by Mason Rutledge, President

“This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together more frequently…” Hebrews 10:25a (The Passion Translation).

It was one-year ago yesterday that COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. On this day of significance, I want to honor you for your dedicated commitment to continue meeting together in your C3 Forums. Way to go! We have not given up meeting together, but rather we have upped our “game” in the last year.

It took encouragement. It took altered plans. It took new approaches. And all but one of our C3 Forums is still meeting together today that was gathering one year ago. That is amazing. Thank you for your leadership.

In Matthew 24, Jesus is talking about the end and His return. Now, I’m just a simple Lutheran kid from Edmonds, I don’t know if we are in The Time, but there are wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, deception, wickedness, etc. Let’s just say, that, a year later, there is a lot going on!

What is our response? Jesus says, we should “Stand up.” Don’t shirk back. And “Look up.” Find Jesus and trust in Him.

The pandemic may have created a SURVIVE mentality in businesses and business leaders. We of C3 Leaders are going to continue to build a THRIVE mindset. This is our time. God brought you to your C3 Forum for this year and this season. It’s been over 100 years since there has been such a central time of for engaging in the cause of Christ on behalf of our culture, community and commerce.

Thanks for stepping up this last year. It has been an honor to stand with you and trust in Jesus, together.