The Christian Men’s Network (CMN), a global movement of pastors and leaders dedicated to helping families by changing the hearts of men, marked 20 years of ministry today in Indonesia, where over one million men have been discipled through CMN’s Maximized Manhood curriculum at weekend retreats, small groups and churches across that country. Key leaders from dozens of denominations and over 100 regions of Indonesia attended events in Jakarta, presided over by national Indonesian CMN leadership and international CMN President Dr. Paul Louis Cole.
“My father, Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, who founded Christian Men’s Network, first visited Indonesia in 1997 and met with local church leaders,” stated Paul Cole. “Those leaders started a CMN movement and pledged to Ed Cole that they were committed to discipling one million men. This movement has swept across Indonesia, and this week’s events are the continuing fulfillment of those two decades of ministry.”
Indonesian businessman Armon Limbong said, “What began so small has now become so very large. The stories of families and men being changed are remarkable. I was a drug dealer—and my wife was divorcing me. A friend invited me to this group. I don’t know why, but I went. After that meeting, I went again and again. Then, my life was changed. My wife said, ‘You are so different; maybe I will stay.’ That was 12 years ago, and we are so happy. We have a 21-year-old daughter and two young children.”
The work in Indonesia has spilled over to surrounding nations. “This has deeply marked our churches and our region, and we are so very thankful for the CMN ministry,” said Pastor Augustine from Papua, New Guinea. “Hundreds of men are in attendance at our camps and small groups every week.”
“Edwin Louis Cole is the greatest man I’ve ever met. Although I was building a business, I jumped at his invitation to join him in 26 different nations, including Indonesia in August 1997,” states Dallas businessman John Binkley. “Dr. Cole always told leaders to conduct ministry according to their own culture, rather than trying to copy what was done in the States or elsewhere. The leaders in Indonesia caught the message and have accomplished what they set out to do, which is remarkable, and is one more extension of Dr. Cole’s legacy around the world.”
The Maximized Manhood book and materials are currently in use at more than 100 men’s centers throughout Indonesia, which are run in partnership with local churches and often even the local governments. The curriculum teaches men to accept responsibility in their nation and their homes, to be reconciled to God and to their families and to adhere to biblical principles of Christlikeness Based on CMN’s 40-plus years of research, the curriculum was created to adapt to any culture or subculture.
“CMN’s ministry to Indonesian men has grown churches, saved families, renewed marriages and reached hundreds of thousands of children as a result,” added Cole. “The Indonesia leadership intends to reach the next million men within 10 years this time, instead of 20. We are looking forward to partnering with them here.”
About Christian Men’s Network: Christian Men’s Network (CMN) is a highly effective global movement of pastors and leaders dedicated to changing the hearts of men. Founded over 40 years ago by Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, CMN has helped build strong leaders who have mentored over 18 million men in 138 nations to date.
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