A Strong Launch

First, a little back story:

Be *Strong*

CalebStrong.org (CS) began as a Men’s Fraternity group that simply kept meeting after the three seasons. We explored Apologetics, Biblical history, and Strength of Character, as found in the example given in the Books found in the Bible, like Joshua, Daniel, and many others.

For a season, the Lord put it on my heart to mentor other men. As I did so, I began writing and speaking, and started to dream of the CalebStrong curriculum. I became involved (and thus distracted) by another good work. This work was an idea for a ministry called Redeemed-N-Delivered(RnD). RnD’s goal was to minister to broken families, through a prison ministry, through a single parents ministry and through service to the homeless through sales of spiritually inspired art, clothing, and other services. We struggled to build up the team and processes needed to make this a working non-profit ministry. After a while, we (my family) began to struggle to make ends meet. And while I believe we were involved with a great idea, there was definitely a sense of pushing it forward in our own power. It seemed like it was not in the Lord’s will for this endeavor to really take off in the time-table we set forth. Then again, our plans are rarely God’s plans. Eventually, the Lord took all the unnecessary distractions away and gave us an opportunity to start fresh. The end result was that we (that is my wife, son and I) ended up here in Minneapolis (or MinArtica as I like to call it).  Our Heavenly Father wanted me to get my own house in order, so I could re-focus on CS. Today, we are on-line with over 1000 registered readers, a new group of guys running through the Men’s Fraternity Season 1 curriculum and I’m impassioned to serve families needing Christ’s leadership.

Our Mission for CalebStrong.org has been to “Help Men of all ages, discover the Biblical definition of Manhood, in order to define appropriate levels of Authority, Responsibility, and Leadership.

In this current season, Jesus has placed pieces of wisdom in my heart. While they still need some Clarity, you may recognize them as real “duh, no kidding” statements:

  1. The mission we set for Caleb Strong is NOT UNIQUE to men. Women struggle with these very things as well, with the exception of substituting Man for Woman.
  2. These are lessons that are needed at ALL age groups. The lessons simply need to be targeted in age appropriate ways. (which after writing that sentence, I realize is NOT simple, but still necessary).

To that end I am working one overall theme with three parts. This shapes our future as a family, and a mission / ministry.

  • Theme: Our discovery of Biblical Identity, both for men and women, prompts us to engage in the great commission.

We are preparing disciples who can then prepare disciples. This takes place first within our families. As our families are strengthened, our families pour into our communities and beyond. Communities include neighborhoods, schools, churches, recreation and work. As we continue to learn to “Live as Family“, we also learn to create opportunities to show Christ’s love through our interactions with others. In doing this we can reshape our world, starting at home.

  • Part I: There is a need for an EstherStrong.org (ES) curriculum.

Since I am not a woman, and can not speak to those needs from personal experience, I must rely on partnerships with honorable women, and scripture (such as that found in Proverbs 31), to guide our lesson development. This will be a work in progress, but I would love feedback, encouragement and assistance along the way. ES will be curriculum and writings for women of all ages.

The Mission for EstherStrong.org is to “Help Women of all ages, discover the Biblical definition of Womanhood, and define appropriate levels of Authority, Responsibility, and Leadership.

  • Part II: Both CalebStrong and EstherStrong need to fall under one family focused umbrella. The working label is currently The Strong Foundation ( word-play intended).

TheStrongFoundation.Org or TSF, will combine the two curriculum ideas above. TSF curriculum will separate gender specific identity issues and target those individually as CalebStrong and Esther Strong. Overall, TSF will use a common gospel identity as the foundation for all learning.

The TSF Mission is to “Build up Strength of Character, at all ages levels (children through adulthood),  through the discovery of Biblical Identity, in order to prepare and empower us for Active Engagement in our immediate Areas of Influence, with appropriate levels of Authority, Responsibility, and Leadership, so that we properly shape, through our service to, our Families, our Communities and beyond.

I may need to edit some of these mission statements as we define vision and values for the organization and define year one goals.

The third is an extension of the mission statement. This is quite simply:

  • Part III: We must begin to effect change where we have been granted influence.

For me this means within the CalebStrong.org community and within my home church family at Clarity Church. I have been motivated to startup a few engagement groups, (familiar with “DNA groups” or “small groups”? Same thing…) Additionally, I will be getting more involved with children’s ministry at Clarity Church. I have some experience in this area as a former “manny”, preschool teacher, and care provider for handicapped children. The Holy spirit has gifted me with more patience and grace with children than I have with adults.

My service in children’s ministry may turn into an an opportunity to evolve the ideas and materials that are developed within the TSF context. Ideas like BibleCounts.com will be incredibly useful in working with kids and families. Interactions with the children and families in our church family and updating our current curriculum at Clarity will be a huge blessing. But before that, I believe I must absorb as much as possible so I can make informed corrections at the appropriate time.

This is the idea. I have specific goals for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months to plan out. My 1 year goals are on the table and being torn apart to make sure they are SMART. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely)

I appreciate any feedback, prayer, or support you can offer. Better than that, if you feel drawn to this mission, I would love your company on this journey. My first challenge is build up the tools for TSF including the initial website, artwork etc…  So, pray for us as we re-launch CalebStrong.ord into what is to become TheStrongFoundation.org . We have a way to go.

 


TheStrongFoundation.org and it’s member sites CalebStrong.org and EstherStrong.org are about becoming the leaders God calls us to be, at work, in our homes, churches and communities at large.

Always remember to Be *Strong*™.

Thank you for reading and for your comments…

May Jesus have His way with your day

  – Gary C –

Gary Cartagena is a dedicated husband and father.
He is Founder and consultant for Tek Management,
Founder of the Men’s Leadership site: CalebStrong.org,
Co-Founder of the online Bible study app: BibleCounts

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