Year End Director's Letter- A look back with gratitude and look ahead with excitement!
CBMC Northland Celebrating 80 Years in 2019
Dear CBMC Northland supporter, Season’s Greetings!
As we begin to turn the page on 2018 and look ahead toward God’s plans unfolding through CBMC Northland in 2019, I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your steadfast partnershipin expanding the reach of CBMC in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Without you, our members and financial partners, we would not exist.
As I shared with you recently in the Special Mid-Summer Donor Update Letter, your investment of financial support, leadership and prayer is bearing much fruit that will last for eternity.
Help Us Keep The Momentum!
With the greatly expanded ministry activity we are experiencing, additional financial support is key. Would you please prayerfully consider a special year end gift to CBMC Northland allowing us to go into 2019 stronger financially than ever?
Here are the best ways you can help:
Give online: https://give.idonate.com/cbmc-inc/northland
Support for overall Northland budget. It’s really simple, go to the link above and select the Alan Smith option
Vision 220 match! 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. Give online selecting the Vision 220 option using the link above or if you would like to discuss additional giving options, please contact me directly by email asmith@cbmc.com or cell phone 612-816-1541
Recently at a CBMC David’s Mighty Men group, long time CBMC brother, Bobby Williams shared this quote:
You reap what you sow, more than you sow, later than you sow- Charles Stanley
I love that word picture! God has called us all to be farmers.
Powered by the Holy Spirit, CBMC Northland has incredible momentum. As you prayerfully consider year-end “sowing”- financial gifts- I’d like to encourage you with a few thoughts on where we’ve been and where we are headed:
Yet this I recall to mind therefore I have hope~ Lamentations 3:21
A look back
80 Years of ministry in the Northland- The year was 1939 when local business men gathered together to form the first CBMC Northland group. Early on, men in our area felt called and led by God to focus on evangelism and discipleship to reach unbelievers through a new yet transformational channel- the marketplace.
Events large and small took place that provided attendees an opportunity to hear a clear gospel message and encouragement to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior through prayer. CBMC men following up with people that responded to the message and inviting them to join CBMC small groups and a one to one discipling relationship.
Current CBMC Northland Trusted Advisor Team member, Ric Olson earliest recollection of CBMC Northland goes
back to the mid 1940’s. His grandfather Axel A. Olson was a one of the first local leaders that helped plan a CBMC downtown St. Paul outreach luncheon that featured a high energy keynote speaker named Billy Graham.
The What we do and How we do it allows CBMC to reach people for Christ in unique and very effective ways. While some of our strategies to reach the marketplace for Christ have evolved, other proven practices have stayed the same.
A few highlight’s of 2018 activity include:
12 events and training sessions were conducted directly reaching over 2,200 people including:
Major outreach events that presented a clear gospel message
o August 4th Annual Brainerd Lakes Area Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Apollo 16 Astronaut and Moonwalker Charlie Duke
o November 15th marked the 40th Annual Central Minnesota Mayor’s Prayer Breakfastand Story Time with Si, Si Robertson from the hit TV show Duck Dynasty
Leadership Institute Facilitator training sessions
Connect3 Leader Training sessions
Business Series Luncheons
Leadership Coach Training sessions
Leadercast
Young Professional Retreat
• Christmas gatherings in Brainerd and Fargo
Teams/small groups meeting weekly and monthly focused on personal evangelism, discipleship and Christ focused business excellence
27 Business Peer Trusted Advisors Teams
15 additional Young Professional, Connect3, Mighty Men, Caleb, and Bible studies
Discipleship- Desire to see each CBMC member in at least one Operation Timothy relationship. It’s estimated that currently 30% of members have at least one Timothy
Grow in decisions for Christ- Through Living Proof personal evangelism and outreach events, that more people would dedicate or rededicate their life to Christ
Growth of members and teams- with our added field staff and focused Vision 220 role out strategy, we can aim for a 20% per year target
Grow by 10% a year in members volunteering for leadership or on planning teams
Prayers that God will call and CBMC members will respond by increasing their level of financial support CBMC Northland
Praying, planning and preparing for God to enable the growth He has provided the vision for
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. ~ Proverbs 16:3
Thanksgiving and Prayer
These words from the Apostle Paul sum up well the feelings I have for you, our financial supporters and CBMC members, as I reflect on my gratitude:
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.~ Philemon 1:4-7
During this holiday season, may this be a time of great thankfulness and reflection on years past with even greater excitement for what plans God has as we move ahead with hope and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
For His glory and our joy,
Alan Smith- CBMC Northland Area Executive Director
Email asmith@CBMC.com
Cell 612-816-1541