Written by Nick Deavers

Created from a desire to connect the men of the church together to grow in discipleship together, the Men’s Ministry is continuing to grow.  The elders of the church discussed how the men of the church could be reached in a way to help recognize the simple truth that, as Pastor Trevor says, “as the families go, so goes the church”.  This ministry is fueled by the burden to see men of the church lead and disciple their families well; moreover, this community of believers develop relationships between each other and grow in discipleship together.  Their vision is “to see men transformed by the joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ.  We aim to guide men toward spiritual maturity, equipping them to lead lives that reflect the love, grace, and purpose of Jesus.”

This ministry is comprised of a leadership team (Pastorally – Trevor Gearhart; Team Leaders – Steve Martin and Ben Schappaugh), where a dozen or more men gather for weekly prayer group and double that number gather for the quarterly men’s prayer breakfast.  Starting in May, the goal has been to get each man involved in a small group of 3-4 men, where further discipleship can develop.  The impact of this ministry can be seen by the edification and equipping of the participating men in being a leader and disciple maker.

The Men’s Ministry has held several events:

There are other future events that are to come:

The Men’s Ministry is a great way for men of the church to be a part of a community of believers, where they’re encouraged “to grow their faith and character inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus”.  If you’d like to learn more about this ministry, please contact Trevor Gearhart.

Written by Aaron Whisler
 
We would be remiss as a church if we felt that monetary support alone was enough support for our missionaries. And while prayer is also one of the key forms of support that we can offer, are there other, tangible ways that we can show care for those who are partnering with us in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth?” The 2024 calendar year gave us an opportunity as a church to answer that question in many wonderful ways.
 
Perhaps no year in recent memory brought missionaries through our doors as this past year did. One impetus for hosting our missions partners was the retirement from the field of long-term, global partners Jerry and Susan Hamann and David and Debbie Woodard. Our desire as a church was to show thankfulness to these faithful ministers of the gospel in a meaningful way. As such, the Missions Team reached out to both couples, inviting them to visit Normal for a weekend of fellowship.
 
The desire for these visits was for members of CBC and their missions partners to enjoy close, personal connection opportunities. One of the best ways for these connections to happen is through engagement in smaller, closer settings. The Hamanns were able to present their life’s calling and work during a Saturday morning coffee and donut Q&A time, and David Woodard enjoyed gathering with the Saturday morning men’s prayer group. Both couples enjoyed meals out with the Missions Team, as well as with the elders and their spouses. The Woodards were able to relive many fond memories while staying in the home of Jack and Margaret Archibald who were, like David and Debbie, long-time ABWE missionaries. The weekends were special to the people of CBC, and both couples expressed how meaningful the visits were to them as well. 
 
A second means of receiving visits by our missionaries was “home assignment,” known to many as “furlough.” Both Bob and Chrissy Archibald as well as Jack and Lyndsey Campbell and family spent time in Normal this past year. Of course, with CBC being the Archibald’s sending church and “base of operations,” we get longer visits with this sweet couple. Whether worshipping together on a Sunday morning, enjoying a meal out with the Missions Team, or connecting in personal relationships throughout the church body, it is always good to have Bob and Chrissy back and we trust the most recent visit was a blessing to them as well. 
 
The Campbells visit was shorter in duration, but just as much a blessing to all involved. Having made several stops through Normal before – Jack having grown up at CBC and CCA – there were lots of connections for the family to reengage with. The kids especially enjoyed spending time with friends, always amazed at how much everyone grows during the time they are on the field! These friendships offer Jack and Lyndsey the opportunity to enjoy fellowship with many of the couples that have grown close to them as well. 
 
Another missions outreach effort brought the opportunity to visit with Jeff Waller, our child-evangelism missionary in San Angelo, Texas, as well as his son Judd. They came to Normal while “in the neighborhood,” having stopped in Memphis, TN, to pick up bags for the Mexico Christmas Bag distribution. They were joined by Jeff’s partner from Juarez, Mexico, Pastor Alfredo and his wife Betty. The group took time to visit Calvary for Sunday morning worship, followed by lunch with the Missions and Mexico Bags teams. Listening to Jeff and Alfredo share accounts from their ministries was a blessing and challenge to all who attended. Of course, it was also an encouragement to see Jeff up and about and traveling after his recent heart surgery.
 
The work of the ministry is no easy calling, and these recent visits allowed a deeper understanding of that truth to develop while also helping the people of Calvary show our love and support to those engaged in taking the gospel to the world. As members of the body of Christ, consider how you can be supporting our missionaries, during their visits or while they are on the field. As followers of Christ, we are all called to “go or send,” and we are thankful for the opportunities the Lord provided this past year to engage in the support side of sending. May our commitment to this process only grow deeper.

Written by Emily Harmon

It was the end of a busy, fun-filled Memorial Day weekend that found Stephanie Yoder in the emergency room. The sudden numbness that began running across her chest and down her arm accompanied by dizziness were symptoms Jesse and Stephanie knew they shouldn’t ignore. While doctors’ initial diagnosis of a pinched nerve put concerns of a far more serious condition to rest, it wasn’t long before the continuation and increase in neurological symptoms left Stephanie seeing specialists and searching for answers. A June MRI revealed white spots on Stephanie’s brain that resembled that which would be consistent with an MS patient. It would be July until there was an opportunity to have an appointment with the specialist who would address the potential MS diagnosis.

The days of walking through the unknown were some of the most difficult for the Yoders. If Stephanie indeed had MS what would the rest of her motherhood years look like? Would she be able to be there physically for her children or would her body deteriorate quickly leaving her unable to be the mom she longed to be? With every new symptom came a combination of more questions and fear, accompanied by an increased awareness of their desperate need for God and crying out to Him acknowledging that while they didn’t have the answers, He did.

It was during this season of waiting that Stephanie took a morning to go to Moraine View State Park to quiet her soul and pour her heart out to God. As she sat by the lake reading her Bible, journaling and praying she asked the Lord to show her He was there as feelings of abandonment were creeping in. In the moments that followed, a beautiful Eagle soured across the sky and the Lord brought to Stephanie’s remembrance several verses from Isaiah 40 that encouraged her weary heart so deeply. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV)

July came and the Yoder’s made their way to Stephanie’s appointment with a specialist to get his take on her possible MS diagnosis. After reviewing Stephanie’s MRI and symptoms, the doctor was not convinced she had MS and wanted to schedule another MRI to get a better look at things. This meant more waiting and more unanswered questions. More leaning and resting on Jesus.

The second MRI was scheduled for September and Jesse’s prayer was that God would reveal the cause of his wife’s condition. This MRI revealed Stephanie was having mini strokes that doctors believed were stemming from an underlying heart condition. Further testing showed this was exactly the case as Stephanie was suffering from a benign tumor in her heart. This tumor was putting Stephanie at great risk of a massive stroke and open heart surgery was needed sooner than later.

This diagnosis brought both relief to finally have an answer, but it also evoked fear as Stephanie faced a serious surgery. It quickly became apparent that their family would have many needs to get Stephanie healthy again. From childcare needs, financial provision and juggling work, the situation looked overwhelming. Jesse says he realized “our best efforts, plans and strength can’t handle it”. While the Yoder’s never asked for help, they have been blown away to watch the body of Christ step up and lavish them with love, care and support. Regarding prayer, Jesse felt he was bearing the burden of prayer alone for his wife and family, but quickly realized they had a whole church praying for them! Jesse and Stephanie said there is no way possible for them to ever thank their faith family enough for all they have done for them.

With a successful open heart surgery behind her and recovery going well, Stephanie says “There is a sweetness to suffering…God is holding us through it. God is in it. Suffering is just a part of this life. God has always done good things through it.” For him, Jesse says one of the biggest takeaways from this trial has been “God exposing how not in control we are, so we could realize how in control He is.