The monthly meeting of the Madison’s CBMC is always good for a moving testimony, aimed at Connecting Business Men to Christ. A week ago it was former Madison police spokesman Larry Kamholtz. A month ago it was Midwest Airlines CEO Tim Hoeksema. Three years ago Green Bay Packers trainer Pepper Burruss drew a big crowd. But more often than not it’s just a businessman who has found that committing his life to Christ has made all of the difference in the world.
Kamholtz, who was the face and voice of the Madison Police Department for four and a half years under former Chief Richard Williams, is now retired due to a job-related disability. He shared frankly about the stresses of his former high profile job, compounded by some issues from his childhood. Before getting treatment for depression he actually made several attempts to end his own life. He believes God had his hand of protection on him even then, noting that on one drive home from work he decided to smash his car into a tree, not realizing he had already passed the last sizable trees on his route. Another time he decided to smash his car into a semi truck but no trucks came his way that day.
Finally he yielded his life to God and found relief from the inner torture that had been plaguing him. "It was a flushing of my systems," he said. Still he had questions about God and why God allowed him to endure such suffering. He found great relief in the counsel of his pastor, who told him his focus was skewed. Instead of focusing on what he thought God wasn’t doing, he should focus on what God was accomplishing in his life.
Now he has a better perspective. "I don’t get hung up on small details any more," Kamholtz said. "The Police Department was my number one priority in life. Now my priorities are God, family and then everything else."
CBMC has been active in the Madison area for a number of decades. It meets for lunch and a testimony on the second Friday of every month at the Elks Club, 711 Jenifer Street. However, the meeting venue may be changing. At last week’s meeting, CBMC emcee Elden Davis said that a new location announcement may be coming soon. In addition to the monthly meeting CBMC offers a regular one-on-one men’s Bible study called "Operation Timothy." For more information on CBMC call 257-6232, extension 40.