As the leader of CEC, an engineering firm with offices in Oklahoma and Texas, I am constantly reminded that I am merely a steward of what God has given me. He’s put me here for a reason. How I represent my faith, how I respond to challenges in life and business, how I invest in the lives of others around me, how I care for those in the company ... it either moves people closer to a relationship with Christ or it doesn’t. CBMC is where I got connected to other business leaders who offered the wisdom, accountability and encouragement that I needed to know how to set a culture that honors God. Now I’m committed to paying that forward to other businessmen.

As the owner of Office Pride, a commercial cleaning service, I want to make a difference in this industry by building a Christ-honoring culture that our clients, suppliers and even our competitors recognize. I’ve got over 15 full-time employees, but my office staff is pretty lean. There’s a lot riding on me getting things right. CBMC’s Young Professionals program is exactly what I need, giving me a peer network of other men in the same stage of life and business as me, and the opportunity to learn from the seasoned business executives who coach and work with us each month.

As a young professional, the Connect3 Team has been vital to my learning how to follow Jesus Christ in the workplace. I was invited by my boss and several other coworkers to attend a Thursday morning meeting after expressing my faith to them. With the meeting being held only twenty feet from my workstation, how could I say no? The men I have met with for the last year have walked me through my early steps in being a follower of Jesus Christ in the workplace and have sharpened the very dull sides of my Proverbs 27:17 iron. I am so thankful for them and the subjects we explore on Thursday mornings, as they have produced fruit in my life both at home and at work.

I’m involved with CBMC at several levels, and it’s because of how much it’s helped me in my relationship with Christ. With all the businesses and activities that I’m involved in, the mentorship I receive from an older business leader helps keep me anchored to what matters most and guides me in my decision-making. Now I’m working with CBMC on a program for younger entrepreneurs because I think this next generation of business leaders needs the kind of intentional investment that CBMC gave me. Everyone needs to get connected.

I think we all go through seasons in life – in work, in marriage, even in our relationship with God. Sometimes things get hard and we want to tap out, and other times it’s going so well that we stop relying on God. I meet one-on-one with another guy from CBMC who has walked me though seasons of change, struggle, and even triumph, praying with me, encouraging me through the uncertainty, and helping me maintain my priorities. He’s also modeling a process that I’m now using with someone else, which is adding a whole new dimension to my spiritual walk. It’s humbling and so rewarding to be a part of helping someone else grow in their understanding and relationship with Christ. This is what CBMC is all about.