working.” Maria Lynch Club Coordinator/Leader Pebblebrook Baptist Church Mableton, Georgia “Pioneer Clubs has blessed my daughter, Lois, and now her two sons, Kyle and Nathan. I have been privileged to be a club leader since 1964 at the church they attend.” Marilyn Quitno Club Leader Monroe Center Union Church Kirkland, Illinois “Pioneer Clubs has turned out to be a better program than we ever thought it would be. It’s the best thing our church has ever done! Stacy Lee Club Coordinator Hillcrest Baptist Church Columbus, Ohio “Last year, a boy named Joey joined Pioneer Clubs as a Scooter. He enjoyed what he learned and did so much that he shared all of his experiences with his mother, Brandy. She became so intrigued that she began bringing Joey to club and staying to talk with other moms and workers. Before long, she was using her talents to make props for our Christmas pageant. “Brandy was searching for Jesus. She continually asked about Jesus and what her son was learning. She didn’t hesitate to approach anyone in search of answers to her questions. She began attending our Sunday morning church services. It wasn’t long before she dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized right along with our children from Pioneer Clubs. “Brandy is now a vital member of Pioneer Clubs as a Pathfinder coleader, and of our congregation as a member of the Sunday morning worship team. You can find her in the service every weekend accompanied by her husband, sons, nephew, and other extended family members. “Brandy always gives the glory to God for her new life, but she never hesitates to add that it was Joey’s experiences at Pioneer Clubs that started it all. We praise God for this family, and for the influence of Pioneer Clubs on the families in our community.” Rhonda Wright Club Coordinator New Life Church Ilwaco, Washington “We are reaching our children, their friends, our community, and touching others in faraway lands. Our leaders testify to the great blessing they are receiving. Thank you for your dedication to Christ. Your staff is always helpful and encouraging.” Ellen Guffey Club Coordinator Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church Florence, South Carolina “I have seen Pioneer Clubs change the life of my son, Paul. He heard a lesson on forgiveness of sins when he was in Pathfinders. During that lesson, the leaders explained that if you told God you were sorry for your sins he would forgive you. The leaders had the children write their sins on a piece of paper and burn the paper in class. Paul was so excited that his sins had been forgiven. He told me all about it after the club meeting. That night as we were reading stories, Paul asked me if it was okay if we read from the Bible that night. Wow! I couldn't believe it—my son had accepted Christ for the first time in his life.” Jeannine Larcom Parent of club member “One of our Pathfinder Club members told his leader that he had used our lesson about “Love One Another” with a bully at school. The bully cried and became a friend to the club member. The leader encouraged the club member to invite him to Pathfinders, and the club prayed as a group for God to open hearts and doors for the bully to join us next year.” Valorie Eddy Club Coordinator Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Flagstaff, Arizona “A tornado swept through southern Indiana on November 6, wiping out a third of a trailer park in Evansville and destroying several blocks in a residential area in nearby Newburgh. One of the 20 people killed was a Scooter in our Pioneer Clubs program. He was known by a lot of the club members. We bus in about 35 kids from remote neighborhoods, and few are from our church or churched at all. At the next club meeting, our pastor visited each club group to tell them about the boy and the importance of trusting Christ as Savior and being in his care. That evening two of the Pathfinders and at least two of the Trailblazers came to Christ.” Ray Stein Club Coordinator Oak Hill Evangelical Free Church Evansville, Indiana “Years ago I was a member of Pioneer Girls. I have some wonderful memories of Ohio Camp Cherith. I learned so much of God’s Word and about his love. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with my Pioneer Girls sisters.” Jaleyn Dobbs Creston, Iowa “I used to be a Pioneer Girl from 1980 to about 1987. I loved Pioneer Girls, and still keep in touch with some of the friends I made in club. Between club and teaching from my parents and church leaders, I became a Christian when I was 13. Pioneer Girls has had a major impact on my life.” Dara Bigsby Front Royal, Virginia “Jeannette Norton had three boys of her own whom she cared for and nurtured. She also cared for and nurtured hundreds of girls through Pioneer Clubs. I was one of those girls. Before Jeannette became my mother-in-law, she was my Pioneer Girls leader. We met weekly in her kitchen in Green Creek, New Jersey. “I can remember one particular meeting long ago when I was in high school. We were making red candles. One of the club members dropped a pot of melted wax down the front of Jeannette’s electric stove, under the burners and splattering onto the floor. Two sisters began to argue about what happened and whose fault it was. Our project was over because you can't clean up wax until it hardens. All Jeannette said was, "Okay, let’s do something else." There were no complaints, no demands, no anger from Jeannette. “Years later, I asked Jeannette if she remembered that night. She recalled cleaning up the wax the next day and said, “I've learned to give my things joyfully.” God loves a cheerful giver. That was Jeannette, a cheerful giver. “I was 16 years old then. I am 49 now. How Jeannette handled that incident impressed me and I have remembered it all of these years. Jeannette passed away this past February at the age of 86. She was generous with her belongings, generous with her time, generous with her knowledge and wisdom, and generous with her love. Today I am a mother and a Pioneer Clubs leader who is striving to live up to her example. “The relationships between leader and club members can have life-lasting effect.” Ruth Norton The Lighthouse Church Pioneer Clubs Alumna and Leader Rio Grande, New Jersey “I have been leading Skippers for two years now, and it is a wonderful challenge. On a normal night I have 15 kids, including a set of triplets! I love teaching them, and I learn so much from watching them. The Skippy puppet is their favorite thing about club. Our Skippy has had to have his ear put back on three times because the kids love to see him and listen to what he has to say.” Laura Gunthner Skipper Club Leader Faith Presbyterian Church Seminole, Florida “Our six-year-old son had started Tiger Cub Scouts (a fine organization), but my husband and I felt a real tug on our hearts for the Friday night kids program at church and felt divided. We threw ourselves into Scouts for a couple months, but it wasn’t satisfying. Then our good friend’s son was murdered just before Christmas, and, at the memorial service at their church, we picked up a pamphlet about Pioneer Clubs. We went online and checked it out. It was just what we were looking for....it had the badges and curriculum like Scouts, but most importantly it taught about our Savior. Knowing that our friend’s son had accepted Christ as Savior made that senseless tragedy a little more bearable. It also helped us to decide the most important thing for our son (and all children) should be making sure they know that no matter what situation they face in life, God is there with them and they need not be afraid. “And so our Pioneer Clubs started with only two small boys (one of whom was our son) on a Friday night. We had the boys make posters our first night and announced the club in church the next Sunday. It was like a floodgate opening–I have never had so many people say to me, “This is an answer to prayer!” Our next meeting had 14 kids, and since then we have been steady at 30-35 kids every Friday! Even unchurched neighborhood kids are very faithful in attendance. “Who else but God can take a senseless tragedy and make something incredible out of it!” Rhonda Wasnock East Shelby Community Bible Church Medina, New York "One of the men who I asked to be a leader had never worked with kids. He would not have volunteered, but since I asked, he said yes. After awhile he shared in his adult Sunday school class that leading Pioneer Clubs was a great experience for him. He was in the Bible much more than at any other time in his life. He was learning and growing so much because of working with the kids." Cindy Switzer Club Coordinator Sandtown United Methodist Church Philadelphia, Mississippi “Every week at our Pioneer Clubs meeting we take a ‘Kids Helping Kids’ offering. Throughout the year I present various local and world mission projects that assist children in some way. In January, the children chose to give their money to Bus of Hope, a street ministry for children in Phenom Phen, Cambodia. Each week I shared with the club members about the needs of the children in this area of the world. It was great to see their hearts reach out to these children. “After one club meeting, a mother came up to me and told me that her 5-year-old daughter had begun collecting apple seeds. Curious about her daughter’s new collection, she had asked the girl why she was collecting apple seeds. Her daughter explained that her plans were to plant the seeds, grow apples, sell the apples, and give the money to Bus of Hope. “On the evening of our last offering for Bus of Hope, one of our 11-year-old girls gave me an envelope with the words Bus of Hope written on it. When I opened it, I found over 100 dollars. The girl had shared the ministry of Bus of Hope with adults from her church, and they pledged to give toward Bus of Hope for additional Bible verses the Pioneer Clubs member memorized.” Cindy Williams Club Coordinator Horizon Church Lost Creek, West Virginia “We recently had a new family bring their four children to Pioneer Clubs. They were new to the community and to church. After coming to club a couple of weeks, the parents began telling me how bad things were at home and how hard life was. The mother told me that it seemed they were on a downward spiral. I asked if they had ever accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. They said no. We went into the sanctuary, and they gave their lives to Christ for the first time. It was an awesome moment that may not have happened had they not been bringing their children to club.” Deb Parker Club Coordinator Fowler United Methodist Church Fowler, Indiana “Our first fall, an eight-year-old boy of divorced parents began attending club. His father would bring him to club and Sunday school, but wouldn’t come to church himself. He was always very friendly, but just was not ready to attend any services himself. The boy was very faithful, however. He began asking his dad spiritual questions that his dad had no answers to. Finally, the father began attending our church. He came every Sunday and listened intently. He very carefully investigated for himself the claims of Christ, and he accepted the Lord as his Savior. He has begun voraciously devouring the Word of God and every other good, scriptural book he can get his hands on. Then the son accepted the Lord for himself, so now they’re united in Christ. Elaine Rudy Club Leader Anchor Baptist Church Genoa City, Wisconsin “I have been a coordinator at New Life for eight years. During that time, our attendance has steadily grown from a beginning of 20 to over 120 registered kids last year, 70 percent of whom came from the community. Pioneer Clubs has been a great conduit for our church youth group and continues to be a blessing for the church members who are part of this ministry, our church family who bring their kids, and members of the local community, some of whom have come to Christ through the ministry of Pioneer Clubs.” Ken Bencivengo Club Coordinator New Life Evangelical Free Church West Haven, Connecticut "God has been doing marvelous things with our Pioneer Clubs. We started with a total of 12-15 children, and now have about 45 that attend regularly. We had a roller skating party and had 78 present. The kids are so excited and make sure every person along their way is told about club!" Deborah A. Miller Club Coordinator Faith Fellowship Church Cleona, Pennsylvania “Club continues to be a key part of the children’s outreach segment of our ministry. We always see new faces as we use Pioneer Clubs to reach out to those in our community.” Ralph Nagle Club Coordinator First Baptist Church Allentown, Pennsylvania "PC is a great curriculum. I haven't heard a single child say she was bored." Loretta Bezara Club Coordinator and Leader Evangelical Covenant Church Grand Rapids, MI
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