Earlier issues of our newsletter are stored in our Archives!
Here is your July/August 2014 CBMC IN Newsletter. We hope you enjoy it!
Operation Timothy is Online!.....Almost!
Eldon Kibbey, CBMC IN State Director
Indianapolis has been chosen as one of the five (5) cities to conduct a
pilot project of "eOT" (electronic Operation Timothy)
There will be an Orientation on the new technique on June 16th. The
orientation will pair five Paul's and Timothy's, including one Naomi Ruth pair, who have accepted the challenge to be test subjects for the
pilot project!
The material will be exactly the same as the current Operation
Timothy books except it will be on the Internet and can be accessed
from any electronic device with web capability. It will be exciting to
see where this leads in our discipling relationships!
Our progress will be monitored throughout the month of July while we test the system. Results of the
pilot test will be presented at the World Convention in September. The plan is to offer eOT to everyone
shortly after the convention on October 1st.
Nothing will change in the Paul-Timothy relationship or process! Paul's and Timothy's can still meet in
coffee shops or offices. The major difference is that we can use a tablet, laptop, or smartphone, instead
of the Operation Timothy books. Moving forward, there won't be the excuse that "I forgot my book!" All
the Paul's and Timothy's will need is their phone with them! This is huge!
For those of us who are already doing "dis-Skype-leship" (discipleship using Skype or a similar video
application), eOT may improve the experience since we already communicate with a computer.
eOT opens up endless opportunities to engage people in other parts of the world. The plan is to make
eOT free to users so that will also be helpful for people in developing countries.
Operation Timothy will be enhanced through eOT, by adding links to pertinent videos and other
supplement. It will also be more easily updated than the printed material.
We look forward to expansion of the transformative power of Operation Timothy as we move into the
next stage of development. Please pray for those of us who are testing eOT! Pray for the Timothy that
God wants you to take through it!"
CBMC in Elkhart
Scott Franko,
President of US Signcrafters and former CBMC Chair
Twenty-three years ago the vision from a group of
Christian businessmen in our community brought us
the first Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast.
Since then it has become one of Elkhart's premiere annual events bringing messages of inspiration and
encouragement from nationally recognized personalities such as former athletes Clark Kellogg (now
sports commentator), Tim Brown, and Mike Singletary along with "Coaches" Bobby Bowden, Tony
Dungy and Joe Gibbs. Other speakers have come from outside of sports; Senator Bill Armstong, Adolf
Coors IV, Vice President Dan Quale, Oliver North and Lt. Col. Steve Russell who told of his experience
and book on the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Mark Whitacre will be the featured
speaker at next month's event.
Who's Mark Whitacre and why would you want want to hear his story?
Well, Hollywood doesn't make feature films on just anybody. Mark's former life as a Fortune 500
executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) then turned FBI informant became the movie The Informant
starring Matt Daman portraying Mr. Whitacre who did the unthinkable when he turned in the company
for major price fixing on an international, multi-million-dollar scale. Mark will share about this
experience and how life changed dramatically for him and his wife as he's gone from ex-convict to
national speaker on the subject of transforming a life for the better.
This year marks the twenty-third prayer breakfast sponsored by the Christian Business Men's
Connection (CBMC). "Christian Business Men's Connection had been active in the Elkhart area since
1974," explained Charlie Miller. Charlie was our area's first CBMC chair and the one who led the launch
of the first Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast.
"In 1991 it was evident that a Community Leader's Prayer Breakfast would be welcomed by our area
business, professional, and community leaders. The support was overwhelming from the very beginning,
which evidenced the moral and ethical interest of our leaders for this community."
Kent Yoder followed Charlie as chair for many years. He was quick to point out how nothing like this can
happen without good leaders on the CLPB committee like Bill Miller, Dan Morrsion, Vince Turner and
his son Brett Yoder.
"Many businessmen have come to Christ because of CBMC," said Kent. "We have seen more businesses,
professions and marriages prosper and thrive through biblical principles taught through CBMC
programs."
For information on the Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast or CBMC visit online at CBMC.com.
Christian Company Profile
Owner Ben McCann - CATALIST CONSULTING
www.catalistconsulting.com
Ben McCann is the owner of Catalist Consulting. His company was born from
years of learning, trials and growth in The Lord.
Upon graduation from college, Ben started his career and his family. He worked
in the architectural engineering departments of one of the largest family owned component
manufactures in the Midwest during the building boom of the late 90's and early 2000's. While working
for this company, the human resources director began to invest time with Ben and taught him about
"Stewardship." He also learned about employee benefits options including retirement planning,
insurance, taxes, etc. These topics intrigued Ben and laid a foundation for his future career. He learned
from a "Christian Business Mentor" how to effectively balance work and faith. His "mentor" was a
respected leader who was unashamed of the Gospel.
Through a series of career challenges and struggles plus the help of his mentor, Ben's faith grew. He
realized he needed to make a change. He prayed, "Lord, if you want me climbing phone poles for the
next 30 years, I'll do it, but you are going to have to make a way for me to do it and still spend time with
my family. And oh yes Lord, if you have bigger and better plans for me, then make a way and make it
clear where I should go." Within a few months, he lost his job.
While the job loss hurt, God gave him peace and opened a door for Ben to become a licensed insurance
agent to help small businesses and families with health insurance. His new career helped him better
understand financial literacy. Ben saw the direct connection between a lack of financial literacy and
stewardship plus the breakdown of the family. He became more passionate about working with small
business owners to educate their employees to be better stewards for their families. Ben spent the next
3 years becoming an expert on retirement planning and Medicare insurance. Soon after, he founded
"Benjamin J. McCann & Associates, LLC.”
As his business grew, Ben was recruited by a fast growing benefits consulting firm. The firm recognized
his talent for helping people while maintaining his ability to produce large volume of business. As a
result, Ben quickly rose to the top of the company and established a successful book of business with a
niche client base of both fully and self-funded clients.
Most of his clients and relationships lived or worked on the Indianapolis south; however, he was
expected to drive to Indianapolis northside and provide services outside his scope of employment. In
addition, Ben realized he didn't just want to be an insurance broker. He saw a need to establish a firm
that helped companies with "all the moving parts" that connect to a company's most valuable asset, it's
"people".
After much thought, prayer, and consideration to go back out on his own again, Ben decided to restart
his brokerage business. This time his business more accurately reflected his skills, abilities and reflected
the way Ben wanted to do business. While looking over his LinkedIN profile recommendations, Ben saw
where Eldon Kibbey, State Director with CBMC IN had described him as a "... Catalyst for Growth in
C.B.M.C. " Ben liked the description and the name seemed to fit him well. However, there were already
other companies with the name "catalyst," so Ben came up with a unique spelling of the name that also
provided an insight into the way Ben's company does business.
CATALIST's business model is a Consultancy. It provides strategic outsourcing services to small
businesses to help them lower costs, reduce administrative burdens, and attract and retain top talent.
Essentially, The company helps solve "Healthcare" reform related issues and save their client's money.
The company seeks to work with businesses who genuinely want to help their employees, too !
While Ben's core competency is in the area of healthcare and insurance, he aligned himself with "A-List"
partners that help him provide a team approach to problem solving for the benefit of his clients. If a
strategic vendor didn't already exist for a specific problem, Ben seeks out and vets potential vendors on
behalf of his clients. In addition, Ben's business model requires significant knowledge of multiple
business functions which is best served by more experienced, senior professionals. He put together the
"A-team specialists" or "Catalist Consulting" team to help him tackle these complex business problems.
Over the next few years, Ben became a student of CBMC Operation Timothy and other Christian
business groups. He also trained to have a firm understanding of Biblical principles who was tested and
weathered in the application of standing firm in biblical principles despite opposition. As a Christian
businessman, Ben learned that following Jesus isn't always the easy or popular route, but it's always the
best one. He came to understand that many Christians, even those in business, don't realize the Bible
addresses everything in some way, and the answers for business decisions can be found in God's word.
Many times, Ben found himself sitting across from an owner or an employee, and the discussion about
the most important things in life came up do to the nature of his business. God gave Ben a boldness
tempered with love to look for opportunities to get permission to speak into people's lives the truth
about their circumstance, situation, and the future and to give them Hope in Jesus. It was said by a
fellow CBMC friend and mentor to Ben years ago, "If you want to get a deep relationship with the Lord,
start a business, and then hang on, there is no better way to be tested and draw closer to God then
when you have to depend on him for everything."
May, 2014 marks the ten year anniversary of Ben being self-employed and totally relying on God for
provision, wisdom, and direction. During this time, Ben's company has expanded to being licensed in 18
states for Insurance and a consulting customer base that has extended into all 50 States.
Ben's unique approach to solutions goes against the normal broker system of solutions because he
aligns himself with some of the largest and most credible PEO's in the country. With the merger of one
of Ben's strategic outsourcing partners, SOI / TRINET, Ben's clients can enjoy the benefits of a "employee
pooling" concept with a risk pool of over 350,000 employees under management to help spread out the
risk and lower costs. This gives small, medium and even large companies the ability to provide Fortune
500 level benefits without the cost usually associated for smaller companies to do so. Moreover, the
PEO model gives companies additional resources and protection in the areas of Human Resources,
Regulatory Compliance, Payroll, etc. Because of the advances in technology, Ben also has the capacity to
work locally, but meet virtually with many of his clients giving him the ability to serve them most of the
time around their busy calendars.
To be certain, through Christian mentoring, trials and complete devotion and faith in Christ, God has
blessed Ben and Catalist Consulting. His small business also allows Ben to achieve his career goals and
spend time with his family while serving his church and community.
The Apostle Peter Visits a CBMC Small Group
On Friday, February 28th, "The Apostle Peter," portrayed by long time
Indianapolis resident and CBMC supporter Larry Holycross made a
"surprise" visit to a small group studying a Survey of the Old Testament.
The group has been meeting for over 3 years. It represents 7 Paul's and
Timothy's and their wives plus selected guests from 4-6 area churches.
Larry Holycross, whose ministry is to portray Peter for churches and other organizations, agreed to give
the perspectives Peter might have had to Jews and Gentiles of his time of the Old Testament. Giving
highlights of the OT was a new initiative for him. The presentation meant doing research and preparing
a new script that allowed him to present for 50 minutes and answer questions for another 30 minutes.
Typically, Larry's presentation is New Testament focused.
The presentation was very well received. One person commented that Peter was "a little edgy and
knowledgeable, when interacting with small group members." Another person stated he "clearly
exceeded my expectations."
For more information about Larry Holycross, email Steve Ellson at [email protected].
Life Without Limits
"CBMC Indiana is partnering with Proclaim, Inc, in the presentation of Life Without Limits to
the Junior and Senior High School students of Indiana, on September 10-12, 2014."
View http://youtu.be/l91cgdFCkJ0 to see Nick Vujicic on video.
Your contribution of $100.00 or more will enable Nick to reach 475,000 Indiana students. Give $500.00
or more and you will receive an invitation to a leadership seminar featuring Nick Vujicic, on July 31,
2014.
Contact Eldon Kibbey at [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on
@CBMCIndy
Quick Links:
Upcoming Events:
Past Newsletters
23rd Annual Elkhart CLPB
Resource Links
July 10
Related Topics
Life Without Limits Fundraising Luncheon
Devotionals
July 31
Donate Now
Global Leadership Summit
Newsletter Feedback
August 14,15
Game Plan for Life
September 18
CBMC World Convention
Orlando, FL
Sept. 24-28
2014 CBMC Sponsors
Visit MRN
Christian Phone Book
If you would like to sponsor either CBMC or a Newsletter, contact Steve Ellson!