Dear Friend of CEM,
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For nearly 70 years, Christian Evangelistic Mission (CEM) has served as the church-planting and evangelism arm of Restoration Movement churches across Iowa. Through the years, God has used CEM to help strengthen churches, raise up leaders, and establish new works for His kingdom.
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In recent years, however, we’ve noticed a shift. Some churches have closed, others are struggling, and the challenges of planting new churches have only increased. After much prayer, honest evaluation, and difficult conversations, CEM has made a strategic shift—not away from church planting, but toward investing in the health and strength of church leaders across Iowa.
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Why? Because we care about what you care about: the mission of King Jesus, and the thriving of Restoration Movement churches who are carrying out that mission. We believe that by encouraging, mentoring, and caring for church leaders, we can strengthen churches, plant new ones, and advance the gospel across our state.
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That’s why I’m writing to you today: will you prayerfully and generously invest in CEM so that we can continue being a catalyst of support for Iowa’s Restoration Movement churches?
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Each fall, CEM launches our Harvest Offering, a season when planted seeds have ripened to full maturity, ready to yield a surplus. That’s what your generosity makes possible.
Here’s a glimpse of what your gift makes possible in 2026 and beyond:
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Mentoring Cohorts for pastors and their wives.
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The Bonhoeffer Project—equipping pastors to create disciple-making strategies.
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Residencies to raise up future church leaders and pastors.
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A yearly Preaching Summit to help preachers prepare Christ-centered sermons.
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Statewide and regional gatherings for encouragement, connection, and renewal.
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New church planting efforts, including our current support of two new and growing RM churches:
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Journey Christian Church in Bettendorf (Barry Steiner)
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The Crossing Church’s new campus in Wever (Ji Ramatowski)
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Looking to the future, we also hope to add a husband-and-wife Care Team, establish church ambassadors for each region, and continue to champion new church plants across Iowa. This is an ambitious vision—but we believe it is exactly what God is calling us to do. And we cannot do it without you.
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Would you partner with us today by making a generous gift to CEM? Together, we can encourage leaders, strengthen churches, and continue planting new works for the glory of God. Thank you for caring about the mission of King Jesus in Iowa. We are honored to serve alongside you.
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In Christ,
Tom Steele
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P.S. Your gift today will directly encourage and equip church leaders, strengthen struggling churches, and help new churches take root across Iowa. Every dollar you give will go toward advancing the mission of King Jesus in our state. Please prayerfully consider making your most generous gift today.
