CONNECTOR THE
SUMMER NEWSLETTER
CONNECTING BUSINESS MEN TO CHRIST
In This Issue: • Welcome President David Meyers • Ministry during the Age of Pandemic • Young Professionals in Action
SUMMER 2020
CBMC’S TWOFOLD MISSION: To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men, and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.
From the Board of Directors Dear CBMC family, The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection and appointment of David Meyers as President of CBMC, Inc., effective June 15, 2020. For the past eight years, David has been actively serving CBMC in his home state of Minnesota as a Trusted Advisor Forums facilitator. He is passionate about lifestyle evangelism and discipleship using Operation Timothy. For twenty years David has served as a Vice-President of supplyFORCE, a supply chain solutions provider supporting Fortune 1000 companies. In his role as Vice-President, David led several departments including Sales, Marketing, Learning and Development, Strategic Development, and Channel Management. He and his wife, Mary, have four children. David Meyers will be filling the role of President of CBMC Inc., created by the retirement of Bill McAvinney who has served since 2017. Bill will continue to serve as active President Emeritus assisting David in the transition into his new role. The Board of Directors is grateful for Bill’s steady leadership of CBMC for the past thirty years, serving locally in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and nationally on the Board of Directors and culminating in his service as President. His passionate love of
TABLE OF CONTENTS Reflecting back with Bill McAvinney
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Young Professional, Garrett Garner
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Meet David Meyers
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Continuing Strong during COVID-19
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Christ and commitment to evangelism and discipleship in the marketplace have and will continue to be his heartbeat and legacy. Bill has served well as a bridge connecting the rich history of how God has used CBMC in the past with how He is preparing us for His use to future generations. For the past several years, Bill and the Board have been praying, planning, and preparing for this transition. In seeking God’s direction for our next leader, the Board conducted a nationwide search from both within and outside of CBMC. Over sixty applications were received, and a slate of candidates was narrowed to a smaller group of amazing, diverse, gifted, and proven leaders. All the members of the Board interviewed each of these groups. Through this process, God answered our prayers clearly and unanimously, leading us to call David Meyers as the next President. The Board was persuaded that David’s passion for Christ combined with his leadership skills honed through years in the marketplace have uniquely prepared him for this role. In addition, David is a proven connector of people unifying them for a common purpose. Although referring to a different David, Psalms 78:70-72 states: “He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.” In full confidence of David Meyers’ integrity of heart and skilled hands, please join the Board as a CBMC family in praying for, supporting, and encouraging David Meyers and his family.
Dirk Block Chairman, CBMC Board of Directors
MEET DAVID MEYERS Editor’s Note: Minnesota-native David Meyers was recently appointed President of CBMC. An active Trusted Advisor Forums member and facilitator for the past eight years, David has 35 years’ experience in the marketplace, working for the last 20 years at supplyFORCE, a supply chain solutions provider supporting Fortune 1000 companies. David has led teams in Sales, Marketing, Strategic Development, Channel Management, and Learning and Development. He has been married to Mary for 23 years, and they have four children. Phil Stone recently sat down with the 56-year-old to discuss faith, family, work, and food. Phil Stone (PS): Tell us how you got involved in CBMC? DM: A friend of mine at church was a member of CBMC and knew I was growing in my faith and my love for business, so he recommended I check it out. He connected me with Don Hoffert and I joined one of his Trusted Advisor Forums in the Minneapolis area. PS: So, how did this journey to CBMC President begin? DM: It actually started back in December of last year when my good CBMC friend Craig sent me a text saying that God told him that I was going to be the next President of CBMC. My reply was simply: “Why is God telling you this and not me?” For the next two months God worked on me and Craig (he said God would not let him sleep). As I prayed, I began to feel God’s calling. I applied, and you know the rest of the story. PS: From what I’ve heard, you were pretty happy where you worked and were not thinking of a career change. DM: Phil, I never submitted my resume’ to another company in all of my 20 years at supplyFORCE. I really enjoyed the people I worked with and candidly thought that was where I would probably retire. God had another plan! And there is no other plan I want but to be in God’s will. I am very excited to have this opportunity to serve with CBMC.
PS: What is it like in the Meyers home? DM: It’s kind of like the Brady Bunch around here. We live in the same 70’s rambler on a little lake where I grew up. Our son is the oldest at 21. We also have three daughters who are 18, 16, and 13. Living in Minnesota, it is all about the water. In summer, we love to boat, swim, and water ski. In winter, we love to snow ski and ice skate. We enjoy having friends and family over. I even have a Friday morning Bible study that moves to the pontoon during the summer months. PS: So, in the midst of all this family love, was Jesus always a central focus in your home? DM: For my wife Mary, yes. Not so for me. Growing up, my family attended church mostly on Christmas and Easter. After getting married, we attended church regularly and had a Christian presence in our home, but things really changed in 2000. I attended a Promise Keepers event at Target Center in Minneapolis with a friend. I vividly recall Joe White and several other PK leaders clearly presenting the Gospel and hearing the truth for the first time in my life. Next thing I know, I am walking to the front to accept Christ as my Savior. My faith began to grow and then it caught fire. Ten years ago, God gave me the gift of one-on-one discipleship, when a missionary friend named John Pipes came alongside and began mentoring me. Today, John lives in Uganda, but we are still very engaged in the disciple-making process. PS: Let’s talk about teams and leadership? What is important to you? DM: I think humility and authenticity are very important for a leader. When a leader is willing to be real and demonstrate that they don’t always know the answer, it creates an environment of openness where team members are able to bring up issues and try new things. It is amazing what God can do with ordinary people when they are extraordinarily aligned. We have a great team here at CBMC. The future looks very bright! PS: How has CBMC impacted your life?
The Meyers family HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR AREA. EMAIL HMCAFEE@CBMC.COM.
DM: I would not be where I am today had it not been for CBMC. The biggest difference it made in my life was having men pour into me with Godly counsel and Biblical wisdom. It changed my life. I am a product of this ministry. Eight years ago, I caught the vision and I have not looked back. My work life and family life are better because of it. Through my CBMC group, I saw firsthand how to integrate my work and my faith and live out God’s purpose for my life. It has also been exciting to pour into other young men through Operation Timothy. Life-on-life disciple-making, which CBMC does so well, really was the catalyst that has made me the man I am today. PS: Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges for the ministry? DM: There will always be challenges. CBMC was birthed during the Great Depression, one of the darkest times of our nation’s history. As always, we rise up during challenges. And, Phil, we will continue to do so because men need the hope of the Gospel. CBMC is more relevant than ever! In these uncertain times, we will press forward in prayer, committing all we do to God’s glory and the salvation of many souls. PS: Lastly, and most importantly – What is your favorite food? DM: Oh, that’s easy – chicken and sausage gumbo! I lived in Louisiana for almost seven years. I love to cook and eat Cajun food! My definition of a perfect night: Hanging out with some of my CBMC friends on the pontoon and eating a big bowl of gumbo!
GARRETT GARNER: IT’S ALL ABOUT GRACE AND A PEER ADVISORY GROUP
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he second verse of the beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace,” says, “Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace, my fears relieved, how precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.” If you were to ask Garrett Garner about the greatest thing he learned after becoming involved in CBMC, he probably would respond, “Grace.” Garner, who heads an electrical contracting business in Lincoln, Neb., grew up in a church-going home and was baptized as a teenager, but “never accepted or understood grace until I was going through Operation Timothy in 2015 with Dean O’Bryan. He brought me to Christ, even though I had been raised as a Christian.” Until then, he had been trying to live spiritually by following rules, believing the idea of “grace” meant a combination of faith and works. He describes his time with O’Bryan in Operation Timothy as “a deep dive into knowing and understanding Jesus. It helped to develop me in serving others, and gave me a desire to walk with other men and give them the same experience that I had with Dean. “He was always interested in me, willing to listen, and available to help me to understand how to address anything I needed help with. He had already ‘been there, done that’ with many of the things I was going through.” Garner’s introduction to CBMC came in 2014, after meeting Ed Nix, CBMC’s area director in Lincoln, through a non-profit business mentoring organization.
How we run our businesses is a way of bringing people to Christ— not only employees, but also all of the people we serve. “I had talked with Ed a couple of times and hired him to be my business coach. Then he invited me to try out one of CBMC’s Trusted Advisor Forums. The facilitator at the time was Paul Koehler, but he was in a serious car accident and subsequently died of pneumonia.
Garrett, in red, with fellow CBMCer Roy Helu
“Another man assumed the leadership role for a time, but Ed eventually stepped in 2018 and then asked me to take over as facilitator. I’ve now been leading our group for more than a year.” When Garner accepted that responsibility, he made one promise to the group. “I told them I would strive to make it so valuable that they would never want to miss being there. I wanted to bring value both in terms of community and content.” This has been accomplished not only in the monthly group settings – the 10 members meet the second Friday morning of each month for four hours – but also through one-on-one meetings, phone calls and consistent prayer for one another. As with other Forums, every monthly meeting is held at the CBMC Lincoln Ministry Center. After breakfast provided by the host, the previous month’s host recaps the discussion and other members provide follow-up accountability on the primary issue he had raised. After a brief leadership education segment – this year they have been going through CBMC’s 10 Attributes of a Marketplace Ambassador – the current month’s host then brings specific issues to the group, which is followed by discussion and counsel. The final hour consists of roundtable discussion and sharing on a variety of topics, including personal, family and business needs, as well as prayer for unsaved associates and friends.
Garrett’s CBMC team
Garner, who is 34, says the relationships he has formed are priceless. “In CBMC we like to say your network is your net worth. One of the things that has really changed my business is improving my leadership skill set, which has been sharpened and developed by people in CBMC. “We have guys who are going through the same season of life and older guys as well; we can draw from their experience. I know the advice I get is coming from Christians who offer biblically accurate advice.” As a result, he believes he has become “grounded in my faith. I’m a better husband, father, friend and employer. After being in this Trusted Advisors group for six years, it’s hard to imagine running my business without that support.” The restrictions that arose because of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated some adaptation, but the Forum group has continued uninterrupted. “Our peer group switched to Zoom meetings. In our state, we technically could have continued meeting in person because shelter in place wasn’t instituted, but in light of health directives, we decided to adjust to virtual meetings. It has turned out to be close to the same, except for being able to shake hands and things like that.” Participation in the Trusted Advisor Forum has taught him much more than business methodology, Garner points out. “One of the things I have learned is that it’s not my business – it’s God’s business. I’ve been gifted the responsibility for stewardship of the company.” He now sees it as “an asset to carrying out the Great Commission. How we run our businesses is a way of bringing people to Christ – not only employees, but also all of the people we serve. They are drawn to Him when they see the difference in the way we conduct business.” One other benefit Garner received through CBMC was participation in Leadership Coach Training in Kansas City, which was led by staff director Gary Tenpenny.
The Garner family
“It was one of the most meaningful things I have done,” he said. “it has especially helped me to become a better communicator, since half of communication is listening to what other people are saying. Basically, coaching is all about listening – helping people to find answers on their own. It’s helped me a lot in communicating with my wife, Angie, our three sons, Abel, Jacob and Bentley, friends and employees. “Angie has seen a pretty radical change in me. I’m a completely different person from what I was six years ago.” Today, Garner has begun taking one of his younger brothers through Operation Timothy. “It’s been both exciting and challenging,” he said. “My brother’s asking a lot of questions he never would have asked me before.” Ultimately, it’s all because of one thing: God’s unlimited, unconditional, undeserved grace, a truth Garner had missed until his involvement with CBMC.
BILL MCAVINNEY: FROM UNINVITED GUEST TO LEADER, PACESETTER OF THE MINISTRY
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hen Bill McAvinney walked into his first CBMC meeting as an uninvited guest, he could not have imagined that one day he would be called upon to become the President of a ministry God is using to touch lives and change hearts all across the United States. Bill had been searching for a way to reach out to other businessmen in the name of Jesus Christ. When he saw a flyer posted at his church in Fredericksburg, Va. about a CBMC outreach event, he decided to check it out. Immediately, Bill knew he had found what he was looking for.
Bill with Mark Whitacre in 2018
invited by Fritz Klumpp, then serving as CBMC’s Executive Director, to become a member of the National Board. He served on the Board almost continually from 2002, accepting the roles of treasurer, vice chairman and chairman, until he began serving as interim President for CBMC in January 2017. In April of that year he was asked to assume the role on a permanent basis, although, “Even when I came on, I started praying for the man who one day would succeed me. I’m a strong believer in succession planning.” That prayer was answered on June 15, when David Meyers was named to become the next President of CBMC. Bill’s role through Jan. 31, 2021 is to help David in making a smooth transition. Looking back at the highlights of his tenure as President, Bill said they could be summed up in one word: Expansion.
Bill McAvinney with family
He became involved almost immediately, attending prayer meetings, helping to coordinate outreach meetings, recruiting speakers, sharing his faith, and discipling men through Operation Timothy. He, his wife, Ginny, and their family started attending CBMC family conferences. Bill engaged in starting up new CBMC groups in Fredericksburg, including Forums, and attended national meetings to learn more about the ministry. At one of those events late in 2001 he was
“In October 2017 we announced the start of Vision 650, with the goal of planting CBMC in 650 cities over the next 10 years. In the 31 months since, we have already planted the ministry in 108 cities, with 201 new CBMC teams,” he stated. Another area of emphasis—Peer Advisory Groups, including Trusted Advisor Forums and Young Professionals—has also seen substantial growth in recent years. “We’ve been able to grow the ministry with financial stability,” Bill noted, “planning well in good years so we would
be prepared for unexpected changes, such as this year’s pandemic.” Concerning his successor, Bill said, “I had the privilege of being a voting member of the Board, and I’m excited that the Board had sincere unanimity in David’s selection. I’m convinced the Lord has affirmed that he’s the right man for the job at the right time. “From the start of the transition, I’ve been freely and joyfully engaging with David about effectively keeping the main thing the main thing in CBMC—our unique focus on evangelism and discipleship.” Regarding his own future, Bill said once the transition period is complete, he won’t be fading into the sunset. He will remain active with CBMC in Fredericksburg, and return to work at his company, McAvinney Employee Benefit Services. “I will also be spending a lot less time on the road—and more time with Ginny, our family and grandchildren. “I’m grateful and thrilled with the culmination of the last 20 years of service to the Lord through CBMC, and am very confident that the clear calling and unanimous decision of the Board in selecting the next President will usher us into an exciting next season for the ministry,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful journey, being able to see men’s lives changed through Christ both locally and nationally, and in the process experiencing my whole life being changed as well. And I’ll be serving in CBMC on a volunteer basis as long as I am able, as President Emeritus. What a privilege it has been—and continues to be.”
CBMC MINISTRY THRIVES
DURING THE AGE OF PANDEMIC
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ewind to February, 2020. The CBMC ministry was going well. Outreach events small and large were being held across the country. Connect3 teams, Young Professionals groups and Trusted Advisor Forums were meeting regularly. New groups were starting up in many cities.
one-to-one discipling meetings. Thankfully, options were in place that had been used to some extent already: an app called Zoom.
In Topeka, Kan. for example, a Marketplace Ambassadors Initiative meeting was held CBMC Leadership Coach Training Graduation on Then, without warning, something called as scheduled, except Zoom, The Ministry Support Center in Chattanooga the coronavirus/COVID-19 exploded, it took place online meeting virtually for Living Proof Adventure study seemingly out of nowhere. A global panthrough Zoom. Area director Gary Tendemic was declared, and “business as lives than originally planned. The YP1 penny served as emcee for the 90-minusual” came to an abrupt halt—for CBMC, National Conference, designed specifiute session, and veteran CBMC member as well as the business and professional cally for Young Professionals, originally Bill Ryan was the speaker. world as a whole. was scheduled as an in-person gathering limited to 100 people. Due to COVID-19 Ryan said that in addition to participants Did that suddenly mean an end to God’s restrictions, however, it was turned into from the Topeka area, men logged on work in the marketplace? Was the Good an online event, attracting more than from Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, News of Jesus Christ no longer to be 400 participants. Michigan, Arizona and Florida. presented? Were new believers no longer to be discipled and mentored? Were The May event, led by Dan Shock, TamThe Zoom setting allowed for questions established followers of Jesus going to pa Bay Area Director and National YP after his presentation, and feedback aflose much-needed encouragement and Lead, featured other speakers included terward was very positive. support in their quest to serve as His amSteve Fitzhugh, a former NFL player and Scott Cheo in San Clemente, Calif. also bassadors? founder of PowerMoves; Frank Kelly, CEO found Zoom a useful alternative for conof Kelly & Associates; Todd Hopkins, CEO Happily, the answer to all of those questinuing his Connect3 team of Young Proof Office Pride. tions was simple: No. fessionals. They switched to the online At the end of the outreach portion of the format in April, and instead of bemoanAlmost immediately it became evident conference, online attendees were inviting their inability to meet at a local cofCBMC would have to adapt, but that ed to respond, and one person indicated fee shop as usual, they focused instead is something the ministry has done giving his life to Jesus Christ, and 56 othon “controlling the controllables,” he said. throughout its 90-year history. This time ers indicated recommitments. would be no different. Tracing its roots “It doesn’t beat being in person, but to the Great Depression in 1930, CBMC A byproduct of the online nature of this given the circumstances, it has been leaders were quick to a different type of event is that videos of all the presentahealthy—way better than not meeting calamity. tions are now available through MAAS at all.” on advance.cbmc.com, by typing “YP” Large group gatherings were suspendThey were able to follow a format similar into the search bar. ed, along with the very personalized to what they had done in person, giving John Harrison, Young Professionals Napersonal updates, shartional Coordinator, said “I truly believe ing prayer requests, that how we pursue men right now and and discussing a weekhow invested we are in their lives will ly devotional topic. dictate a degree of openness later.” If it could be termed Only time will tell the fruit from such a blessing in disguise faithfulness, but it was certain that simiin any sense, the panlar to what Joseph said to his brothers in demic opened the door Genesis 50:20, what seemed like a calamfor a unique CBMC ity “God intended it for good.” event being able to Maryland’s Leading from Faith Webinar touch four times more
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