April 2022

For years the CMN brotherhood has banded together to sow into Vietnamese pastors and church leaders with prayer, books, resources, and online training. 

As a result, a historic men’s movement is exploding in Vietnam! 

Men are hungry – pastors are rising to the occasion.  And just a few days ago, we received word from church leaders that they have an immediate need for more training to fuel the fires of revival.

So, next week (May 3-4), CMN will launch a TWO-night Vietnam livestream to equip these pastors even more.

You can be a part of this historic telecast by praying for hundreds of pastors and leaders as they watch LIVE in Vietnam.

Please consider giving to this powerful church-building event.

P.S. – Your continued support of the global ministry of CMN helps reach men not only in Vietnam but also in over 100 other nations around the world. This is a powerful missions outreach to rescue men, transform families and defeat fatherlessness.

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They didn’t know it was “Easter” as we know it now. They just knew they had lived a miracle. The Messiah was dead – and then He was alive! For over a month after His crucifixion, they talked and walked with Him … times of teaching and fellowship.

In almost every case when Jesus appeared after the resurrection there was food and fellowship involved. He made food on the shore of Galilee, He appeared to the disciples in a house and asked them if there was anything to eat, He broke bread in Emmaus, He appeared to hundreds at a feast.

He looked for those times of comradery and brotherhood around the table. 

Then he left. And they prayed together for weeks. It wasn’t easy. But they stayed with it until the Holy Spirit filled their hearts and lives. Chaos still reigned in the streets, and Rome still controlled the region.

But, it was new and it was joy-filled and explosive.

Then 70AD came and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. Christians and Jews alike ran for their lives.

Now what? What happens to this ragged small band of believers?

The church began to meet from house to house. The temple was destroyed but the table came to life. That powerful, anointed early church for over 200 years grew exponentially from house to house. In cities and villages believers and listeners and arguers gathered around the table of the Lord – around the table of fellowship and friendship.

Brotherhood happened around the table, not in the temple.

And, the same is true today. The most important part of your men’s meeting / small group is not the information in a book – but the incarnation of Christ in a man’s heart. We love the process because the process leads to His presence. The process of a curriculum and gathering is important – it facilitates revelation.

But the process must always lead to a person – Jesus! 

Make sure you have space at your table for Jesus. Make sure you have room in your day. A place at the table in your men’s meetups. If you have one hour – make sure you don’t teach right to the end of the hour. Make room for brotherhood. 

Start with fellowship and close with friendship. 

We will see Jesus change this chaotic world – one man at a time. We simply ask them to come and see.

From stranger to neighbor. From prodigal to son. 

Over the past few months of increasing and tragic wars in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria, and a dozen regions, it seems as though we live in a tornado of despair and fear that is unrelenting – swirling toxic emotional clouds of despair, death, and defeat over the nations. And, over you and me.

Jesus said in John, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they (people everywhere) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the fullest, letting it overflow, a better life than they ever dreamed of!).”

Sometime later his best friend Lazarus died. Jesus was a six-hour walk away but had stayed apart from Lazarus for four days. When he did arrive – Martha, the sister of Lazarus, was upset. “If you had come sooner, my brother would still be alive” she exclaimed.

Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will live – do not despair or be anxious.” Martha said, “I know at the end of days he will rise again but right now he’s dead!”.

To that plaintive and desperate and despondent cry, Jesus replied with words that echo still today for you and me;
 
“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.”  

I love this translation in the Message that says, RIGHT NOW! This is your redeemed life, right now.

You don’t have to wait – you are free! Jesus is all about right now.

His waiting for a few days was a setup to reach thousands of people for Christ. When Lazarus was resurrected, hundreds of people came to his house in Bethany to hear his story. So many that the priests wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus also.

Jesus defeated death, defeated satan and forever destroyed the works of the enemy – in your life. Personally. In your life Jesus has defeated despair, anger, anxiety, fear, temptation, disappointment, discouragement, selfishness and jealousy.

If toys and treasures could make us happy, of all people Americans would be deliriously happy, but we are not…1/3 of all Americans wake up depressed every day. We do happy things and we have happy times but we are not happy people. We are lonely in a crowded world.

In Matthew, Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” True peace is not the result of war, police action or negotiations – true peace is the result of the cross of Jesus Christ. True peace is found in His presence and life fully engaged in our lives.
 
Easter is redemption, new life, peace with God and peace in this world – RIGHT NOW.

Jesus is alive, he has risen and he is victorious. And, RIGHT NOW, we live in that overcoming, triumphant power.

Easter is our promise that we may have and enjoy life – no matter the issues of this world. We are alive in Him. Whole in Him, and our joy is in Him. RIGHT NOW.

Easter blessings from Bishop Bronner, Robert Barriger, Eddy Leo, Joann Webster, Doug Stringer and all the CMN team.

Hope is alive, Hope has a name, Hope’s name is Jesus!
Grace and peace to you and your loved ones.