CONNECTOR SUMMER NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2022 IN THIS ISSUE: • STILL IN THE GAME AT 91 • HOW SOUTH FLORIDA IS REACHING SOUTH AFRICA • LOOKING BACK AT T-FACTOR CHRISTIAN BUSINESS MEN’S CONNECTION WWW.CBMC.COM THE
Dear Friends, The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was famous for many things. Besides being the youngest President, he was also the first to receive a Noble Peace Prize. It is Roosevelt’s famous words, however, that continue to ring true today with powerful relevance. He is known for his motto, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” I ran across another one of Roosevelt’s quotes recently, and it stopped me in my tracks. These words were part of a speech delivered in Paris in 1910.
Am I a man in the arena? Do I have the courage to show up day after day, even in the face of failure? I think Roosevelt is telling us to show up and dare to be great. And God is calling us to show up. This edition of the Connector features one man in his 90s who is still in the arena – showing up, daring Igreatly.encourage you to read how South Florida reaches men globally through life-on-life discipleship using Operation Timothy (OT). These are men in the arena, daring greatly.
2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Dirk Block (Chairman) Todd JeffRogerDonSteve(Vice-Chairman)SchimmelpfennigGoss(Secretary)Hargadon(Treasurer)EmersonGoldfarb
See you in the arena, David Meyers CBMC President P.S. I hope that you enjoy this Connector! These stories and others like them are happening in your city. Men’s lives are being transformed and God is using CBMC in powerful ways. Please consider partnering with us financially to reach men through connection and life-on-life discipleship. All gifts to Vision 2030 are doubled and will help CBMC continue our two-fold mission of presenting Jesus as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop them to carry out the Great Commis sion. Visit cbmc.com/give today!
Todd Hopkins Dave MikeGaryDavidMelinMeyersKirschman*Winter*
For 50 years, Operation Timothy has been a tool God uses to help a man grow spiritually and then take what he’s learned and pass it on to another man. Will you be a man in the arena? The Bible gives us great encouragement!
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actu ally in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again… who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”
God is moving powerfully and is looking for men who will step into the arena of life and be willing to pour into other men for the sake of the Gospel.
*Staff Advisory Member 2
On May 25th, 2022, CBMC hosted the t-factor Vir tual Summit, designed to help organiza tions transform their cul tures for good, for God, and for growth. Hundreds of CBMC men from around the nation gathered virtually to participate in this transfor mational event. Experienced speakers covered topics that ranged from legalities of faith-based programs to cor porate chaplaincy, charita ble giving, and critical steps in transforming workplaces. We are pleased to announce that CBMC and t-factor will be partnering again in May 2023 to bring you another Virtual Summit. Mark your calendars now! LOOKING BACK AT t-FACTOR t-factor event in Maryland t-factor event in North Dakota t-factor event in Oklahoma City DISCOVER THE TOOL THAT IS TRANSFORMING LIVES. VISIT CONNECT.CBMC.COM/OT50 OR SCAN THE QR CODE. 3
Newton, Robin, and Desmond with Bill Tolia, local board chairman of CBMC South Florida at Bill’s business, LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR AREA. EMAIL HMCAFEE@CBMC.COM.
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Fairweather and Bhebhe connected through the Zoom meetings, and when Bhebhe expressed his desire for a spiritual mentor, Fairweather volunteered to serve as his “Paul.”
Thanks to the wonders of technol ogy – Operation Timothy being available electronically via CBMC’s I knew I had found a community, that I was not alone in trying to live out my faith in the business world.
SOUTH AFRICA’S AS CLOSE AS A ZOOM CALL FOR ‘OPERATION TIMOTHY’ 4
hen praying for someone to be gin discipling, we never know to whom God might lead us or where we will find him. He might be in our office or neighborhood or, as Newton Fair weather discovered, nearly 8,000 miles Fairweather,away. an active participant with CBMC in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for several years, had been asked by Steve Solomon, CBMC’s Area Direc tor for South Florida, to consider taking another man through Opera tion Timothy. “For more than a year, Steve would ask and I would decline,” Fairweather said. “I had lots of excuses – not enough time, not being familiar the material, all legitimate I thought. But he was persistent and kept asking. I call Steve a “snowplow guy” – he presses forward in everything he does, always trying to help us grow and move forward.
The “Timothy” was Robin Behbhe, a young professional living in Kimber ley, South Africa, about 7,900 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
He was referred to Solomon, who initially thought to engage Bhebhe through a virtual Connect3 meeting being conducted using Zoom. There was one possible concern, however. The Connect3 meeting was for men only, and Bhebhe’s contact information gave only a name, So,Robin.Solomon boldly asked, “Are you male or female?” When Bhebhe confirmed he was a man, Solomon provided the link to the Zoom session. From the start, the young South African – CEO of OC Gems, a diamond cutting and polishing business – knew he had found what he was looking for.
“A CBMC member shared his story about stepping out in faith and trusting in God. It was so encourag ing – I could relate to what he was saying on many different levels,” Bhebhe said. “I felt welcomed, sensed a brotherhood with the other men on the Zoom call, and was blessed in hearing other men share their stories. I knew I had found a community, that I was not alone in trying to live out my faith in the business world.”
“After much deliberation, one day I said yes. I told Steve I would take someone through Operation Timo thy. But I wanted to be well-pre pared, so I read over the Timothy plan online. The material was excel lent, and I saw areas where I could add a little personal touch.”
“It was early in 2020, and I was looking for spiritual mentoring and guid ance,” Bhebhe said. “I had come across CBMC through another mission organization I have been involved with, so I reached out using the CBMC website.”
It took about three months, but God finally guided Fairweather to a very eager man to disciple. This is where the distance aspect comes in.
“The atmosphere, the spirit, the warmth we received from everyone, it was truly amazing.”
a child of God. “It’s not about being an entrepreneur – my identity and purpose are much higher than that.”
Together, Bhebhe and Ratsoma are forming a vision for commu nity involvement, with the help of what they are learning through the Scriptures and CBMC. “Both 2020 and 2021 were tough years for our business, but Operation Timothy kept reminding me about how to treat people, and the importance of doing things with excellence –honoring God with your time and talents by giving it your best.
Steve Solomon with Newton, Desmond, and Robin at a CBMC luncheon
“It was really special. We had bonded virtually, but being able to meet in person, give each other hugs and shake hands – I don’t think that ever crossed our minds when we started meeting on Zoom two years ago,” Bhebhe Ratsomasaid.agreed.
Fairweather stays in regular contact with both men, via Zoom and phone calls. He and Bhebhe continue their journey through Operation Timothy, and Ratsoma is recapturing a love and appreciation for the Scriptures that he first experienced during his youth. “When I was a young person, I used to read the Bible out of curiosity, but I’m finding that as we standingifiedlearnedwhataandothers,forthatTimothyityseeschurch,Asthroughandbodyreallychallenges,encounterweneedsometoguidenavigateyouthem.”adeaconathisBhebhetheversatilofOperationasatoolcanbeusedinvestinginyoungold.Andasbusinessman,hehashasclarhisunderofbeing
“Early this year we formed a non-profit organization for engag ing with the community in a longterm, sustainable way,” Bhebhe said.
“I understand the responsibility God has laid on me, and I’m honored to be entrusted by Him with such a responsibility. When you teach others what you’ve learned, that’s when the rubber really hits the road.”
Marketplace Ambassador Advance ment System (advance.cbmc.com), along with face-to-face contact using Zoom – the two men began meeting regularly despite a six-hour time difference.
“I quickly discovered Robin loved the Lord and wanted to learn,” Fairweather said. “We started this journey more than a year ago and there is still much to cover. I have learned as much from Robin as he has learned from me.”
For CBMC in South Florida, this is just one example of how the Lord is blessing the ministry. In 2021, despite restrictions from the Covid pandemic, more than 140 men went through Operation Timothy together, and the goal for 2022 is to have 250 men actively involved in the disciplemaking process.
For Bhebhe, Operation Timothy has been a very practical tool for being guided into the Scriptures so he could grow personally and profes sionally. “It has challenged me to think and seek to go deeper in my relationship with God. Everything goes back to that, your personal relationship with God. Whether dealing with purpose, work, rela tionships, family, the starting point is always the same.”
Over the past two years, Bhebhe has invited friends and associates to join in the Zoom calls; about nine months ago the company’s COO, Desmond Ratsoma, became involved. Last March, the Lord made it possible for the two men to travel to New York City in search of strate gic partners for their business. They tied in a side trip to Miami, where they were able to meet Fairweather, Solomon and other CBMC friends in person for the first time.
“In Luke 12:48, “Jesus said, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’ and I know the knowledge, wisdom and relationships gained through CBMC are definitely not for me alone.
Fairweather has no regrets about agreeing to lead another man through Operation Timothy. “Part of its design and intent are to build trusting relationships, ones that feel comfortable and safe, and Operation Timothy provides tremendous rails for guiding you along the process. I’ve learned so much as it has given me and Robin the chance to do life together.”
MORE THAN
The friend was Ken Beadle, who for many years guided P-I-E’s highway safety program. Beadle was retired but stayed in touch with friends at the company. A long time member of the CBMC group in Oakland, he often brought Tickle to outreach luncheons as a guest. When a CBMC group started in Walnut Creek in 1977, Beadle invited him to weekly breakfast meetings. “I went whenever I could. I liked the feel of the group,” Tickle said, despite his uncertainty about the Bible and Jesus “KenChrist.never gave up on me, and he continued to invite me to the meetings. Each time I went, I thought about making a commitment to Christ, but was afraid God would want me to do something I didn’t want to do, like go to Africa, work in the ghettos, or even give up my career, our beautiful home and our country club Thatmembership.”changed on July 9, 1980, when Tickle met John Gossett, a savings and loan executive from Fresno, the Through CBMC, the Lord gave me a passion for ministering to men. 40 YEARS LATER, STILL IN BILL TICKLE’S LIFE
Bill with the CBMC publications he was featured in 40 years ago, 6
Recently we caught up with one of those men, William “Bill” Tickle. His testimony was featured 40 years ago in CBMC CONTACT, a magazine the ministry published for decades, as well at CBMC’s newsletter and The Gospel and the Briefcase, a book written by then-CBMC Presi dent Ted DeMoss. At the time, Tickle was executive vice president with Pacific-Intermountain Express Co. (P-I-E), a nationwide trucking company based in Walnut Creek, SimilarCalif. to today, the trucking industry then was strug gling with serious challenges, including some familiar ones – a slumping economy and soaring gas prices – as well as the federal Motor Carrier Act, which deregulated the industry and upended traditional ways of doing Itbusiness.wasastressful time for all freight carriers, but Tickle was praising God for providing a faithful, persistent friend within the company and a straight-forward, timely message from another businessman that helped him begin his walk with Jesus Christ.
GOD
WORKING
Aspecial part of the CBMC ministry is testimo nies – stories told at outreach luncheons, conferences and various other settings – of changed lives, men whose lives have been touched by God through CBMC. But have you ever wondered what happens to them in the months and years that follow? As radio commentator Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story”?
“My life is kind of a miracle,” Tickle said. “I wasn’t part of a church growing up, even though Dorothy and I got married in one. God has given me such a gift. It’s hard to imagine how I could be anything like I am today without Him. I thank Him for it every day.
Bill with CBMC staff member, John Cofield
“God has answered our prayers!”, noting they had been praying for someone experienced to get the ministry established there. Tickle and, his wife, Dorothy, moved to Jacksonville and became involved in CBMC there, while maintaining friendships with Beadle and other friends across the country.
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speaker for that day’s breakfast meeting. “It seemed like John’s story was a mirror of my life. He had no major problems, had a great family and a good life in general, but one day he realized there had to be more to it than “Hethat.explained how he had committed his life to Christ, and the difference that had made for him and his family. I wanted what he had, and that morning I prayed for Jesus to come into my life, finally deciding to let him take control. I can wholeheartedly say that was the most important thing I ever did.”
“I wasn’t happy with it, but after the initial shock I dealt with it in a manner that surprised even me. I was begin ning to learn the truth of Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ When people asked how I was able to handle it, that allowed me to engage in some very good conversations both inside and outside the company.”
After receiving Christ, he had the question many new believers share: “What do I do now?” For the answer, Tickle went to his friend Ken Beadle, who began disci pling him through Operation Timothy and helping him to become grounded in his faith, as Colossians 2:7 describes: “having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
“It came as quite a shock, especially since I had just received an excellent performance review,” he said. However, his trust in Christ, support of friends in CBMC, and the assurance of Romans 8:28, that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” sustained him.
Given the upheaval confronting the trucking business, Tickle’s commitment to Christ was timely. His new faith provided confidence and strength he could not have mustered on his own. The stress intensified a year later when it announced P-I-E and Ryder Truck Lines were merging, ending career advancement aspirations for many people. Tickle was no longer executive vice presi dent, being assigned a lesser role of senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The corporate changes ultimately required him to move to the new headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., or seek a new job in the Bay Area. Tickle contacted a good friend, Ted Sprague, who was serving on CBMC’s Board of Directors, to ask about whether CBMC had a group in SpragueJacksonville.responded,
In 1990, Tickle took a job with another company in north eastern Ohio. There he became actively involved with CBMC groups in Akron and Cleveland, until he reached his new company’s retirement age of 65. He and Dorothy, decided to move back to the Jacksonville area, to a retire ment community at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. This time he sensed God leading him to apply what he had learned through CBMC in starting men’s Bible stud ies at his church and in the community. “Through CBMC, the Lord gave me a passion for ministering to men,” Tickle Aboutsaid.nine years ago, Dorothy – his sweetheart since high school – passed away shortly after suffering a massive stroke. But even today, at the age of 91, Tickle remains steadfast in ministering to men, leading Bible studies two days a week.
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