CBMC = Christian Business Men’s Connection
Purpose: Come alongside businessmen, right where they are, to help them become the men that God designed them to be.

people walking across a street with words "Are you a tourist or ambassador?"

Our Vision

 

For all Men in our Movement to Experience:

  • The Power of One God
  • The Value of One Man
  • The Leverage of One Team

Resulting in Spiritual Reproduction among Businessmen throughout the World.

Our Mission

 

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.

Core Values

 

Preeminence of Christ: Intimacy with Christ is paramount; therefore we recognize that ministry flows through spiritual leaders who are devoted to Christ and to prayer. All that we do must emanate from our life in Christ and His life in ours. “Christ in you [is] the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” Colossians 1:27-28.

Life-on-Life Relationships: We value the process of committed one-on-one relationships for evangelism and discipleship. Paul tells the church in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

Just as Paul shared his life with Timothy for the sake of the gospel, we believe in building relationships in order that we may share our lives with those in need, caring for them and being committed to them over time for the sake of the gospel.

Teams: God calls us to work together in teams in order to multiply what He wants to accomplish through us. Two or more people with an external focus compose a team whose emphasis is relationships and mission.

Our ministry is to the “whole man.” One team we seek to help is the husband and wife. This needs to be a growing relationship to sustain a fruitful ministry. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work . . . a cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12).

Generational Spiritual Reproduction: The goal of the discipleship process is spiritual reproduction to the 3rd and 4th generations and beyond. Paul exhorts Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “the things you have heard me say . . . entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” We strive to fulfill the Lord’s promise in Isaiah 60:22, “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time, I will do this swiftly.”

Indiana CBMC Leadership Team

 

 

Eldon Kibbey

Executive Director of CBMC Indiana

Eldon was born and raised in Missouri, where he received a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering with Nuclear Option from University of Missouri – Rolla. He later did graduate work in Physical Metallurgy at The Ohio State University.

A brief career in the aerospace industry with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (now Boeing) in St. Louis, Missouri, was followed by a tour of duty with the United States Air Force.

Eldon was assigned to the Air Force Materials Laboratory at Wright – Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, where he performed materials research on high-temperature metals for use in jet engines.

He left the Air Force in December 1971, with a rank of captain, to start the Indianapolis franchise for Environment Control, a nationwide janitorial service. He led that business for 26 years.

Eldon has been the Director of CBMC Indiana since 1998. Eldon and his wife, Sandy, are the parents of four children, and have three grandsons.

 

 

Deno Rousopoulos

Area Director of CBMC Executive Business Forums Indiana

Deno Rousopoulos was born in Chicago, Illinois to Greek immigrant parents. He grew up a half block from Wrigley Field and is a loyal Cub’s fan. Growing up in a Christian home, Deno accepted the Lord as a young child at a Billy Graham Crusade.

He attended Anderson University (IN) where he earned a BA in business and met his bride Samme, of 49 years. Together they have three children and three grandchildren.

After earning a MA in public relations from Ball State University (IN), Deno and Samme moved to Houston, Texas where he worked as a Director of College Relations for a small Bible College.

After seven years in Christian higher education, Deno began a new career as an Executive Director of a Trade Association and was recognized as the best Chapter in the nation.

Feeling the urge to use his skills and gifts to encourage and empower people to achieve their personal best, Deno began his own business as a professional public speaker, giving motivational speeches and business seminars.

After speaking to hundreds of audiences in 46 states, Deno’s “urge” became a “call” to encourage Christian business owners to be their best so that they could use their business as a viable platform to share the Gospel in the marketplace. It was at this time, Deno joined forces with CBMC in 2008.

Today, Deno is the Indiana Area Director for CBMC Executive Business Forums. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

 

 

Gary Kirschman

Director of CBMC Indianapolis

Gary was born and raised in New Jersey. After graduating with a degree in Psychology from The King’s College in New York, he and his new bride, MaryBeth, joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ.

While serving as staff members with Campus Crusade, Gary and MaryBeth have lived and worked in various assignments in Southern California, Maryland and Indiana.

In 2009 Gary left Campus Crusade for Christ to join the staff team of CBMC Indiana where he currently serves as the Director of CBMC Indianapolis.

Gary and MaryBeth are the parents of two adult sons.

 

 

Chris Haynes

Field Partner of CBMC Indiana

Chris Haynes was born and raised in Illinois. He received B.S. degrees in Computer Science and General Business from Miami University, Oxford Ohio. Chris then moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1995 as a Systems Engineer for Electronic Data Systems (EDS). EDS was acquired by GMAC and then by HP Enterprise Solutions. After 20 years of corporate IT consulting experience, Chris spent several years as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Practice Management for Horizon Planning Group, and he now works as an independent consultant providing business process excellence through IT solutions and executive coaching.

Since graduation from Operation Timothy in 2006, Chris has become more and more involved with CBMC Indiana. Chris is a Field Partner for CBMC Indiana and enjoys discipling men through the Operation Timothy program, facilitating area teams, as well as co-leading CBMC’s Leadership Coach Training Program.

Chris lives in Noblesville, Indiana with his wife Tara. They met at Miami University and married in 1996. They have had the honor of hosting 17 children for Family Hope. Family Hope is a Christian ministry focused on helping children and their families during times of crisis.

 

 

Ray F. Childers

Field Associate of CBMC Indiana

Ray Childers was born and raised in southern California. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from UCLA. Ray then moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1967 to attend graduate school at Indiana University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry. After postgraduate study on the structure of peptides and proteins, Eli Lilly and Company hired him in 1974. He worked in Indianapolis for 26 years as a research scientist in the Pharmaceutical Product Development Component.

Since his retirement from Lilly in 2000, he has become more heavily involved in ministry with his church and is a Field Associate with CBMC Indiana. In 2018, his book, “Existence: Why Your Worldview Matters”, was published. He currently lectures on various aspects of worldview, as discussed both in his book and on his website, raychilders.com

Ray lives in Noblesville, Indiana with his wife (married in 1971), Lisa. They have two married children and six grandchildren.

 

 

David Carmony

Field Associate of CBMC Indiana

Born in Shelbyville, Indiana, and graduated from Shelbyville High School. Then, on to Colorado State University graduating in 1971 earning a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Philosophy. Later, I entered Indiana College of Mortuary Science, graduating to enter my Family Funeral Home’s business. I still maintain my Funeral Director’s license after 42 years, and occasionally Direct funerals, when asked.

Although I “met” my Lord in my late teens, it was not until 20 years later, when I was introduced to CBMC through Operation Timothy that my “Spiritual Walk” rocketed from hearing His Call to Pray first, to daily get into His Word, to look for other Believers for fellowship, and to weekly worship our great King.

I am married into a wonderful “Blended Family” somewhat like Jacob’s, but have no maidservants! Maryanne and I have 5 Children, 6 Grandchildren and 2 former spouses, which are always welcomed into family gatherings

History of CBMC

 

 

CBMC began as Christian Business Men’s Committee in the United States in 1930, when a group of Christian businessmen coordinated a series of pre-Easter rallies. With the Great Depression in its second year, these men saw a need for a spiritual revival in the Chicago area, and a six week evangelistic crusade was held at the Garrick Theatre, located in downtown Chicago. Public response from the first meeting on January 6, 1931, was overwhelming. Crowds regularly packed out the over 800-seat theater. Apparently, God had greater plans for CBMC than its founders (C.B. Hedstrom, A.H. Leaman, John L. Lincoln, John M. Oury, Frank W. Sheriff, Dr. Ernest Wadsworth, and Edwin G. Zorn) had envisioned.

The noon, weekday meetings soon were extended beyond the scheduled six weeks into six months, then one year. Eventually, the six weeks grew into 26 years as the meetings continued uninterrupted until 1956.

Five men, Charles E. Gremmels, Arnold Grunigen, C.B. Hedstrom, Dr. N.A. Jepson, and R.G. LeTourneau, comprised the steering committee selected to direct the CBMC ministry.

In 1938, the first CBMC international conference was held in Chicago, seeking to bring men from committees around the world into closer fellowship and mutual commitment. Our headquarters was located in Chicago, but not until 1953 did we purchase our first building. During the next 25 years, the administrative center of the ministry was in Chicago. In 1978, the center relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

As the years passed, our work spread throughout the world, into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, India, and more, over 60 nations in all. Truly, men of all cultures have an equal need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

We wrote Operation Timothy, a unique program of Bible study designed primarily for one-on-one discipleship, in 1970. It has become a vital tool for helping men along the path to spiritual maturity and equipping them to share their faith and to disciple others.

We underwent a significant reorganization in 1973, with autonomous CBMC organizations being established in individual countries to better deal with linguistic and cultural differences. Although these CBMC bodies have independent governing powers, an International Board of Directors oversees the work around the world, seeking to pool effective strategies and to show how they can be adapted in differing national environments to successfully present the Gospel to non-Christians.

In the 1970s and 80s, we began to recruit full time staff throughout a number of U.S. cities. The grassroots of the ministry continued to flourish with this increased attention and help.

Today, CBMC has grown from a small group of men in Chicago to over 18,000 members in 700 teams across the United States. Worldwide, CBMC is active in over 70 countries with over 50,000 members total. Our methods continue to evolve to reflect the circumstances of modern men, but our purpose remains the same: to evangelize and disciple business and professional men for Christ.

History of CBMC Indianapolis

 

It is my understanding that CBMC came to Indianapolis in 1940, ten years after it began in Chicago.

One of the founders was Harold Haught who was still around in 1973, when I got involved.  At that time, CBMC was having a monthly luncheon which highlighted a businessman who would share his testimony. The luncheons were held at the Atkinson Hotel, and later moved to the Athletic Club.  We were encouraged to invite other businessmen, particularly those who did not know Christ, so that they could hear the gospel. Many men came to Christ through those events, and they were then encouraged to attend the Friday breakfast meeting at the Quality Inn motel across from the State Fair grounds on East 38th Street.

That breakfast started in 1952 when dentist, Dr. George, invited his patient and insurance man, Clay Conner, Jr., to study the Bible with him.  Clay had recently come to Christ and Doc George discipled him. In 1959, Clay led attorney Jack Brown to Christ, and the two of them began regular meetings with Peter Paul John, who owned Advertising Letter Service.  The three of them developed an Operations Manual for CBMC Indianapolis, which they shared with other cities, as they visited them around Indiana. Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Kokomo, Marion, Terre Haute, and other cities started CBMC through the influence of the men in Indianapolis.

The Friday morning breakfast is still meeting, now at Le Peep Restaurant (Fashion Mall Commons) with Clay Conner’s son, Jack, leading it.

On a Saturday morning, in or around 1975, the discipleship material, Operation Timothy, was introduced to the CBMC Indianapolis Board in the screened-in porch of Marshall Samms’ home.  Ethan encouraged each of us to go through Operation Timothy as a “Paul” or as a “Timothy.”  Since then, hundreds of men have been impacted by this transforming experience.

One such man was Mike, a young law school graduate who, around 1985, was new to Indianapolis and who became a regular at the Friday breakfast.  Bill Armstrong, a commercial real estate broker, had the privilege of discipling this young man who would later become Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.

Breakfast Bible studies were started on the southside and northwest side of greater Indianapolis during the 1980’s, and the Greenwood breakfast continues meeting on Wednesdays.  Currently, there is at least one breakfast every weekday somewhere in the Indianapolis area.

The monthly luncheons ceased in the 1990’s, but annual Prayer Breakfasts are held in downtown Indianapolis and in Greenwood.

Operation Timothy is a focal point of the ministry, with 150 people involved each year.  Leadership Coach Training started in 2010 and has trained over 130 coaches.

We currently have a 40-Year Vision, that CBMCers will become known as the guys who come alongside businessmen, right where they are, to help them become the men that God designed them to be.

Eldon Kibbey

Director, CBMC Indiana