Latest News
Newsletter Announcements
The Challenge Newsletter will begin publishing birth and death announcements as submitted by our members. Please limit submissions to 40 words and be sure to indicate the appropriate CIC Chapter. Announcements may be sent to info@cicintl.org.
Santa Cruz Challenge Weekend
The Santa Cruz Chapter held a Challenge Weekend at Villa Holy Names in Los Gatos, CA from November 18th- 20th. There were 18 attendees, 4 of whom were first-timers. Most of the attendees were from the greater Santa Cruz area, although a few traveled sev- eral hours to attend. The weekend theme centered on “Resting in the Lord”- listening and surrendering to him while enjoying his dynamic company. Prayer was paramount, and cama- raderie with each other was obvious. All had a special time with our Lord!
Salinas Spanish Challenge Weekend
Over the first weekend of October, the Spanish-speaking Challenge Group of the Salinas Chapter put on its fifth Challenge Weekend. Thirteen men attended with five being first-timers. All expressed enthusiastic responses to both the talks and the reflection times. Tom Henry led the weekend. Fidel Soto, Carlos Madrigal, Javier Tlaxcala, Jesus Velarde, and Tavo Garcia joined him in giving the talks and leading the small groups. Chris Bunn housed the men at his ranch, where they met in his refur- bished barn for talks. On Friday night, Carlos treated the group to a great carne asada barbeque to kick off the weekend.
A special time occurred during the Lord's Day as the wives of Henry and Carlos, along with a few other Christian sisters, prepared an outstanding meal.
The weekend brought the men together to better understand their walk with Jesus and many recommitted their lives to their Savior as they were prayed over for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Emmaus walks through strawberry fields under a full moon will long be remembered!
Santa Cruz "Special Meetings"
On Wednesday, November 30th, the Santa Cruz men’s and women’s chapters hosted a joint meeting entitled Forgiveness: Special Chapter Meeting, featuring Dan and Lynn Wagner, a local Santa Cruz couple.
Ten years ago, the Wagners’ only children, Mandie (16) and Carrie (14), were killed by a drunk driver who struck the family’s minivan as they drove home from a Christian festival. Later, Dan and Lynn sought out Lisa, the driver of the other car, and forgave her. The three of them now speak publicly together about dealing with loss and the dangers of drunk driving.
Over 50 people showed up to hear Dan, Lynn and Lisa speak. As Santa Cruz Past President Mark Penniman said, “Not a bad showing for an early morning (7:00 a.m.) meeting!”
The event took place in lieu of the regular men’s chapter meeting. Whenever there is a 5th Wednesday in a month, the Santa Cruz men hold what they call “special meetings” since there are no 5th week newsletter reflections. Last month they invited the local Chief of Police, a Christian, along with some of the chaplains, to come and talk about what they do. Mark said, “We bless them with praise and worship and they bless us with how the Lord is working through them.” He concluded, “Thanks to all the folks who put in extra effort to make this happen. But more than my thanks, may the Lord bless and prosper you all!”
Testimony from Uganda
In our September newsletter we announced we would periodically be sharing stories from brothers and sisters in Uganda whose lives have been changed through their encounter with CIC. Here is a testimony from one sister illustrating these changes:
“My father did not take me to school. He preferred my brothers to me and educated all of them. I blamed him for all my suffering. I am very poor, I married a poor man and he mistreats me. I cannot educate my own children. I have thought about divorce but I have nowhere to live because I have no money. My brothers have jobs and they are well off. Every thought of my father brought me grief that came with headaches, dizziness and stomach pain.
At a Challenge Weekend I met my real father — my Father who art in Heaven. He gave me the grace to forgive my worldly father. I know now that my worldly father is imperfect and limited in many ways, but my heavenly Father is unlimited and perfect and can provide me with all I need. Since I forgave my father I have no more stomach pains or headaches.”
– Dinhavence Makuru
Gilbert San-Tan and Scottsdale Chapters' CWE
The Gilbert San-Tan & Scottsdale Chapters jointly hosted a Challenge Weekend (CWE) September 30th-October 2nd at Living Waters Retreat Center. They had 17 men in attendance, four of whom where first-time attendees.
This was the first Challenge Weekend hosted by the Gilbert San-Tan Chapter. There were at least four chapters supporting the weekend, with praise & music from the Phoenix Chapter and speakers from Scottsdale, Gilbert San-Tan, Mesa and Phoenix.
Ric Glover, Weekend Administrator and Scottsdale Chapter President, commented how he could see the Holy Spirit at work throughout the weekend, leading and guiding the team as they made choices. Once the weekend had begun, Ric says, “The Holy Spirit just took over and things went fine from that point forward.”
Another brother who had been away from CIC for a period of time returned in time to join them on the weekend. His comment was, “Returning to CIC and a CWE was like returning to the home of an old friend.”
Another participant said, “This is the first retreat of any kind I have made in my life....all I can say is it is like trying to describe the Grand Canyon. Mere words will not do.” Another shared, “This is life changing. It definitely wakes up the spirit and calls you to do more in everyday living.”
New Christians in Commerce Men's Chapters
During the past year and a half CIC has officially started six new chapters in the US. If you know of anyone living in these areas who would like to be a part of CIC, please direct them to our website for contact and meeting information. Here are the names and locations of the new chapters and presidents:
Portland-Beaverton, OR: Alex McDougall
Gilbert-San Tan, AZ: Bryan Trudeau
Gilroy, CA: David Osler
Hollister, CA: Keith Schwehr
West Gilbert, AZ: Jeff Buntrock
West Phoenix, AZ: Richard Rodriguez
Santa Cruz Chapter’s Annual Barbeque Fundraiser
This year, both the men’s and women’s Santa Cruz Christians in Commerce Chapters got together to put on the 7th annual family BBQ fundraiser. Despite our coastal summer fog, we had our largest turnout to date of 150 people who helped us raise contributions for the scholarship fund. This fund will provide financial support for the Challenge Weekends, Annual CIC Conference and Days of Renewal. This year’s fundraiser netted close to $3,500.
The fellowship, great food and drink, and all the games and silent auction items, drew many members and friends of CIC who often cannot make other events. For the past few years, Wayne Shaffer has graciously provided a beautiful setting and home for the CIC BBQ at Shaffer Park, where bocce ball, archery, a zip line, and a jump house for kids are all sheltered within a redwood forest next to a rushing creek. Praise the Lord, it was a truly blessed event!