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GEMS Girls' Clubs is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian organization that seeks to equip women and girls to live radically faithful lives for Christ. Clubs are established in churches and other Christian organizations and allow women to mentor girls as they develop a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus. GEMS, which stands for ''Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior'', was founded in 1958 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Barbara Vredevoogd and has since grown to become an international ministry with 5,200 women serving over 23,000 girls in more than 800 clubs in the United States, Canada, Zambia, Kenya, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Uganda, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and The Bahamas. ==History== In 1957, the Young Calvinist Federation decided there was a mounting need to design a ministry specifically for young girls. Barb Vredevoogd, a member of Beverly Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, Michigan, was invited to expand the club program she had designed for local girls in order to offer the curriculum to other churches, as well. Vredevoogd then became the first acting director, and the program – originally known as Calvinettes – began to flourish. In 1966, GEMS (formerly "Calvinettes"), the Calvinist Cadet Corps, and Youth Unlimited (then the Young Calvinist Federation) merged to form Dynamic Youth Ministries (then known as United Calvinist Youth). In 2006, GEMS expanded its global vision to reach girls everywhere by organizing clubs in Africa. Since then, Girls in clubs across North America have been active in Assisting the efforts, and new curriculum has been developed, a micro-financing program has started, and construction has started The Esther School for orphans and under resourced children in Zambia. GEMS Girls' Clubs is governed by an executive board that oversees general policies, finances, and the overall effectiveness of the ministry. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「GEMS Girls' Clubs」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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