CBMC INTERNATIONAL: GOD’S GLOBAL MINISTRY
H
ow does CBMC keep track of 2,000 teams in 90 countries? How do we start teams in new countries and nurture and grow them? The answer goes back to the early 1980s when godly and wise leaders in CBMC USA began asking God for a way forward that would support the growth He was bringing to CBMC, while encouraging each country to practice the mission to proclaim the Gospel (evangelize) and disciple business and professionals. Why CBMC International? In 1986 CBMCI was formed for this very purpose: to act as an umbrella organization responsive to all CBMC countries with a unique mission
sible before God and their peers for to establish new countries and nurturing and growing the ministry; strengthen the existing ones. We each has a leadership team (Board work to foster connections and or Committee) to guide the miniscollaboration between leaders and try; each raises its own funding for countries to help CBMC do ministry staff and other expenses and each better together. CBMCI sponsors the is part of the whole CBMC global World Convention, forms and leads family doing the same mission as one the Global Leadership Team, and oversees six regional This is the first time in our ninety-two-year geographic groups history that the entire global family has (Africa, Asia-Pacific, begun to share the same vision and direction Europe, Latin America, for our ministry. Middle East, and North America) which are part of this effort to accomplish the challenging task of bringing faith in Christ to the global marketplace. You may be surprised to learn that essentially each CBMC country is similar to CBMC USA; each is respon-
A Word from Jim Firnstahl, President of CBMCI Since becoming President of CBMCI in 2011, it has been my great privilege to meet Christ’s Ambassadors. My wife Emily and I have been greatly honored to participate in events in the USA and around the world. I can assure you that God is at work in CBMC calling men and women to see their life and work as ministry. Growth and Unity What is God asking the CBMC global family to do now? As you may know, 2030 will be the 100 year anniversary of CBMC and we are planning to have a centennial celebration in the USA, our founding nation. But what specifically are we hearing from our Lord regarding ministry and mission today? After much prayerful
ministry under one Lord! The role of CBMCI is to encourage good ministry in every country and strengthen them through training, conferences, collaboration, and inspiring events sponsored by regional groups.
discussion, our global leaders have come to believe that God wants CBMC to pray for transformational growth: 10 times our current level of teams and members or 10X! It is clear that the timing of this effort is God’s and coincides with the larger role business and the marketplace is taking on in our time. In fact, CBMC is being asked to be bold and lead the way for other marketplace ministries because of our size and geographic reach. This is truly transformational growth and will require God’s power and leading to accomplish. It will also require each of us to trust and obey God so we can make a contribution to His glorious kingdom through CBMC. Another key theme we believe God is impressing on His Ambassadors is unity, as in “unity of the spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). Surprisingly, “10X” is the first time in our ninety-two-year history that the entire global family has begun to share the same vision and direction for our ministry. It means we can expect to see God moving us even closer together, doing ministry better together.
Please be in prayer as Jim will be retiring in December and a new CBMCI President will be announced soon. 7
