Let There Be Light

6/4/2026 Edition

The problem facing America and the world is not that there's too much darkness.
The problem is there's not enough Light.  ~ Brad Bright

 

 

Rebuilding What Is Broken. Connecting What Is Divided

 

There are moments in history when the greatest need is not another program, another conference, another platform, or another conversation.

The greatest need is infrastructure. Nehemiah understood this.

When he looked upon the broken walls of Jerusalem, he did not merely see fallen stones. He saw a people disconnected from protection, identity, unity, and purpose. The wall represented something much deeper than construction. It represented the framework through which life could flourish once again.

Centuries later, the Transcontinental Railroad accomplished something remarkably similar. It connected what had been divided, reduced distance, accelerated commerce, and created entirely new opportunities for growth and prosperity. It did not simply move people. It moved ideas, resources, relationships, and economic opportunity.

Today, the Body of Christ faces a different challenge.

• The walls that need rebuilding are not made of stone.
• The railroads that need laying are not made of steel.
• They are made of trust, relationships, communication, collaboration, learning, stewardship, and shared economic participation.

For decades, Christian businesses, ministries, churches, nonprofits, and Kingdom-minded leaders have often operated in isolation. We have had conviction without coordination. Calling without common infrastructure. Passion without sustainable systems. Too many organizations have been left to carry burdens alone that could be strengthened through intentional Kingdom connection.

That is why Convene for the Cities exists.

• Not to replace your mission.
• Not to absorb your organization.
• Not to control your calling.
• But to connect it.

 

The Convene for the Cities Growth Path™

Every healthy movement follows a journey.

At Convene for the Cities, we call it the Growth Path:

Engage → Belong → Elevate

First, people discover community.

Then they develop commitment and meaningful relationships.

Finally, they learn, lead, teach, and multiply their impact.

What begins as participation becomes ownership. What begins as connection becomes multiplication.

Visitor becomes Member. →  Member becomes Leader. → Attendee becomes Partner. → Partner becomes Builder and Champion.

One pathway. Unlimited potential.

 

An Ecosystem / Economic Engine,
Not Just a Platform

Most technology platforms focus on a single function.

Convene for the Cities was designed differently. We believe sustainable Kingdom impact requires an ecosystem.

An environment where community, memberships, learning, events, commerce, sponsorships, directories, referrals, certifications, digital products, and strategic partnerships work together rather than existing in disconnected silos.

When these pieces operate together, something powerful happens:

Community creates trust. → Trust creates relationships. → Relationships create collaboration. → Collaboration creates opportunity. → Opportunity creates sustainability. → Sustainability creates freedom to pursue greater Kingdom impact.

 

Your Network, Multiplied

One of the most important truths we have learned over the past three decades is this: The Kingdom was never intended to operate as isolated islands.

Every ministry, business, church, nonprofit, association, network, and leader already possesses relationships, influence, and opportunities.

Imagine what happens when those networks become intentionally connected. Imagine when a ministry discovers a business partner.

• When a sponsor discovers a mission.
• When a church leader connects with an entrepreneur.
   
• When a nonprofit finds sustainable revenue pathways.
• When one network gains access to many networks.

That is the power of a true Network of Networks.

Convene for the Cities creates the connective infrastructure that allows independent organizations to remain fully themselves while benefiting from the multiplied strength of a larger Kingdom ecosystem.

 

The Assignment Before Us

Marketplace ministry needs more than inspiration...

• It needs infrastructure.
• It needs places to gather.
• Ways to discover one another.
   
• Channels to communicate.
• Structures to train.
• Tools to transact.
   
• Pathways to sustainable revenue.
• Mechanisms for sponsorship.
• Standards of trust.

That is the assignment before us.

• To rebuild what has been fragmented.
• To connect what has been divided.
• To create conditions where faith, work, learning, commerce, generosity, and mission can move together again.

 

The Bottom Line

Nehemiah rebuilt the wall so God's people could recover ordered life, identity, and purpose.

The railroad connected a nation so commerce, opportunity, and growth could flow.

Convene for the Cities is helping build the connective Kingdom infrastructure through which Christian businesses, ministries, nonprofits, churches, and leaders can connect, collaborate, learn, transact, support one another, and multiply Kingdom impact with greater unity, protection, alignment, and sustainability.

• This is not just software.
  • This is not just community.
• This is not just content.
  • This is not just commerce.

This is the rebuilding of connective Kingdom infrastructure for a fragmented age.

 

Let there be light. ✨

“We don't do what you do. We help you do what you do even better.”

 

 

 

 

From Isolation to Multiplication.
Two New Websites. One Kingdom Mission.

 

What if the greatest opportunity for Kingdom impact isn't doing more... but becoming better connected?

That's the question driving two newly refreshed websites designed to help Christian leaders discover new relationships, new opportunities, sustainable growth pathways, and a stronger way to work together.

For generations, Christian businesses, churches, ministries, nonprofits, and Kingdom leaders have faithfully pursued their callings. Many have done extraordinary work. Yet too often, they've done it alone. The Body of Christ has never lacked vision, talent, generosity, or passion. What we've often lacked is the infrastructure that helps those strengths work together.

Imagine organizations remaining fully independent while becoming intentionally connected. Not a merger. Not a takeover. Not another organization asking everyone to rally around its brand.

Simply a stronger, more connected Body of Christ.

That vision is gaining momentum nationwide. In fact, because of the response from leaders across the country, we've increased our 2026 membership projection from 50,000 to 125,000 members.

Why?

Because more leaders are recognizing a simple truth: We can accomplish far more together than we ever will apart.

Three Things You'll Discover

When you visit our newly refreshed websites, you'll discover:

1. How Christian organizations can remain independent while becoming intentionally connected.

Keep your mission, leadership, culture, and calling while gaining access to relationships, collaboration, learning pathways, shared resources, and Kingdom-focused opportunities.

2. Revenue opportunities many organizations overlook every day.

Discover practical ways churches, ministries, nonprofits, and businesses can strengthen sustainability through memberships, communities, eLearning, sponsorships, certifications, referrals, events, digital resources, and more.

3. Practical pathways for leaders who are ready to build.

Whether you're launching a new initiative, growing an existing organization, or stewarding a God-given vision, you'll find tools, resources, and leadership opportunities designed to help you flourish.

 

Convene for the Cities

Connecting the Body of Christ Through Shared Infrastructure

Convene for the Cities exists to help Christian organizations work together more effectively while remaining fully independent.

We often say: "We don't do what you do. We help you do what you do even better."

Through curated connections, communities, eLearning, referrals, sponsorships, events, resource sharing, and collaborative opportunities, organizations gain access to the strength of a larger Kingdom ecosystem without sacrificing their identity.

 

NEW: Revenue Calculator

One of the most common challenges facing ministries, churches, nonprofits, and Kingdom businesses is sustainable funding. What if your organization is sitting on opportunities you have never fully explored?

• Memberships.
• Communities.
• eLearning.
• Certifications.
   
• Events.
• Sponsorships.
• Referrals.
• Digital resources.

Our new Revenue Calculator helps leaders estimate the potential impact these opportunities could have within their existing mission.

 

NEW: Package Finder Wizard

Another question we hear constantly is: "Where do I start?"

Our new Package Finder Wizard helps leaders identify the Convene for the Cities' solution that best aligns with their goals, organization size, and growth plans in just a few minutes.

• No confusion.
• No pressure.
• Just clarity.

 

NEW: Memberships Starting at $4.50 per Month

We're also excited to introduce a new membership option beginning at just $4.50 per month, making Kingdom connection, visibility, collaboration, and community more accessible than ever before.

Explore the vision, the tools, and the opportunities at: www.ConveneForTheCities.com

 

Dana Dunmyer

Calling, Credibility, and Kingdom Assignment. The second site shares the story behind the mission.

Over the past 30 years, I've had the privilege of building businesses, leading technology initiatives, serving organizations, and helping clients operate in more than 110 countries. Alongside that journey, I've spent more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, church planting, missions, and nonprofit leadership. Those experiences have reinforced a conviction that continues to grow stronger:

The Church is called to more than survival. It is called to flourish.

The site also introduces several new leadership opportunities designed for leaders who sense God calling them to build something significant:

• Dream Giver's Strike Team
• Dream Builder's War Room
• Dream Steward's Executive Advisory
• Leadership Events and Speaking Engagements

If you're actively building, scaling, leading, or stewarding a vision God has placed in your hands, you'll find practical pathways, encouragement, and strategic support.

Learn more at: www.DanaDunmyer.com

 

A Clearer Invitation

We're grateful for the guidance of Kurt and Kristen Luidhardt and The Prosper Group, whose market research and strategic insights helped us sharpen how we communicate this vision.

The mission hasn't changed. The message has simply become clearer.

These two websites tell one story. One explains the infrastructure. The other shares the journey behind it. Together, they reflect a simple belief:

The Body of Christ is stronger when it works together.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and partnership. The momentum is growing. The connections are multiplying. And the harvest is ready. Come and see what God is building.

 

 

 

Chicken Fingers, Buffalo Wings, and Neutral Platforms

 

Things are not always as they seem. Consider a few examples:

• Chicken fingers are not fingers.
• Baby carrots are not baby carrots.
• Buffalo wings do not come from buffaloes.
• The French delicacy called sweetbreads is neither sweet nor bread.
• And blood oranges are, thankfully, not filled with blood.

We live in a world filled with names and labels that sound one way but mean something entirely different. Most of us understand that. We smile, order the food anyway, and move on with our day. But occasionally, labels matter.

Especially when you're making decisions that affect your organization, your members, your mission, your community, and your future.

 

Take the phrase "neutral platform."

At first glance, it sounds appealing. Who wouldn't want a platform that is neutral? The challenge is that "neutral" is often one of those labels that deserves a second look.

• Neutral according to whom?
• Neutral toward what?
• Neutral regarding values?
   
• Neutral regarding worldview?
• Neutral regarding culture?
• Neutral regarding faith?
   
• Neutral regarding what content is promoted, what content is restricted, what content is cancelled, what priorities are funded, and what philosophies eventually shape policies?

The reality is that every organization operates from some set of beliefs, assumptions, values, priorities, and worldviews. Every company. Every leader. Every platform. Compare Convene for the Cities' Kingdom Marketplace to these tools.

Some simply choose to state those values openly. Others prefer to call themselves neutral.

At Convene for the Cities, we chose a different path. We are not pretending to be neutral.

1. We are openly faith-forward.
2. We are openly Kingdom-minded.
3. We openly believe that Christian businesses, ministries, nonprofits, churches, leaders, and communities are stronger when connected through shared infrastructure, trusted relationships, and collaborative opportunity.

You may agree with that worldview, or you may not. But at least you know exactly where we stand.

And speaking of labels...

 

Another phrase that occasionally deserves a second look is:

"We do it all."

Now that's a bold statement.

It's a little like a restaurant advertising "World Famous Buffalo Wings" while forgetting to mention there isn't actually any buffalo involved.

The truth is that no platform does everything. But some certainly do more than others.

As we completed our comparison reviews of thirteen competing platforms, something interesting emerged. Convene for the Cities consistently delivers substantially more capabilities while often costing dramatically less.

1. More connected communities.
2. More advanced learning tools.
3. More events.
    
4. More curated connections and highly advanced directories.
5. More communication tools.
6. More engagement features.
    
7. More revenue pathways. (80+ revenue streams for YOU)
8. More collaboration opportunities.
9. More Kingdom-focused infrastructure.
10. And in many cases, at a fraction of the cost.

In fact, depending on the comparison, organizations often discover that Convene for the Cities delivers roughly 40–45% more functionality while costing 45–60% less than alternatives.

That's not marketing hype. That's math. Which brings us back to chicken fingers. Sometimes a name is simply a name. Sometimes a label is just a label. And sometimes it's worth taking a closer look beneath the surface.

Because whether you're evaluating food, technology, partnerships, leadership, or worldviews, wise stewardship requires more than reading the label. It requires understanding what is actually being served.

And unlike sweetbreads, buffalo wings, blood oranges, chicken fingers, and baby carrots... at Convene for the Cities, we prefer to tell you exactly what is on the menu.

• No surprises.
  • No mystery ingredients.
    • No hidden worldview.

Just Kingdom-minded infrastructure designed to help organizations flourish together.

Now if someone could explain sweetbreads, we'd all appreciate it.

 

Contact:
Dana A. Dunmyer
Chief Innovation Steward, Convene for the Cities
Schedule an Appointment
877-423-7224
conveneforthecities.com

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN KINGDOM LEADERS STOP BUILDING ALONE?
Two Organizations. Two Missions. Extraordinary Results.

 

The most successful Kingdom organizations are rarely the ones trying to do everything themselves. They are the ones who remain focused on their mission while leveraging relationships, infrastructure, systems, and strategic support that help them accelerate growth and impact.

This month we're highlighting two leaders: Jim Diebold and Kevin Mitchell, who are doing exactly that. Their organizations serve different audiences and pursue different missions, yet both demonstrate the same powerful truth:

When Kingdom-minded leaders focus on their calling and surround themselves with the right support, remarkable things can happen.

One of the most exciting aspects of Convene for the Cities is watching Kingdom-minded leaders leverage shared infrastructure to expand their mission, strengthen engagement, increase sustainability, and create measurable growth. Every organization is different. Every mission is unique.

Yet a common theme continues to emerge:

When leaders remain focused on their calling and allow proven systems, infrastructure, and strategic support to work behind the scenes, remarkable things become possible.

Here are two examples.

 

Client Spotlight: Jim Diebold

2,100%+ ROI and Growing

Please join us in welcoming Jim Diebold and Diebold DISC Training Plus to the growing Convene for the Cities community. Jim's organization is utilizing our Allegiance Package and has already achieved an impressive 2,100%+ return on investment, with opportunities and momentum in place that may significantly increase those results in the months ahead.

What makes this story especially meaningful is that Jim's website is not branded as a Convene for the Cities' site. It is branded as Diebold DISC Training Plus. As it should be.

The focus belongs on Jim's mission, expertise, training programs, and services... not ours. Convene for the Cities simply provides the infrastructure, technology, support, and growth tools operating behind the scenes. Jim's expertise in DISC training, leadership development, communication, and team effectiveness continues to help organizations improve relationships, strengthen workplace culture, and increase performance.

Learn more at: https://diebolddisctrainingplus.com

Or better yet, give Jim a call and discover how his solutions may benefit your organization.

 

Client Spotlight: Kevin Mitchell and Magnifi

Building on a Strong First Year

We're also celebrating the continued success of Kevin Mitchell and Magnifi following a strong first year of growth and innovation. Kevin has expanded beyond traditional eLearning by incorporating communities, engagement pathways, groups, and the new Convene for the Cities Growth Path into his overall strategy. Those efforts are beginning to gain traction and create new opportunities for learning, engagement, collaboration, and sustainable growth.

Like Jim's organization, Magnifi remains fully branded as Magnifi. The focus remains on Kevin's vision, expertise, services, products, and community. Convene for the Cities operates quietly in the background, providing the infrastructure and strategic support that helps accelerate growth and engagement. As more organizations seek ways to build stronger communities around their mission, Kevin's approach offers valuable insights and practical lessons.

Learn more at: https://magnifi.biz

And if you're exploring ways to expand your impact, revenue opportunities, distribution channels, and engagement strategies, give Kevin a call and discover what he has learned along the journey.

 

Different Missions. Same Principle.

Jim and Kevin serve different audiences. They offer different services. They pursue different missions. Yet both demonstrate the same principle:

Kingdom leaders thrive when they can focus on their calling while leveraging infrastructure designed to support growth, engagement, collaboration, sustainability, and multiplication.

That is exactly why Convene for the Cities exists.

• Not to replace your mission.
• Not to replace your brand.
• Not to replace your leadership.
• But to help you do what you do even better.

Together, we can strengthen the Body of Christ, expand Kingdom impact, and create new opportunities for leaders, ministries, churches, nonprofits, and businesses to flourish.

We look forward to celebrating many more success stories in the months ahead.