Round one teams return

Our three round one teams are scheduled to return today. Check back for updates on their progress.

TORNADO UPDATE: EVERYONE IS SAFE

Some of you have heard about the tornado that came through Willmar last night. We wanted to let everyone know that all of us at CTI - the team members, the staff, the host homes, the training facilities... everyone is safe.

The tornado passed about one or two miles south of the ministry building. If you're familiar with the area, it crossed Hwy 71 just south of the AG church and did some significant damage to some homes and businesses there. No lives were lost, and there were two injuries.

Training for our round 2 summer teams (at First Baptist Church) was underway at the time, and continues as normal today.

We thank everyone for their concern!

Round 2 begins

All 29 members of our three round 2 teams (Singapore, Guatemala and Bolivia) arrived tonight for their orientation picnic here in Willmar. Round 2 training starts in earnest tomorrow morning. Check their individual pages for updates throughout training and their tours.

Note: We ask the team leaders to update us once a week when possible. Though some teams are able to update more frequently, many teams are not able to access the internet as often, and updates may be more irregular. We appreciate your understanding about this.

All teams on the ground, and safe & sound!

With word arriving today from Honduras, we've now had contact with all three teams. Travel went well for all of them, and they're a day or two into their ministry abroad. Check their individual pages for updates, which we expect about once a week.

Taiwan team checks in

Our third and final Round 1 team has successfully cleared check-in at Minneapolis and is on their way! We'll post news of their safe arrival here when we learn of it.

Honduras team checks in

The Honduras team also had a smooth check-in at the airport this morning and is on the way! Next up: Taiwan!

Trinidad Team checks in

Our Trinidad team had a smooth check-in this morning and is on their way! The Taiwan team is on the road to the airport, and the Honduras team will depart the hotel for the airport shortly. Praise God for smooth operations so far!

All 2008 summer ministry locations finalized

We've now confirmed our final two ministry partners for this summer! We'll be making a return to Honduras to continue working with our longstanding partners in YFC there. We'll also be sending a team to Trinidad to forge a new partnership with YFC!

The nation of Trinidad is officially known as "Trinidad and Tobego." These are two separate islands that comprise one nation (lest anyone hear "Trinidad and Tobego" and think they are two separate countries.) The country lies at the extreme southern end of the Caribbean island chain - the main island of Trinidad is about 20 miles off the coast of Venezuela.

One of YFC's primary means of ministry in Trinidad is through "day camps." Our team will be involved in publicizing these camps through nighttime concerts for kids (ages 5-18) designed to increase awareness of and interest in attending the camps.. There are also plans for ministry in schools as well as street and "community center" ministry. It will be an exciting adventure for our team to explore ways to help YFC share the Gospel there!

CTI announces summer '08 locations

As of today, we've confirmed our fourth ministry location for this summer.

Confirmed so far are round 1 teams to Taiwan (working with YWAM) and round 2 teams to Bolivia, Guatemala and Singapore (all working with YFC.)

We're still working with other partners to confirm two additional round 1 teams. Look for those locations to be posted here when they're confirmed!

Ironman athletes raising critical funds for CTI

When Willmar natives and Derrick and Jacob Cruze step up to the starting line at Ironman Coeur d’Alene on June 22^nd, (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) they won’t be competing just for themselves. They’ll also be raising funds for local nonprofit CTI Music Ministries (Carpenter’s Tools International).

The Cruze brothers are fundraising as a part of the Janus Charity Challenge, an innovative program designed and sponsored by the investment management firm, Janus. The program acts as a catalyst to motivate Ironman athletes to use the race to raise money for charity. But unlike most other race fundraisers, there is no pre-determined beneficiary. Each athlete can select the nonprofit organization they wish to support. Since the program’s inception in 2001, triathletes have raised over $18 million for hundreds of charities throughout the United States.

“Janus is proud to continue to offer this exceptional program because it engages more people in meeting the critical needs of their communities. The incredible commitment of athletes like Derrick and Jacob Cruze is a true testament to the caliber of Ironman athletes, and only helps to drive more awareness and support for vital nonprofit organizations throughout the country.” said Janus corporate sponsorship director, Casey Cortese. To inspire athletes to participate, Janus makes additional contributions to the beneficiaries of the top fundraisers at each of the full distance U.S. Ironman races.

CTI Music Ministries provides established youth ministries with the engaging resource of a relevant music team for evangelism to the non-believer, discipleship for the growing Christian, and encouragement to the Body of Christ. CTI’s team environment provides Christian musicians in transition to young adulthood a living training ground to develop their gifts in the global missions workforce while providing life-skills training and promoting spiritual formation in their own lives. Derrick & Jacob attend the home church of several of CTI’s permanent staff. After a presentation last year, the Cruze brothers felt called to support the work of CTI in a direct way. Not being musicians, they are lending their athletic ability to help fulfill the mission of CTI through supporting its operations.

The Cruze brothers are putting out a call to our community to join their fundraising efforts. To make a contribution, go to www.januscharitychallenge.com and click on "How to Donate".

Ironman Coeur d’Alene will be held in the mountain forestry of Idaho’s beautiful panhandle on June 22^nd. In the months leading up to the race, you can view Derrick and Jacob’s training and fundraising updates online by visiting their blog at ironmanderrickjacob.blogspot.com/. You can track their progress on race day live on www.ironmanlive.com.