Shortly after moving to Terrell from Ohio in September of 1968, Len Mohnkern. who had been an active member of the CBMC of Warren, Ohio, was contacted by Evon Hedley, who was then executive director of CBMC International, and was asked to try to organize a CBMC in Terrell.

In October, 1969, Mohnkern and Bill Pirtle, who was his employer at the time, started visiting Christian businessmen in Terrell and telling them about the ministry of CBMC. Those who were interested were invited to a prayer meeting set for 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Terrell Pharmacy.

Attending the prayer meeting were Mohnkern, Pirtle, Sandy Cowart, Jack Jones, Tommy McClain, Dr. Bruce Wilson, and Dr. J. Bennett Hooker. The group voted unanimously to establish a CBMC in Terrell, and agreed to hold prayer meetings at 7 a.m. every Saturday at Terrell Pharmacy. Prayer meetings have been held weekly ever since.

An organizational meeting was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24, 1969, at Pirtle’s home, 222 Elm Drive in Terrell. Attending that meeting were Pirtle, Mohnkern, Cowart, Jones and Wilson. Officers for the rest of 1969 and all of 1970 were elected. Named were Mohnkern, chairman; Pirtle, vice chairman; Cowart, secretary; Jones, treasurer; and Wilson, associate vice chairman.

An explanatory luncheon was held Friday, Dec. 12, 1969, at Chris’ Cafe. In attendance were Mohnkern, Pirtle, Cowart, Jones, Wilson, Bernard Self, Dr. Royce Mull, Frank Crain, D. R. Pulley, Art Fineout, Chas. L. Mohnkern, A. W. Thomas, Joda Wilson, Lloyd Dixon, Bill McClung, Charles Mull, Casey Perry, Harold Prinz, Walter Waldie III and Dick Bernet.

Mohnkern talked about the purposes of CBMC. Waldie, who was then secretary of CBMC of Dallas, told what CBMC had meant in his life. Prinz, also from the CBMC of Dallas, challenged the new Terrell committee, stating that if the members would have confidence in each other, the organization would be successful.

The CBMC of Terrell’s application for a charter was sent to CBMC International at Glen Ellyn, Ill., on Dec. 15. Charter members were Cowart, Jones, A. M. Mafrige, McClain, Mohnkern, Dr. Mull, Pirtle, Thomas and Dr. Wilson. The charter was issued in early January, 1970, and was presented to the group during a ladies’ night banquet held March 6, 1970, at Chris’ Cafe.