Women
becoming for
Girls
activists
Christ
“I wrote this at a kitchen table…and I did this for 11 girls. And I hoped that if I could make our girls club more interesting, more challenging, that was it. I didn’t see it going beyond that. That’s why I did it. God did the rest – all He asked was for me to do one thing, for one group.” ~ Barb Vredevoogd, First Calvinettes Director
~Barb Vredevoogd
A meeting is held to exchange ideas
The YCF Board approves appointment of a committee to look into starting a club movement for girls
1955 1956 “It just exploded. It was the right thing at the right time, and God wanted it done.� 1957
1950s
In 1957, the Calvinist Cadet Corps, a club program for boys, was growing in popularity. Talk began to circulate about starting a movement for girls as well. At that time, a 24-year-old woman from Beverly Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, MI named Barb Vredevoogd wrote a curriculum to use in a club program for the girls in her church. The club was an immediate success and multiple other churches quickly moved to adopt the curriculum and start their own club. By January of 1958, it was decided that this new movement of and for girls would indeed flourish. The Young Calvinist Federation (YCF) – a Christian ministry for youth – approached Barb and invited her to bring her new club program under the YCF umbrella so that it could expand and spread to churches throughout the US and Canada. Calvinettes, (now GEMS Girls’ Clubs), was officially born.
A Leadership Training Committee is appointed to plan Leadership Training Courses for various areas with instruction on how to teach the Bible lessons and craft demonstrations
1959 White neckerchiefs are ordered, merit badges and an emblem are designed, silver gray and deep blue are adopted as Calvinette’s colors
The decision is made to start organizing local councils in January to acquaint people and provide inspiration
Calvinettes is suggested as the name of the new movement
An organizational meeting is held at Beverly Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, Michigan – a constitution is approved and officers elected
The new girls’ club movement became part of YCF, and a Board is established
1958
1961 First theme introduced: Calvinettes Be Thankful to God
1960s Barb Vredevoogd is appointed 1st part-time Director of Calvinettes
1960
In the 1960s, Calvinettes began to thrive. God was working in and through this budding ministry in amazing ways – touching girls’ lives and bringing them closer to Him. “In 1957 there were very few opportunities for girls in the church” Barb Vredevoogd recalls, “When I went to school, a girl was never asked to pray, [so] that’s what the whole program was founded on: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
1962
“We had a lot of fun – we always had a lot of fun.”
~Barb Vredevoogd
YCF approved an organizational structure consisting of three youth ministry branches (Calvinettes, Cadets, and YCF)
1963
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1964
Counselor sash introduced
Calvinettes Supply Center opens in Australia
1966
Calvinettes has 403 clubs
United Calvinist Youth (UCY) is adopted as the unifying organization for Calvinettes, Cadets, and YCF
Shirley Lautenbach is appointed part-time Director of Calvinettes
1965 1967
1960s
~Barb Vredevoogd
The decision is made to work toward a separate magazine for Calvinettes
The “Charm Course” from Manna Publications is offered for 9th and 10th grades
A new part-time Director, Cecilia Mereness, is hired
1968 “If it’s God’s design, He’ll take it the rest of the way.” 1969
1970
The three divisions of UCY are all housed in the same building in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Touch Circulation at 9,700 Calvinettes has 560 clubs
First issue of Touch is published
First Calvinette Counselors’ Convention held in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Touch is suggested as the name for the Calvinette magazine. touch suggests contact – by touching we are aware of others. The name also suggests that girls, counselors, and the Service Center keep in touch by sharing ideas, plans, and suggestions
1970s Progress, change, and growth defined the early decades of this ministry – setting a quick yet fitting pulse for the years to come. The 1970s ushered in new ideas and events for Calvinettes, and new mediums were created for engaging, attracting, and reaching out to girls and counselors.
1971 1
A survey showed approximately 20% of girls in Calvinettes were not in a church family
Micah 6:8 is adopted as Calvinette’s verse and aim and Jesus Is All the World to Me is adopted as the Calvinette song
A program revision states that the youngest girls will be called Busy Bees with a suggested uniform of a yellow vest with a bee insignia for membership. The rank structure is dropped from current programs
It is decided that badges for Junior and Senior Calvinettes should be separated
1972 1973 1974
A committee is appointed to write new material for Advanced Calvinettes
1975
Jo Ilbrink is hired as the first full-time Executive Director
Calvinettes has 600 clubs
1976
1970s
The first theme badge is developed, and the first theme sectional is offered at Convention
The new Advanced program, For a Better You, goes to press
The decision is made to expand Busy Bees to a full two-year program
1977 1978 1979
A new badge handbook is introduced at Convention in Hamilton, Ontario that combines the previously separate Junior and Senior badge handbooks
Cable becomes a quarterly publication to counselors
The Bible helps publication is renamed Connections and is mailed three times per year to registered clubs.
1980 1981 1982
1980s
The Busy Bee uniform is changed to a yellow neckerchief
Calvinettes celebrates its 25th Anniversary
1983
2
As the number of clubs continued to grow, Calvinettes joyfully celebrated 25 years of ministry during the 1980s. Also during this time, curriculums were created and revised in an attempt to better serve women and girls all across North America.
1984 Relationships are what it’s all about... they are the main thing.
1980s The new material for Advanced Calvinettes – Wonderfully Made – is complete
1985
1986 Women loving God, loving girls, and loving one another – that’s what you see at club!.
Women of Faith - Then and Now is introduced for Busy Bees at the Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1988
The position of part-time Leadership Training Coordinator is approved.
The decision is made to begin a long-range plan to unify all program levels and materials
1987 1989
A revised Discovery handbook was introduced at the Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia
1991
The decision is made to change the name of Busy Bees to Awareness Calvinettes
Christian Reformed Church identifies Calvinettes as a ministry for children that they choose to embrace
A program is introduced to minister to girls who live in isolated areas: mission fields, military bases, etc.
Clothes Designed by Jesus for Busy Bees is introduced at the Convention in London, Ontario
1990 1992
1990s
What makes a good leader? The self discipline of walking daily with the Lord.
1994 The 25th Annual Calvinette Counselor’s Convention was celebrated in Wheaton, Illinois
1993
The CEB (Calvinettes Executive Board) approved expanding the Awareness level of Calvinettes to first grade.
British Columbia
2
While the 1990s saw a whole host of changes for the ministry, the most notable milestone was a name change. From this point forward, Calvinettes would be known as GEMS Girls’ Clubs – Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior. The hope was that the new name would more accurately convey our mission and vision – helping bring girls into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
The GEB (GEMS Executive Board) decides to adopt the title Club Coordinator to replace of Head Counselor
A new Advanced Level curriculum Finishing Touches! is completed and approved to market outside of GEMS
1995
A new logo for GEMS Girls’ Clubs was adopted
GEMS Girls’ Clubs chosen as the new name of the ministry
Touch circulation is 15,000
New Awareness materials to replace Busy Bees and Blossoms and Beehives. Titles for new materials: God’s Kids (grade 1), Hearts Reaching Up to God, Hearts Reaching Out to Others , Clothes Designed by Jesus, and Women of Faith (grades 2 & 3)
Jan Boone begins tenure as Executive Director.
CEB approves Touch to include use of full color on some pages
The Awareness level names to include: Grade One Observer, Grade Two - Learner, Grade Three - Achiever
1996
1990s
1998
The first international Get Connected! Camp is held for early teen girls on Lake Tippecanoe in Webster, Indiana
The first Celebration Gathering is held in Grand Rapids, Michigan
GEB approves revising the Discovery Badge Book and utilizing more color on the badges
Touch magazine goes full color throughout
First Annual GEMS Golf Classic held – a fundraiser for GEMS Girls’ Clubs
1997 1999
Bridges, GEMS board game, is developed
ACTS (Area Counselor Training and Support Program) is adopted, and 34 areas replace the existing 52 councils
Finishing Touches! On Guard Series and Kingdom Kids are made available
2000
Power House is the new name given to the redesigned Celebration Gatherings.
The name of Touch Magazine is changed to SHINE brightly, and a new magazine for Awareness Level girls is introduced – Sparkle
2001
GEMS is invited to be involved in the Girls of Grace tour organized by Point of Grace
A website for GEMS is unveiled
2002
2000s
SHINE brightly is sold through QSP – Reader’s Digest Fundraiser Program – catalog, enabling girls not in club to easily purchase the magazine
2 2003
Colleen & Grace - official praise and worship leaders for GEMS produce a sellout greatest hits album - Songs We Love to Sing
The name of GEMS Counselor’s Convention is changed to Counselors’ Leadership Conference. Womens’ Special Night of Worship added to conference.
2004
New Radiate talksheets for Advanced Level
As the new millennium began, GEMS continued to gain momentum, but no one would have guessed what God had in store for this ministry. As GEMS expanded to Africa, girls all across North America began to rally behind their Zambian sisters in Christ.
Additional training is done in Africa and the total number of GEMS clubs in Zambia reaches 14
The GEMS website is given a completely new and fresh look. SHINE brightly circulation is 15, 578. Sparkle circulation is 5,119.
2006
A promo video for GEMS Girls’ Clubs is created
Christian Service Brigade partners with GEMS
2005
A team goes to Zambia, Africa to build The House that GEMS Built for orphans. Training for Zambian women to be GEMS Counselors also takes place. Four new clubs are started in Zambia, Africa
The new Discovery Studio Badge Book is introduced
GEMS Girls’ Clubs is introduced to the idea of expanding GEMS Clubs to Africa
Believin’ It Girlz Tour starts
A new version of Jesus is All the World to Me by Colleen & Grace is produced
2007
2000s
GEMS has over 815 clubs worldwide
15 new clubs are started in Zambia, Africa and plans for a GEMS Service Center are set in place.
The Big Light Tour is redsined from the Believin’ It Girlz Tour
GEMS celebrates 50 years in ministry
2008
Growing and changing and seeking more of God – that’s our story!
When God brought The Call to Africa to GEMS, it was exactly what was needed – the “right thing at the right time” once again. And it has been His Spirit that has breathed new life in all of us. For those living in North America – girls and women alike, we needed to get our eyes off of ourselves. Everything in our culture encourages us to think about ourselves first and foremost. And for girls and women in Zambia, Africa, they needed hope and help – people to express love and compassion, to bring justice and provide assistance in their time of desperate need. What a wise and everfaithful God we serve. To God be the glory forever! – Jan Boone
GEMS/Calvinette Themes 1961 1962 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Calvinettes Be Thankful to God P.S. Preparation for Service Day by Day with God SHARE Hands Walking with Jesus Under New Management Grow, Glow, and Go Live, Really Live In Touch Happiness Is . . . Let the Whole World Know Growing Beautiful Here Is My Life Reach Another Person Praise God, He Made Me Echo God’s Love Seek Me with All Your Heart Run to Win Managing for the Maker Plug into the Power Grow in Truth Celebrate in Hope Lord, I’m Listening New Life, New Song! Peace through God’s Promises Shine for Jesus Rejoice Always! Ready, Set, Grow Heart Talks with God Walking in the Sonlight Power Up! Stand Up! Hearts in Harmony Do You Know the Way? Filled Up... and Running Over Come! Celebrate the King! Lord, I Am Your Masterpiece Get Tall: Fall On Your Knees! Danger Ahead, Join the Rescue Squad The Perfect Nine Created to Worship Build Others Up! Search for Truth It’s God’s! Handle with Care Having a Thankful Heart, Livin’ the Secret Abba, I belong to YOU Walk the Micah Road