It all starts with Why? A Special CBMC Northland Year End Update

Dear friends of CBMC Northland,

On behalf of the countless thousands of lives influenced for Christ by your generosity, THANK YOU!  As you will see in this letter and links attached, God is at Work in a significant way through CBMC Northland.

We have incredible momentum and need your generous financial support to keep the momentum going!

Included in this letter is a card that outlines different ways in which you can give. Monthly gifts, planned/estate gifts, quarterly, annually- all are accepted with gratitude and thanksgiving.

The easiest way to support CBMC Northland is to give online at https://give.cbmc.com/giving/?appealcode=northland and select the Smith Northland MN 5063 option

If you ever have any questions or thoughts you'd like to share with me please email at asmith@cbmc.com

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 1:3-6

It all starts with Why?  Why be involved with God’s work through CBMC Northland?

The Presidential Election, Terrorism, Jacob Wetterling, Prince, Hurricane Matthew, the Olympics, the Syrian refugee crisis.

2016 has been a year of incredible shifts of emotions for much of our world, our country, and our homes. Business challenges, health challenges, personal growth. 

Each day I am reminded by you- our CBMC members- how grateful you are for the support, love and peace that comes from being involved with this great ministry. God is pleased: Small groups, one to one discipleship and mentoring along with powerful events- CBMC Northland is being used to bring a sense of hope in the midst of the ever changing tide of uncertainty in the lives of those served by CBMC Northland.

The answer to Why?: Because people need Jesus to be the most important part of their life and God is at Work through CBMC Northland to help that become a reality. CBMC is unique. We are a ministry that is passionate about iron sharpening iron in Holy Spirit led small groups focused on business excellence and appropriate evangelism. Our members are dedicated to making disciples using Operation Timothy and praying for the unconvinced. Our members are dedicated to seeing their lives in business and at work as a personal mission field. Our members are excited to be used by God to equip the next generation to bring the gospel into business.      

The Fruit of CBMC

The Lord is delighted with CBMC. We know that is the case because of the results that He has allowed.

Recently I shared with you this comprehensive update letter of 2016 CBMC Northland activity.  

As a ministry we continue to grow- in sheer numbers of groups meeting, Paul/Timothy relationships and targeted events. View this powerful graphic which demonstrates Ends of the Ministry activity.

We also continue to grow in stories of changed lives for eternity. If you haven't been reading the Northland Focus News and Notes on a regular basis, (please check your email spam filter) you can click here look back here and read some of the incredible stories.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us~Psalms 90:17

God’s call to action for 2017- Go therefore and make disciples

As we look toward 2017, some wonderful doors have opened as a result of extended periods of prayer and laying of groundwork:

CBMC@U- In 2016 CBMC Northland successfully piloted the first ever CBMC@U program.  College students getting connected with a monthly Leadership Institute Trusted Advisor Team for two large group meetings and 10 one to one monthly mentoring meetings with an experienced CBMC member.

More great news: We are in the process now of collaborating with North Central University by providing selected students with paid internships to help support the growing needs for CBMC Northland, especially in the areas of Young Professionals. We are depending on God through you to bring the financial resources necessary to provide up to 8 paid internships in 2017.

Young Professionals- The first ever YPro Acceleration Team was launched in early 2016. The men that are now finishing up this 12 month small group program have been on a life changing journey with each other including a wedding, a pregnancy, and job transition. We look forward to launching 2 new YPro Acceleration Teams in 2017.  Now entering into our 4th year, YPro Gatherings take place every 6 weeks. With crowds ranging from 25-50 people, networking, inspirational stories and mentoring are all ways God is building up the next generation of leaders through this powerful ministry area.  

Small Groups- Each month close to 50 CBMC Northland small groups are meeting. 29 Leadership Institute Business Trusted Advisors groups and its 340 business leaders are having a very significant influence for God’s glory in our region. Strategic planning sessions are scheduled in St. Cloud, Brainerd and Fargo to expand the reach of Leadership Institute groups. 4 CBMC Business Luncheon Series events are planned for 2017 to engage and connect new CBMC Northland members. We continue to serve members with Connect3, Caleb, Mighty Men and Bible study groups.

Events- 2017 will be another active year which will include over 20 scheduled events. Major events include the 4th annual May 5th Leadercast Northland, 3rd annual August Lakes Area Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and the 34th annual Central Minnesota Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in St. Cloud. YPro, Leadership Coach Training, CBMC@U, and Business Luncheon Series events will provide many opportunities for groups to gather for training, equipping for His work and for people to hear the good news of God’s love for people regardless of where they are at in their faith journey.

My prayer is that God stirs you in several ways:

• #1 That you have a greater understanding of Why CBMC Northland is a sound investment of your resources of time, talent and financial support

• #2 That you will be led to partner financially with CBMC Northland in a more significant way than ever before

• #3 That starting today you will desire to go deeper in your walk and obedience to God  

Thank you in advance for your support. I pray for this holiday season to be the best ever for you and yours!

Sincerely, Alan

P.S. Often I ask people to describe how well they are doing in their time each day hearing directly from God through His words the Bible? Most often people respond by saying they “would like to be doing more, it’s sporadic at best”. My early Christmas gift to you comes in the form of a challenge that will change you from the inside out. The CBMC Advent Challenge- 40 days through the New Testament is kicking off Monday November 14th. Click this link goo.gl/F4adGr and download the Bible.is app to your phone and start listening to the Bible for 30 minutes per day in your car, while at your desk or on walk! Imagine how God will talk to you and the difference it will make in your life.