Partner Letter
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blanknextstep originalI will never forget the day I received the call and offer to come join an exciting new online ministry to be known as cfaith. I knew immediately that this was a step the Lord wanted me to take. Now, 17 years later, after countless memories and ministry opportunities, another step is near as my time at cfaith is coming to an end.

What are you waiting for?

Everybody’s gonna make mistakes
But everybody’s got a choice to make
Everybody needs a leap of faith

When are you taking yours?

Although the lyrics above are from a secular band, they ring true to anyone who has ever considered making a significant change in their life. Changes of this nature are never easy, but sooner or later one must stop talking and praying about it and—as Nike likes to say—just do it.
 
And now it’s my turn.
 
After almost 17 years of ministry service here at cfaith, the time has come for me move beyond my quiet, grey, windowless office and begin writing the next chapter in a new career that has been in the making for some time.
 
In the January 2014 cfaith Partner Letter, I wrote about how God has placed special gifts, talents, and specific dreams inside each one of us. And while we all possess such personal desires and ambitions, they are not simply going to flourish on their own. Ultimately, it is up to you and me to step out of our comfort zone, take a risk, and begin to race toward our dreams.
 
But while that sounds exciting, it’s not an easy thing to contemplate walking away from what I consider to be the best job, position and “fit” that I’ve had thus far in my career. In fact, I do feel a little apprehensive about it all—so why am I still leaving? Because just like how God lead me to cfaith so many years ago, I believe He is now leading me away to another destination.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
     -
Jeremiah 29:11


MEMORY LANE
I will never forget the day I received the call and offer to come join an exciting new startup ministry to be known as cfaith. At the time, cfaith was recruiting its staff and was now looking for someone with communication skills—someone with knowledge in content development, writing, editing, along with management experience.
                                                
After hanging up the phone and thinking more about the offer I had just received, the peace in my heart was confirmation that the Lord was preparing me for a change. I knew then that my transition to cfaith would be a perfect fit. And as my brother Greg likes to say, “Perfect is usually good enough.”

I joined cfaith in June of 2000 and quickly began working with our affiliate ministry partners to build a database of faith-building resources. Unfortunately, there were no “how-to” manuals at the time. We started from scratch with nothing. Zero. Zilch. Notta.
 
We therefore requested teaching content from our ministry friends and partners. We took in newsletters, magazine articles, books, audio messages, video tapes, and anything else we could get our hands on. We began breaking it down, reformatting it, sometimes transcribing it, and eventually posted this teaching material on the cfaith website for all to enjoy. We gathered a tidal wave of content and turned it into a variety of topical articles, daily devotionals, audio teachings, video sermons, MP3 downloads, and other Bible study tools for the new cfaith website.
 
While my team focused on content development, others were pressed with completing the remaining technical features of cfaith’s new site. Website design, software development, account support, billing systems, email integration and—dare I say—dial-up Internet access were just a few of the many factors which required ongoing attention and technical expertise. Remember, not only did cfaith provide faith-building resources on its website, but back then we were also a Christian Internet Service Provider (ISP) which offered filtered Internet access and ad-free email services.
 
Dial up Internet access. Wow, I have been here a long time.
 
Our target launch date was fast approaching and most of the staff was working 60-70 hours every week, but no one cared because it was such an exciting time. Did I mention we were all 17 years younger back then?
 
Later that summer the ministry of cfaith was publically announced by its founding ministry partners during the Southwest Believers Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Thousands of attendees greeted the announcement with applause, excitement, and anticipation.
 
The final few weeks before launch were nothing short of a whirlwind of effort and determination. After a final stretch of working through the night on September 30 (almost 40 consecutive hours), we hit our goal and the online ministry of cfaith was born on October 1, 2000. It was finally here!
 
Over the next few months, thousands of people signed up and soon our “online faith family” was fully established…and continued to grow. The resources on the cfaith website were used to not only build one’s faith, but they were also used to share the Gospel around the world—a focused purpose of cfaith that continues to this day.
 
IN ONE ACCORD
Needless to say, the summer of 2000 was a blur.
 
However, it was very rewarding and exciting to be a part of building and launching a brand new ministry. Here I was, a young man, working in a distinctively Christian environment, working with a variety of quality, caring people. We were all working in unison—in one accord—toward an expected end. Needless to say, we all became very good friends.
 
We were applying our God-given talents, gifts, and interests toward an amazing new online ministry—one that will share the Gospel with people around the world. And one of my biggest miracles? I was actually utilizing my college degree (B.S., Communications) along the way—much to my parents’ delight.
 
Unfortunately, every one of those early coworkers eventually moved on. And while there are other cfaith employees working in the ministry today, I am the last cfaith member who remains from that original class of 2000.
 
But with all seasons under Heaven, there is a time for everything—including a time to finish and then move on.
 
THANK YOU
While I look ahead with excitement regarding the new doors of opportunity the Lord has opened, it also means my time at cfaith is at an end. And that makes me sad.
 
Cfaith has been such an important part of my life and ministry these past 17 years, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. But I feel good about the state of the ministry. Cfaith will continue as a free online 24/7 resource of faith-building materials to help and bless you, your family, and countless others. I feel confident in the fact that I have completed the tasks I was brought here to do.
 
Of course none of this would have been possible without my colleagues, our volunteers, our affiliate ministry partners, and most importantly…without you and other cfaith members. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work and minister alongside so many wonderful, godly individuals.
 
I have enjoyed conversing with our church and ministry friends, and I have certainly enjoyed getting to know you and so many other cfaith members and supporters throughout the years. Many of you have been with cfaith from the beginning! You share in the blessings of this ministry’s success. I thank God for that. I also pray that your support for cfaith continues well into the future.
 
I leave you in the incredible and very capable hands of Julie Larson, cfaith’s new managing editor. She will introduce herself to you in more detail in next month’s Partner Letter. I am convinced you will appreciate and resonate with her honest and authentic approach to writing and ministry. And you will be relieved to know that cfaith’s Account Support Manager, Heather Mascarenas, is not going anywhere. She will continue to be your main point of contact when you call, help answer your email and content questions, and basically continue to function as the spiritual glue that holds all of this together.
 
My last day at cfaith will be March 31, 2017. Please know that these past 17 years have been a BLESSING. All of you will be sorely missed…and I will pray for and think of you often.
 
With love and appreciation one last time,

JDL

Jeff Litfin
cfaith

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

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