fall 2018
Advancing Marketplace Ambassadors In this issue: Personal Vision Statements = CBMC, Inc. The Connector Fall Newsletter P.O. Box 8009 Chattanooga, TN 37414-0009 800.566.CBMC (2262) www.cbmc.com We’re Social!
Young Professionals taking CBMC by storm
Local Features
From the Desk of the President Dear Friend of CBMC, It’s hard to believe that the summer is over! I hope that you have been blessed with some rest and peace, and maybe a little adventure. If you’re like me, you can’t wait for the crisp air of fall and the leaves to change. This summer was very special for me. Ginny and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary and I can’t begin to tell you what an impact CBMC has had on my marriage. I was 36 years old when I began participating in the ministry. CBMC has impacted not only my marriage but my children and grandchildren. When you join with Christian Business Men’s Connection, you are uniting with Christian professionals across the nation to help equip and empower men in the marketplace to fulfill the Great Commission. Your one-time or monthly gift is greatly appreciated as we continue the mission to present Jesus as Savior to business and professional men, and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission. All gifts to Vision 650 will be doubled through our matching grant! To make your tax-deductible year-end gift, visit www.cbmc.com and click Give Now or mail your gift to CBMC, P.O Box 8009, Chattanooga, TN 37414.
There are a few exciting things I want you to know about. First, The Connector is now available in a digital format for viewing, downloading, and sharing. To access this, follow us on social media or go to www.issuu.com and search CBMC. Next, I’m happy to report that we now offer brand new online giving options for our ministry partners. Protecting your information online is our top priority. It’s very easy to use and provides safe and secure transactions. Simply visit www.cbmc.com and click Give Now. Lastly, I am very excited that you will begin to meet some of our Young Professionals in upcoming editions. This YP movement of 25- to 45-year-olds is gaining momentum across the USA and across CBMC. We are building community for them to become the future leaders of our ministry. Read about one remarkable young man, Bo Partin, and his story of how our twofold mission has played out in his life. The Lord continues to move in wonderful ways as we pursue the expansion of new cities. As of this date we have 40 brand new cities with teams who are discipling and evangelizing men in the marketplace! CBMC has held more events and had more attendees this year so far than all last year. Praise be to God! Our Peer Advisory groups across the nation are growing and helping men become discipleship makers, godly business men and leaders of their family. This concept is designed to open up new opportunities to engage with men of all ages. I leave you with this wonderful reminder: “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:28 Your fellow servant to our Lord Jesus Christ,
Table of Contents
Letter from the President Page 2 Do you have a Personal Vision Statement? Page 3 Bo Partin’s Story Page 4 What’s Happening in Your Town? Page 7
William J. McAvinney, III, President, CBMC, Inc. 540.840.8620 On the cover left to right: The CBMC Tampa Bay Young Professionals Team Alpha - Ryan Cabrera, Michael Davidson, Al-Aakhir Rogers, Matt Coughlin, Robert Phelps, John Posey, visiting executive speaker and Area Director from CBMC Atlanta, and Evan Lerner.
Personal Vision Statement WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?
Have you stopped and asked yourself, “What is my purpose?” Many companies have written purpose or mission statements. Some even have articulated vision and values statements as well. But many of us cruise through life without seriously considering our unique purpose, even if we are committed followers of Christ.
an obedient lifestyle; by knowing Him intimately; by understanding His character; by proclaiming Christ wherever I can; by bringing as many people to faith in Christ as He allows…by equipping and encouraging other Christ-followers to do the same….”
Steve Garrison, a longtime CBMC leader in Orange County, Calif, however, is a notable exception. Over the past two decades he has invested considerable time thinking through God’s call on his life, and has arrived at a written purpose, core values and vision statements.
Garrison includes a personal motto in this statement, “Disciple Men – Develop Leaders.” His “primary aim” is “to know God and make Him known,” and he details how he intends to go about achieving that goal.
In addition, Garrison has defined what he terms “my primary aim,” along with compiling inspirational prayers and quotations he reviews periodically.
Following Blanchard’s example, he has expressed four core values, including, “Jesus Christ, the God-Man is to be taken seriously; people are to be treasured; I am here to be a blessing as an ambassador for Christ; and, integrity, loyalty, humility, tenacity, courage, diligence and optimism will characterize my zeal for life in Christ and His (life) in me.”
“During the early ‘90s I was chair of the board of another ministry and Bob Shank, the founder, challenged me to put my purpose statement on paper,” he said. “Then, while I was serving on the CBMC National Board, consultant Pat MacMillan was guiding us through corporate purpose and vision statements. Finally, after hearing Ken Blanchard give his testimony at the Anaheim Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, in which he discussed the importance of having core values, I crafted my own core values statement.” It took many hours to think and pray through these statements, Garrison said, but having them in written form to review as needed has proved extremely helpful. “It took Bob Shank years of beating me over the head with the idea before I finally sat down and came up with these statements. Now I wonder why it took me so long.” In his “purpose for my life,” Garrison states, “I desire that God is known, feared, understood, obeyed, loved, worshipped and enjoyed by all people, for this honors and pleases Him. Therefore, I purpose to honor and please God: By serving him and people; by trusting Him in all circumstances; by maintaining
In Garrison’s personal vision statement, he includes giving his life to much prayer, and desiring to see his life have a consistent and strategic impact on the people God brings into his life. Among the quotes he includes for review is a brief poem often cited by longtime CBMC President Ted DeMoss: “When in the mansions above The saved all around me appear, I want to hear someone say, ‘It was you who invited me here.’” Garrison said he recently has started to incorporate his purpose statement into his daily prayer time, “praying it back to the Lord. I have found it very satisfying and grounding for me.” n
Eager Young Man Connecting to Christ - and Peers - Through CBMC In 2013, Bo Partin was a 26-year-old, up-and-coming business professional in the financial management industry, new to Tampa, Fla. His former boss had put him in touch with a friend there, telling him, “Make sure you connect with this guy.” Bo did just that. “This colleague of my old boss was the first person I met when I moved to Tampa. His name was Dan Shock and he was an Area Director for CBMC.” Bo said when he relocated to the Tampa area, he thought he was a Christian, but never went to church and never opened his Bible. “I finally agreed to meet with Dan, and that was my introduction to CBMC. Dan never let me out of his grip.”
Bo with more Young Professionals the same things,” something he had a strong desire to do.
Early in 2015, Bo met another young CBMCer, Todd Hopkins, who shared a common story. Todd also had come As the two began a journey through to Christ through CBMC. The two Operation Timothy together, Bo realized began to envision reaching more young he had never accepted Christ as Lord of business professionals, meeting together his life. On Feb. 28, 2014, a year and a with men in similar stages of life. half after his first meeting with Dan, Bo prayed to receive Christ in a little bagel In January 2015, the very first Young Professional group in Tampa was shop next to his work. formed. “This group of guys has been This new relationship, along with his with me every step of the way, through involvement with CBMC, proved pivotal getting married and starting a family, for Bo. all while growing a business,” Bo said. “CBMC helped develop me at a critical time in my life. I was building a career, and wanted to get married and start a family someday. It connected me with other like-minded guys who wanted Bo at the Florida State Championship
“Most guys show up looking for some business best practices or how to apply Biblical principles to their business. We offer a great platform for that. But it’s the devotion time and the roundtable Bo at the Reddick Gold Cup
discussions that really get guys engaged,” he stated. “This is where we have a format for authentic sharing and the real relationships happen.” At 29, Bo is now investing in other Young Professionals. A one-time “Timothy” being discipled by his “Paul” – Dan Shock – Bo is now a “Paul” discipling other men. This distinct CBMC discipleship model is based on 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul addresses Timothy, telling him to invest in faithful men (the third generation of Christ followers), who will then teach others (fourth generation): “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” “CBMC and the book of Proverbs have been my go-to,” Bo pointed out. He The Partin Family
said the impact of CBMC on his life has enabled him to invest in other men as Dan did for him, learning to disciple others like he was discipled.
YP Opportunity for Impact by Justin Gingerich, CBMC Member since 2017
“CBMC taught me how to sit down, one-on-one, and walk a friend through the steps to Christ or how to apply Biblical principles to both business and personal life.” Bo is now discipling a young attorney. “I’ve been his ‘Paul’ for two years now and we are going through Operation Timothy together. Every day I pray for him and those on my 10 Most Wanted card.” Bo marveled at what the Lord has done in his life over the past five years. “God has blessed me tremendously with a beautiful wife and a five-month old baby girl. And I’m managing a thriving financial planning practice. Many times, I am asked, ‘How do you do it? How do you balance marriage, a new baby, and a growing business? “CBMC has helped direct me to the answers to these questions. CBMC has equipped me with the tools and, most importantly, pointed me to Christ for guidance in all areas of my life.” Bo said what he has learned has led him to adopt what he regards as his life scripture, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is a truth he intends to apply not only in his own life but to teach to other men God brings into his life. n
CBMC Young Professionals
With CBMC Young Professionals (YP) gaining momentum across the nation, would you join with us in praying for this next generation of business leaders, influencers, husbands and fathers? Men just like Bo are seeking purpose and guidance through life’s challenges as they begin careers and families. What better way to begin life’s journey on the strong footing of Christ, equipped with the knowledge of Him and tools for going into the marketplace as an ambassador for Christ?
As Christian Young Professionals (YP), we have such a great opportunity to make an impact in our area of influence, especially in a culture constantly trying to push God further and further out of the conversation. It is imperative that we grow and become leaders for Christ in our workplace. One of the best ways to grow is to read Christian books that help prepare you to be that leader in the workplace. In my Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) YP group, we read and discussed the book On Being a Servant of God by Warren Wiersbe. While reading and discussing this book, there have been numerous topics that have helped me to grow as a YP. One of the topics that has helped prepare me the most for living out God’s call for my life is the topic of spiritual warfare. In our day-to-day lives, it is easy to forget that the devil does not want Christian YP’s to live out God’s will for their lives and we
For many 25- to 45 year-olds, the challenges of home and work can seem insurmountable. Many desire to integrate their work and faith, but have no support system backing them up. Isolation can be dangerous in this stage of life. Long hours at the office, coupled with the demands of one’s personal life, can take a toll on a man’s spirit. This is where a CBMC man thrives. He steps forward when others shrink back. He meets his fellow man right where he is, armed with direction and hope. He comes alongside a struggling man and points him to Jesus. With the Gospel and a CBMC team around him, men
forget we are in a spiritual battle daily. The devil is constantly trying to keep us from growing in our relationship with God and trying to keep us from spreading God’s love and grace in our sphere of influence. In the book, Wiersbe says, “Christian service means invading a battleground, not a playground and we are the weapons God uses to attack and defeat the enemy.” If you are like me, you do not think about your work as a battleground and I believe this is one of the greatest mistakes we can make. If we do not think we are entering a battleground, we won’t prepare as if we are entering one. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul writes, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” As Paul continues to write and describe the armor of God, the only offensive weapon he says we have is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). So even though we as YP’s are busy, it is imperative that we get into the Word on a daily basis and get to know God’s Word so we are prepared to enter the battleground each day because this is a fight for eternity. It is a fight for our families’, friends’, and colleagues’ eternal life and the devil will do everything he can to keep people from God.
discover they can not only survive, but thrive at home and work. Tools like Operation Timothy are helping launch men into Christ-centered lives, with the impact reaching out to their families and their entire sphere of influence. A CBMC man of action can take the marketplace by storm. With life-on-life discipleship as the model, men are multiplying committed, fruitful citizens of the kingdom of God. If you are or know someone who would like to be connected to the Young Professionals, please email youngprofessionals@cbmc.com.
What’s Happening in Your Town? Milwaukee Prayer Breakfast took place July 23rd at the Convention Center. 1,915 attended the event and 154 checked the box indicating they had prayed to receive Christ with 337 recommitments.
CBMC World Convention in Belfast, Ireland
come online since the launch of Vision 650 in October 2017. We are excited to announce these new teams in the following cities: Glendale, Ariz. North Hialeah, Fla. Bel Air, Md. Buelton, Calif. Perry, Fla. Windsor Mill, Md. Irvine/Lake Forest, Calif. Weston, Fla. Kirkwood, Mo. Laguna Niguel, Calif. Austell, Ga. St. Charles, Mo. San Clemente, Calif. Buford, Ga. Bethany, Ohio An outreach event in Boston, Mass., Seal Beach, Calif. Kennesaw, Ga. Brecksville, Ohio brought around 60 people to hear Boca Raton, Fla. Marietta, Ga. Lakewood, Ohio a testimony of God’s work in the Cooper City, Fla. Woodstock, Ga. Strongsville, Ohio marketplace. The speaker shared his journey of God working in his life which Coral Gables, Fla. New Haven, Ind. Twinsburg, Ohio included a very successful career in Davie, Fla. Ashland, Ky. Yukon, Okla. commercial real estate management. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Louisville, Ky. Moore, Okla. Vision 650 4G Impact continues to Live Oak, Fla. Olathe, Ky. New Freedom, Pa. gain momentum as we seek to reach Mayo, Fla. Walton, Ky. into 650 cities by 2028. This initiative Miami Lakes, Fla. North Shore Beverly, Mass. will extend the ministry of evangelism and discipleship to the 4th generation. We are praying for an increase of 6,000 men applying Scripture to their lives, 6,000 men praying for the lost using our “10 Most Wanted Cards” (meaning they will be praying for a CBMC’S Two-fold Mission: total of 60,000 other men), 600 more To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and outreach events, 3,000 more disciple makers, and 600 more teams. This professional men, and to develop Christian business and summer we announced 21 new cities. professional men to carry out the Great Commission. As of September 1st, 40 new cities have Glens Falls, N.Y., recently held a quarterly breakfast outreach for that area. The speaker was Gary Beikirch, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War. He delivered a powerful speech and testimony for about 60 in attendance.
All donations to Vision 650 will be DOUBLED now through December 31st.
Victor Dawson with Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor Vietnam War Veteran
Connect 3 Training at Belfast World Convention
Young Professionals from around the globe gathering in Belfast. Sami from Finland and Marcos from Spain
Northland Leadercast with Alan Smith.
Mark Whitacre speaking in Milwaukee.
Christmas in July at the Ministry Support Center in Chattanooga.
Have a story to share? We’d love to hear about what God is doing in your area. Email Holly at hmcafee@cbmc.com. Milwaukee Prayer Breakfast
Lincoln, Nebraska Golf Classic
Bill McAvinney in Hagerstown, MD
CBMC, Inc. The Connector, Fall 2018 P.O. Box 8009 Chattanooga, TN 37414-0009 800.566.CBMC (2262) www.cbmc.com
COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU Contact us at youngprofessionals@cbmc.com