Every organization must know the reason for its existence and who the recipients of its ministry (customers) really are. From this comes a motivating vision of the pathway of the organization and out of that objectives and strategies of development can flow.

On December 19th, 1997 several Board Members and staff met to pray and discuss these issues. Out of this meeting came a "CMI Purpose Statement, Motto, Vision Statement, Key Result Areas, Weaknesses and Strengths of CMI, Future Opportunities and Threats to the Ministry". This lead article will explain some of these and help our friends respond in appropriate ways. The meeting was facilitated by CMI friend and missionary coordinator, Don Gahagan from Mission to the World. We thank him for his willingness to host, direct, encourage and moderate our first session.

Most of you know the origin of this ministry. Pastor Hank and Carolyn Thigpen founded Children's Ministry International in 1981 in Atlanta to "teach teachers how to teach". As they were conducting seminars they found that materials, solidly biblical and systematic, were also needed. The Thigpens discovered, through the vision of Dortha Musante from Milton, Florida, that the Catechism for young Children taken from the Westminster Confession of Faith could be the basis of such systematic curriculum that would coverall the basic, biblical doctrines. The Thigpens began producing and distributing the lessons based on this vision. Tom and Lil Waldecker were the main2 writers of the curriculum and music.

From this idea has come a complete children's curriculum called "THE BIBLE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE FAITH". This 14 series (groups of topical lessons) curriculum takes each of the 145 questions of the Children's Catechism and builds lessons from them with Bible memory verses, songs, review games, Bible lessons and crafts. The questions and answers, memory verses and Bible lessons have been colorized and are used on flannel boards. Supplementary material has been produced over the years to better teach these lessons and address other areas not thoroughly covered in our flagship series.

With this as our heritage, the planning committee produced the following Mission Statement: 'CMI provides systematic, Bible-based materials and methods to equip teachers and parents around the world to transform the lives of children for Christ.' Our motto has basically stayed the same: 'Teaching teachers to teach about Christ". This teaching is becoming increasingly necessary to ensure that out precious faith is not lost to our children by the influences and persuasive attitudes of our godless culture.

From this mission statement our vision for the future (next 3-5 years) came after much debate and soul-searching. The CMI vision statement follows:

CMI will become recognizably and measurably effective in (1) teaching and equipping of teachers, (2) the development and production of Biblical, reformed educational materials in multiple languages.

We will multiply our effectiveness and efficiency by the production of "state-of -the-art" color materials and teaching techniques. There will be trained "teachers of teachers" responsive to requests (conference, seminars, translations) and experienced writers and facilities ready to meet worldwide production needs.

CMI will build associations with like-minded organizations in order to facilitate training, production, translation and distribution of our products and services to teachers.

CMI will build its Tucker headquarters into a responsive, well-equipped facility manned at least 40 hours a week. There will be a full time director and production coordinator to ensure daily operations are maintained.

CMI will significantly increase its sales by contacting churches, conducting training seminars, penetrating home schooling markets, improving web page

access and interactivity and our materials in Christian magazines that reach our market. CMI will greatly expand its donor base by utilizing its existing mailing lists, customers, foundations and friends.

CMI's catalog will continually improve, a promotional video will be produced and our newsletter expanded and upgraded.

All of the above is prayerfully undertaken with our complete reliance upon our Triune God to guide and direct us in all that we do in order to bring honor and glory to His name. May God help us to be a blessing to the people we serve. May His ways always be our ways and may we always be asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?"

There is still much to be done! Eight 'Key Result Areas" ranging from building partnerships with like-minded organizations, increasing our production efficiency and the development of new material awaits Board Member involvement and ideas.

CMI still relies upon the prayers and financial support of friends such as you to main2tain us. Join with us to make the above vision statement a reality. 'Hither by Thy help we have come" (God has directed us and provided for us in marvelous ways to this point). May we continue to glorify God in all that do.