Our Story
In 1955, a woman named Mable Ruth Wray arrived in Wellsboro, Tioga County with a clear mission on her heart: to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the children of the region through the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). Just one year later, in August 1956, that dream took root as the national CEF Committee officially granted a charter of recognition. By July 1959, CEF of Tioga County was officially incorporated, with Dorothy Negley stepping in as its first local director.
What began as small Good News Clubs held in local homes has blossomed into a county-wide outreach impacting young lives for generations. While faces and methods may have changed through the years, one thing has remained the same:
a passion to share the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ with the children of Tioga County.
We’re grateful for the many faithful volunteers, supporters, and families who have joined us on this journey—and we invite you to be a part of what God is still doing today.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Mark Werner
Director
Mark is a city boy who loves the countryside. He hails from Philadelphia, where he came to know Jesus later in life. After serving as a missionary in Kensington for several years, Mark moved to Wellsboro to work as Farm Manager for a Christian discipleship program. He loves playing guitar and board games, as well as hunting, hiking, and heralding the good news of Jesus Christ. He is excited to be serving the children of Tioga County!
Committee Members
Dave Carpenter
Board Member
Dave Carpenter was born in Tioga County, PA, and he worked in manufacturing as a machinist for 20 years and as a manufacturing engineer for 25 years. He retired in 2019 and is presently working as a handyman. He and his wife Lori have two children and five grandchildren. Dave attends Tuscarora Baptist Church and has served on the CEF committee since 2009.
Lori Carpenter
Board Member
Lori is a retired Special Education Paraprofessional living in Tioga Junction with her husband, Dave, and she is the mother of two children and five grandchildren. She attends Tuscarora Baptist Church and has served on the CEF committee since 2009.
Beth Pfleegor
Assistant Secretary
Beth is the assistant secretary of CEF of Tioga County, and she also serves as the worship leader, AWANA leader, and Financial Secretary of Covington Baptist Church. She has worked as a Deposit Services Representative at a local financial institution and served as a Good News Club teacher. She is married to Doug and has served with CEF for over 30 years.
Douglas Pfleegor
Treasurer
Doug serves as the treasurer of CEF of Tioga County as well as the worship leader and treasurer of Covington Baptist Church. He is the Financial Manager of a local manufacturing company and several related companies. He has served as a Good News Club teacher and as an AWANA leader. He is married to Beth and has served with CEF for over 30 years.
Andrew Sayre
Board Member
Andrew Sayre is a retired emergency room physician living in Wellsboro with his wife, Janet, and is the father of 7 children and 20 grandchildren. He attends Wellsboro’s Christ Church and has served on the CEF Committee for over 40 years.
Carol Wetmore
Board Member
Carol Wetmore has been serving in Child Evangelism since she was a teen. She is currently teaching in the after-school Good News Clubs, is retired from working in her husband’s surveying business, and enjoys connecting with her grandchildren.
Duane Wetmore
Board Member
Duane Wetmore is a self-employed Land Surveyor, the father of 3 married children, and has 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He is an elder at God’s Family Fellowship Church in Wellsboro and has served on the CEF committee for over 20 years.