OUR HISTORY
Christian Business & Marketplace Connection (CBMC) has its roots dating back to the 1930s, during the Great Depression when businessmen committed suicide because they saw all their life savings wiped out in the Black Tuesday stock market crash. CBMC began in the United States when a group of Christian businessmen rallied to turn people’s hearts back to God during those desperate times. Public response from the first meeting in 1931 onwards was overwhelming. Looking back, the founders of CBMC acknowledged that God had greater plans for the movement than they had envisioned. The Great Depression has come and gone, but CBMC has endured. This is because it is not a ‘fix-it’ for an ad hoc problem.
The first meeting in Singapore was started by an American banker who was posted to our shores in the 1970’s. It was a small gathering of a few men. The American was Herbert Lalka and among the early members were Edwin Choo, Geoffrey Abishneganaden, Yeo Oon Boo, Goh Ewe Kheng, Fred Sabapathy & Khoo Hin Hiong.
These faithful few met regularly to encourage one another and spur each other to serve our Lord through their business & professional lives. The best Christian to understand the daily struggles of business people is the Christian businessman who has grown his business successfully while remaining true to godly principles. “In order to earn the right to be heard, the product or service that we as Christians in the marketplace offer must be of comparable standard”, then Chairman Lionel Ong explained simply. Our action is to Connect Business & Marketplace to Christ, encouraging members to learn from one another and to bless each other.
CBMC SINGAPORE
What is CBMC Singapore?
Christian Business & Marketplace Connection (CBMC) is a fellowship of Christian business owners & professional practitioners in Singapore who are committed to meet weekly and share a passion to impact the local marketplace. Connecting Business and Marketplace to Christ in Singapore since 1974, together with CBMC International, with over 50,000 members in 90+ countries, standing as “Gospel Messengers” and “Disciple Makers” to the business and professional spheres.
What do we do?
At CBMC Singapore, we’re building a Christ-centered meet-up platform for business mentors, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed to connect, grow, and empower one another spiritually with Godly wisdom. The fellowship was never meant to be only for the affluent and successful, but to all who seek clarity in the chaos of business and professional life – whether they are dealing with office politics, temptations, betrayal, power struggle or fame.
YEAR 2024 – CBMC sINGAPORE 50th ANNIVERSARY
CBMC Singapore celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary between 15th to 17th August 2024. It marked this milestone with a three-day programme, including a Gala Dinner, a day conference, and a day tour. This was a significant undertaking as most members of the organising team were volunteers with their own professional commitments.
Looking back, the Committee can clearly see the hand of God at work throughout the preparations and the event itself. One of the earliest signs of His blessing was the overwhelming response from both overseas guests and local members. Although the Gala Dinner was originally planned for 300 person, attendance swelled to nearly 450, a testament to the Lord’s favour and the strong desire for fellowship among the CBMC community across Asia and beyond including members from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Mongolia, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia, as well as South Africa. The invited speakers Professor Freddy Boey, Pastor Henson Lim, Ben Nan, and Dr. Hoang Anh—delivered their messages with remarkable clarity and power, and many attendees testified that they were mightily used by God to speak into their personal and professional lives.
The 50th Anniversary has not only celebrated five decades of CBMC Singapore’s ministry but has also strengthened ties with overseas chapters and reignited a vision for the next season of Reboot, Renew, and Reach Out. To God be the glory.
YEAR 2010 – CBMC 9th WORLD CONVENTION
During a regular Singapore board meeting in March 2008, it was suggested that CBMC Singapore request to host the 10th CBMC World Convention in 2013.
The CBMC World Convention is held once every four years. This idea met with favourable response from the members and it was decided that they would speak with the Asia CBMC President first. However, just months later, they were given the challenge to host the 9th World Convention, scheduled for 2010 which was supposed to be hosted by another country.
This gave the group only two years to organise the event which normally takes four years to plan. But they jumped to it gamely.
About 900 people from 50 countries attended this event in Singapore, 3rd to 6th November 2010.
YEAR 2004 – CBMC 16TH ASIAN CONVENTION
The current Committee took the bold step of hosting 16th CBMC Asian Convention in 2004. It was proposed that the Singapore chapter should aspire to organise and host this Convention. This would be a first for CBMC Singapore and it would be a big step of faith as CBMC Singapore is one of the smallest chapters in Asia and all members in the team were volunteers with their own professions.
Vice-Chairman Joseph said, “Hosting the Asian Convention was a big job. However, under the guidance of Chairman Lionel Ong, we were able to pull off a successful event by working together in unison. About 500 people from all over Asia attended the Convention and we also celebrated CBMC Singapore’s 30th anniversary. Lionel often reminds us that we should give our best because we are serving our God. He never claimed the credit for the success of our efforts. Instead, he credited all the successes to the grace of God.”
Lionel Ong was subsequently elected to be the Chairman of CBMC Asia in 2006. And in 2009, he was also made a member of the International Board.