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Featured Ministry
We didn't have any featured submissions this month. Do you know a special ministry that is Marketplace Ministry Network Member?
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CHRISTIAN BUSINESS NETWORK
This name has served us well for 8+ years. Thank you for helping to make us what and who we are. We will miss you.
If you have a suggestion for Featured Member, please send it to the editor. |
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Happenings/Events | | On Friday, September 19th Reverend Jim Vickers from the Mountaintop Economic Summit will be speaking at the Dayton South Lunch & Learn at 11:30.
RSVP
Let us know what is going on in your region! |
Partner Events
October 15-18: Mountaintop Economic Summit.
Full Christian Marketplace Network Participation including booth. Sheraton North, Cincinnati. Watch for more details. Last year there were close to 300 in attendance.
Oct 23rd:
SmallBiz Success Network all day Expo.
This event will include a breakfast with Lt Governor Lee Fisher, exhibitors, workshops and panel discussions and a Business after 5 Mixer.
You have heard me mention the great newsletter this organization produces. Many of our Dayton members have joined and we also have a large group that are doing workshops. Besides all of that we are a presidential level sponsor, with a large booth, and a breakfast sponsor with table places available for the breakfast.
The organization is very active in Dayton and Columbus with plans shortly to be in Cincinnati. They are also a member of Christian Marketplace Network. This event is 2 minutes from the I 70/75 interchange and one minute off the highway.
Anyone wishing to attend the breakfast, event or both please contact the editor. Breakfast tickets are $10 each. The event is free.
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Helpful Business Hints
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SLICKDEALS I was just told about this one in the last couple days. It is primarily for consumers, but you might find some business items on there as well. Users post deals they have found plus store coupons can be found. Search it. It is well worth your time.
DON'T ENTERTAIN YOUR CUSTOMERS ON THE CHEAP. I think some times as Christians we think about being "good stewards" and not appearing too haughty. Well we also don't want to appear cheap. When taking a client or customer out for a meal do not use half price or two for one coupons. This does not make a favrable impression. Also don't take them to Chipotle, Panera, etc. unless that is really where they want to go. Take them to a nice, sit down, full service restaurant. You don't have to fly to NY to Tavern on the Green but you can go a bit upscale without getting too expensive.
Also remember to leave a 20-25% tip. You would be surprised how many Christians think 10% is plenty. Before you take offense I was in the restaurant industry for years. I have first hand experience.
We are always looking for tips for saving time and/or money or help with producing additional revenue. Please share them with others. | |
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From the Editor...
by Bill Gaffney
As you saw by the headline this is a special edition of the newsletter. To start with we are announcing our new name.
Next we will publish the personal and business testimonies of a number of members. I am sure there are a lot more but these will certainly give you a flavor as to why our members continue to be blessed by Christian Marketplace Network.
Finally I will close with a personal testimony that includes Christian Marketplace Network.
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GOODBYE TO AN OLD FRIEND, HELLO TO A NEW ONE
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By now you have noticed the name Christian Marketplace Network. The new name is official. For many who have been part of this organization from the beginning this will be a sad moment as we say goodbye to an old friend. But only the name has changed. The organization, its goals, its mission, its ministry remain the same.
We will begin using the new name immediately. That will mean new brochures and other support material, which you will have in a few weeks. It will also mean a new web site, which is very timely, as we were already beginning a redesign process before the name change was initiated.
One final note. You will still see reference to Christian Business Network in the next few months as we work on fully incorporating the new name.
We will close with some thoughts and feelings from our founder and executive director, Brian Benson.
Fellow Christians in the marketplace,
Our association has recently celebrated our 8th anniversary and although our name is now changing, my prayer is that our reason for gathering on a regular basis stays the same. We are Christians in the marketplace and at the core we gather to network with each other so I believe our new name- Christian Marketplace Network- is very appropriate.
We are making this change as we feel it is the right thing to do in order to avoid any identification conflicts with our fellow Christian organizations, including other Christian Business Network/CBN groups and Christian Broadcasting Network, where our logos were too easily confused.
My prayer is that this change will only increase our reach as the buzz around the new name spreads, and Christians outside our membership are drawn in by our new identity.
We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition, and God willing will enjoy many more years networking in the marketplace together.
Have a red letter day!
Brian Benson
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TESTIMONIALS
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A couple have been edited for length.
Christian Business Network has meant a few new customers for my home inventory business. I have done inventories for 4 or 5 members. It also is a good place to get to know people better for personal and business relationships.
AMY WOLLENHAUPT, DAYTON
When I was first promoted to our sales division, I prayed that God would lead me to a Christian group where I could meet Christians looking to network and fellowship. Immediately he led me to Christian Business Network which is why I joined so quickly. I knew it was God answering prayers. While I am appreciative of the business that I have written through Christian Business Network, I am so thankful for the friendships that I have established. Carol Venn has been of great encouragement as well as many others!
GINGER LEHMAN, CINCINNATI
Christian Business Network has provided the Christian Blue Pages a forum where a face to face audience with our advertisers can occur on a consistent basis. Our mission of connecting consumers with Christian businesses is greatly enhanced by the ministry of Christian Business Network. Galatians 6:10 in action.
DARREL GEIS, CINCINNATI
Currently, approximately 20% of our revenues come from a business referred by a member. I meet monthly with two members to share family and business issues and pray for God's hand in it all. Three of our most trusted advisors are our business coach, marketing consultant, and computer resources specialists and all are members.
MARTY BOSWELL, CINCINNATI
Since becoming a member of Christian Business Network, I have gained prayer partners and met people that care about each others business and family matters in love. I am grateful to God for supplying my need as recorded in Phil. 4 verse 19.
HELEN ROGERS, CINCINNATI
The Christian Businessmen Network, to me, is like a refreshing oasis in the midst of my busy working schedule where I can learn from the experiences of other Christian business people, as well as share my own, have fellowship with my peers and receive an inspirational message from God's work. Like the old commercial used to say, it is "a pause that refreshes". I highly recommend it.
JOE SARRIA, WASHINGTON, PA
It has been a positive experience. Although I have not been able to attend all the events/meetings, the ones that I have attended demonstrate how well GOD's people can handle GOD's business. I am proud to be a part of such a Holy Spirit driven group of saints. All is well.
DARRIA DILLARD STONE, DAYTON
The Network has been my most significant source of business. In addition, one of the side benefits has been the friendships built. Because of the Network, I have some very deep friendships that would have never otherwise happened, along with a number of very beneficial business contacts.
MIKE PETERS, CINCINNATI
WHILE THIS LAST ONE IS A LITTLE LONGER I HAVE PRETTY WELL LEFT IT ALONE AS IT REALLY EXPRESSES WHAT CHRISTIAN MARKETPLACE NETWORK IS ABOUT!!
It's about relating to other Christians in fellowship, care and concern for one another. It's about a place and a time when the different denominations can get together to promote something we are all working toward.....unity in the faith that allows the differences to rise above the theology. It's about a place and time when Christians can dream with each other about the opportunity to serve the community of Christians and the world around us. It's about reaching across the borders of our minds in helping the body of Christ feed one another with the financial blessings that will enable us to give back to the church that we attend and get the Word of God out to the massses. It's about trust, hope, encouragement and individual unity. It's about Jesus Christ!
DAN BROXTERMAN, CINCINNATI
Remember to submit these when the new web site is up!!!
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MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY
By Bill Gaffney
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I toyed with how much of this to reprint. (It is from a Sunday devotional I do for some men.) After some prayer and contemplation I have reprinted almost all of it with some editing. While it does contain a lot more than Christian Network Marketplace testimonials they are very important to this story. I hope you will be blessed.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Last Sunday, my oldest daughter, Hilary, was
featured in the newspaper. It was her story of trials, tribulations
and triumphs in her life. Her natural father and grandmother had the
greatest part in raising her. But hopefully myself, and a number of
others, have been very positive influences as well.
Today I want
to share how living by example can have a great influence. I will
finish up with a very humbling, but "great testimony" end.
I am taught it is by attraction rather than promotion.
Some
of you already know my daughter Hilary (for that matter both
daughters) is Jewish. Their mother (my former wife) converted when she
married their father. Hilary was raised in synagogue, though she did
spend a couple years in church. Her grandmother is Jewish and very active in that community. I want to
share with you about what living by example can mean.
Hilary is my
daughter, though maybe not by birthright. The two girls are no
different than my son (except biological differences of course) and I
love them just as much. But this is not about me rather about what our
silent witness can do. Let me share some examples. Keep in mind there
is, in most cases, a mistrust of Jews towards Christians, I will not
editorialize.
- I have always tried to be there for and be
supportive of Hilary, as well as my other two. (She and Kate are the
daughters I never had.) I tend to be the one she turns to with a lot
of her problems. I would like to think it is because I am rational and
half way sane. I also don't judge or castigate, just try to listen.
- A
couple of my good friends in Christian Business Network, Wayne Essex
and Veronica Grabill, have helped her with taxes and some classwork,
respectively, without proselytizing.
- Several years ago several
men from church joined me in helping her move. Only one or two of them
had ever met her. Her grandmother was "very impressed", that these
people (Christian men no less) would help someone they didn't even
know.
- A couple times I went over to her grandmothers (who
was widowed several years ago) to pick up my grandson. I didn't run
out the door, but stayed and spent time with her. I didn't do this
because I was Christian per se, but because, like my mother, (both are
widowed and very active) she enjoys the company. Her grandmother even
once remarked to me how good I was with Ethan, my grandson. (By the
way many of my late father's AA sponsorees do the same thing for my
mother. What goes around comes around.)
- Hilary's
grandmother has moved and has her house up for sale. Hilary recently
borrowed my lawn mower to go cut the yard. I went and helped her. (It
was not all altruistic. I got to spend time with my grandson.)
- We used to do a Bible study on Friday nights in our home. The brief time Hilary was living with us
she sat through some of it a couple times and I know was blessed. I
have to mention here she grew fond of
one couple who came. It was because of their hearts.
- One
of my former wife's and my closest friends helped to pay for the doula when Hilary was pregnant. This
was out of the love of her heart.
- Wayne Essex, who I mentioned above, has cut the article out
of the newspaper and will put it on the wall, as an inspiration to
other young single mothers (which is part of Wayne's ministry). For
those who know Judaism what Hilary (with Wayne's help) has done is
perform the highest form of a Mitzvot. She has helped another person while both remain anonymous.
I
know this has gone a little longer than usual but hopefully some will
find encouragement and inspiration and remember it is not about us.
Now
for that great testimony. Two Sundays ago I went to drop a couple things
off at Hilary's. She wasn't there but her father Denny was. He said
to me he had been wanting to thank me for all I had done to support and
encourage the girls and what a positive influence I had been on both of
them. He went onto say they both thought the world of me. WOW (I
write this with tears in my eyes and a humbleness before God). It is
because of Him, all my Christian friends and my other spiritual peers this is possible.
And it is also because of Hilary and Kate, and Geoff, for allowing me to be your father. Thanks guys.
Article Link
Or Page 4 in the Dayton Daily News from Sunday, August 10th
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