b'Tom De Vries and John Ashmen with Citygate Network Board Chair, Donovan Coley.often done one-on-one at dining room tables or inmembers had access to 60 member benefits, counseling sessions. Leaders have told John thatincluding numerous web-based resources.theyve seen positive results: Just as many peopleAdditionally, a reorganization made the associ-are deciding to follow Christ through this newation a unified whole rather than an organization approach as did with the chapel-first strategy. divided up into districts that were little associa-In presentations and publications, Johntions of their own.reminded members that a feeding programMultiple areas of growth plus significant without an exit strategy is problematic because grants and donations moved the organization it chains people to a system of dependency. Hefrom no cash reserves to the healthy bank championed the idea that missions need to setaccount and half-million-dollar contingency their sights on life transformation and not disasterfund that it has today. relief. Today, that idea of life transformation hasIn 2009, the 3,800-square-foot North Kansas been embraced wholesale.City facility sold for $175,000. The association rented office space in downtown Colorado Springs Big changesin 2009 and a year later moved to another rented N ew staff under Johns leadership workedlocation in the city. By August of 2018, the staff over the years to better manage financeshad moved, debt-free, into a $1.1 million, 9,200-and revamp various aspects of the square-foot Citygate Network headquarters in the organization, improving the board selectionColorado Springs foothills.and rotation process for greater consistency,Another major change John headed up was the redesigning publications, and introducing newrevitalization of annual gatherings. Formerly, they and enhanced member benefits. By 2016,were six-day conventions held over the Memorial 12 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JULY/AUGUST 2023'