How God Used YOU via Us for HIS Glory in 2018!

Click any image below to enlarge for reading and viewing. 

Thank you SO MUCH for every prayer you pray on our behalf and every penny you give to our disciplemaking mission as Cadre Missionaries. We couldn't be disciplemaking missionaries without friends like you. 

* To join our email prayer team about 2x a month, email me.

* To $ partner with the Allisons and Cadre Missionaries, go here.

Merry Christmas from all of us to you and yours!

Our year-end Christmas mailing includes 1) a ministry update, 2) our 2018 Keeping It Real Allison Family Christmas Letter, and 3) a missionary photo with a magnet on the back—perfect for putting on your fridge so you'll be nudged by God from time to time to pray for us.

All you have to do is email me your snail mail address and we'll our send our missionary photo to you. (Thanks to Jarrod and Ky Briggs for sending me this picture and making our day!)

Surprise BONUS! 

This part is for you simply because you're a Cup O' Joe with Bill reader who reads all the way to the end. Special and limited-time offers on Cadre stuff just for YOU...

Cup O' Joe with Bill readers get to hear about this first!

The 2018 Keeping It Real Allison Christmas Letter

So Stacy I were taking a walk in our neighborhood when a car pulled up next to us and asked for directions. As Stacy gave directions, I knew she was mistaken. A newly married man might say she was “wrong.” I’m sticking with “mistaken.” After a “lively discussion” with her, I convincingly showed her why she was wrong… I mean mistaken… about the directions she had just given. A “conversation” ensued. When she finally realized I was right, she quit talking and kept walking. I said, “Go ahead and say it.” She said, “Say what?” I said, “Say that I’m right. I would love to hear you say that I was right.” Stacy kept looking ahead and said, “You’re right. However, I would have been right had I explained it another way.” There you have it. Thirty years of marriage in one story. And I love her all the more for it. Have I ever mentioned we’re both first-born children?

One morning before school, Sadey, our favorite 17-year-old, and I were quickly taking a minute to read Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men.” I asked, “What is your greatest challenge in living a Colossians 3:23 way of life?’ Sadey responded, “Probably not being a turd to everyone.” I said, “I love how you keep it real.” Sadey replied, “I do have a way with words.”

Ivy, our favorite 7-year-old, and I were sitting on the couch. Ivy tooted. I heard it. She looked embarrassed. I said, “That’s okay. Lots of living things pass gas.” Ivy replied, “Well, there’s proof that I’m living and yet also so very deadly.” Ivy really enjoys Child Evangelism Fellowship’s Mailbox Club where she reads Scripture, answers the questions, and sends the lesson back to be checked by CEF. She was working her way through one of the lessons and came to the question: What part of the Bible tells us about creation? Ivy responded, “The Old Testament.” The next question was: “What part of the Bible tells us about Jesus?” Ivy replied, “The New Testament.” Then she stopped, thought for a moment, and added, “Technically, the Old Testament tells us about Jesus too because of prophecy.” Touche’ young ninja Bible warrior.

On a very rare occasion, I found myself shopping for clothes with Stacy. I love Stacy. Shopping for clothes? Not so much. (You may have noticed I’m a big fan of concert T-shirts. Classy. I know.) Once I got into the changing room, Stacy began to give me nice clothing she thought I might like. I didn’t. But she kept trying. Finally, I said, “I don’t need you to dress me. I’m a grown man.” It was only two days later, I was getting ready to preach at church, I asked her, “Does this match?” Like a Venus Fly Trap, she said, “You don’t need me to dress you. You’re a grown man.” Even I laughed. Well played love of my life. Well played.

We're not joking when we say: We hope this is your best CHRISTmas ever! Thanks for tracking with us via Cup O' Joe with Bill.

More Christmas Fun...

* Why we don't write regular Christmas letters

* How NOT to tell your kids about Santa

* It's NOT a wonderful life

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

Why Focus on Disciplemaking?

"All you ever focus on is disciplemaking. When is Cadre going to do something new?"

Those were the words of a friend of mine. I love him deeply. And I still do : )

I smiled and said, "When King Jesus gives us new marching orders, then I will focus on that. Until then, the last I heard was, 'Go and make disciples….’"

I know. The newest thing is always so... sexy, cool, and shiny. And there is always a new thing coming down the pike.

But this is precisely where we must not confuse that which is sensational with that which is significant.

Cadre has never been—nor ever will be—sensational. But the Jesus we follow has given us a very significant way of life and mission: to make disciples who make disciples—who make more disciples.

As Cadre Missionaries, our passion is proliferating Jesus-like disciplemaking.
* It's what we aspire to live and do.
* With everyone.
* Everyday.
* Everywhere.

But here's a fact: We need your help.

We can’t multiply disciplemakers without friends like you who $ partner with God and us. Not joking. 

So we're asking you to prayerfully consider this question:
Can you help us?

If you can't, we love you. (period) Our friendship is NOT on the line.

If you can, go here.

Trust us when we say that no $ gift is too small and any gift will be deeply appreciated. From our hearts to yours, THANK YOU for investing in disciplemaking—and changing the world forever. Thank you for being God's wind in our disciplemaking sails with Cadre Missionaries.

Here are two other FUN ways to $ partner with God and Cadre Missionaries...

1. Shop on Amazon and bless Cadre Missionaries. Designate "Cadre Missionaries" as your preferred not-for-profit recipient.

2. Purchase Cadre's BRAND NEW disciplemaking book—all proceeds go directly to Cadre's disciplemaking mission.

Brand New Book! Limited Time Special Offer!

Audacious title.

Simple message.

Profound way of life.

"For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk;

It is living by God's power." 

1 Corinthians 4:20

Because of your long and fun history as a subscriber to Cup O' Joe with Bill, I want to honor and thank you in a special way.

You are among the very first to hear about Cadre's brand new book, The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus: The Why, What, and How of Disciplemaking Friendships that Multiply.

That's right. We haven't shouted this fun news out to the general public via social media just yet. We wanted to do something special for our longtime friends like you—so we've printed a limited number of special book covers we're calling our "Pre-release Friend Edition."

But wait. There's more!

For a limited time, we are giving you an additional free book. Why? So you'll read, live, and share what you’re learning with a friend.

Here’s how our FREE book offer works...
1. Put two or more books into your online cart.
2. As you go check out, apply the coupon code: cupojoe 

When you apply the coupon code, you’ll see the cost of one book is subtracted.

Here's how the brand new book is laid out...

Section 1 The WHY of Disciplemaking Friendships
* Introduction: Are We Confidently Walking In Circles?
* Chapter 1 Why Disciplemaking Like Jesus?

Section 2 The WHAT of Disciplemaking Friendships
* Chapter 2 It All Starts with TW
* Chapter 3 Add Generous Amounts of K4
* Chapter 4 Stir It All Together with D3

Section 3 The HOW of Disciplemaking Friendships
* Chapter 5 Start Here Start Now—with PIE
* Conclusion: Your Disciplemaking Friendship Stories

The book explores...

• Why disciplemaking friendships is a way of life is for every follower of Jesus.
• The three irreducible minimums for Jesus-like disciplemaking friendships that multiply (a.k.a., Jesus' disciplemaking "secret sauce."
• Tons of real-life stories that reveal the nuts and bolts of Jesus-like disciplemaking friendships.
• Almost 400 questions to make you think and wrestle what disciplemaking friendships that multiply look like in real life with your family and friends.
• The three most important first steps for engaging God and others in a disciplemaking friendship.
• How to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit's leading in the formation and development of disciplemaking friendships that multiply.

Plus, each of the five chapters conclude with application and discussion questions perfect for reading and wrestling what you learn together with family and friends.

Get your special “Pre-Release Friend Edition” book—plus a FREE book for a friend—while you can.

All you have to do is go here and put two copies into your cart. At checkout use the coupon code: cupojoe

FREE AUDIO: Praying AND Living the Disciplemaker's Prayer

Yep. Some crazies actually allowed Derrick Smothers and me to be on radio. Thanks to Mike and Heather in the Morning at KEYY Radio in Provo, UT, for this fun discussion about what a Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life might look like for regular people in everyday life.

Check it out here.

Stream it while you drive, exercise, or whatever. Thanks for listening.


p.s. As we mentioned in the interview, here's the Disciplemaker's Prayer and how you can get copies. And here's the Disciplemaker's Living Guide that was referred to in the interview.

Go west young ma... um, old man

Why are we investing time and energy training disciplemakers out west in places like NV, UT, AZ and CA? Here's why.

Here's just one of the churches/ministries we partnered with last week in NV and UT. We were your missionaries of encouragement and equipping to pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders with eight different ministries in seven days. As your Cadre Missionaries, we drilled down on how Jesus made disciples who made more disciples—who made more disciples.

Best of all, we partnered with one of our favorite Cadre trainers, Derrick Smothers (on the right). You should totally read about our exciting disciplemaking partnership with Derrick and The E3 Connection. In the picture above we're loving on Pastor Carl Wimmer and his wife—who are planting a Gospel-centered church that is one of the few for miles around.

If you don't take the time to read anything else, please watch Pastor Carl's testimony—above—and you'll see exactly why we're taking Cadre's training to these brothers and sisters in otherwise under-served, under-resourced, and often more challenging places. If the video doesn't appear, go here.

Would you please take a moment to pray right now for this church as they live and share this Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life with others?

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

When is Cadre going to do something new?

"All you ever focus on is disciplemaking. When is Cadre going to do something new?"

Those were the words of a ministry friend of mine. I love him deeply. And I still do :  )

I smiled and said, "When King Jesus gives us new marching orders, then I will focus on that. Until then, the last I heard was, "Go and make disciples...."

I know. The newest thing is always so... sexy, cool, and shiny. And there is always a new thing coming down the pike.

But this is precisely where we must not confuse that which is sensational with that which is significant.

Friends, sensational doesn't automatically mean significant. It may just be just a lot of hype and hot air.

Ponder the difference between sensational and significant. Which of those two really matter? Why?

For those still reading, I encourage you to pay close to this blog the next few weeks for something that is both new and ancient—and more importantly, something that we hope will be significant in helping people follow Jesus together.  You, as Cup O' Joe subscribers, will be among the very first to be in the know.

BONUS: 
Free Audio Here.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

Do you really want to be a better leader?

Let's unpack this more here.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

Disciplemaking Friendships that Multiply

This disciplemaking friendship adventure began when Crazy Pastor Steve and I picked up Derrick Smothers at the Peoria International Airport. We then immediately drove to Minneapolis, MN. (We may have stopped at our favorite ice cream spot along the Illinois/Iowa boarder—Whitey's Ice Cream. I highly recommend their Cup O' Joe ice cream. Not joking. I hope they change it someday to Cup O' Joe with Bill. I would die a happy man—probably from too much ice cream.)

We woke up in MN and headed out for coffee and we spent the morning studying how Jesus made disciples—who made disciples—who made more disciples. Then for the next two days—along with Dave and Rennie Garda, Mark O' Brien and other Cadre friends/trainers, we encouraged and trained almost 30 disciplemaking leaders from seven different states (IL, NV, MN, WI, IA, OH, and MI). We partnered with our dear friends—Reach Students of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

We trained trainers to take the Ministry Is Relationships training experience back to their family, friends, and churches.

We had some more coffee and fun along the way too. Yes, pastors need to have fun too.

We also trained trainers to take the Disciplemaking Is Relationships training experience back to their family, friends, and churches.

We had trainers we've trained training trainers with us. (Yeah, you should read that again.) Pastor Nate Stenholtz is a disciplemaking friend and one of my favorite Cadre trainers.

And we also trained trainers to take the Evangelism Is Relationships training experience back to their family, friends, and churches.

At the end of our time together,  all three groups being trained gathered together to encourage each other and pray. Our disciplemaking friend, Mark O' Brien, gave us encouragement as we looked to take what we learned back home to where we live, work, and play. Might you be interested in being trained to live and share a Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life with others. If so, go here.

Would you please pray RIGHT NOW for these folks to continue to be disciples—who make disciples—who make more disciples—like this?

The very last thing we did together as a large group was pray the Disciplemaker's Prayer. And before you go, I invite you to join us. Start with this prayer right now.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

16 years of God, You, Church, Ministry, Disciplemaking, and Cadre!

The Real Mission of Cadre.

How God Birthed Cadre.

How Cadre Can Help You.

How Cadre Can Help Your Ministry.

How You Can Help Cadre.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

Is Pastoral Suicide On the Rise?

Have you heard about the recent rise in the number of people who commit suicide? So sad.

I wished we could say that pastors are immune, but they are not.

I'm not saying it's common for a pastor to commit suicide (thank God it's not)—or that pastoral suicide is on the rise. I am saying that I've heard of more pastors committing suicide in the last few years than any other time in my life.

Still not sure? If you search the Internet with two words, "pastoral suicide," it will break your heart.

It happens. It's real. It's disturbing. It's complex. It's heartbreaking.

As a friend of pastors, I'm sadly not surprised.

Of course, there are multiple factors of causation—and no easy fixes.

You might feel helpless and hopeless to do anything about it.

But you'd be surprised how HUGE a little encouragement from you can be in a pastor's life.

Not sure where you should start?

Start here and start now.

Thanks for loving God and loving people—including pastors.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.

How God is using YOU through us for His Glory...

(We're celebrating 16 years of God's faithfulness! Here's a little bit of backstory and an invitation for you to celebrate with us.)

Click any image to enlarge for viewing, reading, and praying.

Would you please pray for us? About 1-2 times a month, I'd like to send you a short email with details about how you can say a quick prayer for us. If you are willing to be on our email prayer team, please email me and put "prayer team" in the subject line. We'd be glad to pray for you too.

Can you help us? We couldn't take any of part of this disciplemaking adventure without people like you who love us, pray for us, and give $ to Cadre. Every expression of partnership breathes life into our souls… and enables us to do the same for many others! For more information about how you can partner with God, the Allisons, and Cadre Missionaries, go here.  Cadre Missionaries is a recognized 501(c)3 ministry and donations are tax deductible.

For up-to-date ways you can pray for us, go here.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 
Let me encourage you and and make you think 1 stinking time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.
You can unsubscribe at any time with no questions asked simply by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from Cup O' Joe with Bill. Honest. You got nothing to lose. Try it.