Fiscal year 2022 (October 2021 — September 2022)
Are You Plugged In?
Hey there – I’m not asking if you have an “electric” personality — I’m asking if you are plugged into a good, Bible believing fellowship or fellowship group. I well recall the years spent as a Christian serving on active duty in the Army’s Special Forces, so I ask you because the consequences of not being plugged in to Christian fellowship and Bible study can really stunt your spiritual growth. We live in a fallen world surrounded by all sorts of influences detrimental to growing in our shared faith.
We are also saddled with what some call a ‘sin hangover’, to use a somewhat crude analogy. It would be great if God just eradicated all of the sinful tendencies we have when we come to believe in Christ, but He doesn’t. It goes without saying that if we are plugged into that which sustains us we’ll not only be strong, but we can be used of God in the furtherance of His Kingdom on earth.
I don’t know about you, but I learned some things that were true when I was on active duty and are true now. They were true when I was single (living in the barracks or separated from my family because of travel), and true when our family was together. They are true now, for a couple of grandparents and empty nesters.
So plug in! Connect to your local church or chapel and get involved in study and fellowship. Don’t wait to get invited to something, take the initiative!
And if you’re having trouble plugging in, CMF can help. Our field staff, local reps, and members are waiting to connect with you and meet you where you are. We’d love to link you up today with someone in your area.
SGM Daniel Cartwright, USA (Ret.) is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and long-time member of Christian Military Fellowship. Dan is a Local Rep at Ft. Carson. He also serves on the CMF Board of Directors.
The Christian Military Fellowship Oath of Membership
I agree with the objectives of CMF and subscribe to the following affirmation of faith and commitment without reservation:
I know that as a sinner I deserve the wrath of God; therefore, since Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried and has been bodily resurrected, according to the Scriptures, I have accepted Him as my own personal Lord and Savior and am saved by His grace alone.
As an expression of my commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the objectives of the Fellowship, I intend to participate actively and prayerfully in the ministry of the Christian Military Fellowship with my time, talents, spiritual gifts and financial resources.
Prayer and Encouragement Ministry — Greg Holm, Director of Field Ministries
CMF maintains a prayer ministry that is virtually around the clock and around the world. We publish a monthly prayer calendar, the “Battle Plan” for long-term requests to our entire fellowship. Daily requests from the monthly prayer calendar, in addition to urgent requests we learn of, are sent by email to our prayer warriors. There are countless affirmations where God answered the individual petitions on the very day they appeared in the CMF Battle Plan.
Greg attends and supports the “Chaplains Wednesday Lunchtime Fellowship” for the military and civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME. Please be in prayer as this group is requesting that a Christian Employee Resource Group (ERG) be allowed to be formed. This will let the believers on the shipyard workforce be able to meet during duty hours. As the fellowship leader, Craig Lauder writes, one of the purposes of an ERG “is to help retain and recruit employees” and would “Be more connected with people of a similar faith would help me feel more accepted at PNSY.”
Prayer is also requested for the outreach at Pease Air National Guard Base. The facilitator recently had to cancel the Thursday Bible Study time because he is working on finishing his college degree and is now a full-time pastor in addition to his duties as a contractor on base. Please pray for making new contacts and opportunity to minister on Pease.
In addition, Greg uses his gift of encouragement to bring a healing salve to those who are hurting from the wounds of this world. As he travels to visit our members and staff his spiritual insights and tender sensitivities have helped many to find the victory in the Savior’s love. Need prayer? Reach out at prayer@cmfhq.org.
Field Ministry — Quantico Marine Corps Base — Udell and Janet Meyers
Udell and Janet want to express their heartfelt gratitude for all who lifted their effectual and fervent prayers to the Lord on Janet's behalf throughout her serious illness. She continues to improve daily and has resumed many of the ministry functions she previously conducted.
The ultimate objective of their ministry is to share the Gospel with the unsaved, and to disciple and mentor those who have trusted Christ for their salvation. Udell and Janet endeavor to enable the redeemed to put on the whole armor of God and “...Fight the good fight of faith...” in every aspect of their lives.
While Udell and Janet conduct some ministry activities in their home, most of their ministry takes place at The Rally Point, a 2,400 sf facility located in the town of Quantico. Throughout the week, The Rally Point provides Marines with a viable wholesome option for the use of their liberty time. Snacks and beverages are provided daily, and a meal is served every Sunday between 1200 and 1700. As Marines and their guests utilize amenities such as a lounge, ping pong table, pool table, darts, musical instruments, and table games, “doors of utterance” frequently open through which they are able to bring the truths of God’s Word into the conversation.
In addition to counseling and Bible studies they provide, The Rally Point is frequently used to host ministry programs conducted by other military ministries serving at Quantico MCB. Udell and Janet host the field directors of these ministries at a quarterly luncheon meeting at The Rally Point. Following lunch, the ministry leaders pray together and plan ways through which they can co-labor to meet the spiritual needs of those within their respective and collective spheres of influence.
In addition to Udell’s involvement with the Armed Forces during his active and reserve military service, he and Janet have spent 36 of their 63 years of marriage ministering to our military personnel and their families at home and abroad. Udell says that while they may have aged, they still love to be used by the Lord and they pray daily for His divine appointments.
Field Ministry — Pensacola NAS — Rick and Jan Hamme
CDR Richard F. Hamme, CHC, USN (Ret.) and his wife, Jan, lead our Pensacola NAS ministry. Rick believes that his ministry to the military is very fitting since it was during an enlisted Bible study that he first came to know the Lord.
Rick enjoys sharing the love of Jesus and His gift of salvation with those at Pensacola through both one-on-one meetings and through his on-base Spiritual Fitness class and Bible studies off base. He finds that there is a lot of loneliness among those to whom he ministers, and they longed for more than just Bible studies. As a result, Rick has put together other fellowship events including Ultimate Frisbee matches on Saturday mornings.
Regional Ministry — Pacific Northwest — Scott and Kristi Radetski
Scott and Kristi Radetski host a monthly Sunday lunch at their home for those in the military community. This is purely social in nature which makes it easy for sailors to invite unchurched friends. It’s also a great chance for young singles to have a home cooked meal and a chance for moms to have someone else do the cooking and clean up. Scott and Kristi provide a place of rest, recreation, and relationship building. They average 25-35 people at each luncheon.
Through their church (North Kitsap Baptist Church) Scott and Kristi reach out to the USS Nimitz and Teddy Roosevelt sailors with a Community Relations project. The ComRel events average 25 sailors and 8 NKBC volunteers on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. These meet-ups allow them to develop relationships with service members while working side-by-side, showing hospitality with a warm meal that is always provided.
Field Ministry — Coast Guard Forces & their Families — Vic and Cindy Primeaux
CMF’s Coast Guard ministry continues to reach out to many places locally, regionally and throughout the United States. Vic and Cindy have the opportunity to work with individual Coast Guardsmen and Chaplains to impact for God’s Kingdom many lives afloat and ashore.
Vic and Cindy often use their home in the Puget Sound area to try and reach out to all the Pacific Northwest by car but have also put on many airline miles to be the ministry of presence and encouragement along or near all of America’s coasts.
Vic and Cindy are dedicated ministers of the Word of God, and some of their regularly scheduled activities include Weekly Bible Studies at: Coast Guard Base Seattle, 13th Coast Guard District Seattle Office, and Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit-Bangor Submarine Base.
They also include frequent personal visits to Coast Guard Cutters and offices in the Seattle area, as well as visits to Coast Guard commands in Port Angeles, WA, and Portland/Astoria, OR, and along the Pacific Coast.
One of the major year-end focuses is coordinating with the District Coast Guard Chaplain for the annual Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Program for all the area Coast Guard commands and with all the local military chapels around Puget Sound.
Throughout all of the year, Vic provides videotaping services for many official ceremonies, including changes of commands, retirements, promotions, funerals and national cemetery burials, and often traveling great distances to video these events.
Vic and Cindy especially love providing hospitality for Coast Guard and DoD members and families who are traveling through the Puget Sound region or have critically-needed medical treatments in the region. They also use their home as a base for personal mentoring, ministry of encouragement, as well as marriage enrichment counseling.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Local Leader?
Christian Military Fellowship exists to help you fulfill your calling in Christ to share the hope that is in you with those with whom you interact as part of your daily life.
Briefly, CMF Local Leaders will start, and sustain a CMF fellowship made up of members of the military community in their area. While CMF is an “all ranks” ministry, our area of focus is on enlisted personnel. Local leaders institute and lead the military community in Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, keeping in communication with participants. They should also seek to build relationships with the chaplains and the chaplain team.
Toward that end we encourage you to study and complete the CMF briefing material:
Orientation (Brief #1) that shares an overview of the CMF ministry.
Developing a Local Ministry (Brief #2) that shares the Biblical foundation for and delineates the logical steps in beginning your local ministry.
Pray and Plan (Brief #3) that shares the most important activity of all! Asking Jesus what He would have you to do and then being obedient to follow His leading in your local ministry.
If you choose to begin this process, please reach out to us via phone or email at:
leader@cmfhq.org.
We’re praying for you!
Our Troops Need the Hope Found in Jesus!
Increasing suicides among active duty and our veterans weigh heavy on our hearts. The Navy Times reports that a total of 70 sailors died by suicide in 2022 — up from 59 suicides in 2021 and 65 in 2020. And this is only reflective of active duty Navy.
We have had several reports from field reps this past year of personnel who were at or very near the end of their respective ropes. We’re happy to report that all such personnel are safe, comforted, and continuing to grow in Jesus.
We pray daily for divine appointments. We would covet your prayers that the Lord would put us in the right place at the right time to be there for these dear brothers and sisters who are suffering from discouragement and hopelessness in the ever-increasing darkness of this world.
2023 Board of Directors
Welcome to the 2023 Board of Directors:
Dan Cartwright, Chairman
MaryLee Heller, Vice Chair
Pam Albano
Tony Barnes
Jay Fulmer
Dr. Douglas Sullivan
Herman Ter Meer
Dr. John E. Woods II
Please pray for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance as we seek to increase Him among the ranks in this coming year.
2022 Board of Directors
Thank you to the 2022 Board of Directors for their tireless service.
Dr. Doug Sullivan, Chairman
Dennis Egbert, Vice Chair
Pam Albano Paul Isaacs
Tony Barnes Grant McAllister
Walter Brobst Derrick Norris
Dan Cartwright Herman Ter Meer
Jay Fulmer Dr. John E. Woods, II
MaryLee Heller
Your continued prayer and support are appreciated.
Office Staff
Kathleen J. Orr, CEO/President
Robert Flynn, CIO
Kim Traffas, Resource Clerk
Financially Speaking - Kathleen J. Orr
The annual financial reporting period for fiscal year 2022 runs from October 2021 through September 2022. This is the same fiscal year that the US government uses for its reporting period.
As you aware, CMF’s annual auditors have always given us a great rating for the way we have kept records and conducted business over the last 12 months. The accounting department will always do its best to make sure funds entrusted to us are handled with the utmost care and diligence.
We have an excellent rating on Charity Navigator as a Four Star organization, so you know you can give with confidence.
As always we are trusting the Lord for finances to continue the Christian Military Fellowship’s ministry to the great men and women of the US military and their families.
CMF has maintained a strong investment in the spiritual resilience of our military families since our beginning as a Bible study during WWII. With the help of our committed membership and the blessing of the Lord, the vision and mission laid down by our leaders in the past and present will continue to be upheld.
I have been with CMF as both board member and staff, and have witnessed how the Lord faithfully met the needs every year, often in a miraculous way, especially in light of the vastly-diminishing donations through CFC. As a member and supporter of CMF, would you make a commitment to take the needs of your organization in prayer to the Lord this year? Ask Him what He would want you to do to help meet the growing needs as we serve together in this ministry.
Lastly, we would really appreciate your prayers for protection as our office staff functions are at what I would consider “bare-bones” capacity, with each staff member handling what used to be aleast two full-time positions. Our CIO, Robert Flynn, donates his time to the ministry. We are truly a lean machine!
As a reminder, there are a number of ways that you can automatically support the ministry by either monthly credit card or payments from your bank through the CMF office, FaithLife, PayPal, or EService Payments with links from our website. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for Christian Military Fellowship. We look forward to a blessed year with you in FY 2023!
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
“Restricted Ministry” represents gifts that were preferenced by the donors for a specific purpose approved by the Board of Directors. “Unrestricted Ministry” represents income from direct giving and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
Restricted Ministry funds become unrestricted once transferred to fund ministry programs. While $210,449 of the total funding received was originally restricted, only $476 remained restricted at the close of the fiscal year.
“Other” represents income from interest, investments and insurance reimbursements.
EXPENSES
“General and Admin” represents what we spent for utilities, supplies, and generally keeping the computers and staff up and running at the home and remote offices. It also includes expenditures allocated for fundraising, which is derived from a percentage of office overhead and ministry support such as postage and printing for such resources as our Christian Report as well as a percentage of payroll for office staff to produce it. We have not engaged any professional fundraising services to help us with our needs, nor do we have staff that is engaged for the purpose of fundraising.
“Program/Ministries” represents what we spent on restricted and unrestricted ministry activities—the costs incurred to do everything else that is recapped in this report.
We are pleased that our administration and fund-raising costs were only 10.9% of our total revenue for the year. Our overall financial position decreased by $50,142 this Fiscal Year due to decreased valuation of assets held in the stock market as well as some decreases in giving, which we believe to be a reflection of the poor economy. We are taking steps this year to downsize our overhead as well as increase our membership to soundly support our ongoing and increasing ministry. Since the opportunities for ministry continue to grow, will you please pray about becoming a partner with us in this work?
WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION BOTH IN PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
Get Invested
The general ministry income for last fiscal year was provided by the sacrificial giving of 444 of our members. We are thankful beyond measure for each of these dedicated saints. I pray that they will receive a special blessing for their faith expressed. Consider what we could accomplish together if each of our members would consider a monthly investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ through this ministry. For those who have received hundreds of dollars of resources please consider this an opportunity for paying it forward.
Please consider a gift today! You may make a secure online donation through our website. You may also setup regular contributions by credit card or EFT through PayPal or by contacting the home office.
We are pleased to announce that MinistryWatch has listed CMF as one of their “Shining Light” Ministries. To become a MinistryWatch “Shining Light,” a ministry must have earned a 5-star rating on MinistryWatch’s 5-star financial efficiency scale. Further, those ministries on this list have a Transparency Grade of “A.” That’s MinistryWatch’s highest transparency grade. Out of 700 ministries, only 13 meet these strict criteria.
We are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability in order to maintain the highest standards of excellence and accountability.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 449
Veradale, WA 99037-0449
(800)798-7875
(303)761-1959
https://www.CMFHQ.ORG
Hey. I wanted to reach out. Former Army Officer. I just self published a book that will relate to Christian military members. It’s called “The Tactical Guide to Spiritual Warfare “. It uses military analogy and tactical concepts and relates them to the Christian fight and scriptures. I would love to some how connect and think your audience would greatly benefit from the book.