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An equipping magazine for ambassadors in the marketplace.
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Welcome to The Catalyst 2015.
You may have noticed that the Biz With A Good Name logo is not on the front cover. Biz With A Good Name is still very much around, however, we are being led to have a broader umbrella of ministry which encompasses everyone in the marketplace. In this issue you will read about the Marketplace Ambassador Initiative (MAI), an article about a local Valdosta ministry which is leading the way in forging a relationship with our Sister City Church in the Dominican Republic, the Ed Kobel story and a directory of our members. The 2015 Catalyst is twice the size of our previous editions. We give God the glory, for it is He who gives the increase.
Our purpose remains the same in seeing God move His kingdom throughout the Marketplace. For the consumer, we confidently recommend those listed in the business directory section of this magazine. For the believer at work, we invite you to stand with us as ambassadors to the marketplace. In this issue, you will find tools to further equip you in being more effective as an ambassador to the mission field in which God has called you to. For the leader in business or ministry (we consider them one in the same), we focus on Christ Centered Leadership, and equipping for personal and organizational growth. Please enjoy this edition and then pass it on to a friend.
We invite you to dive deeper in your faith by becoming a part of a Connect3 group. This is a venue in which men connect with God, each other, and with the cause of the gospel. There is no need for you to go at it alone, when God has raised other men like you to walk on this journey together. More information is available by going to valdosta.cbmc.com.
Further support through our web based ministry to the Marketplace is available through www.agoodname.org, valdosta.cbmc.com and www.marketplaceambassador.com. The Marketplace Ambassador website is a huge treasure of tools which are there to help you with discipleship, sharing your faith with others, and becoming more effective as an Am-bassador to the Marketplace. Five men have generously given $3.5 million for this web-site. For you it is free. The first step is to visit the site and RESOLVE to be an Ambassa-dor to the Marketplace! Our website also features a Calendar of Community Events, links to other ministries, and a host of other goodies.
229.506.8491 / [email protected]
FEATURES
Membership Directory4 Our membership is made up of local Churches, Non-Profits and Businesses.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The Marketplace Ambassador Initiative5 II Corinthians 5:20 Are you a tourist or an Ambassador?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12 A Greater Harvest A biblical example of how the body of Christ in Valdosta and her Sister City Church are walking together. ..............................................................................................................................................................................
The Ed Kobel Story22 A testimony of God’s Grace.
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather
than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1
Please visit our website www.agoodname.org to see an updated version of this magazine and our disclaimer.
Businesses1st America Home Medical Equipment, LP.......................24AMC Cleaning...................................................................21Ameris Bank.......................................................................11Atlas Wellness of Valdosta.................................................11Blanton & Griffin Insurance Agency..................................21 Brooks Photography.............................................................8Center for Physical Rehabilition, Inc.................................20Chick Fil A.........................................................................18Christian Counseling Services of South Georgia...............19Coleman Talley...................................................................21Colonial Bag Company......................................................18Colson Dental.....................................................................15Colson Printing...................................................................11Cornerstone Design & Consulting......................................19DeLoach Auto Body...........................................................17DEVCON...........................................................................11D & D Auto Sales...............................................................11Ellianos Coffee...................................................................17Edwards Jones Investment.................................................17ERA Realty..........................................................................8Foot & Ankle Institute of South Georgia...........................16Fouraker Electronics..........................................................14Fowler & Company............................................................16General Storage....................................................................8Griner Auto Group.............................................................14Hogan’s Pharmacy..............................................................21Home Instead.....................................................................14John D. Holt PC.................................................................20Langdale Ford....................................................................16McLane Funeral Services...................................................19Mink Chiropractice Center.................................................16Music Funeral Services......................................................16New York Life....................................................................19Presbyterian Home and Retirement Community................11Ray Norton Tire..................................................................16Rusty Thornton Construction.............................................14Slone Associates, Inc.........................................................19Smith Tire...........................................................................18South Georgia Newcomers.................................................20
Southeast Capital Investment Group LLC.........................11Southern Eye Center...........................................................20State Farm..........................................................................15Staten Crossing Apartments...............................................16Stifel, Nicolaus & Company...............................................11Tatum Insurance Agencies..................................................18The Investment Centre.......................................................20Thomas Collison Center.....................................................21True North Companies.......................................................16Valdosta Dry Cleaners........................................................17Valdosta Hospitality Headquarters.....................................17Valenti, Rackley & Associates............................................19Van’s Cabinet......................................................................18Village Shoe Repair............................................................14Waller Heating and Air.......................................................21Wells Fargo.........................................................................17
ChurchesAbundant Life Church.......................................................10 Covenant Baptist................................................................10Lighthouse Christian Fellowship.......................................10New Life Bible Church.....................................................7Open Bible Baptist Church................................................10Southland Church..............................................................10Valdosta First United Methodist Church............................10
Non-ProfitsAthletes 2 Champions......................................................... 7BIZ With A Good Name......................................................7 CBMC..................................................................................7Farmworkers Clinic.............................................................8Future Now..........................................................................8Options Now........................................................................7Pablo’s Missionary Ministry................................................7Rock the World Ministries...................................................8The Mailbox Club................................................................7WAFT...................................................................................9300 Seconds..........................................................................7
Directory
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ, aka Marketplace Ambassador?
In a letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul discusses the ministry of reconciliation, and he uses the term “ambassadors” for Christ: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Him-self through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are there-fore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). As believers, we are all ambassadors for Christ. The only question is: HOW EFFECTIVE ARE WE?
Generally speaking, an ambassador is a re-spected official acting as a representative of a nation. Sent to a foreign land, the ambassador’s role is to reflect the official position of the sov-ereign body that gave him authority. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul likens his own calling to that of an ambassador, and he urges all Chris-tians to consider themselves ambassadors for Christ. The gospel of reconciliation was always at the heart of Paul’s preaching: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gos-pel” (1 Corinthians 1:17).
Our reconciliation with God is possible only because Christ went to the cross and received the punishment due for our sin. When our Savior cried out, “It is finished,” the barrier be-tween sinful man and Holy God was removed, making all those who trust in Him “holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusa-tion” (Colossians 1:22). Our reconciliation is based on the salvation Jesus provides, and it is accepted by faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Christians are God’s ambassadors in that they have been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but
God, which trieth our hearts.”
As we go through this world, we represent another Kingdom (John 18:36), and it is our responsibility to reflect the “official position” of heaven. We are in this world, but not of it (John 17:16). God’s ambassadors are to be “as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must take the message of our King to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), imploring men and women everywhere to be reconciled to God. Jesus clearly said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
The MarkeTplace aMbassador
What are the ten attributes of a Marketplace Ambassador, which means to represent God in the marketplace by integrating your faith in your everyday worklife?
1. Walking daily in intimacy with Jesus Christ2. Living in accountable relationships with believers3. Sharing faith in Christ in my sphere of influ-ence 4. Helping others grow spiritually through life-on-life discipleship5. Living an integrated life with proper life priorities6. Living a life of generosity7. Applying Biblical principles in all areas of my life8. Maintaining a standard of excellence with integrity9. Genuinely caring for people10. Living out God’s call on my life
Go to www.marketplaceambassador.com today and see what God says in scripture about each attribute. Starting today, RESOLVE to live out the 10 attributes of an effective marketplace ambassador!! For information about the Mar-ketplace Ambassador Initiative in your area please call 229.506.8491.
I COMMIT TO INTENTIONALLY PRAY FOR, BUILD A RELATION-SHIP AND SPEND TIME WITH,
AND SHARE THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL WITH THE
FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT DO NOT YET HAVE
A SAVING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
1. ___________________________
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
5. ___________________________
6. ___________________________
7. ___________________________
8. ___________________________
9. ___________________________
10. __________________________
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
Join a Connect3 Group where men connect with God, each other and the cause of the Gospel.
valdosta.cbmc.com [email protected]
Carl Parker904-451-2634
athletes2champions.org
214 West Park AvenueValdosta
229-333-0080www.OptionsNow.org
reproducing disciples404 Eager Road • Valdosta, GA 31602229.244.6812 • www.mailboxclub.org
New Life Bible ChurchHome of Kings Kids Ministries
Learning Life skills, Educational Goals Personal relationships - ultimately with Jesus
Christ
1603 N. Forrest St.Valdosta
Therefore, as we have opportunity , let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
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3019 Country Club DriveValdosta GA, 31602
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I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalms 122:1
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3555 North Crossing Circle Valdosta, Georgia 31602
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This is a story about two ministries thousands of miles apart walking with Christ together. If you asked sev-eral people in a room “How many churches are there in Valdosta? You would probably hear many different answers. The answer is One. All of us who have been born into the family of God through salvation in Christ belong to His Body and His Body in our city is the Church of Valdosta.
ConstanzaFor 15 years a group of Christians have walked in a ministry together in which several Valdosta churches minister to several churches in the town of Constanza, Dominican Republic. This ministry is called Pablo’s Missionary Ministry (PMM). It all began with a group of friends who went to the Dominican Republic on a missions’ trip and through a series of events orchestrat-ed by the hand of God were led to the Valley of Con-stanza. Several Churches there opened their hearts and hands to the citizens of our community and the two churches have been walking together since. PMM ex-ists to share God’s great glory with the Christians there and encourage the lost to salvation.
EvangelismAs the early Christians in the book of Acts did, PMM reaches farther into the material and social needs of the church, taking the example of the first missionary, St. Paul, in that they have made a strong effort not to change the culture. As one Board Member said, “We do not want to Americanize the people.” Instead they seek to understand and answer the needs of believers, while seeking to find methods to reach non-believers, including evangelism and assistance.
PMMPMM began travelling to Santa Domingo on an an-nual basis. Meeting needs began by providing some financial support as well as Pastors Conferences. In
time the vision included focusing on missionary endeavors which involve children, women, and construction. The need was realized by both Sister City Churches for an on going equipping ministry. There is now a Christian School and a Bible Insti-tute called the “Valdosta Bible Seminary”. PMM is a ministry which is open to the Body of Christ in Valdosta. Anyone who wishes to participate may go and be involved. Those involved are PMM Partners. In the beginning four excited Christian men went. The mission team has had as many as 62 engaged in ministry. While there, the theme’s central aspect is evangelism. The cost for a participant to go is $1,100.00 plus their air fare. The duration of a missions’ trip is one week. It is exciting as PMM Partners get to see God birth a church. A typical church in this area is brought to life in the following manner: A Pastor wins a family to Christ. He begins bi-ble study in their home. Often the family will allow a small wooden building be erected on their property for pub-lic worship. People gather in a shelter made of wood and nearly any place that can serve as a building which will meet the needs of a growing congregation. Then as the Lord leads, a piece of land is identified as a possible location for a permanent church building. The financial need is present-ed and the two Sister City Churches pray and seek God’s will. The money is provided in God’s timing for the land and building materials. Construction is done by teams or the local churches. It is a uni-fied effort between both the Church of Valdosta and the Church of Constanza. The dedications of these properties are spirit filled experiences. While this is not a national or international ministry, it is re-
a GreaTer harVesT
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his
harvest Matthew 9:37-38
is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea”. Colossians 4:15-16 Constanza is our Sister City Church. We encourage you to become a PMM Partner in walking with us as we walk with our Sister City Church.
markable in that church-es of one community are having a direct impact in another community thousands of miles away. To learn more about opportunities in hav-ing a part in the Christ Centered education of the children of Constanza and other ministry endeavors with regard to our Sister City Church please contact them. As one may expect, Satan and his powers are making efforts to minimize or destroy this work. Some people resist the missionary efforts, but the pastors respond with prayer and faith. They never contemplate defeat, knowing that the Devil and his minions hold little power over those walking the narrow path, “Yea though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.” The pastors and their congregations pray together build-ing a strong wall of faith to battle the enemy. Amidst these valleys, PMM Partners pray with them and God brings the victory.
“Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle
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Clay Hadsock Branch Manager Office: 229-293-2682 / eFax: 866-647-7929 / Cell: 229-588-5340 3227 N. Oak St. Ext., Suite C Valdosta, GA 31605 Email: [email protected] www.clayhadsock.com NMLSR ID 471840
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Ed Kobel’s mother, the daughter of German/Swiss immigrants, left the farm to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. While in college and working three jobs, she met Ed’s father, Ed Debartolo Sr., a handsome guy who swept her off her feet. Young and naïve, she held onto the promise that Ed’s father would get a divorce and they would be together as a family. When that dream never materialized, she resorted to alcohol, drugs and an abusive relationship to fill the void.
Ed felt it was up to him to take care of his mother and turned to the military to give him a head start. He took a bus to the Army recruitment office in downtown Pittsburgh and mistakenly followed a man in uniform thinking he would lead him there. “As it turned out, God had me follow a colonel who was involved in military intelligence,” Ed recalled.
After clarifying that he was in the wrong place, the colonel questioned Ed and discovered that he spoke a little German. The Army needed recruits who could speak multiple languages, so after undergoing a variety of tests, Ed was offered a position in the counter-intel-ligence division.
Preparing to Lead
“Spy School was a very intense and competitive pro-gram. It was also where I first heard about the Lord. I listened politely as a stranger shared the Gospel mes-sage with me. When asked if I’d like to pray to accept Christ, I declined.I didn’t think being a Christian was in sync with success as a military spy.” Undeterred, the gentleman amazed Ed by saying, “That’s okay. I’m going to pray thatyou can get through this program. Is that okay?” Ed replied, “Yes, please pray that I can do the 100 chin-ups!” He did and Ed graduated.
“I had a very cool undercover job as a student travel-ing in Eastern Europe during the cold war. When my time in the service was up, I had to decide whether to re-enlist.” Weighing his options, Ed decided to leave the Army, forgo an appointment to West Point and pursue an opportunity to team up with a former col-onel in his real estate business while attending college
at night. It didn’t take long for reality to set in. “I was horrible at it. I was 21 years old and nobody wanted to buy a house from a kid. I only earned $600 in six months.”Knowing that he couldn’t support himself as a real estate salesman, he approached the colonel about pursuing other options. The colonel convinced him to stay in real estate, focusing instead on investments.
Ed used his military benefits and bought a 4-unit apartment building with no money down and sold it 90 days later for a profit of $37,000; a lot of money in 1979! He did that 81 more times and was hooked!Finding God’s Purpose
As a promising real estate investor, Ed networked withsuccessful businessmen who took him under their wings. “What they were really doing,” Ed reflected, “was pointing me toward a personal relationship with Christ.”
Because he wanted to gain knowledge of the real estate market, Ed accepted their invitations to Bible studies and Christian Business Men’s Connection lunches where they would have a speaker followed by a prayer of salvation.Ed went for six months and every time declined to pray that prayer telling everyone he was uncomfortable with that “evolution thing.”
One of the CBMC meetings featured a guest speaker who had been the lead scientist in the manned lunar missions. He spoke eloquently and in layman’s terms about evolution. Ed recalls, “I cried like a baby and I prayed to receive Christ that day.” His life had a new beginning.
Through his real estate company, Ed met his wife Becky. She ran the title company Ed had used to close
The Story of Ed Kobel and God’s Grace
with the major banks, Ed came home with two term sheets—one from Lehman Brothers and one from Credit Suisse—totaling $500 million, and their busi-ness was reborn in a big way.
Years later, Ed asked why Lehman Brothers lent money to him, knowing what a failure his prior business had been. Their response was an affirmation to living ac-cording to God’s will. They told Ed that because he and Becky had worked hard to repay their debts instead of filing for bankruptcy, Lehman Brothers knew they could be trusted with the investment.
Through his relationship with Lehman Brothers, Ed was presented with an opportunity to invest in a tech-nology company that provided solutions to the Nation-al Football League. Although he wasn’t a “football” guy, he knew of someone who was—the five-time Super Bowl winning owner of the San Francisco 49ers, Eddie DeBartolo.
Healing a Family
Eddie and Ed had shared a bond that only Ed was aware of. “I had a brother who didn’t know I existed, so when this opportunity came up, I decided to write him a letter to see if he knew anything about this technol-ogy company. I referenced a gentleman who could vouch for me. Upon checking my reference, Eddie learned that I was his brother. So he called me and said ‘We have to meet!’”
Reflecting on that first meeting, Ed said, “I remember my brother saying ‘I’ve won five Super Bowls and had many accomplishments in business, and I’ve never been more nervous for a meeting in my life!’” Ed re-sponded, “I haven’t had any of those accomplishments but I am still pretty nervous.” After a lifetime apart, God healed a family that day.
Over the next year, the Kobels and DeBartolos got to know each other as family, and Ed and Eddie did a few business deals together. Within two years, Eddie invit-ed the Kobels to move to Tampa to form a partnership in the real estate business, DeBartolo Development, of which Ed is currently president and CEO.
those 81 deals. “Becky and I got married and I de-cided to go from slum lord to professional developer. Through the early 1980s, Becky and I developed $300 million worth of shopping centers and other large commercial projects.”
Tested through TrialsThe Tax Reform Act of 1986 dramatically changed the real estate industry, and Ed and Becky found them-selves upside down on $115 million worth of loans. Their accountants and lawyers avised them to file for bankruptcy and walk away from all the debt. “That didn’t sound right to us,” Ed remembered. “We decid-ed to think and pray about it.”They had no peace when considering bankruptcy, so they decided to trust God’s lead instead and not pursue that option. Then every-thing got much worse.
“Becky and I backed away from the anxiety and pres-sure of the problem and went to the Lord to ask for help. On an earthly sense, this was a BIG problem, but we got this exhilaration knowing we could call upon the God of the Universe, see the practical application of His Book and make it come alive in our life. The biggest part for us was listening to Him.
It took five years and every ounce of his spirit to work through all of the challenges, but at the end of that journey, one where God had an incredible hand work-ing in and through them, the Kobels paid back every penny!
Exhausted, but out of debt, Ed was ready to abandon the real estate business and settle down in another career. Feeling that he was at a crossroad in his life, he out to Him asking, “What would You like me to do?”
The answer came the next day with a call from a friend who needed help financing a project. Ed was hesitant, but looked to God for direction. The Lord gave him a name and phone number. Ed called the person, got the project financed and ended up owning 40 percent of a shopping center.
Keeping the Faith Business took off again, and within a year, they headed to Wall Street to secure public funding. After a week of making cold calls and sharing his business plan
212 Northside DriveValdosta
229-242-3060
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