Newsflash from Eouropartners (CBMC in Europe)
NEWSFLASH
NrNr. 138, November 23, 2011
1. New IVCG President Elected
2. CBMC Latvia Training With Abraham Maldonado
3. CBMC International
4. Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Ukraine
5. New Website of ACTE France
New IVCG President Elected
CBMC Latvia Training With Abraham Maldonado
From October 6 - 8, 2011, CBMC Latvia and Crown Latvia organized a leadership retreat with Abraham Maldonado from Spain as guest speaker.
Abraham Maldonado is the founder and President of the European Christian Leadership Academy (ECLA). His ministry is dedicated to training and equipping influential European Christian leaders for ministry in the workplace.
The leadership retreat in Latvia included several events led by Abraham. First there was an outreach event for business people, where Abraham shared on the topic "Who Influences your Decisions and Actions?" and gave his own testimony about God’s miracles and guidance in different work conditions while he served as Infantry Officer with the United States Marine Corps and as Special Agent for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), USA. Some 30 business leaders, some of them non-Christians, attended.
On Thursday afternoon and all of Friday there was training for business leaders with practical steps on how to live out the Christian lifestyle in the workplace. This was great training and encouragement for business leaders to serve the Lord in and through their work.
On of October 8 there was a conference with the topic “Christian Life Management”, where Abraham spoke about what the Word of God says about right priorities for Christians, how to find the right balance between work, family and other spheres in our life. Also, young professional Janis Veldre from Latvia spoke about the topic “How to live out Christianity in the workplace”, sharing also his own experiences and challenges. This day was directed to developing those self-leadership skills that allow us to live under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Some 20 business leaders with their families attended this part.
On Sunday, Abraham Maldonado together with some Latvians went to Sigulda for sightseeing. Sigulda is the most popular and romantic city in Latvia during the colorful autumn season. In the evening, Abraham preached at Riga St. Matthew Baptist Church on the topic "Sent with Power". Around 200 people attended this sermon.
— Dzintars Pauzers, CBMC Latvia
Dear Fellow CBMC Leaders...
Grace and greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ! Thank you all for the many encouraging comments and notes as I assume the role of President. I am deeply humbled by the confidence the Board has shown in me and privileged to be in service with you all for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Who is Jesus Christ?
“But who do you say that I am?” Jesus said to Peter one day (Matt 16:15-16). Fortunately, Peter answered well when He said “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Is not Jesus’ question perfectly relevant for us today? When I was with the CPEC Board in Bogota, Colombia last week, I shared that I do not know of a more compelling message, idea or concept in the world today than the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ! Yet we know that people all over the world have many different ideas about who Jesus really is.
CBMC
Given this reality, our marketplace ministry has a very simple purpose: CBMC is all about telling people in every nation and in every language the true answer, the truth about who Jesus Christ really is. As we do this, we follow in the footsteps of Peter, Jesus' trusted friend. CBMC’s ministry platform is the marketplace, where business and professional leaders are. I am honored to be in Christ’s service along with you in this holy mission to lovingly and humbly share the eternal truth about Peter’s friend in the global marketplace!
Vision and Purpose
In the near future I intend to share more about vision and plans for building on the foundation and rich history of this magnificent ministry. I feel a strong obligation (stewardship) to do everything possible to strengthen and enlarge the influence of CBMC International as the premier marketplace ministry in the world. We find ourselves at a unique crossroads: the most powerful secular movement in the world today is the globalization of commerce and CBMCI is uniquely positioned within this movement to save souls for eternity and transform cultures with the most powerful message ever conveyed: the Good News of Jesus Christ!
I look forward to getting to know you and learning more about the challenges of doing marketplace ministry in your unique part of the world; as well as ways we can work together to strengthen and enlarge CBMC’s influence in the marketplace.
Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions! I can be reached at jfirnstahl(at)cbmcint.org
—Jim Firnstahl, President CBMC International
Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Ukraine
New Website of ACTE France
ACTE (CBMC France) has launched their new website atwww.acte-france.comwith information about their newsletters, French Monday Manna (Mannes du lundi) and their new French translation of Operation Timothy, CBMC's famous discipleship training course. If you have French business contacts, you now have a website you can refer to.
—Paul Chazot, ACTE-France
1. New IVCG President Elected
2. CBMC Latvia Training With Abraham Maldonado
3. CBMC International
4. Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Ukraine
5. New Website of ACTE France
New IVCG President Elected
The leaders of the IVCG groups in Germany, Austria and Switzerland met in Frankfurt, Germany end of October for their annual retreat. The conference focused on the new organization of the IVCG and the change of the IVCG presidency which was initiated in the past year.
After he steered the flagship of the IVCG (International Association of Christian Businesspeople) during the past 20 years with great engagement, Swiss attorney Christoph Wyss stepped down from his position and passed on the leadership of IVCG to Manfred Schaller, the director of IVCG Germany for many years. Both received a warm and long applause.
In his inaugural address, Manfred Schaller listed five important points for the future of the IVCG ministry: love for God and our neighbours, openness for God, openness to walk new paths and fellowship which is contagious. The core task of the IVCG remains evangelization in the marketplace in German speaking Europe.
After many years of service on the IVCG Board, Claus Mattern (Germany) stepped down as President of the Finance Committee. He was succeded by Horst Weinläder (Germany). Ursula Costa (Switzerland) was elected as new Board member. After 52 years, the goal of the reorganization is to optimize tasks and to improve communication and networking among the regional IVCG groups. This goal was discussed during the plenary session as well as in the workshops. Initial experiences were shared.
One of the major parts of the IVCG program is IVCG Young Professionals, a training and mentoring ministry to young leaders. Several testimonies of former attendants as well as the current number of participants showed the great impact of this program.
Spiritual messages and prayer times are important parts of this gathering which ended on Sunday morning after a worship service. Guest speaker Markus Schildknecht encouraged the participants by his message and his strong testimony about listening to God and implementing what is heard into everyday life: "With God the IVCG has a future!"
—Ursula Costa, IVCG
After he steered the flagship of the IVCG (International Association of Christian Businesspeople) during the past 20 years with great engagement, Swiss attorney Christoph Wyss stepped down from his position and passed on the leadership of IVCG to Manfred Schaller, the director of IVCG Germany for many years. Both received a warm and long applause.In his inaugural address, Manfred Schaller listed five important points for the future of the IVCG ministry: love for God and our neighbours, openness for God, openness to walk new paths and fellowship which is contagious. The core task of the IVCG remains evangelization in the marketplace in German speaking Europe.After many years of service on the IVCG Board, Claus Mattern (Germany) stepped down as President of the Finance Committee. He was succeded by Horst Weinläder (Germany). Ursula Costa (Switzerland) was elected as new Board member. After 52 years, the goal of the reorganization is to optimize tasks and to improve communication and networking among the regional IVCG groups. This goal was discussed during the plenary session as well as in the workshops. Initial experiences were shared.One of the major parts of the IVCG program is IVCG Young Professionals, a training and mentoring ministry to young leaders. Several testimonies of former attendants as well as the current number of participants showed the great impact of this program.
Spiritual messages and prayer times are important parts of this gathering which ended on Sunday morning after a worship service. Guest speaker Markus Schildknecht encouraged the participants by his message and his strong testimony about listening to God and implementing what is heard into everyday life: "With God the IVCG has a future!"
—Ursula Costa, IVCG
CBMC Latvia Training With Abraham Maldonado
From October 6 - 8, 2011, CBMC Latvia and Crown Latvia organized a leadership retreat with Abraham Maldonado from Spain as guest speaker.
Abraham Maldonado is the founder and President of the European Christian Leadership Academy (ECLA). His ministry is dedicated to training and equipping influential European Christian leaders for ministry in the workplace.
The leadership retreat in Latvia included several events led by Abraham. First there was an outreach event for business people, where Abraham shared on the topic "Who Influences your Decisions and Actions?" and gave his own testimony about God’s miracles and guidance in different work conditions while he served as Infantry Officer with the United States Marine Corps and as Special Agent for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), USA. Some 30 business leaders, some of them non-Christians, attended.
On Thursday afternoon and all of Friday there was training for business leaders with practical steps on how to live out the Christian lifestyle in the workplace. This was great training and encouragement for business leaders to serve the Lord in and through their work.
On of October 8 there was a conference with the topic “Christian Life Management”, where Abraham spoke about what the Word of God says about right priorities for Christians, how to find the right balance between work, family and other spheres in our life. Also, young professional Janis Veldre from Latvia spoke about the topic “How to live out Christianity in the workplace”, sharing also his own experiences and challenges. This day was directed to developing those self-leadership skills that allow us to live under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Some 20 business leaders with their families attended this part.On Sunday, Abraham Maldonado together with some Latvians went to Sigulda for sightseeing. Sigulda is the most popular and romantic city in Latvia during the colorful autumn season. In the evening, Abraham preached at Riga St. Matthew Baptist Church on the topic "Sent with Power". Around 200 people attended this sermon.
— Dzintars Pauzers, CBMC Latvia
Dear Fellow CBMC Leaders...
Grace and greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ! Thank you all for the many encouraging comments and notes as I assume the role of President. I am deeply humbled by the confidence the Board has shown in me and privileged to be in service with you all for the Kingdom of Heaven.Who is Jesus Christ?
“But who do you say that I am?” Jesus said to Peter one day (Matt 16:15-16). Fortunately, Peter answered well when He said “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Is not Jesus’ question perfectly relevant for us today? When I was with the CPEC Board in Bogota, Colombia last week, I shared that I do not know of a more compelling message, idea or concept in the world today than the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ! Yet we know that people all over the world have many different ideas about who Jesus really is.
CBMC
Given this reality, our marketplace ministry has a very simple purpose: CBMC is all about telling people in every nation and in every language the true answer, the truth about who Jesus Christ really is. As we do this, we follow in the footsteps of Peter, Jesus' trusted friend. CBMC’s ministry platform is the marketplace, where business and professional leaders are. I am honored to be in Christ’s service along with you in this holy mission to lovingly and humbly share the eternal truth about Peter’s friend in the global marketplace!
Vision and Purpose
In the near future I intend to share more about vision and plans for building on the foundation and rich history of this magnificent ministry. I feel a strong obligation (stewardship) to do everything possible to strengthen and enlarge the influence of CBMC International as the premier marketplace ministry in the world. We find ourselves at a unique crossroads: the most powerful secular movement in the world today is the globalization of commerce and CBMCI is uniquely positioned within this movement to save souls for eternity and transform cultures with the most powerful message ever conveyed: the Good News of Jesus Christ!
I look forward to getting to know you and learning more about the challenges of doing marketplace ministry in your unique part of the world; as well as ways we can work together to strengthen and enlarge CBMC’s influence in the marketplace.
Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions! I can be reached at jfirnstahl(at)cbmcint.org
—Jim Firnstahl, President CBMC International
Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Ukraine
A report of Tilo Steinbrinck about the third year of the Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Parliament of Kiev
Last September, Oxana Bilizora and Pavlos Unghuryan, both Ukrainian Members of Parliament and representatives of the Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Werchnowa Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, invited to a festive breakfast in the prestigious restaurant "Belvedere" above the Dnepr River with view to the golden dome of the famous Lavra monastery. From Kiev and this monastery, the Christian faith was brought to Russia.
Over 200 guests from the Ukraine and other central and eastern European countries came to this historic site to celebrate the third anniversary of the Prayer Breakfast meetings in the Ukrainian Parliament. Each week, Christians from various political parties and denominations meet for prayer and to listen to the Word of God. They pray and ask Jesus Christ to lead and bless them in their difficult situation in Ukrainian parliament and country.
Among the guests were delegates from the Prayer Breakfast Movement of the German Bundestag in Berlin; Peter Vösu (Estonia), President of the Christian Parties in Eastern Europe; Dr. Kommendant, President of the Ukrainian Baptist Union; Alexander Shelpuk, Europartners, Chairman of UACB; Tilo Steinbrinck, Europartners, Advisory Board Prayer Breakfast Movement; as well as several Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical bishops.
After the welcome of the President of the Parliament and the Christian parties, Tilo Steinbrinck delivered a greeting note from the Prayer Breakfast Movement in the German Bundestag to the third birthday of the movement in the Ukraine. Unfortunately, the Members of the German Parliament were unable to attend this celebration due to their parliament duties regarding the crisis situation with Greece and the Euro.
In the afternoon, the guests were invited to attend a Parliament debate about family politics, an important theme in light of the high numbers of divorces, domestic alcohol problems and the high suicide rate in the Ukraine. Family politics is one of the main themes of MPs Oxana Bilozir (Christian Democrats and famous vocalist and trained conductress) and Pavlos Unghuryan (same party as Julia Timoschenko). Pavlos and the Evangelical Alliance will prepare a comprehensive program of Christian activities around the Soccer European Championship in 2012 for the athletes and the fans.
The participants of the Prayer Breakfast in the Ukraine hope to have deeper relationship and fellowship with their Christian colleagues in Western Europe.
—Tilo Steinbrinck, Europartners Ambassador
Last September, Oxana Bilizora and Pavlos Unghuryan, both Ukrainian Members of Parliament and representatives of the Prayer Breakfast Movement in the Werchnowa Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, invited to a festive breakfast in the prestigious restaurant "Belvedere" above the Dnepr River with view to the golden dome of the famous Lavra monastery. From Kiev and this monastery, the Christian faith was brought to Russia.Over 200 guests from the Ukraine and other central and eastern European countries came to this historic site to celebrate the third anniversary of the Prayer Breakfast meetings in the Ukrainian Parliament. Each week, Christians from various political parties and denominations meet for prayer and to listen to the Word of God. They pray and ask Jesus Christ to lead and bless them in their difficult situation in Ukrainian parliament and country.
Among the guests were delegates from the Prayer Breakfast Movement of the German Bundestag in Berlin; Peter Vösu (Estonia), President of the Christian Parties in Eastern Europe; Dr. Kommendant, President of the Ukrainian Baptist Union; Alexander Shelpuk, Europartners, Chairman of UACB; Tilo Steinbrinck, Europartners, Advisory Board Prayer Breakfast Movement; as well as several Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical bishops.
After the welcome of the President of the Parliament and the Christian parties, Tilo Steinbrinck delivered a greeting note from the Prayer Breakfast Movement in the German Bundestag to the third birthday of the movement in the Ukraine. Unfortunately, the Members of the German Parliament were unable to attend this celebration due to their parliament duties regarding the crisis situation with Greece and the Euro.
In the afternoon, the guests were invited to attend a Parliament debate about family politics, an important theme in light of the high numbers of divorces, domestic alcohol problems and the high suicide rate in the Ukraine. Family politics is one of the main themes of MPs Oxana Bilozir (Christian Democrats and famous vocalist and trained conductress) and Pavlos Unghuryan (same party as Julia Timoschenko). Pavlos and the Evangelical Alliance will prepare a comprehensive program of Christian activities around the Soccer European Championship in 2012 for the athletes and the fans.The participants of the Prayer Breakfast in the Ukraine hope to have deeper relationship and fellowship with their Christian colleagues in Western Europe.
—Tilo Steinbrinck, Europartners Ambassador
New Website of ACTE France
ACTE (CBMC France) has launched their new website atwww.acte-france.comwith information about their newsletters, French Monday Manna (Mannes du lundi) and their new French translation of Operation Timothy, CBMC's famous discipleship training course. If you have French business contacts, you now have a website you can refer to.
—Paul Chazot, ACTE-France