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Special Report For Summer 2018

Greetings CBMC Northland partner!

One of the functions on my watch gives each day the time for sunset. 

It seems like it was just yesterday that we were dealing with almost 2 feet of snow falling and now I’m daily seeing the sunset roll back by a minute or two.

If you are like me, you are trying to squeeze in as many summer activities as possible because you can sense time is short so let’s make the most of it.

With all that’s going on in the world, there are days that many of us feel that way about opportunities to reach people for Christ. We sense that time is running short for those that don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and the stakes are high.

Thankfully God knows...His timing is perfect.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time...Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.~ Habakkuk 2:3

A few days ago, I led our CBMC Trusted Advisor Team through a study titled: Going Further- The Reason We Exist from the Attributes of a Marketplace Ambassador #1. This paragraph really hit home for me:

When the Bible talks about a relationship with God, it does so in active terms, the kind of relationship two farmers might have while seeding a field together, or the kind of relationship two golfers have as they play a round of golf. God created us to be in His company as He tends creation, and even gives us a role in the tending of Creation ourselves.

In this brief note, I am very excited to share with you 5 ways God continues to give each of us CBMC supporters a role in reaching people at just the right time, meeting their needs to know Jesus better.

I can’t say thank you enough for your commitment and investment of prayer, time and finances. Together we are like the two farmers as mentioned above. What an incredible honor for us to co-labor for the Lord in building His kingdom.

Through one CBMC group meeting at a time, one Operation Timothy/discipling meeting at a time, one event at a time, God continues reveal Himself and draw in His sheep, never early and never late.

#1- Vision 220

Momentum has picked up significantly with Vision 220 Cities By 2022. Upon completion of the Strategy Team’s work, prayer, followed by focused conversations with a handful of potential staff candidates ensued. As a result, a major step has taken place: we now have 2 men that are in the early to mid-stages in the process verifying God’s call to full time staff with CBMC Northland. Our Northland Area Leadership Team believes that there is a likelihood that the final component to bringing our next two staff men aboard will be the 24 months of financial support that’s required.

New staff position #1 will be focused on developing CBMC Trusted Advisors Teams, one to one discipleship, and events evangelical in nature to the southwest Minnesota/eastern South Dakota areas.

New staff position #2 will be focused on Strategic Growth support. This includes but not limited to training and support for volunteers and members as we launch into new cities but also developing collaborative relationships with other ministries- especially those related to college students.

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Help Us Keep The Momentum!

It’s common for summer months to be a slower time with financial support. Would you please prayerfully consider a special mid-year gift to CBMC Northland? Here are the two best ways you can help:

  • Support for overall Northland budget. It’s really simple, go to this website link and select the Alan Smith option 
  • The David’s Mighty Men group has generously committed to a $40,000 matching grant for Vision 220 giving between now and year end. Your gift is matched dollar for dollar. You can also make an online gift using the link above or if you would like to discuss giving options, please contact me directly asmith@cbmc.com
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#2- Leadership Institute Trusted Advisor Teams

The Lord continues to use our existing members and their stories to encourage new men to join CBMC. Just in the past 2 months, a new team launched in Brainerd led by Don Hoffert and a new team in Edina that I am leading. Conversations are underway with key business leaders in south/southwestern Minnesota to start new Trusted Advisors Teams in cities that will include Mankato, Rochester, Owatonna, New Ulm and Marshall.

We are blessed to annually host two 2-day training sessions led by Don Hoffert for new Trusted Advisor Facilitators for the national ministry office. Next session in September.

#3- Connect 3 Weekly CBMC Teams

So far this year I’ve had the privilege of training 10 men from the Wisconsin Rapids and the Twin Cities areas to become Connect 3 Team Leaders.

Members of both Trusted Advisor and Connect 3 Teams continue to stay engaged in growing in their effectiveness as disciplemakers using Operation Timothy and lifestyle evangelism using the new Living Proof video devotional series.

#4- Events

Northland members Doug CozadPaul Johnson and I attended the CBMC World Convention in Belfast Northern Ireland in June (see the photo from out my plane window of Belfast). What an honor to represent you and the Northland area at this event that was attended by CBMC members from 60 countries.

By all accounts, the 5th annual Leadercast Northland in May was the best event we’ve hosted. This year we chose to conduct a Flexcast which enabled us to add our own 4 breakout sessions with keynotes from 4 local business leaders including our event emcee, Jared Sebesta, former KARE 11 meteorologist.

The Brainerd Lakes Area CBMC men have conducted two Business Series Luncheons that included our keynote speaker sharing a gospel message along with some great business wisdom.

Next up- Excitement is really building for the already sold out August 15th, the 4th Annual Brainerd Lakes Area Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast (see page 1 photo). This year’s very special guest keynote speaker is Apollo 16 Astronaut and moonwalker, Charlie Duke. Only 12 men have walked on the moon and Charlie is one of only four still living. Charlie has spoken at many CBMC events over the years, please join me in prayer that his gospel message is clear and compelling and many of the 400+ men and women make decisions to walk closer to Christ.

#5- Young Professionals

CBMC Northland has a long tradition of intentionality around meeting young professionals right where they are at to help them become all that God designed them to be. We are now in year #4 of our Young Professional Acceleration Team format. Monthly we meet in small groups for 3hours. The format that’s developed helps these under 35-year old’s grow in their relationship with Christ, grow in business acumen and develop transparent meaningful relationships withother YP’s and mentors as well.

This year a second team has launched and being led by John Harrison. John taking the torch and making disciples is a direct result of your investment into CBMC and the Young Professional focus we’ve had. He is also now playing a key role as a member of the CBMC USA Young Professional Advisory Board led by our President Bill McAvinney.page4image1627152

From this brief update- my hope is that you get just a sense of how God Is At Work through your support and CBMC Northland. 

John 21:25 tells us that Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. I pray that you realize that the same is true with CBMC. There are far too many stories being written as a result of our continued focus on evangelism, discipleship and business than could ever be shared.
 
Thank you for storing riches in Heaven through CBMC Northland. Your investment is bearing fruit that will last.

 

For His glory and our joy,

Alan Smith, CBMC Northland Staff

Cell 612-816-1541