Today, I’m talking to Vincent and Jayne Sim, who lead the church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  They discuss their 30 years in ministry, their early experiences as young Christians in the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur churches and how those small mission plantings have grown to thousands of disciples and many churches throughout the region.  They talk about all of the family they have been able to reach for Christ and how they’ve been able to get back on their feet after being knocked down.  More about Vincent and Jayne Sim: Vincent & Jayne have been serving in the ministry for over 30 years. Vincent was baptised as a teen in the Singapore church, while Jayne was baptised in her early 20s in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Church.  They have served in churches in KL, Penang, JB, & Singapore. They moved back from Singapore to KL in 2019 and are currently overseeing the churches in Malaysia. Together, they have 3 children. Sabrina (24), AJ (22) & JD (20) have all been baptised into the Lord.   How to help build and complete the Kuala Lumpur Church: Donation Portals  1) Donation may be done through our official website:  https://fundraising.cccmy.org/    2) Donation may also be done through Wise:  https://im.cccmy.org/internationalwise/    3) Donate through PayPal or Credit/Debit Card via SimplyGiving:  https://www.simplygiving.com/Home/Step1?EventId=bd69c50e-382d-46f3-93ba-aab8748769f5    Donation Receipts  Request for official donation receipt through this link:  https://im.cccmy.org/taxform/     

Today, I’m talking to Willie O’Quinn, who leads the church in Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas.  Willie played football for the University of Kansas, graduated and has led first the campus ministry and now the church in Lawrence.  He has been in Lawrence for 15 years, married to Katie for 12 years and has four daughters (Kaylie, Kylie, Kynlie, and Keelie).  In this episode he shares about: What it takes to be an effective campus minister How he can afford to have two ministry couples on staff in a church of around 100 members How he defines success His “Chick Fil A” small church philosophy How he leads the church while raising four daughters 8 and under. How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

While at the recent Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas I ran into Darcy Smyth from the Gold Coast in Australia.  He's a campus minister there and has led his campus ministry to have nearly 20 baptisms and restorations in 2023.  I was immediately intrigued and invited him on to the program to find out what he was doing.   You can reach Darcy at:  dsmyth17060@gmail.com

Joel Peed, Joel Nagel, Pam and Rob Skinner recap day three of the 2023 Climb Conference.  

Today, I’m with Pam Skinner and Joel Nagel in Dallas Texas on day two of our Climb Conference.  We are going to recap the second day of the conference and talk to our keynote speaker, Kevin Miller.

Today, I’m with Joel Peed and Joel Nagel at the first day of the 2023 Climb Conference.  We will be recapping the first day and talking to our keynote speaker, Shawn Wooten, missionary to Bucharest Romania and leader of the Revivee Program.

Today, I’m talking to Rob and Chelsea Novack from the New York City Church of Christ.  Rob and Chelsea lead an all-church campus region in the New York Church and chair the North American Campus Committee for churches across the country.  Listen as they talk about: How they grew their campus ministry from 10 disciples to over 80.  How Rob became a Christian through the help of a childhood friend and then turned and converted about ten more of his friends from the past. How he believes fruit grows in “clusters” and what that means for ministry. How Chelsea is working to bridge the gap with Generation Z disciples And what three things Rob looks for in an aspiring campus minister All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!   More about Rob and Chelsea: Rob and Chelsea Novack serve as Evangelist and Women’s Ministry leader for the NYC Campus Ministry. They've been married since 2013 and live outside NYC in New Jersey with their two boys, Bradley (7) and Tyler (6). They led the NJ Campus Ministry from 2010-2019 and in 2021 started the new City Campus Region in Manhattan for the Borough ministries. They also serve as Chair of the Campus Service Team. Rob and Chelsea have a passion for reaching the next generation, raising leaders and building unity.    How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794  

Today, I’m continuing to highlight disciples 30 and under who are making this life count.  I’m talking to Ben and Melina Hutchins, Church leaders & campus ministers at Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia.  They planted a church in Blacksburg in August of 2020 in the middle of the COVID pandemic.  They were both in their twenties at the time.  Listen as they share about: Their getting their masters in theology How they host “Table Church” to build family and make the most of limited resources How they dealt with the tragedy of losing their first born baby, Sophia only a year after planting their church How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to Armin and Megan Day, Evangelist and Women’s ministry leader in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Church.  They have doubled their campus ministry to 30 disciples in the last two years.  What’s even more interesting is how they have done it.  They’ve developed a ministry philosophy built upon six pillars of conviction.  They devote one day a month on campus on which all the students pray and fast and then break the fast that night with a devotional of worship and prayer.  Listen as they share what’s helped them to build a healthy and thriving campus ministry. More about Armin and Megan: Armin and Megan Day are an evangelist and women's ministry leader in Albuquerque, NM. They have worked with the campus ministry at the University of New Mexico for almost a decade. They have two kids and one on the way. Megan became a disciple in southern California in 2002 and Armin became a disciple in the campus ministry in Albuquerque in 2011. Their dream is to see Albuquerque become a hot spot for training and sending out leaders throughout our fellowship of churches. Feel free to reach us at armin@abqcoc.com.   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Have you ever felt frustrated because you’ve prayed about something over and over again and God just doesn’t seem to answer it?  You are begging him, “God, please throw me a bone!” and he doesn’t seem to care.  Maybe you are asking God to do something for you that he wants to do through you or with you.  I heard this quote recently in an audiobook and it got me thinking about ways that I passively wait on God to do something for me that I should be actively pursuing daily.   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to Dave Pocta and Joel Nagel.  Dave and Joel are rolling out a comprehensive podcast, curriculum and spiritual program designed to equip small church leaders and mature disciples everywhere.  They will be making a presentation of this new material at the Climb Conference coming up in Dallas this month.  Listen as they give a preview of why Thread could change your life and help your church grow. Find out more about Thread at ThreadPodcast.Org   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to 24-year-old Kenan Mitchell.  Kenan went on the Chance of a Lifetime Program and spent three months in India.  He’s a man of multiple talents and interests.  He’s a snowboarder, skydiver, skater and musician.  He paraglided in the Himalayas and is a professional-level barber.  He currently leads a campus ministry at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts that saw ten people get baptized in the last 12 months.  Listen as he talks about his experience with Chance of a Lifetime and how he’s seen God at work in his life.   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me advance my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

John and Jan Oakes started a church in their living room with three people sixteen months ago.  This month they had 200+ people at their inaugural worship service.  The church of three people that they began with has blossomed into 20 members after John and Jan baptized 10 people over the last eight months.  John and Jan were appointed as an Evangelist and Women's ministry leader at the inaugural service.  They did all of this in their late sixties.  Listen as they talk about the miracles God is working through them and their church planting. How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to Josephus Bartuah from Boston Massachusetts.  Josephus leads one of the fastest growing campus ministries in the country.  Over the past two years it has grown from eight to 40+ disciples.  Listen as he talks about how he did  it and what inspires him.  This episode is the first to spotlight disciples 30 and under who are multiplying disciples, leaders and churches.    More about Josephus and Katrina: Josephus Bartuah was born on May 16th 1993. He met his amazing wife Katrina during their freshman year of college. He was invited out to church, studied the Bible and was baptized on May 29th 2013. He graduated Umass Boston in 2016 with a history degree. Katrina and Josephus were married in April 2017 and now have two beautiful boys - Julius and Elliott. After three years of interning in the Campus Ministry, the Bartuahs were asked to go into the ministry in 2018. They served in the professionals ministry initially. In 2021, they were asked to join a team of 8 campus ministers to revive the Boston Campus Ministry in Downtown Boston. They are proud graduates of the New England School of Missions. Making disciples and raising up leaders is their joyful obsession. If you’d like to contact Josephus, his email is jbsgud@gmail.com    How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to Glenn Neargarder.  Glenn became a Christian in 1988, spent time in the ministry, administration and went on to work at Bank of America.  In trying to help his home church with their administration he uncovered what is often the weakest part of many churches, having a coherent and complete administrative system.  He started a “passion project” to serve small churches by doing all the administrative functions for them at extremely low cost.  Glenn will be a speaker at the Climb Conference in Dallas this year.  If you’ve ever been frustrated with your church financial situation and are looking for a low-cost, one-stop solution, you need to listen to what Glenn is talking about. More about Glenn: Glenn became a disciple of Jesus in 1988 as part of the University of Cincinnati campus ministry. Immediately after graduation in 1992 he and his wife, Vicki, moved to Chicago to work in the full time ministry. After 3 years in the full time ministry (Chicago and Champaign, IL) they moved to Los Angeles. Glenn worked in church administration for the International Church of Christ at the Los Angeles head quarters for four years. He then went back into the full time ministry for three more years as part of the North region of the Los Angeles Church of Christ. Glenn then spent 14 years working for Bank of America in mortgage servicing operations. During his last 7 years he held an SVP of Operations position with offices across the country and internationally managing over 1,000 employees. Glenn has been working as a business improvement and transformation consultant in the pharmaceutical industry since 2016. Glenn's experience with local and international church administration, full time ministry as well as his experience with managing large operations domestically and internationally in a corporate environment have allowed him to develop skills in Human Resources, financial management, legal, policies and procedures, process improvement, performance management, state and federal employment laws, and technology and systems.  How to Reach Glenn: ChurchAdm.Com General Support  / Main Office support@churchadm.com (919) 229-9315 Ramon (Mon) Eusebio (Manager) Mon@churchadm.com (919) 229-9315 Glenn Neargarder (CEO/Owner) Glenn@churchadm.com (919) 229-9521 How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I’m talking to Nate Bigbee from Corpus Christi, Texas.  Nate is the leader of a church of 40 disciples and has 5 people on staff.  How does he do it?  He is encouraging young men and women to develop a bi-vocational ministry career.  Three of his interns are building their private businesses while also serving in the ministry.  Nate is also starting a school to help those who are interested in doing self-supported or partially-supported ministry.  He and his wife, Waldina, are also on track to become self-supporting so that he can multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  If you are interested in doing ministry full or part time or if you are a ministry leader looking for ways to make your budget go farther, you’ll want to hear what Nate has to say. How to reach Nate:   gulfcoastchristian@gmail.com   210-883-7506 How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794  

Today, I’m talking to Martin Chairez.  Martin and his wife, Tina, lead a Spanish-speaking ministry in Orange County California.  He’s got a burning passion for growing and expanding Spanish-speaking ministries.  Listen as he talks about: How the US has the second largest population of Spanish-Speakers in the world and yet has only a handful of full-time ministers. Misconceptions about Spanish-ministry Why he doesn’t like the term “Latino Ministry” Immigration, politics and helping people without legal status His vision for Spanish ministry going forward How to reach Martin Chairez:  Martin@OCChurchofChrist.Com   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

·        Today, I’m talking to Mark and Ruth Kang, who lead the church in Detroit, Michigan.  Listen as they share about: o   Developing a Dating Culture o   The impact one leader can make o   Mark’s unique speaking style o   What they would do if they had to start over from zero o   What they view as the next growth center in their church and many others   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

What would you do if your house burned down?  What would you do if you didn’t have time to go back for even one possession?  What would you do if all you had to start over again was your laptop and two changes of clothes?  Nate and Megan Chatelier can answer those questions because on Friday, August 18th, 2023, a wildfire swept through their neighborhood near Spokane, Washington.  The flames were 150 feet higher than the tree line and 240 homes were destroyed.  Listen as Nate and Megan share what they went through and how they are rebuilding their lives.  Nate was last interviewed on episode #205. You can reach Nate at nate@nerdninjas.com   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I interview Robby Angle, author of “The Cure for Groups, How to Lead a Small Group People Will Talk About The Rest of Your Lives.”  Listen as Robby shares: o   About his experience leading 800 small groups in Andy Stanley’s church, North Point Community Church. o   How to create a good culture in small groups o   Why the leader matters so much in making small groups work o   Why trust is so essential in small group relationships as well as our relationship with God o   How to ask good questions o   Why a good schedule and memorable events make such a big difference   How to Reach Robby Angle: Website: http://www.trueface.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robby-angle-a55b1433/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truefacecommunity Twitter: https://twitter.com/Truefaced Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truefacelife/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Trueface Robby Angle was booked via The Expert Bookers, www.expertbookers.com.   

In this episode, I read from chapter 11 and the conclusion of my book, "How to Plant and Grow a Church."  I discuss why small churches are incubators for great leaders and how to develop leadership in disciples.     https://www.amazon.com/How-Plant-Grow-Church-Complete/dp/B08DC63SQH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SS85DB8RY5WE&keywords=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church&qid=1691270977&sprefix=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1

Today, I’m talking to Jon Sherwood who leads a network of microchurches in Asheville, North Carolina.  Listen as he shares about: o   How he came up with the idea of starting micro churches o   What kinds of results he’s seen o   What kind of vision he has for the church And who would benefit from this model of church structure.     How to reach Jon Sherwood: JonSherwood.Com JesusPeaceCollective.Com

 this episode I talk about how to improve your own personal evangelism as well as how to mobilize your church for outreach.     Where to find Rob's book, "How To Plant and Grow a Church": https://www.amazon.com/How-Plant-Grow-Church-Complete/dp/B08DC63SQH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SS85DB8RY5WE&keywords=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church&qid=1691270977&sprefix=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1

In this episode, I read from chapter nine of my book, "How To Plant and Grow a Church."  I discuss the pitfalls and mistakes I've made in past mission plantings so that you can avoid them in the future.     Where to find Rob's book, "How To Plant and Grow a Church": https://www.amazon.com/How-Plant-Grow-Church-Complete/dp/B08DC63SQH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SS85DB8RY5WE&keywords=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church&qid=1691270977&sprefix=how+to+plant+and+grow+a+church%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1

I’m Rob Skinner and this is the Rob Skinner Podcast.  In this episode, I share what I gained from trying to learn the “Secret of Happiness.”  I spent 30 days trying to imitate Paul’s example of being happy in all circumstances.   I want to let you know how my “Secret of Happiness” campaign went and what I learned.    I have learned to be happy with whatever I have. 12 I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy. 13 I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.  Philippians 4:11-13, NLV

Today, I talk to Ben and Brooke Mey, two young church planters from Newcastle, Australia.  They talk about what they've done to start a new church since February of this year and how they've baptized 11 people starting with a team of 15.  

Have you ever wanted to learn the “secret of happiness?”  Many people talk about it, but I know of only one person who has said that he has learned the secret of happiness, the Apostle Paul.  Look at what he shares in Philippians 4:11-13 in the NLV:  I have learned to be happy with whatever I have. 12 I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy. 13 I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.  Philippians 4:11-13, NLV I decided to learn that secret of happiness as well by going on a 30-day spiritual campaign to imitate Paul’s example.  Find out what I’ve learned so far on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast! How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

Today, I read the second half of chapter eight of my book, How to Plant and Grow a Church.  The chapter subject is how to stay fired up as a church builder.  I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned to keep your fire burning at all times and all places. Specifically: o   How to use personal campaigns to get fired up o   How to create church campaigns to develop momentum o   The importance of staying connected o   Going to conferences and meetings o   Hosting guest speakers o   And the importance of getting discipled How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission team sent off.  Click the link here:   https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online?fund_id=1728794

 Today, I read the first half of chapter eight of my book, How to Plant and Grow a Church.  The chapter subject is how to stay fired up as a church builder.  I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned to keep your fire burning at all times and all places. How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your tax-deductible gift will help me get my next mission planting off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “Missions Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Listen today as I talk to Matt Newburg from Fort Meyers, Florida.  Matt leads a church in Southwest Florida that has grown from a small group of 30 to over 140.  He talks about the things that have led to consistent growth: ·        Focusing on the “One Thing.” ·        Radical transparency and vulnerability ·        Surrendering control quicker and allowing God to work in all situations. More about Matt: ·        49 years old ·        Married to Deanna since 2001 ·        Baptized in 1992 ·        Father of two girls, 13 and 18 ·        He works as a minister and his wife works as an engineer   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Thanks for listening today.  Pam and I have been able to plant 5 churches and my dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  My next planting target is Green Valley and Sahuarita, Arizona.  This area is one of the fastest growing in Arizona.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will help get this church off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Today, I interview Steve and Charley Stevenson from Orange County, California.  Steve and Charley led a campus ministry in Long Beach California that grew from 25 disciples to 135.  Their leadership training helped put 17 graduates go into the professional ministry.  Find out their secret to spirit-led growth in this episode. How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Join me today as I talk with Nick Galang from Oahu, Hawaii.  Nick and his wife, Shelley, are the interim leaders of the Oahu Church of Christ.  They have stepped in for Nick’s parents, Saun and Anthony Galang.  Listen as Nick shares: ·        What it was like growing up in the Galang household ·        How he met and married his high school sweetheart ·        How he got started as a songleader ·        How he started and runs his own marketing firm in Hawaii ·        What it’s like to work in his business along with his brother, Chris. ·        How his Dad’s advice to “Be Who You Are” has guided his choices in life ·        What gets him up in the morning ·        The importance of “Saying Yes!” to God ·        And a secret surprise in his family   Nick's Company: "Founded in the heart of Honolulu, The Creative Co. is a full-service marketing agency that blends traditional marketing expertise with forward-thinking digital strategies. With 9 years in the industry, we specialize in delivering a broad range of services, from web development and graphic design to branding and search engine optimization. Our mission is to drive success for our clients by crafting unique, creative solutions that harness the power of innovation and ensure their brand's visibility in the digital age." How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    Flagstaff, Arizona.   My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

oday, I read chapter seven of my book, How to Plant and Grow a Church.  The chapter subject is how to raise money.  I’ll be sharing the tips and tools to raise money personally or for your church planting from friends, family and those you don’t know. How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Today, I’m talking to Travis Albritton, founder and host of Honest Podcasts and the Practical Christian Podcast.  Travis worked for a time as a campus minister at Georgia Southern and then worked as a mechanical engineer for Lockheed Martin.  Now he runs his own company helping businesses with strategic content marketing.  His podcast has over 360 episodes.  He lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Listen today as I talk to him about: Why he started a podcast How to start a podcast What are the pitfalls of podcast production What microphone to start with if you're on a budget What he thinks about F.I.R.E (Financial Independence Retire Early) What was his favorite episode of nearly four-hundred podcast episodes How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Today, I talk to Guillermo Adame.  Guillermo and his wife Terry were converted in the Boston Church of Christ and then went on a mission team to Bombay, India in the 1980’s.  Listen to Guillermo share about: ·        What it was like studying the Bible with Kip Mckean ·        Going to Bombay, India as a single man and taking the “One Suitcase Challenge.” ·        The early days of the mission to India in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. ·        How he has juggled the demands of leading the San Diego Church, running his own financial consulting business and taking care of his critically ill wife. ·        How he handled the loss of his wife, Terry, in 2021. ·        How he reconnected with his first Christian girlfriend from 40 years ago and had found new love.   How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast: Make your tax-deductible gift here and look for the "General Funds" option.  https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online How to Reach Rob: Rob@RobSkinner.Com  

Today, I’m talking to Kevin and Noelle Broyles from Atlanta, Georgia.  Kevin left his lucrative medical profession at the peak of his career to spend eight years directing a HOPE medical clinic in La Paz, Bolivia.  Noelle shares about how she lost her leg to cancer as a teen after growing up as an orphan.  Listen as she talks about: Planting SEEDS or “SEE something and Do Something” Practicing “Justice” or “Just Imitate Christ’s Example.” The Bible’s 7-11 store that she goes to pick up the basics of her faith. How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast: Make your tax-deductible gift here and look for the "General Funds" option.  https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online How to Reach Rob: Rob@RobSkinner.Com  

Today I continue reading from my book, “How to Plant and Grow a Church, A Complete Guide for Small Church Growth.”  The chapter deals with the church planter’s marriage and family.  Listen as I discuss: ·        The power of building a “family feel” in your church ·        How to find joy in your marriage ·        The secret ingredient of a happy marriage ·        How to not freak out when your wife says, “We need to talk.” ·        How to balance your passion for the mission with parenting ·        What one thing 5,000 successful families all have in common ·        How to have great family dinners How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast: Make your tax-deductible gift here and look for the "General Funds" option.  https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online How to Reach Rob: Rob@RobSkinner.Com  

Today, I’m talking with Douglas Arthur from Boston, Massachusetts.  I spoke with Doug in 2021 and at that time, he was just starting a new program called “Chance of a Lifetime.”  This program gives people a 15-month paid internship to explore three facets of ministry in a HOPE youth camp, the Boston campus ministry and finally a foreign missionary adventure.  I thought it would be good to check back in with Doug and see how that program as well as the 15 missionary schools that he’s helping to develop globally are doing.   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!  

Today I talk to Ben and Susan Borland, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  I interviewed them on episode 140 in February of 2022.  They are planting a new church in Montevideo, Uruguay in South America.  Listen as they share how they made the decision to go on the foreign mission field in their thirties with three young kids.  They talk about their timeline, finances, team-gathering and how they are preparing for learning a new language.  You can reach Ben at MissionMontevideo@gmail.com or 940-390-7592   ·        The Climb Conference is coming up November 30th-December 3rd in Dallas, Texas.  We already have a ton of people going.  I’m getting emails from Denmark, India, and other places around the world.  You can register at RobSkinner.com if you haven’t already.   ·        If you are looking to find old episodes on the Rob Skinner podcast, just google Rob Skinner Podcast along with the name or subject of the episode.  It’ll take you right to where you want to go.   ·        I’m looking for an assistant to help me with my podcast and website.  If you or someone you know might be interested, email me at RobSkinner.Com   ·        I just went on a scouting trip last week to my next mission target in Sahuarita/Green Valley in Southeastern, Arizona.  Sahuarita is one of the top five fastest growing cities in Arizona.  I’m looking for team members and a church leader to plant that church in September of 2023.  We are looking for families with kids, empty nesters and retirees to plant this beautiful area of Arizona.  If you are looking to preach the word while raising your family, or you want to retire with a purpose, contact me at rob@robskinner.com How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

The Boston Church of Christ recently had an Easter Worship service in which 1,000 guests visited.  This is impressive for a church of 2,200 members.  What makes it remarkable is that an estimated 600 of those were not invited directly by disciples, they found out about it from a social media outreach effort spearheaded by Stuart Mains.  He and his wife, Ashley, lead the downtown ministry of the Boston Church.  Listen today as he talks about how over the past few years, he’s tinkered, experimented and built an online platform to bring seekers into God’s church.  He shares practically and specifically how you can be effective reaching the lost through social media.  I hope you’re doing well.  There are two things I want to let you know about: ·        First of all, thanks for signing up for the Climb Conference, November 30th – December 3rd 2023 in Dallas, Texas.  We already have nearly 100 people registered.  That’s nearly as many as came to the first conference we hosted.  We are praying that this year, we will have over 300 people in attendance.  You can register at RobSkinner.com if you haven’t already. ·        Secondly, My dream is to plant 10 or more churches by 2030.  My next mission target is Sahuarita/Green Valley in Southeastern, Arizona.  Sahuarita is one of the top five fastest growing cities in Arizona.  I’m looking for team members and a church leader to plant that church in the fall of 2030.  We are looking for families with kids, empty nesters and retirees to plant this beautiful area of Arizona.  If you are looking to preach the word while raising your family, or you want to retire with a purpose, contact me at rob@robskinner.com How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Pam and I have been able to plant 5 churches and my dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  My next planting target is Green Valley Arizona.  This area is one of the fastest growing in Arizona.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will help get this church off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online  

Today, my wife, Pam, and I interview Jeanie Shaw, author of 17 books.  She shares about her life and ministry and writing career and how she’s coped with losing her husband, Wyndham.  More about Jeanie Shaw: After graduating from the University of Florida, Jeanie Shaw went into the ministry, helping women learn how to apply the Bible to real life. Over forty-five years later, she is a New Englander continuing to minister. She has taught classes and workshops worldwide on issues such as marriage, parenting, leadership, adoption, and loss. For eight years of those years, she served as a vice-president of HOPE worldwide, working with orphans and the elderly in New England and Europe. She holds a master's degree in Christian Spirituality and Formation and is pursuing her doctorate in the same field. She has four grown children, eight grandchildren, and a tennis-ball-obsessed golden retriever.  You can reach Jeanie at shaw.jeanie@gmail.com   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.    I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.      Portland, Oregon 2.     Anchorage, Alaska 3.     Ashland, Oregon 4.    Tucson, Arizona 5.     and Flagstaff, Arizona.    Thanks for listening today.  Pam and I have been able to plant 5 churches and myy dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  My next planting target is Green Valley Arizona.  This area is one of the fastest growing in Arizona.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will help get this church off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

Have you ever: ·        Felt like there was a gap between what you are experiencing spiritually and what the New Testament describes? ·        Wanted God to speak more directly with you? ·        Wondered if your relationship with God is as deep as it should or can be? ·        Wondered what Jesus was talking about when he describes “springs of living water” flowing from those who believe in God? If so, David Takle in his book: “Forming:  A Work of Grace” talks about how to take your relationship with God to a deeper and more meaningful level.  In this interview he talks about his book and how a person can work with God to build a more interactive and satisfying connection with God.  You can reach David Takle at David@KingdomFormation.org. His course can be found at Forming-Course.Com His books can be found at Amazon.com or humbleshack.net Find out more information at KingdomFormation.org   It’s April 11th, 2023 and I hope you had a fantastic Easter weekend.  Here in Tucson, we were praying to have over 200 in attendance.  Prior to Covid, we had several Easter services of over 300 and yet we haven’t broken 200 in over three years.  God blessed our Sunday service with over 220 in attendance.  We also had our first Spanish-speaking service after our English service.  Angel Armenta is doing a great job leading our Spanish work. ·       We hired a great couple to lead our campus ministry, Coleman and Alexa Gordon.  They moved to Tucson at the end of March. ·       I read a book called “Backpacking with the Saints” and in the book, the author talks about backpacking Aravaipa Canyon in Arizona.  I’ve been wanting to do that since I read about it 6 or seven years ago.  So last week I took my two ministry interns, Kevin Lu and Coleman Gordan and we spent three days and two nights backpacking through 23 miles of Aravaipa creek.  It’s a combination of trail and hiking in the stream.  Our feet were constantly wet and the scenery was staggering.  You have to make reservations because only 10 people per day are allowed to be in the canyon.  It was super bonding, tiring and we made a great memory, walking, talking and praying together. ·       I’m looking forward to the Climb Conference November 3oth in Dallas Texas.  I want to ask you to please register to go.  This Friday, April 15th is the last day to register for the early bird discount of $125 per person.  After that, it will go up to $150 per person.  If you are listening to this podcast, you need to come.  You are the type person who will be inspired and motivated by the fellowship and preaching.  Just go to RobSkinner.Com and look for the Climb Tab.   How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I want to say thank you for supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast.    I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.    My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give. 

Nate Chatellier Today I interview Nate Chatellier an entrepreneur and evangelist who lives with his wife, Megan, and their kids in Spokane, Washington.  Nate has started five multi-million-dollar board game and video game companies and runs them concurrently.  He is a strong disciple and family man and will share today what’s helped him develop his companies and his walk with God. Listen as he shares: The three secrets to being a successful entrepreneur The number one ability that's enabled him to succeed with his startups His family motto that guides his private life His view on the role of emotion and leadership How to raise money in a small church or small business How he started two companies at once after being laid off Reach Nate at nate@nerdninjas.com How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in an effort to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in Portland, Oregon Anchorage, Alaska Ashland, Oregon Tucson, Arizona and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Our first planting is in Sahuarita and Green Valley.  Sahuarita is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona.  We hope to plant that church in the fall of 2023.  Your tax-deductible gift will help get that church off the ground.  Please give today at TucsonChurchofChrist.Org, look for the donate tab and then choose the “general fund” when giving.  Thank you.

Today I interview a 65-year-old semi-retired Chiropractor named Karen Kolarik.  She retired with a purpose to Green Valley Arizona and has converted her Dad, Stepmother and is studying the Bible with a large number of her neighbors currently.  She joined our church during COVID and has been on fire since she arrived.  She reminds me of this scripture in Psalm 92 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,     they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord,     they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age,     they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;     he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”  Karen is still bearing fruit and like Caleb, hasn’t lost her passion in maturity.  If you’ve ever wondered how to be effective as a senior disciple, you need to listen to Karen’s story! Climb Conference Please register today for the Climb Conference!  Now more than ever, you need the practical training, warm encouragement and powerful inspiration that this conference will provide you with.  Whether you are a small church leader, planter, ministry leader or campus leader, you are going to thank yourself for showing up in Dallas, Texas, November 30th through December 3rd.  We have people coming from India, Europe and New Zealand and more are signing up every week.  Sign up today by going to RobSkinner.com and looking for the Climb Conference tab.  How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast Thank you for listening to the Rob Skinner Podcast.  I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic to inspire you to multiply disciples, leaders and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in: 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.   My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online   Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

In this episode I talk with Joel Peed and Joel Nagel, co-planners of the 2023 Climb Conference.  Listen as we talk about what to look forward to at this year’s conference!  We talk about: Who's speaking What the theme is Why you need to be there! How to Support The Rob Skinner Podcast I started this podcast at the beginning of the COVID pandemic to inspire people to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.  I wanted to learn from others and share what I’ve learned over the years.  God has enabled me and my wife Pam to plant churches in 1.     Portland, Oregon 2.   Anchorage, Alaska 3.   Ashland, Oregon 4.   Tucson, Arizona 5.    and Flagstaff, Arizona.  My dream is to plant at least five more churches by the year 2030.  Your support will help me to turn that dream into reality.  Your tax-deductible gift will be given to get those churches off the ground.  Please give today at: https://tucsoncoc.breezechms.com/give/online    Please look for and select the “General Fund” when you give.  Thank you!

In this episode, I read from chapter five of my book on How to Plant and Grow a Church.  I’ll be talking about how to plant a church with financial backing as opposed to a self-supporting model.  I’ll cover: ·        How to form a team ·        What to do in the 90 days prior to the planting ·        How to have a massive first service ·        How to make your church services “Guy Friendly” ·        And how to schedule your time as a church planter and leader   I just personally registered today for the Climb Conference!  I didn’t want to miss the early bird discount being offered right now.  Joel Peed and Joel Nagel, my co-planners, are meeting in Dallas this next week to mastermind a great conference.  We already have Shawn Wooten, Dave Bliley and Daren Overstreet committed and we are looking forward to having a full slate of great speakers.  I’ll let you know more about the conference once I meet with Joel and Joel.  I want to ask you to register now for this conference.  Do yourself a favor and sign up.  I haven’t met a single participant who regretted coming and learning at the past two conferences.  Now more than ever, you need the practical training, warm encouragement and powerful inspiration that this conference will provide you with.  Whether you are a small church leader, planter, ministry leader or campus leader, you are going to thank yourself for showing up in Dallas, Texas, November 30th through December 3rd.  We have people coming from India, Europe and New Zealand and more are signing up every week.  Sign up today by going to RobSkinner.com and looking for the Climb Conference tab. 

In this episode I talk to Rubik and Fiona Ghalustians.  They are disciples baptized in the eighties in London.  They both worked secular jobs until 2020 when they were asked for the first time to go into the ministry and go on mission to Glasgow, Scotland.  They moved there at the beginning of the pandemic to strengthen the church and raise up native leaders to replace those who had left. In a little over two years, they doubled the 20-year-old church to nearly forty members and raised up a full-time local couple to lead the church.  Listen as they share:     Their “One Person a Day” motto     The importance of finishing like you start     Three proverbs that have guided them to raise three kids to follow Christ     The secret of doing ministry after working secular jobs Please register for the Climb Conference!  Go to RobSkinner.Com and register today!

In this episode, I talk to Preston and Sandie Shepherd.  In 1989, they planted a church in Manila, Philippines that experienced 400 baptisms in its first year.  The Manila church is now one of the larger churches in our fellowship of churches and continues to expand and multiply churches throughout that country.  Preston and Sandie share: How they formed the team What they did the first 30 days What they'd do differently What shocked and surprised them What helped them see strong growth Please register for the Climb Conference at RobSkinner.com!  Dallas Texas, November 30th through December 3rd, 2023.  See you there!

In this episode, I read from my book, How to Plant and Grow a Church, and finish Chapter 4:  How to plant a church Bi-Vocationally or Self-Supporting. You can find this book on Amazon.  Please read it and review it!

This week I interview Kyle Plum from San Diego, California.  I hired Kyle to come to Tucson and “tune up” our campus ministry and preach to the church.  Listen as Kyle shares about the state of campus ministries in our movement and what they need to grow.   If you are enjoying this podcast, I’d like to ask your help and support through one of the following: ·        Hit the subscribe button ·        Post the episode and its link on your favorite social media site ·        Read my books: o   How to plant and grow a church o   Courage:  How to make this life count ·        If you’ve read one of my books please leave a review on Amazon!  

Today I’m talking to Anthony and Saun Galang from Honolulu, Hawaii.  They met in the Bay Area and went on the mission team to Manila, Philippines and later led ministries in Thailand, Los Angeles and most recently Hawaii.  Listen as they share: How they met What it was like giving up medical careers for the ministry And what their secret is to raising a spiritual family   More about Saun and Anthony: Anthony and Saun Galang bring over 36 years of ministry experience having served the Lord and His church since the mid-1980s. They became Christians in the Berkeley Church of Christ, Saun being converted as a nursing student from the University of San Francisco and Anthony as a senior from U.C. Berkeley. God has used them to serve around the world in ministries, which include San Francisco, the Philippines, Thailand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Los Angeles and currently in Hawaii, where they serve as an elder/evangelist/women’s ministry leader. Along with finishing his Masters in Ministry Leadership from Rockbridge Seminary in 2018, Anthony serves on the Board for Disciples Today and Saun is the Board President for the Asia Pacific Missions Foundation (APMF), which serves and supports the mission work in the Philippines and Myanmar. They have two wonderful, adult boys, who are both disciples and married. Nick and his wife, Shelley, serve as Youth Ministers in Oahu and Chris and his wife, Christiane, serve in the Teen and Young Professionals ministry.

In this episode, I read the first half of chapter four of my book, “How to Plant and Grow a Church.”  This chapter explains how to plant a church Bi-vocationally or self-supported.  If you’ve ever considered leading a church while still working a secular job or if Covid has led you to a more remote part of the world, you need to listen to this chapter.  As more disciples live the life of a digital nomad, the opportunity to spread the gospel only grows.  God might be calling you to plant a church where you are at right now.  Find out how to do it!

In this episode, I interview Austen and Sarah Bolves, who are leaving soon to do missionary work in Germany.  They share how they determined God's calling to go overseas, how they prepared for the mission and what motivates them to leave the comfort of their current situation for the foreign mission field. I hope you are planning on going to the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas Texas, November 30th through December 3rd, 2023.     

In this episode I interview Shawn Wooten, leader of the Revive Eastern Europe (ReviveEE) Program and find out what’s been happening with the ReviveEE program and his relief work for Ukraine.  Listen as Shawn talks about: Creating the "Merry Berry" Church of Christ in a coffee shop during Covid How they had weekly baptisms during the height of the refugee flood escaping the Ukraine Their plans to continue strengthening churches in Eastern Europe and specifically, Bucharest, Romania How you can participate in a 10-month mission to Eastern Europe You can reach Shawn at shawnsborsch@outlook.com  

In this episode, I interview Elizabeth Laing Thompson.  Elizabeth is the author of five non-fiction books and has a sixth soon to be published.  Her books have broken out into the mainstream Christian market and are selling in the tens of thousands.  You may have heard of: All the Feels for Teens All the Feels When God Says, “Wait” When God Says, “No" When God Says, “Go” Listen as she shares: How she got started writing What it was like growing up the oldest daughter of Sam and Geri Laing How to get started as an author How to build a platform through social media How to handle rejection How she has broken into the mainstream Christian market. Books: All the Feels for Teens All the Feels When God Says, “Wait” When God Says, “No" Author site:   ElizabethLaingThompson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/alizzylifeInstagram: @elizabethlaingthompson

Listen today as I read chapter three of my book “How to Plant and Grow a Church:  A Complete Manual for Small Church Growth”  Do you have what it takes to plant a church or go on a mission team?  This chapter describes the personal qualities necessary to be become a church planter or missionary. 

In this episode, I interview Brian and Abby Mackie, who lead the church in Flagstaff, Arizona.  I traveled up to Flagstaff in early December to appoint them or ordain them as an evangelist and women’s ministry leader.  I look forward to discussing their path to leadership in God’s Kingdom. I hope you are planning on going to the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas Texas, November 30th through December 3rd, 2023.  Also, if you have a desire to lead, plant or lead a church or become an evangelist or women’s ministry leader I have something you should consider: I’m looking to hire for the following positions: If you want to become a church leader in the future but need more experience in the basics of ministry and want someone to walk with you, I’m looking for male and female interns who will start on campus and graduate to church planting or leadership. If you are ready to lead a campus ministry right now, I’m looking for a couple to lead the University of Arizona campus ministry. We’d like you to join us immediately and then in the fall, you will assume the leadership of the campus. Finally, if you already have ministry or church leadership experience and you’re just waiting your shot to lead your own church, we are looking for an experienced couple of any age to lead a church planting in the Tucson Metropolitan area. Please let me know if you or someone you know are interested in this opportunity.  Email me at Rob@robskinner.com Questions: You recently got appointed as evangelist and women's ministry leader, how'd it feel? Abby, you started with the one year challenge, were you planning on becoming a WML? Brian, your Mom said she raised you to serve, not to lead a church.  Are you surprised to be leading a church? Who has helped you along the way and how? What has helped you? What are the pitfalls to avoid? You weren't considering yourself for the leadership of flagstaff, why not? What advice would you give for a younger person who wants a shot?

Listen today as I read from chapter two of my book, “How to Plant and Grow a Church:  A Complete Manual for Small Church Growth.”  I will talk about the power of church planting and why it’s more important than ever.

In this episode I talk with Kevin Lu, Felipe Moraes and Ed Mejia about their experience in the "ministry incubator."

Listen today as I talk to Jeff and Amanda Henderson, missionaries to Sao Paolo, Brazil.  They share: How Jeff overcame a major setback in his ministry career Why and how they made the decision to move onto the mission field in their thirties How they’ve stepped into leading the church in Sao Paolo How God is working to bring revival to the church in Sao Paolo More about Jeff and Amanda: Jeff and Amanda Henderson currently serve as the lead evangelist and women's minister with our congregation in São Paulo, Brazil.  They also serve as the Directors of the Brasil School of Missions.   Before moving to Brasil, Jeff and Amanda served for 15 and 10 years respectively in San Antonio, TX in campus, singles, youth and regional ministry.  They have been married 11 years and have 3 kids - Millicent (6), Juniper (5) and Trey (3).  When not wrangling kiddos or drinking good coffee, Jeff and Amanda love to travel and occasionally sleep.

Today, I interview Shane and Victoria McDowell from Stockholm, Sweden.  Listen as they share: How they made their decision to go on the foreign mission field. How they didn’t really like each other for five years and then ended up getting married. How Shane has type one diabetes and still went overseas to preach the word. What has been most challenging and rewarding for them in Stockholm. What it’s like to enjoy only six hours of sunlight a day during the winter

If you’ve ever considered planting a church, leading in the ministry full or part-time, then you need to read my book, “How to Plant and Grow a Church.”  This book is a complete manual for small church growth.  In this episode I read the introduction and chapter one and talk about the motivation to plant or lead a church. It’s mid-December, 2022 and I hope you are enjoying all the banquets, parties and events that characterize Christmas.  Here’s what’s been going on with me: Pam and I went up and appointed Brian and Abby Mackie as an evangelist and women’s ministry leader in Flagstaff, Arizona. They’ve done a great job getting that church off the ground and have grown it from a eight disciples to around 45 in a little over a year. I hope to interview them and talk about their journey on an upcoming episode. I’m looking forward to the Climb Conference November 30th, 2023. Please make plans to go. I’m looking for a replacement couple for Kevin and Erica Lu on campus at the University of Arizona. They leave in September 2023 to go to Revive EE.  If you are interested in becoming a church planter, Evangelist or women’s leader, I’d like to ask you to email me and let’s talk about our ministry incubator program.  I’m looking for someone who wants to start on campus and then in time lead their own church.  The unique aspect of this program is that you’ll have someone to walk with.  I spent four days a week on campus this last fall with Kevin and Erica, Felipe and Ed and walked with them.  I met someone personally, studied with them and baptized them.  If you are looking for spiritual training or know someone who is, please email me at Rob@RobSkinner.com.  This is a paid position. I’m also looking for adults who would like to lead a small church in a suburban setting. I’m praying to plant churches around the Tucson Metropolitan area and am looking for a married couple with kids, empty nesters or retirees who’d be interested in doing mission work in the Tucson metro area.  Email me at Rob@robskinner.com

Today, I interview Leslie McCall and Jeff Hernandez.  Leslie helps women who are dealing with a husband, fiancé or boyfriend who is wrestling with pornography or sexual addiction.  Listen as Leslie and Jeff talk about: How to confront a person who’s is trapped in sexual addiction How to overcome the fear of change How to deal with gaslighters, anger and counterattackers How you can’t forgive unless you know what you’re forgiving How to deal with self-blame Questions: How’d you and Jeff meet? How’d you become a Christian? Jeff shared his story in a previous episode, why’d you get involved in coaching women whose husbands struggle with addiction? How do you know when your husband has an issue? What do you do when you find something? How do you confront the situation? What if your husband’s a gaslighter, defensive or angry? What are seeing in people’s lives? What are women dealing with? In the past, women in church were told either: Be more sexually available or: Leave your husband What are a woman’s options? How do you deal with self-blame? Jeff, you’ve said that “Men set better boundaries.” Can you explain? What do you do if your husband is in a high profile position and you are afraid he may lose his job or status? What services do you provide? What does the program look like? Is there hope after recovery? Can a marriage be repaired? Are there any good news stories or examples? You can contact Leslie here:  Leslie@lovingwingsrecovery.com

I watched a recent Keydogo video in which a couple from the Gold Coast of Australia, Rob and Katie Mulhearn, shared that both their church and the entire South Pacific and Australian churches had doubled in size.  I was fired up to hear that good news but I wanted to find out how they did it.  So I asked Rob and Katie to share what has helped them to take their church from 37 to 75 members over the past five years.  What’s amazing is that the church had plateaued at around 37 for 16 years prior to their arriving in Gold Coast.  Listen as they share: What’s helped them to grow What their weekly schedule looks like How they stay connected relationally in vast area of the world How they manage the ministry with two toddlers and one on the way How imitation and friendly accountability helps them stay focused If you are enjoying this podcast, I’d like to ask your help and support through one of the following: Hit the subscribe button Post the episode and its link on your favorite social media site Read my books: How to plant and grow a church Courage: How to make this life count If you’ve read one of my books please leave a review on Amazon! Come to the Climb Conference in Dallas at the end of 2023!

Come to the 2023 Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas! I hope you'll be able to make it and will set aside money in your budget for you and as many as possible from your staff and church to go. What? Climb Small Church Leadership Conference When? Thursday, November 30 through Sunday, December 3, 2023 How much? $129 per night for lodging and $100 per person registration. Registration will open soon. Who is it for? Full-time or bi-vocational ministers, missionaries, self-supporting leaders and those who aspire to leadership in the future. The 2019 conference had a little over 100 guests, 2021 had over 200 guests and we are anticipating around 400 in attendance in 2023. You don't want to miss this! Why? The Climb Conference is designed to help you and your ministry grow. We want to work together with you to multiply disciples, leaders and churches. Where? Dallas, Texas, USA. Same hotel and conference center as the 2021 conference. Please save the date in your ministry calendar and set aside the funds to make the trip to Dallas in 2023. Please try to stay from Thursday through Sunday. Need more information? Have questions? Please contact Rob Skinner at Rob@RobSkinner.com In this episode I talk about the secrets to making the holiday season memorable, fun and spiritual. I love the holidays and I hope and pray this is your best holiday season so far.  I wanted to share with 20+ tips I’ve learned to prepare for a great holiday season. Create, Print and Post a plan Resolve any relational tension prior to the holidays Fast in preparation for the holidays Make shopping for yourself easy, give people a list of ideas Give yourself full permission to enjoy yourself: Declare a feasting and celebration period Plan activities that bring people together Plan out a nativity play for young kids Write thank you notes and have your kids participate Talk about and set a spending cap on Christmas Develop shopping traditions Use a gift drawing Solicit everyone’s input Getaway if no one is coming home Plan a vacation after your “vacation” Do something to help people Have a spiritual vacation, but don’t take a vacation spiritually Bring out the Bible Go to church wherever you are Plan your viewing in advance Keep your computer public   Skinner Family Thanksgiving Plan 2022 Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 5:00 pm, Meet at 3505 E Calle Alarcon Scripture, reflection and prayer: Rob and Pam Dinner at In-N-Out Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring Thursday, November 24th, 2022 Golf at 7:30 am Football Viewing at 12:00 Thanksgiving Dinner at 3:00 pm Scripture, Gratitude Sharing with Felipe and Anne Walk Discussion: Christmas Gift Giving Movie: The Two Towers Friday, November 25th, 2022 Breakfast out at a bakery Scripture and prayer, James Day trip, shopping, etc. Dinner at Home with leftovers Scripture and Prayer, David Movie: The Return of the King Thanksgiving officially ends You can reach me at Rob@robskinner.com

On this episode I answer the question: “How Can Our Family of Churches Grow to 1,000,000+ by the year 2050?”  Listen as I offer ten ideas for seeing our churches grow and flourish in the coming decades.    Transcript: How can the Kingdom grow to 1,000,000+ by 2050? One of my dreams is to help the Kingdom grow to 1,000,000+ by 2050.  I’ll be 85 in 2050.  According to the life expectancy calculator provided by Social Security, I’ve got 25 more years.  That’ll take me to 82.  However, my Mom just died this year at the age of 97, so I might just make it to 85.  Here’s what I’d like to see when I’m 85: I want to see churches all over the world in every large city, every mid-sized city and every small town.  I want to go to conferences that number in the 100’s of thousands.  I look forward to the day when meeting a new disciple, it takes more than a few degrees of separation to find someone we both know.  I look forward to the day when young disciples, in their early and mid-twenties are leading mission teams to new locations and seeing their churches grow.  I look forward to the day when every large metropolitan area has kingdom churches in every city within that metropolis.  I want to see a fired-up, growing family of churches that no matter where you go to visit, you’ll find a warm welcome and common culture of passion for Jesus, love for each other and a drive to grow spiritually.  That’s the church I was baptized into and that’s the church I want to die in.  How can we do this?  Here’s some ideas: Revive the pillar church planting strategy. In the early days of our movement, the idea was to plant a church in the major metropolitan centers of our world and then from there plant churches to that region.  That is why Paul could say in Romans 15:19, “So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” And in 15:17, “23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.”  He hadn’t reached every person in the Mediterranean coastal area he had traveled.  Far from it.  However, he had planted churches in key regional cities; places like Ephesus and Philippi and Corinth.  He wanted to use Rome as a jumping off point to reach a new area in Spain.  Our family of churches has done an amazing job in getting churches to the metropolitan centers of the world.  The year 2000 plan was nearly accomplished in getting a church to every city of at least 1,000 in every country.  However, we need to fulfill that original plan.  The goal was from those metropolitan cities each smaller city and town would be reached.  We have so far to go in reaching small and mid-sized cities cities and towns in the areas we’ve already planted churches in.  The first stage might be completed, but in order to evangelize the world, we need move on to regional saturation. We need to redefine the goal to get one church in every city in every metropolitan area. The creed guiding our planting philosophy is one church in one city.  However, the way that has come to be interpreted is one church in one metropolitan area.  If we actually held to the idea of once church in one city, we would open the door to so much more growth.  For instance, according to Wikipedia, there are 88 cities in Los Angeles County each with a mayor and a city council.  That’s only in Los Angeles County.  The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area is composed of five counties with a multitude of distinct cities within them.  What if we had a kingdom church in each one of those cities?  I’m reminded of Paul’s command to Archippus in Col 4:17,  “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”  I feel the burden to complete the ministry God gave me when he brought me to Tucson.  To reach the city and metropolitan area of 1.3 million souls.  I’m working on a plan to get churches to all the nearby cities and areas in this metropolitan area.  I want to see 10 or more churches planted by the year 2030.  My plan is to form a team of disciples and find a leader or leadership couple who wants to plant a new church.  I would move to that neighboring city or area with the leader and team and walk with him for a year or two.  I would still be leading the church here in Tucson but would live in that mission area and disciple that leader as he gets it off the ground.  After that I would move to another city or area not more than a 30 minute drive from the main Tucson church.  The church planting would not be a region or zone or house church but an independent church connected by a common love for God and his church.  We would work together to help get the entire metropolitan area reached.  I dream of the day when there are ten or more churches around this area of 1,000,000+ metro area.  We could have a church for each 100,000 people.  That would be awesome! We need to emphasize small church planting. Large churches grow slower.  They are amazing resource centers for wisdom, experience, money and manpower, but as a church grows larger, it becomes dramatically more difficult to grow a larger church.  More manpower and money is needed to simply maintain the membership that exists.  Leaders who lead large 500 member plus churches are going full-tilt to help their church grow.  But friction develops once a church grows past a certain size.  A positive example of this is the Flagstaff, Arizona church planting.  That church was planted last year in the summer of 2021.  It was composed of eight faithful disciples who had kept the torch burning dimly for several decades.  When Brian and Abby Mackie led the team and started the church it grew from that eight member kingdom frontier outpost to a thriving current membership of nearly 50 members in a little over a year.  It’s just easier to grow a small church than a larger church.  Raise up and send younger church leaders. Many of our existing churches were planted in the eighties and nineties by disciples who were in their mid-twenties, often just graduated from college.  I remember meeting evangelists who were in their mid-thirties and thinking, that guy’s old!  Today, a new leader is lucky if he can be appointed an evangelist by forty.  One of the reasons is many young leaders haven’t been given the opportunity to go out and plant a church or lead a small church on their own.  The rate of learning in a planting or small church is dramatically faster than leading in a region of an existing church.  Why?  The missionary has to do everything, every facet of church leadership.  He’ll make a ton of mistakes, but he’ll learn campus, singles and married leadership.  He’ll figure out children’s ministry, administration, location finding, contracts and event planning.  There is nothing he won’t face during the time he’s in that small church.  I was appointed an evangelist at the age of twenty five and I didn’t consider it unusual or premature.  Why?  I’d already planted a church in Portland, Oregon and had learned the exciting way what it takes to run a congregation. Promote the missionary gap year in our churches. The Mormon church is one of the fastest growing churches in the world.  Despite a doctrine that I would more closely associate with science fiction or fantasy novel, it has mastered a number of very effective practices that outweigh any doctrinal deficiencies.  For example they emphasize family building and expect every member to tithe.  However, the one I find the most worthy of imitation is their practice of sending off missionaries immediately after high school.  In 2019, the LDS church sent out 67,000 eighteen and nineteen year olds on mission around the world.  This has so many benefits including: It creates strong convictions in young disciples The years after high school are often the most tumultuous and tempting for many young disciples. Those who come back from a mission at 20 have matured and changed in those two years. We offer adventure and travel to our kids. You don’t need to be 30 to teach the gospel. The first principles series can be absorbed and taught by teens. It creates a youth culture that shares a common foundation of sacrifice for Christ. When my son James graduated high school in 2013, I helped him arrange a missionary year spent in Tokyo, Japan.  We went back to where he was born, refreshed his Japanese, climbed Mount Fuji, made friends, made disciples and came back a transformed young man.  What if we had a core of high-school graduates going on mission for one or two years?  We’d see the churches grow where they went, they themselves would grow and they’d come back firmly convinced in their faith. Examine and change our biases against smaller cities, towns and areas. One mindset that keeps us from taking the next step to a million or more disciples is the prejudice against small and medium sized cities and towns.  For many disciples, anything less than three million people in population is considered a “hick town” or the backwoods.  By that yardstick ancient Rome, with an estimated population of 1,000,000 in 100 AD,  would be considered a “flyover” city or a backwater.  I remember talking with a leader about my desire to save my homestate of Oregon.  He laughed and said, “Why would you want to go there?  There are more trees than people in Oregon!”  I’m glad I didn’t adopt his mindset.  Shortly after that I moved back to my hometown of 20,000 people and started a church without any financial backing.  I wasn’t thinking about how large or small the area was, I was thinking, I have to save my family at any cost to myself.  Current technology enables us to work remotely, stay connected and live anywhere we choose to.  There has never been a better time to reach every area for Jesus. Tap into our deep well of experienced leadership. There are so many former and current leaders sitting in the audience of churches around the world on any given Sunday.  Many of those could lead a church starting tomorrow.  Many disciples converted in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s are now at the peak of their careers or planning for retirement.  While it’s wise to plan for financial retirement, it’s foolish to retire spiritually.  If you are 50 or sixty, you will probably live another 20 to 40 years.  That’s like a second career.  What if you used that to go on a mission team, strengthen a small church or lead a planting or small church.  There are churches all over who would love to have your level of experience benefit their congregation.  This could be the most effective and fruitful period of your life.  I love this scripture from Psalm 92:12-15:  The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,     they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord,     they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age,     they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;     he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” You can be fruitful at whatever age you are right now.  I have been going on campus four days a week this entire fall semester.  I’m studying the Bible with young men I’ve personally met.  Not one has indicated that 57 is too old for them learn from.  Ken and Debby Burford retired from his law practice and led the Flagstaff mission outpost for seven years before the mission team was sent there.  They were the indispensable couple to lead and maintain that group of disciples until reinforcements came. Gary Roberson is leading a church in Hilo, Hawaii with his wife, Christy.  He graduated from Harding University fifty years ago and he’s still preaching the Word and raising up a younger man in Brad Tamashiro. You could do the same.  Don’t head to the gated community, the fenced in compound, go to the mission field and make your life count. Create a spring of mission funding. When I was a baby Christian, every Sunday I would look around to a young Congregation.  Tom Brown, my church leader was “old” at 35 years old.  Now when I visit other churches, it’s like going to a Journey concert, the people I see have graying or gray hair.  What we may lack in youthfulness, we make up for in money.  Most of those who form the backbone of our churches are in their prime earning years.  We have the money for missions.  We’ve never had more financial ability than we have right now to expand our churches to 1,000,000 and more.  What it will take is an intentional focus on funding new leaders training and new churches.  This is where money multiplies in souls saved.  When we planted the church in Flagstaff we held a special thank you dinner for mission supporters, those who had given exceptionally large gifts to get the church off the ground.  Though some couldn’t make it to the dinner, one did whom I’ll never forget.  It was Andrew Shay from Dallas, Texas.  He and his wife Leia had listened to this podcast, heard about the team and without solicitation sent a large gift.  His money has multiplied five times over the last year in the form of souls saved and growth in disciples.  What makes Andrew unique is that he’s not yet 30 years old.  What if every disciple who mature and well-employed had that same intentionality to advance the Kingdom.  We could get to 1,000,000+ or more disciples by 2050. Take a year off to advance the mission. Todd and Karen Schulz took a sabbatical year from teaching to serve in the mainland China churches.  They shared about their experience in my book, “Courage:  How To Make This Life Count.”  They spent time with Kelcy and JaLaine Hahn and it refreshed their walk with Christ.  You could do the same.  If you’re considering a break or if you’re in between jobs, why not go on mission domestically or overseas?   Go overseas to do mission work. It’s no secret that the fastest growing churches are not located in Europe or the United States.  The areas that are responding to the gospel most readily are generally located south of the equator, places like Central and South America, Africa, Indonesia and other developing areas.  If you’re frustrated in your outreach, why not go overseas to save souls.  You can learn the language and share the gospel as you do.  You’ll be in a region that is experiencing more ready acceptance of the gospel.  The spiritul soil is better in many of these areas.  I’ve never regretted going to Japan for ten years with my family.  I feel for those who haven’t had the opportunity to experience a different culture and serve overseas.  If you’re thinking about it, I want to offer you some advice:  There is never going to be an opportune time.  If you’ve been thinking about Shawn Wooten’s ReviveEE, sign up and go.  If you’ve considered going to help the churches in South Asia or Southeast Asia, just go.  If you’ve wanted to go to China, make it happen.  It will never be easy, it will never be convenient.  You will have to uproot and go and you will never regret doing it.    We can grow to 1,000,000+ disciples.  I have many more ideas on how to accomplish it and I look forward to sharing more in future episodes,  but it starts with you, with this group of listeners.  You’re listening because you want to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, you want to make this life count, you want to live a no-regrets life.  Together we can do this.  It always starts with a few people determined to make a difference.  Why couldn’t we see our family of churches grow from 100,000+ disciples to 1,000,000+ disciples over the next 30 years.  That would be something to live and die for. I’d like to hear from you about this topic.  Email me at rob@robskinner.com and let me know what your ideas are, how we can get to 1,000,000+ disciples and I’ll share your thoughts on a later episode.   If you are enjoying this podcast, I’d like to ask your help and support through one of the following: Hit the subscribe button Post the episode and its link on your favorite social media site Read my books: How to plant and grow a church Courage: How to make this life count If you’ve read one of my books please leave a review on Amazon! Pray for me and for the church here in Tucson. My goal is to inspire you to Make this life count. Live a “no-regrets” life Multiply disciples, leaders and churches; Have a great day and Make This Life Count!

In this episode, I talk to Daren Overstreet, former leader of the Seattle Church of Christ and now leader of the church in Tampa, Florida.  He’s written a book entitled, “Wildfire:  How Progressive Theology is Impacting the Church.”  Listen as he shares: What Progressive Theology is and how to spot it How it's creeping into and changing our churches What is the church's role in creating social justice? What is Critical Theory? How to guard the gospel amid a changing culture How to discuss "Hot Topics" in church  Buy Daren's book "Wildfire" at IPI Books or Amazon.com   More About Daren and Karla Overstreet: Daren and Karla have been in the ministry for 26 years, having served most of them in the Pacific Northwest.  They have been married for 30 years and have 3 adult children.  Daren holds a master's degree in Missional Theology.  They enjoy long walks, spending time with their kids, playing golf and eating lots of sushi.   Interview Questions: Questions: How'd you become a Christian? How'd you meet Carla? Why'd you write your book? How have you seen progressive theology impact our family of churches? You mentioned that progressive theology uses a lot of words that are difficult to keep up with, what did you mean? You said, "We are being trained to speak the language of the world within the context of the church.  And it's intentional."  What did you mean? You talked about Social A justice and Social B Justice.  What's the difference and why does it matter? There seems to be the idea that unless churches follow progressive theology and "get up to date." the church will suffer.  You make the claim that the only way a church will grow is to resist that tendency to conform. Why? Why is it so hard to stand up to progressive theology? Where can a person find your book, "Wildfire?"

Listen today as I talk to Kevin and Erica Lu, currently living in Tucson, Arizona.  They discuss: How they met on the Asian mission field How Kevin overcame his shyness to become a bold preacher  What they experienced getting persecuted and kicked out of the country they were reaching out in What they are doing on campus at the University of Arizona to revive that ministry in the wake of COVID The changes they've had to make returning from the foreign mission field  There advice for those who want to do missionary work overseas

Today I talk to Chris and Amy Schwartzenberger who lead the church in Spokane, Washington.  Chris and Amy share about: Losing Amy’s Dad to suicide her senior year of college How Amy has faced mental health crises and lives and works with an ongoing mental health condition Amy’s near-death experience delivering her third child How Chris started a thriving campus ministry in a town of 20,000 people What it took for Chris to become an evangelist  How they’ve managed to adjust and grow through their challenges together while serving God in the ministry

Thanks for listening!  If you are enjoying the content, please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Listen today as I talk to Andy and Staci Yeatman from Northern Virginia, USA.  After working together in the full-time ministry, Andy spent two decades working for the government in a position that took him to some of the most dangerous war zones on the planet.  Andy and Staci talk about: “War Zone Discipleship” How to make your relationship with God, spouse and kids flourish while you are away from them for months at a time Habits they’ve developed to make sure their relationships grow Staci shares what she learned from her parents, Al and Gloria Baird How to maintain connection and bonds of love with adult children All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  If you are enjoying the content, Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Join me today as I talk to Chris and Megan Zillman from Denver, Colorado.  Listen as they share: How they were converted as a dating couple out of the world Their view of dating “guidelines” How they build healthy campus ministries in the 2020’s What their objectives are for a 30+ year old church in Denver How to raise a family of five and enjoy the ministry at the same time What Chris was talking about in his lesson at the ILC in Orlando   All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

In this episode, I talk to Leke and Marielos Lewu, from Miami, Florida.  They lead an 80-student campus ministry focused on Florida International University and the University of Miami.  Listen as they talk about: How they consistently have 25 baptisms every year Their ministry philosophy and their “Five-‘F’s” How to reach student athletes How to integrate a ministry of kingdom kids and those without a church background How they stay inspired after years of campus ministry What Marielos learned from getting her Masters degree Their dreams to send out 50 missionaries in 10 years and using athletics to impact underserved kids Their “Today List” to make each day count

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner On this episode I talk to Kip and Bethany Harms from San Luis Obispo, California.  Kip and Bethany have planted many churches and have served in churches all over the US.  Most recently they took over a church that hadn’t had professional leadership in fifteen years and helped it grow by 50% since they took over.  Listen as they talk about how to: Overcome setbacks and disappointment in the ministry How to keep the passion burning for Christ at all ages What they’ve learned after planting many new churches How to approach, lead and make grow a church that has experienced division and lack of professional leadership for years More about Kip and Bethany: Kip and Bethany were married in Boston, and sent out on the Honolulu mission planting in 1989 as interns. In 1991 they planted the Hilo church on the Big Island of Hawaii. In 1993 they were asked to move to Los Angeles to plant a Church in Santa Barbara. They also planted churches in San Luis Obispo and helped lead in the East Region until 2003. Kip and Bethany moved to Harrisburg Pa in 2003 and worked secular jobs until 2007. At that time they were asked to return to the ministry and lead a Church planting to Penn State Univ. In 2011 they were asked to lead the Church in Salt Lake City. In 2016 They moved to help the work in Los Angeles. Then in 2018 They were asked to lead the church in San Luis Obispo. Kip and Bethany have two sons and one daughter, all are married. They are expecting their first grand baby girls in December.

Today I’m talking to AT and Marci Arneson.  They lead the church in Chicago, Illinois and also chair the Catalyst Committee of the International Churches of Christ.  In this episode they talk about: Their conversion and ministry career How they converted 14 people in the first year of their faith What the Catalyst Committee does What it decided at the World Discipleship Summit What it means that Jesus is Lord-period versus Jesus is Lord…if… How to stay idealistic in an increasingly cynical world How to tackle high tension situations The future and challenges of the International Churches of Christ More about AT and Marci: AT and Marci Arneson are currently in their 15th year serving as Evangelist and Women's Ministry Leader for the Chicago Church of Christ. Converted in the Milwaukee Church of Christ in 1992, AT and Marci just recently celebrated 30 years as Christians. AT and Marci went on their first date at 15 years old. In June of this year they celebrated 31 years of marriage. The Arnesons have two adult children; Jessica (age 30) and Stephen (age 28).    Prior to entering the full-time ministry, Marci began her professional career as an elementary school teacher. Marci has been theologically trained through the Midwest Institute of Ministry and the Harding Graduate School of Religion. She also holds certifications as a volunteer for victims of human trafficking in the city of Chicago. AT holds a master's degree in Rhetoric from Marquette University as well as a theological master's degree from the Harding Graduate School of Religion.  Overall the Arnesons have served 29 years in the full-time ministry.    AT and Marci have a deep passion for all of the adventures that come with serving God and His people. The Arnesons led the church planting to Columbus, Ohio in 1996, have been deeply involved in European missions nearly all of their Christian lives and have led on many different levels in Chicago and across the Midwest. Additionally, they have helped train and appoint many elders and elders wives, evangelists, women's ministry leaders and teachers. In recent years their focus has more and more turned to the raising up of the next generations of leaders under their purview. 

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today, I’m talking to Kyle Plum.  Kyle leads a campus ministry in San Diego, California.  He started his campus ministry in 2018 with five disciples on a commuter campus and grew it to fifty within a few years.  He had sixteen baptisms in his first semester on campus.  In this episode he talks about: What led him into the ministry What he learned playing division one college football The influence of going on a mission team to Corpus Christi, Texas His views on the “cancel culture” inside and outside of the church Three ways to get your campus ministry revived and growing All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! More about Kyle Plum: Kyle Plum was born in 1994 and grew up in San Diego, CA. His mom and dad are an elder and elder's wife there in the San Diego Church. He has 2 brothers and a sister who are all faithful to the LORD. Kyle became a Christian on January 19, 2014 after his first semester at Colorado State University. He studied the bible over winter break and was baptized the day before he flew back for the spring semester. He played college football at Colorado State and studied Kinesiology. After 2 years in Fort Collins, he transferred to Texas A&M-Kingsville and was a part of the 25 person mission team to plant the church in Corpus Christi, TX. It was also during this time that he began to date his wife, Monique. He finished playing football there and graduated in 2017. During that final semester in school, Kyle felt called to go into the full time ministry and was hired in 2018. Later that year he married Monique. They have two beautiful daughters, Kaliah (2) and Alina (4 months). Currently, Kyle leads the Northside College Ministry in the North Region of the San Diego Church and helps oversee the congregational campus in San Diego. He has dreams someday of going overseas to plant a church on foregin soil.   You can reach Kyle at kyleplum1@gmail.com

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Join me today as I talk to Gordon Ferguson.  Gordon has served as an Evangelist, Elder, Teacher and Author.  He talks about: His journey to Christ The secret to his happy marriage with his wife, Theresa How he got connected with the discipling movement What went through his mind as he lay close to death from cancer What he’d do differently if he had his life to do over again What he sees as essential for future growth in our family of churches More About Gordon: Education 1961-1965 Northwestern State University BME (Bachelor of Music Education) 1966-1968 Northwestern State University Graduate Studies (Edu. Admin.) 1970-1972 Preston Road School of Preaching Diploma 1974-1979 Harding School of Theology M.A. (New Testament Studies) Professional Ministry Summary  Over 50 years experience as a ministry staff member.  Served on ministry staff in five different states.  Preached and taught in many states of the US and many foreign countries, including most countries in Continental Europe, a number of countries in Asia and Latin America, Ukraine, and Great Britain.  Instructor in the Preston Road School of Preaching − Dallas, Texas.  Director of the New England/Continental Europe School of Ministry  Dean and teacher in the Ukraine Institute of Ministry and in the Asia-Pacific Leadership Academy.  Director of the Pacific School of Ministry in Los Angeles.  Part-time staff as teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth Church.  Writing: seventeen books, numerous audio and video materials, plus articles and chapters in a number of additional books.  Roles: evangelist, elder and teacher in various locales. Family Wife: Theresa, married 57 years – January 30, 2022 Children: Bryan and Renee (five grandchildren – four grandsons and one granddaughter, ages 16-23) Age: 79 as of October 27, 2021

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, Takeshi Yamazaki, leader of the Tokyo Church of Christ, and Shohei Miyoshi, leader of the Osaka Church of Christ, share: What they took away from the World Discipleship Summit Good news from their churches in Japan What keeps them going as they face the challenge of reaching some of the largest cities in the world Prayer requests for the work in Japan My co-host for this episode is James Skinner.  I interviewed Takeshi in episode 17 and Shohei in episode 105.  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, my wife, Pam, and I recap days three and four of the World Discipleship Summit, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 2nd and 3rd, 2022.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Join us as we review the highlights of the World Discipleship Summit in Orlando, Florida.  Featured on today's program are  Cassandra Campagna, Fayetteville, NC Clara Escudero, Quito, Ecuador Richard Marveldoss, Boston, MA James Skinner, Tucson, AZ Pam Skinner, Tucson, AZ  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, my wife, Pam, and son, James, review the first day of the World Discipleship Summit held in Orlando, Florida on July 31st, 2022.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, Pam and I talk about two areas of building a Rock-Solid Marriage: Family Matters Focus Class #3:   Rock Solid Family and Focus Become the “family man” Your wife needs to feel that you are leading the family and the kids. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a]5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. You are there to train and raise your family. Your wife will respect you as you take care of the family. Time: Family Devotionals Quiet Times with the kids Camping: Read quote from Gary Smalley. Several years ago, we interviewed healthy families across the country and asked them each the same question: "What do you believe is the main reason you are all so close and happy as a family?" What we found amazed us. Each family gave basically the same answer: "We do a lot of activities together." Upon further study, we discovered these families also had one particular activity in common - camping. Instead, we believe the secret to being a close-knit family almost always can be found in camping because two very important things happen. Close-knit relationships result from people sharing numerous experiences. 2. Close relationships form after dealing with difficulties in a positive manner.  There is no substitute for solid time together Plan a camping trip this Winter   Wives Becoming the suitable helper (Pam) Husbands need to feel like their house is their sanctuary. Husbands need to help, but will never do as much as wives around the home. Does your husband feel warm and welcomed when he comes home? Share: When your husband is late, how do you respond when he arrives? “Honey, it is so good to have you back home!” Or… “Where have you been?” Focus The 80/20 rule Know what to start 20% of the things you are doing will be useful to build up your marriage. The other 80% adds little or works against you Write down 3 things that are currently working.  “Keep Doing” Write down 2 things that you would like to start or implement in your life from what we’ve gone over.  “Start Doing” Show your partner. Know what to stop You are busy, swamped. It is hard, if not impossible to add more to your life… Unless you stop doing things you are currently doing. What are some things that you could stop doing that would open up space for love, communication, sex? Netflix binging Too much media Late night computer browsing Porn Golf Video games Big box shopping Drinking too much Overtime Multi-level marketing Day trading You have a routine in place. That will have to change if you want to improve and grow spiritually. Make a stop doing list Write down one thing you could cut to make time for your marriage Pam said: “You’re so busy” Successful marriages have certain habits They are intentional The opportunity you have this weekend is to make a change and build your marriage daily until it becomes habitual. You already do this in other areas, both good and bad: Gym Diet Church Quiet time Date night Sinful habits   Are you ready for a great marriage?   It takes maintenance and attention. You can’t keep expecting more out of your relationship without taking care of it.   Blowing truck engine Let me leave you with a tool that will help you to make each day of your marriage together a masterpiece. If you will work on this over the next 90 days, you will see a huge improvement over time. Next Steps Read The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Practice his “5 Magic Hours:” Partings/Departures – 2 Minutes per day Spend two minutes per day warmly and intentionally departing from your spouse for work, the gym, or social activity. This can include a brief description about the forthcoming appointments or activities that you will encounter during your day. Two minutes per weekday, 10 minutes per week. Six Second Kiss Greetings/Arrivals – 20 Minutes per day At some point shortly after your return home from work or daily activity, spend twenty minutes debriefing about the events of the day. Spending 20 minutes per weekday is 1 hour and 40 minutes per week. Physical Affection – 5 Minutes per day Admiration, Affirmation, & Compliments – 5 Minutes per day Weekly Dates – 2 Hours per week

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today my wife, Pam, and I continue our series on “How to Build a Rock-Solid Marriage.”  Last week we talked about building a rock-solid foundation and this week we are sharing how to build a rock-solid friendship.  Pam and I talk about what we’ve learned and what’s worked for us in 32 happy years of marriage.  Listen as we talk about: Listening rather than fixing How lap talks can take your marriage to a new level How to avoid fights How to get the feelings back or keep them burning strong All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! How to Build a Rock-Solid Marriage Class #2:  Rock Solid Friendship   Friendship First Flowers and Affection Friendship first Husbands Listen, don’t Fix Share Portland Take time to talk and listen I used to answer Pam: “What do you want to talk about?” That is like her saying: “What do you want to have sex for?  Do you want to have another kid?” Lap talks   Find your way out of a fight See it coming and hit the pause button San Jose Throw up the white flag early ?Who is going to win, Jesus or Satan? I don’t want to fight “I bet I can make you laugh.” “Let’s start over” Practice together throwing up the “white flag” Wives Become an “Active Wife” Your husbands may not feel comfortable sitting and talking. Rob can’t sit down and recount my appointment or phone call. Get out and do something with your husband. What did you used to do when you were dating? Keep it up. You will get it out of your husband on the go. Flowers Husbands What to do when the feeling is gone One of the traps of longer-term marriages is a lack of affection and feeling. “I just don’t feel anything anymore.” We are like roommates We are just holding on for the kids You can get the feeling back: Revelation 2:4-5 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Remember what you once had Repent, change your attitude Do what you once did Feelings follow action This should be encouraging to guys, start changing our behavior, feelings will change. It takes WORK. This is where we need to repent of sloth:  Being lazy in love   Our wives need signs of affection Share things you did for your wife before you got married. VW Bus Newspaper Easter Egg Hunt Somehow that trails off after marriage. “I show my affection in bed!”  Share:  “You don’t bring me flowers anymore”  in Fukuoka What can we do. Words of affection Praise the small things, make it habitual, not exceptional Sticky notes Gifts Touch Making a set date each week Encouragement “Mom, you did it again” Wives Our husbands don’t need flowers, but they do need praise Men need to feel respected and admired. No matter the circumstances, find something to build your husband up in. Share:  Ed Townsend, “I’m impressed that you didn’t cry.” Share:  You may not be perfect, “But your perfect for me”

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this series, my wife, Pam, and I share what we've learned about how to have a happy marriage.  In this first episode, Building a Marriage on the Rock,  we lay the foundation for successful marriages.  Join us as we talk about: Building on Christ and his teachings Spotting the signs of a marriage headed for divorce Spiritual Stepping Stones How Growth, not Happiness Should be Your Goal All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! Transcript: One of the questions you’ve asked me is how to make marriage work. I’ve asked Pam to join me for a three-part series on marriage. Pam, welcome to the program!   How Pam and I got together Rob: Parents married 53 years 5 siblings with 11 divorces I was looking for a rock-solid foundation for marriage God helped me to become a Christian and build on the Rock We’ve been married 30 years, 10 lived overseas. Pam: Build on the Rock Build on Christ: 1 Corinthians 10:4 For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. He is who meets our needs, gives us the water of life and refreshment. Build on Christ’s teachings Matthew 7:24-27 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Those who build rock-solid marriages: Look to Christ as their source of life and refreshment Build on Christ’s teaching as their foundation Signs of a Rocky Marriage Tension Yelling Lack of patience Constant, close proximity issues Pam The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse John Gottman’s study of divorces He was 91% accurate in predicting a divorce Contempt Sarcasm, rolling the eyeballs, sneering, laughing at the person Criticism Addressing the issue not the person. The difference between a complaint and a criticism. Flooding Going past the “reasoning” side to the primitive side of our brain Stonewalling The silent treatment How are you doing? Pam You might have gotten into a fight this week. It happens! Share Spiritual Stepping Stones: Marriage is temporary Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. For some this is good news, for others bad! You choose how you live your life and marriage Let’s focus on helping one another get to heaven. Goddard List Give each other a hug knowing that it’s not going to last forever. Marriage is a gift from God in a dark world Ecclesiastes 9:9 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Pam Smile at your wife or husband Marriage takes humility. John 8:7-9 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Build with stones, don’t throw them. Remember, you are a sinner too We can’t directly change our partner The only thing we can change is ourselves We can get caught in “Knots” “I’ll change when they do this, but they won’t do this, so I’m not going to change.” Pam shares: Make growth, not happiness, your goal 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3 Happiness is a bad goal and very elusive. Happiness and satisfaction is a product of personal growth What makes a great friendship is a common purpose or goal for the marriage. Francis Chan book Pam shares: We see through the same window. It is our relationship with God and the purpose he gives our lives that enables the love and deepens our relationship. Personal growth Are you growing as a person and as a disciple? That is the only thing you can really control. Some of us have spouses that don’t seem to be interested in changing or growing. We get so upset with our partners about: Their spirituality Their weaknesses, quirks Their weight Their problems with money What not to do: Share: Financial mistake:  Pam forgiving and cooperating Pam shares Mission growth Saving souls puts your problems in their proper perspective It gives your marriage a larger purpose rather than simply living for the pleasure of this world. Don’t neglect your gift. Take risks for God, get back into the battle. Runners speed up in the second half, not slow down. Roger Bannister Share: Japan, Ashland, Tucson   Discussion with your spouse: How are you doing? What warning signs are you seeing? Is there anything that needs to be apologized for? How are you trying to grow? Join us next time as we talk about building a Rock-Solid Friendship.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, my wife, Pam, and I go through a set of suggestions so that you leave the World Discipleship Summit a stronger disciple.  We will cover a number of topics that will help make the summit or any conference you go to a memorable, life-changing event. How to Make the Most of a Conference Beforehand Pray beforehand that God gives you what you need: Learn what you need to grow in Make friends Develop partnerships in the ministry Contact people beforehand that you’d like to spend time with Don’t worry about people you see normally Try to find housing as close to the conference as possible If you are a speaker, get all your work done by July 15th. Don’t allow yourself to go into the conference focused on your material Rehearse it 4 or 5 times and get it critiqued for excellence (John Lusk) Look your best Wear your best clothes or buy some new clothes Get your haircut Confess any sin prior to the conference so you are free in your spirit and confident. Have a quiet time the morning of. Make sure you are in a happy, positive mindset.  Have some good news to share At the Conference: Be loving to every person in front of you Acts 17: “God has determined the times and places…” „You only have to have two loves in your life: for God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time.“ Smile! Be as warm and as loving as you can to everyone you meet. Sit in the front three rows toward the middle. Engage with the speaker, smile, nod and lean forward. Take notes of the lessons. Immediately after a lesson: Approach the speaker and thank him/her for the lesson Give your name and where you are from Share what you learned and want to apply Share what you are trying to grow in and ask if they have any advice. Try to meet all the leaders organizing the conference and thank them for putting it together. Use meal times to go out and meet other people. Don’t get hung up on the cuisine, go where it’s easy and fast Don’t spend 30 minutes on your choice, know what you want Try to make friends: Remember peoples names Repeat it in the conversation Write it down immediately Ask questions Don’t dominate the discussion Encourage, praise or thank freely Exchange numbers Go on dates if you are single. Dom Munson met Tabby Gully at conference and now they are married Take recommendations and be open Write a thank you card Ask good questions and don’t only talk about yourself    

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today I’m talking to Jimmy Black (31) from Bowling Green Kentucky.  He and his wife, Katherine, planted a church in Bowling Green, Kentucky that started with 12 people and more than doubled in 14 months.  In this episode Jimmy talks about: How he left his engineering job with Hitachi to plant a new church How he tackled a mountain of school loans to be able to pursue his ministry dreams One question he uses to strengthen disciples weakened by the pandemic How one member’s challenge to “Stop waiting and start being faithful” spurred growth in his church this year His goal that everyone in his church is in a Bible study and how he managed to get a church of 25 members to have 26 active Bible studies with seekers How being faithful is more important than being successful One secret he learned from Phil Knight, the founder of Nike Interview Questions: How did you become a Christian? How did you meet? What were you doing prior to living in Bowling Green? Why a mission team to Bowling Green? I heard you started with 12 members and doubled the first year.  How'd you do that? What have you done during COVID to keep the church growing? What are your plans moving forward? Why should someone consider either going on or leading a mission team? Any advice for someone who wants to make this life count?

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today I’m talking to Cody and Brittany Dowdy from Lynchburg, Virginia.  They were working secular jobs when they got the call to plant a new church in Lynchburg.  What’s amazing about their story is the obstacles they faced and overcame to plant the church: They planted the church at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in the summer of 2020. Lynchburg is one of the most religious areas in the US. It’s called the “Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt.” Lynchburg is a racially segregated city and the church was planted in the wake of the George Floyd racial unrest. Cody and Brittany have three kids five years or younger. Cody had gotten fired previously from the full-time ministry and Brittany had never been in the professional ministry before. In spite of all these challenges, they have grown the church from a team of eighteen disciples to thirty-one.  They’ve found ways to save students on private colleges, study the Bible with people through the phone and Zoom and developed a “blank-slate” approach to reaching the lost that is proving effective.  Find out more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!   Interview Questions: How'd you become Christians? How'd you meet? Where have you been prior to Lynchburg? Why'd you choose Lynchburg? What was it like during COVID? How do you reach out in such a religious setting? What has inspired you? What has been challenging? Any advice for those who want to multiply churches?

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m talking to Doug and Jennifer Lambert from Williamsburg, Virginia.  Doug and Jennifer were missionaries in Argentina, and Mexico and then returned to the US to lead churches in Tallahassee, Florida, Nashville Tennessee, Baltimore, Maryland, and Cincinnati, Ohio.  They talk about: The secrets to making a career out of ministry How to raise solid kids who love God How to tackle pride and lead with humility How Doug fasted for forty days and saw four men become Christians as a result How they faced Jennifer’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, I talk to Chris and Kim Reed from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Chris and Kim spent years planting and leading churches in Sweden and Denmark.  They talk about: Why you should find your purpose first before finding your partner How to keep your faith in a world going away from God The value of saving a single soul How to avoid wasting matches on “wet wood,” and instead finding the “Inflammable Few.” How prayer saved their daughter’s life from liver cancer How they’ve managed to have 13 people baptized during COVID in the first year of their time in Salt Lake City

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m talking with Tom and Kelly Brown.  They lead a church in Marietta, Georgia which is in the Atlanta area.  Tom and Kelly were converted in the Crossroads Campus Ministry in Gainesville, Florida, and have led churches and campus ministries in Boulder, Colorado, Berkeley, California, Boston, Massachusetts, Los Angeles and more recently, Atlanta, Georgia.  They share their ministry journey and how they’ve grown their church in Atlanta from 177 to over 1,100 disciples and their campus ministry from less than 20 to 220 disciples. 

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, I talk to Rayola Osanya from New Jersey.  Rayola went on the mission team to Nairobi, Kenya in the late eighties and from there he went on to plant churches in Eldoret, Kenya, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Kigali, Rwanda.  He just finished a memoir of his missionary and charity work in Africa entitled: “Go in the Strength You Have:  Looking Beyond Your Weaknesses To See the Difference Your Life Can Make.”  I read the book and talk with Rayola about his experiences in Africa.     Interview     How'd you become a Christian? What prompted you to write a book? What was it like for you to leave New York to return to Kenya? You mention being afraid a lot, having weaknesses, but it seems every time you were called to do something bold, you did it.  Where did that come from?  Talk a little about "Bible Algebra" You planted a church in Eldoret at 22, living in a tin-roofed shed.  Please talk about that What was it like going into Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide there? What are you excited about as you look forward now? What advice would you give to those who want to make this life count?

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, I interview Kendall and McKenzie Albert, campus ministers from Saint Louis, Missouri.  They spoke the first night of the Campus Training Program in Atlanta, Georgia.  This program is sponsored by the North River Church of Christ, led by Tom Brown, and is held yearly to train and equip campus students and leaders for effective discipleship on college campuses.  Kendall and McKenzie spoke on John 14:6, Jesus the Way.  Join me and my wife, Pam, as we talk about the first day of the program, the Albert's story, and the lesson they preached.  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. At a recent church leadership conference, I sat down with Kai Foster to find out what he’s doing to grow his church in Reno, Nevada.  The church there has doubled in the last three years and that has happened through a surprising spiritual practice.  Find out Kai’s secret to growing his church on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. I recently sat down with John and Jan Oakes to talk about their planting a new church in Merced, California.  Merced is the home of a new University of California that is predicted to become the largest of the UC campuses.  Find out more about this new planting on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m talking with Mike and Anne-Brigitte Taliaferro.  They serve as the lead evangelist and Senior Women’s Minister at Mission Point Church in San Antonio Texas.  They have planted and led churches in the US, Brazil, and several African churches.  They planted churches in over 40 nations in Africa over the course of fourteen years.  They have appointed 25 evangelists and women’s ministry leaders and raised up many other leaders.  They have been married for over 40 years and have three sons and three daughters-in-law.  We talk about how they planted so many churches, what drove them and some of the many miracles they’ve seen over the course of their ministry career.  All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. It takes guts to step out on faith.  It takes guts to make a risky, late-career move for Christ.  Rusty and Kim Snell left a successful and comfortable career path in product design in their late fifties and stepped in as the leaders of the Toledo, Ohio church.  In this episode you’ll find out: What inspired them to do it How Christ can multiply whatever talents or gifts you offer Him Why they find themselves happiest experiencing Christ’s victories and suffering Their plans to build a “healthy spiritual garden” All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today I go to Flagstaff, Arizona and talk to Brian and Abby Mackie.  Brian and Abby planted a church there in September of 2021.  They give us an update on: The growth of the church The ways they’ve seen God work The challenges that have forced them to their kness And their dreams for the church going forward. You can reach Brian at b-mac13@comcast.net

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I talk to Javier and Kelly Amaya.  They became disciples in 1983 while in college. Javier graduated from Brown University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and Kelly from Boston College with a degree in Psychology and a concentration in Spanish. (Javier later obtained his master’s degree in Christian Ministries from Harding University.)  Javier and Kelly were high school sweethearts and married in 1986. They are parents of 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. The Amaya’s have served in the full-time ministry for 31 years. Their journey has taken them from Boston, to Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, and Los Angeles. They returned to Boston in 2011 to lead the Boston Spanish Ministry. Their passion is to see lives transformed by the power of God and to be used by God to raise up leaders for service in his Kingdom. In this episode they share: How they met in high school Their toughest times spiritually When they saw God work most clearly Their ministry of 400+ Spanish-speaking disciples in Boston Advice for raising healthy kids on the mission field Things they'd do differently All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Statistics reveal that 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search for porn.  In this episode I interview Jeff Hernandez, a disciple I've known for over 30 years.  He shares about his: Descent into sexual addiction Divorce from his wife of 22 years. Remarriage outside of the church Recovery from his sexual addiction Conversion of his second wife Return to the church What he learned along the way How to overcome sexual temptation and addiction. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast. You can reach Jeff Hernandez at https://www.lovingwingsrecovery.com/ (https://www.missionfrontiers.org/issue/article/15-mind-blowing-statistics-about-pornography-and-the-church)  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today I’m talking to Jamison and Lauren Malcolm.  They led a large and thriving campus ministry in the Philadelphia church.  Now they lead a church and campus ministry in State College, Pennsylvania, the home of Penn State University. Jamison and Lauren talk about: The development of the campus ministry after 2003 The current state of the campus ministry and What successful campus ministries are doing to grow   All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. On this episode, I talk to Matt and Adriana Brown.  They lead a church in Nashville, Tennessee.  Prior to that, they led a church in Texas that grew 8 from 50 disciples to 150.  During their time there, the church grew every year, one of only four other churches in the ICOC to experience yearly growth during the same time period.  They share the secrets they discovered to building a steadily growing ministry: Humility Getting help Training trainers Starting on campus Using a simple and repetive scriptural theme to build culture Using savings wisely And engaging members in foreign missions All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!         

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m talking to Steve Saindon, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Steve and his wife, Kelli, have planted and led churches all over the Midwest.  What makes Steve so remarkable is that in spite of following Christ and leading in six different decades, he is continuing to grow and bear fruit for God.  He recently taught a class at the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference about the Leader’s View of God.  It impacted me deeply.  He reveals in this episode why we tend toward duty and obligation as disciples and how we can reignite grace and love in our relationship with God by a very counterintuitive method.  Find out the secret to reigniting your passion for God in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, I interview Kevin and Melissa Miller, who lead the Boston Church of Christ.  They have been leading this fabled church for a little over a year and they talk about: How they became Christians How they have built a culture of spiritual ambition How they maintain high standards for both relationships and performance on their staff What it was like learning from and losing Melissa’s father, Wyndham Shaw How did they develop so many high volume preachers in Boston Three steps to reigniting your campus ministry How they’ve managed to attract powerful talent to their church staff

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. This episode is the third of a three-part series called “Go Get It.”  I’m going to be talking about how to make 2022 your best year so far spiritually.  I know that if you are listening to this podcast that you are ambitious for Christ.  You are hungry to make this life count and to do whatever it takes to grow spiritually and make a difference for God.  I want to share with you three things that will help you make 2022 your best year so far.  I talked about: Get happy Get Help This final episode the title is Get Focused. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!  Get Focused Luke 10:39-42 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Martha was a loving, caring person and was worried and upset, distracted by many things. Mary focused on only one thing: Being with Jesus, focusing on him and listening to him. By nature, small church leaders have to do many things. You have to be good at many different things: Setting a good example Preaching Raising a good family Being kind and encouraging Meeting needs Bringing visitors Organizing events, Sundays and midweeks Building your career if you are self-supporting This is why ministers burn-out and quit: A 2013 study from the Schaeffer Institute reports that 1,700 pastors leave the ministry each month, citing depression, burnout, or being overworked as the primary reasons. According to the study, 90% of pastors report working 55 to 70 hours a week, and 50% of them feel unable to meet the demands of the job. You start in ministry doing what you love the most: Preaching Teaching the gospel in Bible studies Staying close to God When you grow your church, the number of problems only increases. Personal sharing Discipling too many people Trying to meet all the needs Taking on too many extra projects Not doing what really brought me joy Becoming an administrator rather than what I loved. Look at how the Apostles got focused in Acts 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word…” 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. The church was growing, the needs were growing. How did the apostles respond?  They met the needs through others and refocused on their primary calling. What’s the solution for us? Figure out your “One Thing” Share about the book: “The One Thing” by Gary Keller He says we should ask ourselves: “What's the One Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” Practical application: List all the areas that matter to you: (Show Worksheet) Relationship with God Ministry and leadership Personal evangelism and outreach Marriage and family Finances Friends Fun and adventure New Skills or Learning What can you do to improve in those areas? List out five ideas Circle the “one thing” that will make the biggest difference. Personal example 2022 Decisions: Spirituality: Weekly Sabbath Church and Family: Consistent, weekly discipling times with Pam & my primary leaders Health Walk 10,000 steps a day Conclusion Get happy Delight yourself in the Lord Get help Pray and ask for outside attention and “eyes” to help you see what you might be missing Get focused Put the work in to narrow your focus on what makes the biggest difference in the areas that matter the most to you and God.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m talking to Kurt and Christina Flinchbaugh from the Lehigh Valley Church.  They share: How Kurt shared his faith on the way to the hospital after getting involved in a nearly fatal bicycling accident How Christina dealt with a secret eating disorder How they have doubled their mission planting over the last three years How Kurt’s life “Flipped upside down” when a power lifter met and shared the Bible with him in a gym in 2010 How Christina quotes “Lone Survivor” to help people stop living in the past How they keep “multiple lines in the water” to reach the lost All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! For information about the Associate Minister Position in Tucson click on this link: https://www.disciplestoday.org/tuscon-church-seeks-associate-ministers More about Kurt and Christina   Kurt and Christina serve as Evangelist and Women's Ministry Leader for the Lehigh Valley Church. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, they both became Christians in 2010 while attending Gwynedd-Mercy University. After getting married in 2012, they worked as registered nurses while serving the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ in a self-funded "One Year Challenge," a year-long ministry staff internship. With training under their belt, they began working full time leading the campus ministry and later started a region in the University City area of Philadelphia focusing on young marrieds and professionals. They are excited to now be heading the mission team in the Lehigh Valley. Kurt and Christina have two children, Ian and Ava.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. This episode is the second of a three-part series called “Go Get It.”  I’m going to be talking about how to make 2022 your best year so far spiritually.  I know that if you are listening to this podcast that you are a grower.  You are hungry to make this life count and to do whatever it takes to grow spiritually and make a difference for God.  I want to share with you three things that will help you make 2022 your best year so far.  Last time I talked about “Get Happy.” Today, the second episode in this series is “Get Help” All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. This episode is the first of a three-part series called “Go Get It.”  I’m going to be talking about how to make 2022 your best year so far spiritually.  I hope you are having a great start to 2022.  I’m seeing some very encouraging signs in my life and ministry that point to a great year.  I know that if you are listening to this podcast, you are a grower.  You are hungry to make this life count and to do whatever it takes to grow spiritually and make a difference for God.  I want to share with you three things that will help you make 2022 your best year so far.  I’m going to do a three-part series entitled “Go Get It”  The first episode I’m calling “Get happy”  I've included the transcript below. What will make 2022 your best year yet? Get Happy Delight yourself in the Lord: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ESV Can you remember a time when you felt super happy to be close to God? When you felt that God was your delight and joy? I bet people noticed and it overflowed. It’s probably why you ended up leading a ministry. How about now? Ministry, career, family, financial pressures, middle age can all combine to steal your joy and dim your fire. We can get Business-like Worried about people or our performance Serious Cranky People aren’t inspired, avoid us or wonder “what’s wrong?” Personal sharing Nehemiah 8:9-10 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This was a renewal of the covenant similar to Joshua 24 and 2 Chronicles 15 The people had drifted There were many problems Yet, Nehemiah and Ezra told them, “Don’t mourn, weep or grieve.” Instead, go and enjoy yourself, because “The joy of the Lord is your strength” Why? Because God wants us to delight ourselves in him Because being joyful in God is our “superpower” It’s what fired us up when we became Christians Experience, technique and performance aren’t as pleasing to God as simply loving to be near him. It’s what will set us apart during: Covid Difficult times Uncertainty Practical application: Your number one job is delight yourself in God Don’t leave your home until you are rejoicing in God Make a decision you will be at least as happy as you have been in the past. “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:16 Procrastinate on other things so that you have enough time to rejoice in God. Trust that God will give us what we desire or need when we delight in him Develop your praise power Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. NIV How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through lifeby the light of Your face.  Voice

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Jacob Galligan leads his campus ministry while he studies full-time as a 23-year-old graduate student at Kent State University in Akron, Ohio.  He joined the mission team to Akron in 2016 as a freshman and stepped into the campus minister's role his senior year.  In this episode he shares: How he has baptized a large number of men on campus. How he believes John 15 holds the key to growing a campus ministry  His five steps for campus growth How he worked through his parent's divorce to become a Christian His motivation to go "All-In" for God in his life  All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Ben and Susan Borland led their nearly 30-year-old church to grow again after decades of decline and stagnation.  They started as the campus ministers at the University of Oklahoma and then took over leading the entire church.  In this episode they talk about how they did it.  They talk about: How Susan got into running clubs to make friends and reach out and now she runs 1,000 miles yearly. How Ben and Susan have converted freshmen, football players and national merit scholars on campus What has helped their church grow to over 100 disciples. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! More about Ben and Susan: Ben and Susan serve as Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader for the OKC Church. They have served in full-time ministry for over a decade, first in Denton, Texas and then Norman, Oklahoma before making their home in OKC with their three children. Ben and Susan both earned their undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Ben in creative advertising and Susan in Spanish.  The Borlands love living in Oklahoma and when they aren’t working Susan can be found training for her next marathon. Ben just finished his master's degree from Rochester University and is filling up his newfound free time with everything football.    

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In this episode, I interview Gary Mayer, author of the book, “Imitate Paul:  Five Keys From the Apostle for Every Church Planter, Leader and Believer.”  I stumbled onto this book earlier this year and it impacted me deeply.  Gary grew up in the same area of Southern Oregon that I did.  He graduated from Oregon State and then worked for IBM for 21 years.  After a dramatic encounter with God in Paris, he resigned from IBM and entered Bible college in England.  He then planted a church in London and led it for nearly 20 years.  He retired to Northern Mexico and continues to teach, preach and write.  He has four kids, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren on the way.  I ask Gary about how to close the gap between what Paul experienced and described  and what the average minister or member experiences spiritually.  All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!   You can reach Gary at Gary@TexMex.Me You can find his book on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Imitate-Paul-Apostle-Planter-Believer/dp/1537242997/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TLEIP9LLPRQP&keywords=gary+mayer&qid=1643307963&sprefix=gary+mayer%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1   I want to invite you to a men’s retreat we are organizing here in Tucson on the weekend of April 1-3, 2022.  This is something I look forward to every year and I hope you can join me.  It’s located at a beautiful campsite about an hour from Tucson.  It’s a great time to get away, listen to some powerful lessons, hike, cave, eat six delicious hot meals, sleep in comfortable and warm bunks, enjoy warm showers.  If you want to grow and enjoy a powerful spiritual opportunity, I want you to come join us.  Delano Stewart, who leads the church in Las Vegas, will be our guest speaker.  We will have more information and registration available soon.  Please save the date, Friday through Sunday, April 1-3, 2022.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. In September of 2021, I asked Dr. Al Baird to move to Tucson for a two-month evaluation and consultation of the church.  He stayed until Thanksgiving, met with 60 or more members of the church, helped mediate difficult situations, critiqued my leadership and offered ideas for refining the leadership structure of my church.  Having Al help us was one of the best decisions I’ve made recently.  In this episode, I’ve asked Kelcy Hahn, my associate minister to guest-host and talk to Al and me about Al’s visit to Tucson. You can reach Dr. Al Baird at 310-403-8127 or albaird@laicc.net Special thanks to Brian Kling for allowing Al Baird to stay at his home.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, I’m going to talk to Marshall Mead, who along with his wife, Shawn, leads the church in Orlando Florida. Marshall talks about how he got to Orlando, his ministry career and missionary work in Lebanon and the World Discipleship Summit he’s organizing in the summer of 2022.  He shares how God put a vision for the conference on his heart, the challenges of organizing, cancelling and replanning the conference during Covid.  And finally, what makes this a “Can’t miss” event for disciples everywhere.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner. Today, My wife Pam and I talk to Pat Gempel, a pioneer of women’s ministry and one of the "30 would-be disciples" who gathered in a living room in Boston and propelled the church to 60% annual growth for 10 straight years.  She shares: How she came to Boston What it was like at the beginning of the Boston Movement How she found her daughter that she had put up for adoption 23 years earlier How she lost her husband, Bob Her view on women’s ministry and the current discussion of women's role in the church

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Sam and Michelle Cameron lead a church in Perth, Australia.  In this episode they talk about: What it's like leading in a city as remotely located as Perth How the church got started What they did to help a long-established church grow again after years of little growth All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner This episode recaps the lessons and activities of day three of the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, in December of 2021.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner In this episode, we talk about the lessons and impact of day two of the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner This episode covers the first day and first lesson of The Climb Small Church Leadership Conference held in Dallas, Texas, December 2-5, 2021.  I interview the Thursday night speaker, Todd Asaad, along with the conference organizers, Joel Peed and Joel Nagel.  In this episode: Todd talks about his lesson on relationships entitled "Climb Together" We discuss our reaction to Todd's lesson and to the opening of the conference Joel Peed discusses the Friday program on spiritual renewal

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today I talk with Felix and Ashley Tokwepota from Papua New Guinea.  They lead a church in Port Moresby, the largest city in the country.  Felix and Ashley were both raised in the church and were baptized in 2002.  Felix was born and raise in Papua New Guinea and Ashley in the US.  In this episode they share: How they become Christians How they met Some of the miracles they’ve seen What it’s like leading in one of the world’s most dangerous countries Their plans for reaching one of the world's most diverse countries with over 800 languages spoken among a population of over 8,000,000 people.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today, I’m going to talk to Ron and Lavonia Drabot.  In this episode, Ron and Lavonia talk about: How they baptized hundreds of students at Ohio State University How they took a demoralized campus ministry that had only baptized three in the past 6 months and baptized 80 in the next 10 months How they moved to South Africa and in only a few years grew from 70 to an attendance of 1100 How a doctor told them that only God’s intervention would help them have kids.  Through their faith and God's intervention, they had twins When they moved to Chicago, they had 3,500 baptisms Ron and Lavonia walk through their relationship with God and what has helped them develop amazing faith

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today I talk to Dr. Gregg Martutzky.  Gregg has served in the ministry for forty years, he’s earned many, many degrees and is now working on a Ph.D.  He’s one of the most connected disciples I know of.  He’s also a person whom I’ve seen transform and grow over the past 30 years.  Just as Paul shared about his past that he was a violent man, Gregg had a rough past and character.  However, he, like Paul, has transformed into a man who deeply loves people and the Word of God.   In this episode he shares: About his conversion His path in the ministry Why he has so many degrees Advice to those who want to study theology

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today, I’m going to talk to Tarik and Jackie Burton from Santa Barbara, California. They’ve been serving as campus ministers at UC Santa Barbara for the past four years. They were recently hired to lead the entire church. They are a young couple and have a nearly two-year-old daughter, Kya. Tarik will also be a main speaker at the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas. In this episode they talk about: • How they felt when asked to lead an entire church. • What’s the difference between leading in a church and leading the church? • What are the advantages and challenges of leading an established church while relatively young? • What Tarik plans on preaching on at the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas in December of 2021. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today I’m going to talk to Kyle Spears.  Kyle Spears is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Certified Marriage and Family Therapist in Omaha, Nebraska. He specializes in helping men with trauma, masculinity, and depression. Last year he started a YouTube channel and a podcast and has a website where people can go to get resources for issues that relate to trauma and theology.  Kyle will also be a speaker at the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas in December of 2021.  Listen today as Kyle talks about: How his background and calling led him into the field of trauma therapy. Stubborn hearts and stubborn wounds Turning your misery into ministry All this and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast!   More about Kyle Spears: Kyle Spears is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Certified Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Nebraska. He works in private practice at the Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska utilizing EMDR in working with Complex Trauma, PTSD, and DID. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, he works to help heal marriages and complex family issues. He also specializes in helping men with trauma, masculinity, and depression. Last year he started a YouTube channel and a podcast and has a website where people can go to get resources for issues that relate to trauma and theology. Kyle is currently working on his first book that will provide a basic understanding of trauma to equip both ministers and members. He is also working on a book with Michael Burns called the “The Big Lie” that will address the aspect of racial and intergenerational trauma.  Kyle was baptized as a senior in high school and has been a disciple for almost 20 years. His wife Kristi works as a Physician Assistant specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Together, they are raising their son Shea Christopher who is 2 years old and Kristi is due to give birth to their second child Amya Renee in December.  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner I have met few people that have experienced as much childhood trauma as Doug and Angella Wens.  In spite of that, they have found a way to turn that troubled background into a triumphant life.  They are impacting people all over the world and have done so for over thirty years.  Find out their story and how they've learned to rise above tragedy and build a powerful life together for God. More about Doug and Angella: Doug and Angella Wens have been in the full time ministry for 31 years. They met in 1989, and have been married for 30 years.They have two beautiful daughters, Dakotah 28 and Savannah 25. Dakotah is a high school teacher, and Savannah is married and living in Phoenix. Doug and Angella met at a campus devotional in Colorado, where they attended college.  They have served full-time in ministries in Colorado, Texas, and California.  They currently lead the Greater Houston Church of Christ in Houston Texas, where they have served for the last ten years. They have traveled all over the globe as ambassadors for Christ, but Africa has stolen their hearts and is their home away from home!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today I’m going to talk to Justin Renton, who leads the church in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Justin talks about: What it was like becoming a Christian under the system of Apartheid His early life racing go-karts and dreaming of Formula One The book he and his wife wrote: “The Healing of a Wounded Idealist” Some of the near death experiences he’s faced And how he handles the pressure of leading a church, helping other churches and running Disciples Today

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Nathan Triepke moved from Boston to Flagstaff, Arizona to join the mission team that began September 12th.  He works remotely and in his off-hours preaches the Word.  Find out how this mobile missionary is making the most of remote work capability.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Ed Anton talks about his conversion, his first marriage and divorce and how he left his job at Coca-Cola for the ministry.  He also talks about his book, Repentance, and how the concepts in it can help during the Covid pandemic. Who is Ed Anton? Ed Anton currently serves as leader of the Hampton Roads Church and chair of the American Commonwealth Region (25 churches in the Mid Atlantic region of the US). He is also a teacher on the ICOC Teachers Service Team, and directs the Anchor Academy which has trained over 100 ministers for full time ministry. He and his wife Deb have four children: Zach (30), Chase (28), Caleb (20), and Lindsay (18). Ed authored the book Repentance, A Cosmic Shift of Mind and Heart and developed the DiscipleMakers, eMANcipators, TentMakers, MeatEaters, NetMenders, and BodyBuilders programs for equipping disciples. Both Ed and Deb left successful careers to follow God’s calling into ministry. Ed was a Marketing Director for Coca-Cola, and Deb was a Family Practice Physician.  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner James Skinner is a 26-year-old employee at Raytheon Missile Corporation by day.  By night, he serves the Hilo, Hawaii, mission planting.  Find out how he does it in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast. More about James Skinner: James Skinner was born on the mission field in Tokyo, Japan and has been part of two church plantings. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2018 majoring in Finance. James currently works as a business analyst for Raytheon Technologies in Tucson, Arizona. He loves serving God and enjoying time with his family, friends and watching the New England Patriots.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today, I’m going to talk to David Jung from Winnepeg, Canada.  David is a church leader and conflict resolution specialist.  He has two master's degrees and travels around the world to help businesses and churches work through high-tension conflict.  Today David is going to offer ideas on: How to stay calm and curious when people are going after you. How to find solutions when relationships are under tension. What to do and what not to do when dealing with conflict. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Ever wonder if you are ready for a challenge God has placed in your path?  Paul and Amy Jacobs never intended to lead a church, and yet through circumstance and God’s guiding hand, they are leading a small church in Okinaway, Japan.  They are fluent in both English and Japanese.  They both grew up in Japan and North America.  They each have secular jobs.  Finally, they have a passion for reaching the native Japanese population of Okinawa. In this episode, you’ll find out how they ended up leading a church in spite of: Learning disabilities Health challenges and Having to come back after hitting rock-bottom spiritually All this and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today on episode 118,  I’m going to talk to Bruce and Rachel Erickson from Flagstaff, Arizona.  With retirement looming and severe health challenges to deal with, Bruce and Rachel let go of the American Dream and chose to follow God’s dream to build a church in Flagstaff.  In this episode they share: Why they chose to go on the mission team What were the challenges they faced How God blessed their decision with miracles All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner In this episode, Brian and Abbie Mackie share about the inaugural service of their new church, the Flagstaff Church of Christ.  Find out how: They had 325 people at their first service They baptized an engaged couple on the first day of the church Their vision for the church

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Dr. Glenn Geeting and his wife, Heather, started a church in 2009 in Hershey Pennsylvania with no outside support.  Using his salary as an emergency room doctor, he planted a church with a first service of twenty people.  From there the church has grown to 100 members.  At the same time, his marriage and family have flourished.  All three of his kids are disciples and are growing.  Find out how he did it on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today on episode 115,  I’m going to talk to JD and Claudette Lusan from Huntsville, Alabama.  After working secular jobs for 15 years, they went back into the professional ministry in their forties and replanted the church in Huntsville.  The church had plateaued at 11 disciples for 10 years.  From the time they arrived four years ago, it has grown to over 50 members.  In this episode they talk about: Having a baby who weighed less than two pounds at birth How they grew up on the same street in Jamaica How they had 170 people at their first service What their “Super Power” is How they created a prayer circuit to inspire growth All this and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Kit Cummings became a Christian in 1989.  He quickly became a minister in the church.  He then went through a crisis in midlife that led him to bankruptcy, divorce, and rehab.  He made a promise to God during those dark days that shaped the future of his life.  Find out what he told God and how that has led to him becoming the author of six books and a preacher to the prisoners.

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner  

Thanks for listening!  Please support the Rob Skinner Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/robskinner Today on episode 112 I talk To Dave Mitchell (https://www.davemitchellcoaching.com/) Dave is a devoted Husband, Father of three, Christian, and a Certified High-Performance Professional Coach. He has spent the last 20 plus years studying personal growth and leadership development.  His mission is to coach disciples & help them break through whatever it is that is keeping them from experiencing the "life to the full" God intends for them. You’ll learn: 4 things that block you from becoming the person you want to be The three “E’s” of coaching that help people grow The power of getting 1% better All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast! More about Dave Mitchell: Some of his current coaching programs include: The Ironmen Team (for men disciples who own or run a business), The Magdalene Team (for women disciples who own or run a business), Lunch and Learns, Keynote speeches, and Church Leadership Workshops.   The Joyful Life & High Performance are two of Dave’s latest coaching programs. They are a culmination of his professional training that changed not only his life, but the lives of those who he has been privileged to work with.  Dave enjoys volunteering with his family both locally and in Central America.  A great joy in his life was serving as the Director for HOPE worldwide in the NY Metro Area and his time as the Chair of the National Chapter Advisory Board. After a degree in Business from University of Massachusetts, Dave spent many years in the full time ministry followed by fifteen plus years in Corporate America in sales in which he worked his way up to VP of Sales.  He is certified in DISC and Energy Leadership personality and attitudinal assessments and serves as an Executive Director for the John Maxwell Team.  He is also certified in High Performance Coaching under Brendon Burchard.   Dave has enjoyed coaching his kids sports, participating in triathlons, and serving in the Garden State Church.

In this episode, I talk about my July 2021 cross-country motorcycle ride from San Diego, California to Boston, Massachusetts.  I share about what I saw, who I met and what I learned.

Shannon Van Zee and his wife, Janella, lead the Great Plains Church of Christ in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  They moved there in 2017 and planted the church.  The church has grown from two members to 20+ people in four years.  In this episode, Shannon shares: How he overcame Leukemia in his twenties What motivated him to plant a church without a team or financial support What it takes to start a church in a remote location How to reach Shannon: Greatplainschurchofchrist.org

Mike and Jody May lead a church in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.  They have led ministries across the USA and in this episode they talk about: How to preach the unchanging gospel in a constantly changing world How to raise believing kids How to come back from setbacks in life This the third in my series recorded while on the road in July of 2021.  I'm on a coast-to-coast motorcycle tour to promote the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas in December of 2021.  Please register today at RobSkinner.Com!

Josh and Stacy Peterson lead a church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  They have done an amazing job raising up leaders while raising their own physical family.  In this episode we talk about what they have done to: Build a "guy friendly" ministry Raise believing kids Raise up young leaders Please register for the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, December 2-5, 2021 at RobSkinner.Com!

Marc and Hannah Persing are disciples in the New York City Church of Christ.  They will be leading a new campus sector in Manhattan in the fall of 2021.  Hannah is in the National Guard and is stationed near Tucson, Arizona during the summer of 2021.  They reconditioned an old tire delivery van into a comfortable RV and crossed the country with it.  Find out how they did it in this episode.  Please register for the Climb Small Church Leadership Conference at RobSkinner.Com This was recorded on Independence Day, 2021, July 4th, in La Jolla, California. Follow Rob's trip on Instagram. 

Today on episode 106, I’m going to talk to Douglas Arthur.  Doug planted the London Church of Christ, started HOPE Worldwide Charity Organization and has until recently led the Boston Church of Christ.  Listen today as he shares about the early days of Boston, how he started the London Church and HOPE Worldwide and what makes him one of the funniest preachers to listen to.

Today on episode 105,  I’m going to talk to Shohei and Minori Miyoshi.  They lead a church in Osaka, Japan.  In this episode they talk about: How Shohei found God in a hospital bed while recovering from a skin disease How He became a Christian and then grew up in a church that didn’t see a baptism for over ten years. How he moved to Tokyo to learn how to lead a ministry and then returned to the same church in Osaka and led the church to it’s first baptism in 12 years. What they’ve done to help the church grow 50% All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

 Today on episode 104,  I’m going to talk to Brad and Alisha Tamashiro.  They were both born and raised in Hawaii and then went to school on the mainland at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.  They became Christians there and then returned to their home state.  They have been in the full-time ministry since 2012 and now are leading a replanting effort in Hilo, Hawaii.

Today I’m going to talk to Chris and Rolayo Ogbonnaya, who lead the church in Lagos, Nigeria.  They share about: What was it like as a disciple when the church first started What were some of the difficult times they faced early in their ministry. How they’ve helped the church grow from one church to over 29 in West Africa. Their handing the leadership to another couple and helping churches outside of Lagos.   More about Chris and Rolayo: Chris and Rolayo were both baptized in Lagos almost 32 years ago in 1989, which was the same year the Lagos Church was planted by the London Church.  They started serving in the full-time ministry in 1991. They got married in 1993, and have two children – Stephanie (26) and Daniel (22), who are both disciples. Since then, they have served as Evangelist and Womens Ministry Leader in various Regions and ministries in Lagos. They led the Church in Accra, Ghana from 2001-2003. Before joining the full-time ministry Rolayo was running her private legal practice and Chris an aspiring Law student. Both gave up their secular ambitions to pursue the call to serve as missionaries in the Kingdom.  Chris and Rolayo have led the Lagos Church, the Nigeria, and West African Churches from 2004 till a few weeks ago when they handed the Lagos Church leadership to Jide and Biola Ojo. They now oversee the Churches across Nigeria and English-speaking West Africa (29 Churches in all) as Regional Family Chairs and also direct the School of Mission in Lagos. Chris has been serving in the Catalyst Team of the ICOC since 2018 and Rolayo in the Women’s Service Team.

Today on episode 102,  I’m in Flagstaff, Arizona talking to Ryan and Natalie Winkler.  Ryan was baptized in Flagstaff in 1999 in Flagstaff and has come back to help the church restart.  He and his wife Natalie share about: Their battle to overcome addiction Their 17 year relationship and the drama they’ve faced together How they’ve converted so many of their family members Why they decided to go on a mission team with a toddler and another baby on the way. All this and more on episode 102 of the Rob Skinner Podcast

Brian and Abby Mackie share about life on a mission team as they plant a church in Flagstaff, Arizona in June of 2021.

This is the second and final lesson I did for the UK, Ireland and Nordic staff.  I talk about Jesus’ master plan to win the world and how you can follow that plan.  I also talk about what I’ve started doing to imitate Jesus and Paul by building my “Magnificent 7” Today is the 100th episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast!  It’s been a little over a year since I started my podcast and I’m so grateful for you taking the time to listen.  Your support has meant so much to me.  I want to do something special to thank you for your support. I’m going to give a free book to the first 100 people who contact me in June of 2021.  Go to RobSkinner.com and go to the Contact tab. Send me an email with “Make This Life Count” in the subject line Type in your name and mailing address Let me know which book you’d like: "How to plant and grow a church" or "Courage:  How to make this life count." Let me know two things: What you’d like to hear in the next 100 episodes Who you’d like me to interview in the next 100 episodes I will mail them out in August. For those outside of the US, I won’t be able to send you a book, but if you email me with the same information in the month of June, 2021, I’ll give you a shout out in coming episodes.   Introduction:  To get what you want, you will have to change who you are   I have a lot of goals and dreams:  10 churches planted 10 evangelists and womens ministry leaders appointed 10 people converted 10 books written 100 sold out disciples on campus Church and plantings over 1,000 solid disciples 10,000 person gathering See the Kingdom grow from 100,000 to 1,000,000 But the more I pray about it, the more I realize that won’t happen unless I change as a person. I will need to think and act differently, I will need to think and act like Paul. He said:  “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” In fact, my top affirmation is “I imitate Paul and multiply disciples, leaders and churches.” This is my top goal and aspiration:  If I can change to think and act like Paul, have his faith and peace of mind, I have a chance to see miracles happen It’s been a dream of mine since conversion and has led to the following decisions: Overseas missionary work Planting churches Self-supporting and professional ministry work Writing books Helping other leaders Appointing evangelists I realize that if I want to plant 10 churches I will need to train a lot of people That led me to the question:  “How did Jesus and Paul do it?” Jesus’ Method and Process Mark 3:13-15 13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach  Jesus had a method or “Master Plan of Evangelism” Men were his method He had a process and trusted that if he followed that, the job would get done It’s hard to trust that process:  It’s not glitzy and not fast It’s easier to look for the latest ministry technique, digital tool etc.   “Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, focus on the process not the prize.”  Bill Walsh, SF 49’rs American Football Coach   I want to be come a process-driven leader. But to be honest, being with people is hard. People take time People are messy People get mad at times People let you down I’d prefer to give direction, operating people by “remote control.” I decided that I will need to start doing what is hard, not what is expedient. What did Jesus do? Chose young men Spent time with them Gave them feedback Helped them to recover from failure Built a friendship with them Gave them a vision for their lives Built a crew of friends around them   That is the genesis of what I now call “The Magnificent 7” I committed to sharing freely what I had learned in planting and leading small churches I wrote a book I started a podcast I looked around and tried to spend time with people A year ago our singles ministry was in shambles Now we have a group of 7 strong young men who are with me and my purpose is to send them out for missionary work and to plant and lead churches. I’ll be having some of these men share as well as a couple of men I’ve trained in the past. Here is what has helped: Choose young men and women My group is between 24 and 33 They are free, available and ready for adventure Picture of Magnificent 7 Pray with people Dom: Hour of prayer for four months straight Here’s David Molina: He helped me plant Tucson and then got hired by LA and now leads there Give people the pulpit Chris preached every other week when I was working full time Give people feedback Brian: Immediate preaching feedback Here’s Brian Build a united friend group I’m friends with them, but they are friends with each other Young men and women are looking for connection and training Saturday pancake breakfast Sharing Schedule a men’s retreat Men need concentrated time More can be done in one weekend than you can imagine Honor the culture of men Games Prayer Preaching Food Laughter Take your disciples away on retreats Jesus walked and took them up to the mountain to be with him That made memories I schedule a retreat at least once a quarter for bonding and prayer Sharing Make your time spiritual Devotionals led by each person Introductions Prayer together Theme word Sharing Share your passion with your disciples Surfing Diving Riding motorcycles Backpacking and camping We’ve gone surfing and baptizing Camping Hiking Look for the heart of a good disciple Available Fun Serving Encouraging Charming and delightful Transparent Recognize the path to mastery: Must go through apprenticeship Willing to imitate: Chris   Give them a team challenge 60 studies in 60 days Daily check in Group chats   Train them What do they need to know? Give them a reading list Give them feedback Good point, growth point People want practicals   Work with what you have Sometimes you don’t have a lot to choose from Jesus used “fall aways” to change the world. “You will all fall away…” Do the best with what you have   It comes down to a question: “Do you trust Jesus’ method or not?”   You are a great person, a skilled person. What if there were two of you in your same ministry? Wouldn’t that make a difference? Share:  Chris Schwartzenberger Look around for a motivated and focused young man Pull them into your life and be with them and then send them out to preach   Thanks for listening to and supporting the Rob Skinner Podcast!   I want to invite you the 2021 Small Church Leadership Conference:  The Theme is “Climb” When: December 2-5, 2021 Where: Dallas, Texas Hotel Accommodations: Marriot Las Colinas: $109/night Address: 223 Las Colinas, Irving, Texas 75039 *Early Registration: May 15th - June 30th: $125 *Registration: July 1st - August 31st: $150 *Late Registration: September 1st - December 2nd: $175 Please register today at RobSkinner.Com and look for the Climb Conference Tab www.robskinner.com/climb-conference  

Today on episode 99, I will share a lesson Pam and I did for the UK, Ireland, Nordic churches.  I will talk about How to get fired up in the wake of Covid How to get Focused How to start moving forward spiritually I want to invite you the 2021 Small Church Leadership Conference:  The Theme is “Climb” When: December 2-5, 2021 Where: Dallas, Texas Hotel Accommodations: Marriot Las Colinas: $109/night Address: 223 Las Colinas, Irving, Texas 75039 *Early Registration: May 15th - June 30th: $125 *Registration: July 1st - August 31st: $150 *Late Registration: September 1st - December 2nd: $175 Please register today at RobSkinner.Com and look for the Climb Conference Tab www.robskinner.com/climb-conference   Class #1:  The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Workers are Few Introduction: Thanks to Mohan and Helen How can we get our churches growing in 2021? Recognize the hit COVID has taken on us: We are struggling in our faith Struggling with sin Limited time Working multiple jobs Ministry has stopped growing We are discouraged Pulled so many different ways Not easy to evangelize Dealing with lock downs and COVID Evangelism is different   You can grow and you will grow, here’s how: Get Fired Up Progress in our ministry depends on progress in our thinking about who God is and what he is capable of. Example: Martin Luther and the power of hammering home one powerful thought:  “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”  Romans 1:17 That change in thinking changed Germany, Europe and the world At a subconscious level, we have thoughts that are holding us back from being the great disciples and leaders God knows we can become. Here are some areas to examine: Does God really love/forgive me? I don’t really feel saved so I’m going to earn God’s love by growing his church. I should quit I’m a fake, an imposter, people can see through me I can’t be happy unless the ministry is performing this way God can’t/won’t help me with this situation I’m less than others I’m not respected/appreciated I’m not good with technology/computers etc. I don’t have time to be with God because of money, my family and the pressure of the church We can’t do it with our limited resources, people etc. People are just not open here:   37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9:35-38 If Jesus or Paul were here, they would find a way to find the open people. How would you feel, How would your life change How would your ministry change if: You replaced those default thoughts with the way Paul thought about God: God is for us I’m at peace with God Nothing can separate me from Jesus’ love for me We are more than conquerors I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:13 "There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength."   How can you get fired up? Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Cor 10:3-5   The first step is becoming aware of your thinking. The next step is replacing those thoughts with Godly thoughts.   Build your Trust in God: 2 Kings 18:5-7 5 Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. Hezekiah had a boatload of troubles, but he met them with trust Trust is my personal and church theme for 2021 We need faith and trust in a time of fear and uncertainty Flagstaff leader Renew your appreciation of God’s Grace: Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Dig into your “treasure chest” Give yourself permission and time to enjoy Christ Focus on what you have in Christ already Realize, you are already a success because you are a child of God Remember the “Great I Am” is with you: Matthew 28:20 The same Jesus who spoke to Moses from the Bush Bowles Hall   Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses, be honest and get help We are jars of clay Learn from others and gain faith from others Sean Wooten Podcast Prayer and Fasting Chain learned from Henry and Arunima Gomes Spend 90% of your time thinking how you can improve your situation The difference between “facts” and “situations” You can’t change facts, but you can improve situations Don’t dwell on troubled situations, concentrate on how you can build a healthier, stronger church Campus situation Get your motives right: 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve. Non-paid or part-time Motivation:  Obligation Paid Motivation:  Money Do things because you want to, not because you have to Don’t worry about what “they” think I can’t take a break, time off, vacation, rest or relax. You can’t solve everyone’s problems, let it go, be happy From time to time, think, “What if I got fired?” That would be okay! Share Ashland   Create a “Miracle Morning” What works for you, what gets you going? Coffee Goals and affirmations Walk while listening to the Bible Read a good book Journal Prayer and Meditation   Get Focused Priority:  If something is a priority, it is the most important thing you have to do or deal with or must be done or dealt with before everything else you have to do.  Collins Dictionary Don’t worry about multiple goals. “The word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality. Somehow, we would now be able to have multiple “first” things. –Greg McKeown, Essentialism Jesus’ priority: 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”  38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”  Mark 1:37-38 Jesus was crystal clear on his priority:  He had come to preach and seek and save the lost. Jesus faced life-long resistance to his mission. His leadership style was non-reactive and self-directed. He set his agenda.  He did not allow others to hijack his agenda, time or mission. We get confused and overwhelmed by the multitude of people and tasks crying out to us. We lose track of our priority, seeking and saving the lost:   Resistance Why don’t we do these things?  Resistance. We face resistance from outside and from within ourselves. You already know what you should be doing but you don’t do it consistently. You are caught up in the pressure of the moment, the urgency of other’s demands and the internal pressure to avoid what matters the most. This capacity to overcome external and internal resistance is the single most important lesson for a ministry leader. You don’t have time for everything, but you do have enough time for the most important things. When your church is stagnant or stuck, you have one priority:  Grow. Everything you do must support your priority or it must be abandoned. Everything else depends on the healthy growth of your church. Why?  It feels right, it’s encouraging and it offers inspiration to discouraged Christians. Reset your Schedule and Follow the 75% rule 75% of your time should be involved in reaching out, studying with the lost or discipling those who have the desire to grow and advance the gospel. For part time and self-supporting leaders, look at your mornings, evenings and weekends What is your current Covid Schedule? Do you have time to bear fruit? Make a “Stop Doing” list of things that don’t contribute toward your priority. Drinking every day Watching hours of TV daily Sleeping in Browsing Freedom Accountable2U Set up systems and routines that make you feel like a winner Scott Adams Goals versus systems Goal: I want to meet and baptize a person this year System: I’m going to share with one person a day Goal: I want to be enjoy peace of mind and peace with God System: I’m going to dedicate the first hour of waking to reading, prayer and meditation Sytems help you to feel like you are winning daily Target those you want to reach Online professional Bible Discussion: “How to succeed Professionally and Spiritually” Golfing Start an online Bible Talk How to Succeed Professionally and Spiritually Book of Daniel 1-6 30 minutes I’ll send you the PowerPoint Make the mission fun for you Get a group around you that you like Do it with friends We developed our own BT Don’t let those who are fearful or faithless stop you “Noah preached and no one became a Christian” I thought something seemed flawed with that statement. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38 If Jesus or Paul were here, they would find a way to find the open people. Set up a short-term campaign 60 Bible study appointments in 60 days

Today on episode 96,  I’m going to talk to Gary and Chris Simmons in Fresno, California.  Gary and Chris have served as bi-vocational leaders of the Central Valley Church of Christ since 2000.  In this episode they share: How they’ve been able to serve as “tentmakers” for nearly 14 years. How they bought a massive church campus for $1 The power of staying in one place for a long time Their plans to start a new church planting next year All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!   More about Gary and Chris: Gary and Chris Simmons have served as the lead ministry couple of the Central Valley Church of Christ in Fresno since 2000 (with a short break from ministry in 2004-2007).  They were both baptized in the Denver church in 1989 and 1990, while Chris was at CU and Gary was getting his graduate degree, and they met each other through church. Both are from New England, and after becoming disciples they have gotten to serve many places including Nebraska and Alaska! In California, they have served in the LA Church, the Bay Area Christian Church, and Fresno.   For the past 14 years Gary has served as a part-time paid minister while holding down a teaching job, and Chris does the ministry as an unpaid part-time position.  This has afforded the small congregation a chance to hire interns and to not have to pay insurance, allowing the church to do much more than if Gary and Chris were paid full time.    Chris recently got a part time job at a publishing company designing book covers, and the whole Simmons family fosters animals for the CCSPCA.  Chris also does social media and sings with the Fresno Master Chorale.   Chris' parents and brother are disciples in the Bay Area church.  Gary and Chris consider the Central Valley Church of Christ a key piece, geographically and relationally, with the BACC, LA Church, Bakersfield, AV and Sacramento.   Their daughter Audrey is a freshman at Azusa Pacific and recently became a disciple.  Their son Wyatt is 16 and going to an early college HS, hoping to study abroad after graduation.  They live with 5 dogs (plus fosters), 1.5 cats, 2 ducks and a chicken.  

Today on episode 95,  I’m going to talk to Brock and Anne Roby.  Brock and Anne graduated from Princeton University in 1984.  Brock was number two in his class and Anne was number one.  They both become Christians there and then went on to plant the church in Oahu, Hawaii in 1989.  Brock and Anne share about: How they got selected to lead the team How they prepared for the planting How the church grew from a team of 20 to an average Sunday attendance 9 years later of 1,000 people The first 6 months of their planting when they saw 45 people get baptized Their experience as parents of a child with Down Syndrome All this and more on episode 95 of the Rob Skinner Podcast!   More about Brock and Anne Roby:  Brock and Anne both graduated from Princeton University with bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering and Brock with a master's degree from Stanford University. It was at Princeton where they studied the bible and became Christians and where they began to date. They were married two years after graduation and then went into the full-time ministry. They trained for the ministry in San Francisco and Boston where they were involved in campus, single, and family ministries. In 1989 they were then asked to lead the mission team to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they lived for almost ten years. During those ten years they planted churches in Hilo, Maui and Guam as well as discipled the church in Anchorage, Alaska. It was in Hawaii where their two children were born. In 1998 they were asked to return to the mainland to serve with the Bay Area Christian Church but were asked to step down from the ministry in 2005. They decided to stay in the Bay Area where both their boys were involved in the teen ministry and where they hoped their boys would become disciples - and they did. Barrett, who has Down syndrome, is now 29, and Nick, who also received a graduate degree in Civil Engineering at Stanford University, is now 28 and married to their wonderful daughter-in-law, Christina. Nick and Christina currently both serve in the full-time ministry in San Francisco.  Brock and Anne served in the full-time ministry for 19 years and Brock has been working as a civil engineer for the past 16 years. They currently live in Pleasanton, CA, where they continue to work for God but on a volunteer basis serving as directors for Pleasanton E-Soccer, a soccer program for children with special needs, and serving on other city and non-profit commissions and boards. In 2013 Brock and Anne were named "Couple of the Year" for the City of Pleasanton largely due to their work in the community and, in particular, the special needs community.  

I’m Rob Skinner and this is the Rob Skinner Podcast. Today on episode 94,  I’m going to talk to Noah Mata.  Noah and his wife, Patty, lead the campus ministry at the University of Maryland.  Noah shares about: Visiting his Dad in prison while Noah was going to college at Temple University. Discovering he has a form of diabetes Three keys to making campus ministry work in 2021 What he does to create a one another discipling culture in his campus ministry How his ministry has managed to baptize nine souls during the pandemic Working with other churches and college ministries on “Freedom Fridays.” His new podcast: “The Messy Middle” All this and more on episode 94 of the Rob Skinner Podcast!   Noah and Patty Mata currently reside in College Park, MD right outside of DC and serve as ministers in the Capital Rivers Church.  Patty is from Halifax Nova Scotia Canada, became a Christian in the Teen Ministry and holds a Masters in Social Work.  Noah became a Christian in 2007 in Hartford, CT. Studied at Temple University - and has been serving in the Full-Time Ministry for almost 7 years in Philadelphia and in the Capital Rivers Church.  Both Patty and Noah are passionate about connecting the Gospel message to both the dignitary and the disprivileged. Noah hosts a Podcast called "The Messy Middle" surveying stories on race and ageism and how to find Jesus in the center of it all. Patty began a page called Jesus Ate Too about bringing a holy, healthy, and Godly mindset to body image and diet practices.  The Mata’s have been married for 3 years and have a dog son named Landon.

Join me on episode 93 as I talk about developing self-discipline and more specifically how to create a morning routine that powers you through the day.  

Join me on episode 92 as I talk about what it takes to become an Evangelist.  I will look at the spirit of Caleb, a man who had a different spirit.

Today on episode 91,  I talk about How Small Improvements can Lead to Big Growth.  You’ll learn: How great leaders share a philosophy of making small improvements How to improve your devotional life How to improve your daily schedule How to be the best you can be Transcript Please save the date for the Climb, Small Church Leadership Conference December 2-5 in Dallas Texas. I hope to have registration set up before the end of the month. There will be an Asian Small Church Leadership Conference the following week. That will be held virtually and we will get more information to you about that.   How Small Improvements can Lead to Big Growth   Since 1908, British riders had won just a single gold medal at the Olympic Games, and they had fared even worse in cycling’s biggest race, the Tour de France. In 110 years, no British cyclist had ever won the event. In fact, the performance of British riders had been so underwhelming that one of the top bike manufacturers in Europe refused to sell bikes to the team because they were afraid that it would hurt sales if other professionals saw the Brits using their gear. Dave Brailsford had been hired to put British Cycling on a new trajectory. What made him different from previous coaches was his relentless commitment to a strategy that he referred to as “the aggregation of marginal gains,” which was the philosophy of searching for a tiny margin of improvement in everything you do. Brailsford said, “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improve it by 1 percent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.” During the ten-year span from 2007 to 2017, British cyclists won 178 world championships and 66 Olympic or Paralympic gold medals and captured 5 Tour de France victories in what is widely regarded as the most successful run in cycling history.[1] This story reminds me that little improvements lead to big change over time.  I’d like to ask you: What if you got 1% better every day? What if your marriage got 1% better every day? What if your church or ministry got 1% better every day? James Clear, who wrote “Atomic Habits,” explains that initially your improvement will hardly be noticeable, but if you were to make a small 1% improvement every day, you would be thirty-seven times better than when you started. Start Small to Go Big When you study leaders who are making a difference, business leaders, coaches, ministers or even good parents, you’ll find a pattern of attention to small improvements.  Read what the ten-time NCAA basketball championship winning coach, John Wooden, counsels: “You have to apply yourself each day to become a little better. By applying yourself to the task of becoming a little better each and every day over a period of time, you will become a lot better. Only then will you be able to approach being the best you can be.”  Paul shares the same principle in Ephesians 5:15-16: 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Paul tells us to be very careful about the small details of our lives.  We need to examine the easy to overlook behaviors and routines that guide 90% of our lives.  We need to pay attention to the small opportunities that pop up and that we often leave unexploited.  We cannot be careless about the boring and seemingly insignificant details of our lives.  What areas in our lives do we need to start being “very careful” with? Be Very Careful With Your Devotional Life How can you energize your walk with God?  What can you do to find power and inspiration every morning that you spend with God?  Do you miss days without connecting with God?  Do you find yourself anxious to get started with your “real work” during your devotional time?  Does your spiritual routine leave you at peace and motivated to do the work of God?  If not, it’s time to make a small daily improvement in the quality of your time with God. Recently, I made a few decisions to improve my time with God in the following ways: I give myself permission to take as long as I need to be close and feel close to God. I give myself permission to enjoy my relationship with God every day. I don’t have to do something or accomplish something first to “earn” a satisfying relationship with God.  I have decided to allow myself to be happy every day in my connection to Christ.  I refuse to wait until at some undetermined time in the future my accomplishments will somehow allow me the freedom to enjoy peace in my relationship with God. These are small “tweaks” in my spiritual life, but they are powerful enough to put me into an entirely different mindset as my work day gets going. Be Very Careful With Your Daily Schedule We need to be very careful about how we spend our time.  In our hyper-connected world, we can spend our days responding to the needs of other people by text, email, or social media.  You cannot make your own unique contribution to this world if you only serve the requests of others.  Carve out dedicated time to do the most important work that you want to do.  That will mean making small improvements in limiting access to you at certain times of the day.  Here are a few things that have worked for me: Use the “Freedom” app that prevents you from checking email or distracting websites for a period of time that you designate. Don’t check your phone or email before your “workday” starts at 8:00 or 9:00 am. I have decided that the first thing I will do once I finish my devotional time is to write 1,000 words. I recommit to this frequently and give myself permission to put my agenda ahead of ministry problems, crises and requests for information.  If I do not do this, I end up at the end of the week late on my sermon preparation, mad at myself for not doing what I considered most important and wondering where my time went and what I had to show for it. What are some other areas to examine that might be ripe for improvement? Do you have any evenings that are reserved for reaching out those who don’t know God? How consistent are you in meeting with people you are mentoring? Are you making the most of daily opportunities to share your faith? Do you have new invitation cards that you can start using? Is your week scheduled in such a way to reach the lost, fellowship with disciples, build your marriage and family and have a little fun? Be the best you can be We have an opportunity as we come out into the new world of life after COVID-19.  We can bemoan the condition our lives, ministries and relationships may be in or we can go to work making small improvements every day.  By doing that we will in time find ourselves stronger than we ever were before the pandemic and more fruitful, happy and creative than we have ever been before. Don’t compare yourself to other people, ministries or churches.  You can learn from the good ideas of others, but if you obsess about how you don’t have this, lacks that or can’t do this, you will be a miserable, discouraged leader.  Instead, focus on being the best you can be.  How can you compare yourself to how you led yesterday?  How can you be better than your old self?  Each day, with each new improvement you will be able to enjoy the satisfaction of making a small but significant change for the better. Over time, your small changes will compound and not only will your ministry grow, but you will change as a person and as a leader.  You will become a Christian who is able to bounce back from setbacks and crises because you know that small changes lead to big progress.       Application Write down three small things that you could change this week that would improve your life? [1] James Clear, “This Coach Improved Every Tiny Thing by 1 Percent and Here’s What Happened,” https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains.

Today on episode 90,  I talk to Brian and Abby Mackie, mission team leaders to Flagstaff, Arizona.  Brian and Abby are 28 and 26 and are graduating from campus to church leadership. They are gathering and leading a team this summer and will have their first official service in September.  They share: Their background and how God guided them to Flagstaff Their vision for the future of the church The plan for getting the church off the ground Advice for those interested in joining the team

Today on episode _89,  I talk to John and Carol McGuirk of Paris, France.  They were missionaries to Paris and then Brussels, Belgium in the ’80s and ’90s.  They returned to the US for 17 years and then in their fifties returned to the foreign mission field.  Since that time the church has seen remarkable growth and strengthening.  In this episode they share: How they rebuilt trust in a church that had declined from 600 to 75 members How over the past nine years they’ve seen over 120 baptisms with only 75 members.  They've also seen 60 former members return to the fellowship. How they’ve concentrated on helping the children of their members become disciples. 45 children of members have become Christians. Their powerful ministry philosophy of bringing your “entourage” to heaven with you. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast

I’m Rob Skinner and this is the Rob Skinner Podcast. Today on episode 88,  I talk to James Thomas from London, England.  James is a disciple, architect, and ultra-marathon athlete.  He has built opera houses, towers and buildings all over the world while serving as a leader in the London Church.  He has run races of over 200 miles and has helped his kids follow Christ.  Last year his small group helped three couples become Christians.  Listen as he shares: How to keep your passion for Christ and life going and growing your entire life. How to stay close to your kids and inspire them to follow Christ How to excel in your work and not lose your family or your faith How to live no-regrets life and make this life count. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast!

Today on episode 84,  I’m going to talk Will and Kristen Lambert.  They were missionaries to Spain and now they have edited and published a new book called the mission.  We’ll find out about their missionary experiences and the purpose of this new book on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Today in episode 86,  I’m going to talk to Jon (33) and Rachel Buchholz (32) from Milan, Italy.  They share about: Rachel's near-death experience during the delivery of her son Ben How Jon and Rachel met in Kid’s kingdom at the age of 5 How their family’s faith inspired them to seek the mission field How their decision to “just say yes” to God has guided them onto the mission field What it takes to go on the mission field How to prepare for any mission field How they fight and overcome mission fatigue and how their love for the people in their church keeps them fighting for God All this and more on the episode 86 of the Rob Skinner Podcast More about Jon and Rachel: Jon and Rachel serve as missionaries in Italy and as the evangelist and women’s ministry leader of the Chiesa di Cristo di Milano. They grew up in the suburbs of Boston, met as children in the Boston Church of Christ, and were baptized as teenagers before entering the Boston Campus Ministry. After graduating and getting married in 2010, they worked in campus and youth and family ministry for the Boston Church until 2014, when they moved to Italy as missionaries. During their years in Milan, the Buchholzs have been blessed with two beautiful children, Benjamin and Aurora, and continue to dream of making the gospel known in Italy and all of Europe.

Today on episode 85,  I’m going to talk about how to inspire people to trust you and your leadership.  How being too optimistic may backfire How a clear call to action is mandatory right now Why people need to know the reason why you are calling them to grow How to encourage people to believe in God and your leadership Transcript Below:   The pandemic is passing.  People are getting vaccinated.  Disciples are resurfacing and wondering, “Where do we go from here?”  Your job as a leader is to offer vision and direction to strengthen and rebuild your church.  Many, if not most, of our churches are weak, lethargic and out of shape spiritually.  Disciples have grown used to “TV church.”  No travel, no trouble, no time spent setting up or breaking down the worship service.  For many of us, we don’t know how badly the pandemic has affected the spiritual health and condition of our churches.  We don’t know exactly how things will be different going forward.  All we know is it will be different, and we are in charge of helping people get back on their feet spiritually.  I’d like to offer some ideas from Nehemiah on how to inspire your members to trust you and your leadership during the cleanup and recovery phase of COVID. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.  Nehemiah 2:17-18 Nehemiah faced an overwhelming task:  Rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem.  The people were demoralized, dispirited, and beaten down.  He not only had to get them to do the physical work involved, but he also had to get them to trust him that things could change for the better.  Let’s find out how he did it. Don’t be too optimistic, tell the truth 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire.  Nehemiah 2:17 Nehemiah could have arrived with a big smile and big talk that things weren’t as bad as they seemed.  Instead, he started with a sobering assessment of the situation: We are in trouble Jerusalem is in ruins The gates are burned with fire He knew that pretending that things were better than they were would cause people to distrust him.  Instead, he connected with people by acknowledging what everyone knew.  They were all in big trouble. It’s tempting during this time to inflate our progress, cover over our weaknesses, disappearing disciples and lack of evangelism.  Your people know that this pandemic has taken a toll on the church and by trying to paint too rosy of a picture, it will cause people to distrust your leadership.  Instead, acknowledge your current situation.  That helps your members know that you are seeing what they are seeing.  Without being pessimistic or “gloom and doom,” tell the truth about the state of your church. My church will be returning to live meetings this month.  However, before we do that, I will be having a family talk at midweek with the entire church.  I will be laying out the true condition of the church.  I will be sharing that some people will not be coming back.  A number may not return to live meetings for a long time.  I will be talking about the drop in Bible studies.  I will talk about how difficult it will be for people to overcome inertia to start leaving their homes.  I will compare it to going back to the gym after not working out for one year.  It’s not easy and it’s not fun.  There will be a lot of grumbling and griping.  Nevertheless, once we push through the pain, we will feel better and stronger about ourselves as disciples and as a church body. Call people to rebuild Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” Nehemiah 2:17 Nehemiah called people to act.  He offered them a massive task and a motivation to do it; we will no longer be in disgrace. Your members need you to call them to rebuild your church.  You are the voice they will listen to.  Here’s what people need now: A clear, limited goal. What are you trying to do?  What do people need to do?  What will it look like when it’s done? A big reason to sacrifice. People need to know “Why?”  Nehemiah told his people that their sacrifice would restore their self-respect and would remove their shame.  They would feel better about themselves because of this wall being built.  Set up a clear plan to revive your church.  Make it simple and not too complicated.  Set a low bar that most can achieve with a little effort.  For example, in Tucson, I’ve started with the following: Rob’s March Plan Daily prayer meeting:  A Zoom prayer meeting from 7:00-7:15 Monday-Friday. (Thank you Tony and Melanie Singh!) One Saturday “ManChurch”:  A park service to reactivate the men in the church Men’s retreat at a YMCA camp in April My private prayer Goal:  31 studies by the end of the month Promote prayer and fasting chain (This was started January 1st, thank you Henry and Arunima Gomes!) Find and meet in a live location:  (Our old location is closed) Ask the church to share with one person per day going forward   Encourage, Encourage, Encourage 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.  Nehemiah 2:18 After bringing the “bad news” and calling people to action, Nehemiah encouraged his people with how God had already answered his prayers and was clearly supporting Nehemiah’s efforts. Your people need to know that you: Understand the gravity of the situation Have a clear, yet modest goal for rebuilding Have a strong and motivating reason to rebuild Once this has been laid out, you must inspire people to trust in God and you by sharing how God has already been moving in your life.  Encourage people and share about God’s power.  Let them know about times in the past when he has brought you through challenging times. Every time we meet together, I pull up stories of how God has moved in my life and heard my prayers in difficult times.  People need to know that they can trust my leadership. Your people are looking to you.  They want to trust you.  They want to trust that God is working through you.  Imitate Nehemiah’s example to inspire trust: Don’t be too optimistic, tell the truth Call people to action and let people know why Encourage people with stories of how God is and has worked through you before

Today on episode 84,  I’m going to talk to Helen and Mohan Nanjudan.  Mohan and Helen Nanjundan were baptized as students in London in the 80’s. They’ve led churches in India, Singapore and the UK. They have two children, Priya and Rahul, who are active members of our family of churches in Birmingham and Glasgow, respectively.  In this episode you’ll learn: How they went from student converts in London to leading the church How Mohan arrived at is wedding riding on a white horse How they led HOPE Worldwide charity in India in the early 2,000’s. How’ve they’ve each met and led two people to Christ last year during Covid The advice they’d give to their younger selves: Be open, vulnerable and never stop being bold. How they’ve made ministry a life-long passion and not a passing phase. All this and more on episode 84 of the Rob Skinner Podcast

Today on episode _83,  I’m going to talk about how to put the passion back into your relationship with God.  When you became a Christian, you made a decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life and go anywhere, do anything and give up everything.  Sometimes though we end up wondering where our fire went, where our fruitfulness went, where the fun went.  If you would like to reignite the passion you once felt, you should consider going on a mission team.  I’ll talk about why God may be calling you to step out on faith and GO and make disciples this year.  It’ll be the best decision you ever made.  Here's why God may be calling you to the mission field: Fourth Soil Fruitfulness First String Living Leadership Training A chance to make lifetime friends and memories A chance to sacrifice and put your faith into practice for Jesus A chance to start over An opportunity to inspire the Kingdom of God Transcript Below: 0:00  I'm Rob Skinner. And this is the Rob Skinner podcast. Today on episode 83, I'm going to talk about how to put the passion back into your relationship with God. When you became a Christian, you made a decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life and go anywhere, do anything and give up everything. Sometimes though, we end up wondering where our fire went, where our fruitfulness went, where the fun went. If you'd like to reignite the passion you once felt, you should consider going on a mission team. I'll talk about why God may be calling you to step out on faith and go and make disciples this year. It'll be the best decision you ever made. All this and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner podcast.   1:20  Welcome back to the Rob Skinner podcast. My goal is to inspire you to live a no regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders and churches. Just a day or two ago, I got the book mailed to me the mission. And it's an updated version of a book that was published back in 1994. William and Kristen Lambert are the editors of it. And essentially, they've interviewed different church leaders from all over the world and what they're doing, and about their passion for the mission. Now, nothing gets me more fired up than talking about the mission and mission teams. I mean, I started reading it immediately. And I was just like, that's awesome. And I hope to interview some of the people in the book and the editors themselves. If you're listening, give me a call. I want to talk to you about your book. But it's got a great introduction by Randy McKean. And it's a great book. But it made me think about mission teams. And I'm, I'm just passionate about it. I want to plan as many more churches as I can before I die.   2:22  One of the churches that I'm working with right now is trying to get a mission team to Flagstaff, Arizona. And it's exciting because we had over 20 people on the last mission team meeting, who are excited about going there. I'm interviewing leaders right now I've got some people in mind. It's really awesome. I'd be just meeting together the people and talking about it gets my blood pumping. And I'm also excited about a mission plant and going out to Hilo Hawaii that Gary Roberson is organizing. So, there's a lot of work. And that's just the domestic work that doesn't even include foreign missions and other stuff that's going on. But I want to talk to you today about 10 reasons why you should consider going on a mission team. Now you might be thinking, Oh no, I'm not good at that. Or I might be part of a big church or whatever. But I want to I want to persuade you; I want to give you 10 reasons why God may be calling you to go on a mission team. Now I'm talking to you whether you're in your 20s or 30s, or 40s, you got six kids. Mission teams are for everybody. And, boy, you need every type of person to go on a mission team. So, if you're thinking about it, just listen to this. And we're going to we're gonna talk more about it. First of all, what makes the mission team so special? Why should you go What's the benefit for you? That's what I want to cover today.   3:45  My first reason why you should consider it is fourth soil living fourth soil living.   3:52  In Mark chapter four in verse seven through nine. Jesus said Other seed fell among thorns which grew up and choked the plants so that they did not bear grain. Still Other seed fell on good soil, it came up grew and produced a crop, some multiplying 30, some 60, some 100 times Then Jesus said, whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. Still others like seeds sown among thorns hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others like seeds sown on good soil, hear the word accepted, and produce a crop some 30, some 60, some 100 times what was sown.  Now this is an awesome passage, and Jesus is just talking about our different responses to the Word of God. And we often use this for non-Christians and talk about how people are hard hearted, or they're choked out. But the third soil, if we're really honest with ourselves is where many of us end up living a majority of our Christian life and not intentionally, but it's kind of the default setting for the Christian life, especially if you're in a first world country where most of my listeners are, are living. We get choked out by worries, desires, deceitfulness of wealth. And the result is we're barren and unfruitful. Now, I'm not saying that you're barren and unfruitful, but I'm saying that it does create a tendency to be more barren and unfruitful than if let's say, we have less of those things. So as a disciple, which soil Do you want to live in? Do you want to be in the third soil, which is the soil that gets choked out by things, or the fourth soil now the fourth soil, hears the word accepts it, produces a crop 3060 100 times what was sown?   5:53  Now, I would guess that if you're listening to this podcast, you're like, I want to be in the forest soil. Absolutely. That's exactly where I want to be. But I gotta tell you, there's been times in my life where I've totally been choked out by weeds, all sorts of desires for other things. And I have, I've gone for long stretches, have not been fruitful.  And that's just a fact I and I just had to go, Whoa, I am totally in the third soil. So, I'm not trying to shame anybody. I've been there. And I know what it's like. And it takes picking up your roots and getting into a good soil. That's why a mission team is so powerful. The benefit of a mission team is its singular focus, saving souls. In large churches, that can be so many different ministries, you've got the I just don't even want to go through the long list. But you know, you've got all sorts of different meetings and all sorts of different stuff. There's administration and let's do this. And let's focus on this. When you go on a mission team, it gets stripped down. All it is, is let's baptize people, let's save souls. And if you're like me, you got I like that kind of a focus. I like knowing what I'm there for and making disciples.   7:13  There was a couple that we invited to come on the Tucson mission team, and I did this lesson for them when we were recruiting people back in 2012.  And they were from a large church, and they called me after I did the devotional. And they said, Listen, Rob, we'd really like to go, we think it'd be great. But we got to be honest with you and tell you a little bit about ourselves. We haven't studied the Bible and baptize somebody in 17 years. Not since we were singles.  And at that point, I was looking for anyone who is willing to go and had a pulse, and I'm like, Listen, it's okay. If you go, God's gonna bless you. You're gonna be really, really fruitful. And luckily, they believe me. Because they went and they helped. Working along, you know, side of us, they helped like eight couples become Christians. It was awesome. And in just a two- or three-year period, it was amazing. I mean, they just helped us to build the church so powerfully. And this couple had not literally had confessed, had not been fruitful for like 17 years. Now. Listen, you might be listening. Go man, I can't even remember the last time I baptize somebody.  Don't, don't judge yourself. Don't get hard on yourself. Maybe that's God saying, Hey, listen, it's time to pull up the roots of those weeds and move to a different place where you can focus just on that. It’s worth thinking about.   8:46  Second reason you should consider going on a mission team. First string living, first string living.   8:56  I like to watch you know basketball football a little bit. I'm not a huge I'm not a fanatic. When it comes to sports. I like to watch I mean, when the playoffs come along the Super Bowl, I really get into it but regular season. I'm not really into it. I'm not a huge soccer fan either. I'm just, you know, kind of a fair-weather fan. But one thing I noticed when I watch teams is you look at these guys on the bench.  And you think about it, man.  Growing up in primary school, and then high school, college, they were the best of the best. They always play they everyone else is on the bench. But now many pros never get to see any time in the game. There was a guy that I knew from Oregon, where we lived before we moved to Tucson and he was a superstar. He was like Oregon player of the decade. I mean, just an amazing player won the championship in the state. He went to Duke and then he went into the pros. And I saw him one day, you know, years at pass, and I just see him playing, sitting on the bench not getting any minutes at all. And I go, how does that happen? Well, those people are still awesome. But they just aren't quite good enough to be on the first string.   10:17  And taking that to a spiritual focus many times in, in many times in established churches, we don't get time because there are a lot of other great disciples around us. And we can feel like we're on the bench.  But we still have the skills, we've still got game. We can still baptize people. But other people are preaching other people are active and leading, but you're still awesome. And what's great about mission teams is everyone gets to go into the game.  In fact, he joined a mission team, you'll be begging for time on the bench just to take a breather.   10:57  When we planted the church in Tucson, Arizona, I forgot to look for a song leader. I was like, Oh my gosh, major oversight. Did not did not forget to think about it. Okay, just a little note to yourself, if you're planning a mission to make sure you get a good song leader. But anyway, there we were first service, no one knows how to lead songs. But then a brother comes up to me and goes, Hey, I'd like to try it.  And he'd let a couple songs in the past. And so, he started doing it. And guess what, he became our primary song leader. And over the course of the time, his time in Tucson, which was like five or six years, he became a great song, song leader, his name is Matt Mike. And he started with very little background. But because he was forced to get into the game, he became great at it. He just did it every single week. And guess what, he became great. And he was an excellent song leader.  But that's another reason. So, if you're kind of sitting around going, Hey, I could do something I other people are doing it. But I'm kind of just sitting around, think about a mission team. Because I'll tell you, there's a lot of small churches where they would love to have your talent. And there's a lot of disciples that are 20 3040 years old, his disciples, and even on the bench long time. But if you went to a smaller church, you'd be a starter you would be you'd be the LeBron James of that small church, you would be just like, Whoa, you're amazing. So, think about that.   12:30  Third reason to consider going on a mission team: leadership training.   12:35  Some of us are young and hoping to lead in the future. And I if that's you, I go, Man, that's I'm talking to you. You want to make a difference with your life you want this life to count? Well, there's no better way than going on a mission team. And this always puzzles me why young people don't want to go on a mission team, I go, man, if you really want to make a difference. If you want to grow mission teams are like the place because it forces you to do everything. It's like it will train you to be the very best disciple you can be. Now I'm not I'm not saying that you can't be a strong disciple in large church. But what I am saying is that the environment of a small mission team where you have to be engaged in some dimension, really provides great opportunities. I want to share a couple examples. One, when we planted the church in Ashland, Oregon, that was a self-supporting ministry. And so, we had like, I remember we had about eight people in the church, you know, a year into it or something. I was happy because we started with to just Pam and me. And then we got to a and I was like, all right, man, we've, we've quadrupled, we're cranking. This is incredible growth. But I thought we need a campus minister. And so, I told everybody said, Listen, we're gonna raise $15,000 I calculated it out. I said, Okay, we're gonna get part time salary, you know, 20 hours a week, times minimum wage, and we're gonna hire somebody. So, I thought, I think is about 15,000 US dollars. At that, that price. And we hired a guy named Chris Schwartz and Berger. And Chris came down and he became our campus minister. And I mean, it was really rough. Like, at one point in preparation, he ended up getting married, but he was trying to save money. We had him stay in the church. We were renting a church building and he slept in one of the children's ministry rooms. This guy was so dedicated. He was hardcore, heavy people. This is a very lonely and desolate church building and people would come around and do drugs around the corner and Chris would hear all this at night. There was no shower. There was a kitchen but no shower.  And but he was willing to do it. And he became just an amazing, amazing leader and a preacher. He's already really good at it.  Somebody just became better ended up marrying his wife, Amy there, she was one of the first conversions on campus. And then he became a church leader. And he leads a church now in Spokane, Washington.  But because I was working full time, he got a lot of reps, he got a lot of chances to preach the word and he became awesome. And he built that campus ministry at Southern Oregon University. Another person who's like that is a man named Brad Thomas Shira, Brad was converted on campus. Right when Chris was leaving, and he was a wrestler, and there was a lot of Hawaiians that were being converted at the time. And he was a wrestler, and he became a Christian just had an incredible and still does has an incredible heart for God. Well, when I saw all these Hawaiians became becoming Christians, I talked to risky, I know who is leaving the church in a wahoo at the time, and I had them come out and visit I said, Listen, you gotta you got to get these guys to come out to Hawaii when they graduate, because they're just awesome. And so, Brad ended up going back with his girlfriend and fiancé, and then his wife, eventually, Alicia, they got married, went back and went into the ministry in a wahoo. And now they lead the campus ministry at the University of Hawaii. And he's just, they're just an amazing couple, but they are both converted in a very small church and small churches. Because they have so few resources, those early conversions, just, I don't know what it is about them, they just have more faith, they just really do because that's all that that's all it's the only thing that they have is the vision. Because there's the early churches can be just so rough. And so those early disciples big take on a lot of responsibility quickly, and they rise up quickly. And so, if you want leadership training, man, small churches are the way to go. He got the training; both those guys an opportunity that they needed in the small church environment.  And so just amazing in a Chris I appointed Chris as an evangelist because he got so much so many reps, and then he got hired away by a large church and just did amazing.   17:12  Why else would you consider going on a mission team? Number four: a chance to sacrifice for Christ.   17:18  In Mark chapter 10, in verse 17, through 31, we know the story, as Jesus started on his way a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. good teacher, he asked what must I do to inherit eternal life? And then just Jesus goes on and he says, no one's good except God alone. You know the commandments You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery shall not steal, you should not give false testimony shall not defraud, honor your father and mother teacher declared all these I've kept since I was a boy, Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you like he said, go sell everything you have and give to the poor. And you'll have treasure in heaven, then come follow me. At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were amazed. I'm going to just read down in verse 31. He says, Truly, I tell you, verse 29, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters, or mother, children or fields for me in the Gospel will fail to receive 100 times as much in this present age, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields along with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life. The many who are first will be last and the last first. Now, again, we use this for non-Christians, we talk about people that are not willing to sacrifice for Christ. But we need to also apply to ourselves and ask how would we do in that situation?  Jesus just lays down a gut-wrenching challenge to this guy. He says, Hey, just give up everything and follow me. Now, not everyone is called to do that. But again, Jesus said, unless you give up everything you have, you can't be My disciple. In in theory, yes, we decided to give up everything and make Jesus the owner of everything we own.  The mission team allows us the chance to step up and put our faith on the line.   19:21  Now fear just can start to really get our hearts pumping at this point, go oh my gosh, what's going to happen though, if I really do that, well, Jesus promises says, Listen, you won't fail to receive 100 times as much. If you sacrifice anything for him, you're going to get it back. Okay. And he says, not only in the end ties, but also right here in this world. And that's an incredible opportunity. Are you ready for that chance? I think about planting the church in Ashland, Oregon. My wife and I just resigned from our full-time position in in Idaho. We packed up our kids and jumped in Hop in u haul trucks and move to Ashland. It was scary. But now there's a church there. And I think about all the people that have been saved as a result, it was worth it. I mean, it was scary. I gave up my position. I didn't have any financial support. But I go, man, I do that again in a heartbeat. In my channel, I gave my family a chance to hear the gospel. Like it was awesome. You know that. But then I got called again to leave there and plant another church in Tucson, Arizona. That was tough. That was tough, too, for different reasons. Because at that point is like, oh my gosh, this really cost me financially to plant this church and Ashland. But if I stay here, I'm probably going to make quite a bit more money once the real estate economy starts to turn around. And I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I decided to leave that and I'm glad I did, because it worked out perfectly for my kids going to college here in Arizona, for so many different reasons. And more than anything, just to see more and more people being saved. Now, there's two churches where there were none, and I go, it's, I go, that's 100 times as much when I see those souls saved. I got man. So glad I did it. I hope. I'm doing fine. I'm doing great. But I go now there's a light burning in every city and I go, that's what I love to do. And when I think about the church that I planted, whether it's Portland or Ashland, or Tucson, or I think about the church we organized in Anchorage, Alaska, I go, man, yeah, it was a sacrifice. It was scary. I remember being asked to go overseas to Japan. It was scary. I'd never been there before. I don't look very Japanese. But I go, Man, I'm glad I said yes. It's so good for your faith, to make a sacrifice. So, if you're, if you're wavering on it, just go for it. It's okay. God will take care of you and they'll give you 100 times as much. What else?   Number Five a chance to make memories and best friends for life.   Time seems to stand still on a mission team. Every day is amazing. It's new, it's fresh. It just, it's incredible how every day just seems like five days. We were in Portland, our first church planting back in 1991 30 years ago, we were only there for a little over six months. And yet, it seems like almost every day I can remember it seems more like I was there for six years. And I still have relationships with so many people from that time member one day, six people are baptized in a single day. And I've still got friends from those days. I think about john and Lynn O'Hara, who were baptized in that pool on the top of our apartment building. It was awesome. And they're just faithful disciples in the San Francisco church, that house church there. So, it's awesome. I've still got group many, many great friends from that time. And you get so tight on a mission team. I mean, you need each other and it's just like, you get bonded, hit like right away. And you'll always have those friendships for life. It's amazing.   Number six, a chance to put your faith into practice and follow Jesus.   In Mark chapter one and verse 16, through 18, we know that passage, Jesus said, Come follow me and I'll make you fishers of men. And they left at all they dropped their nets, and I followed them. They had the privilege of walking with Jesus. What was Jesus doing, he was living out the mission. Now you already made this decision when you became a Christian. But remember, sometimes Jesus calls us twice. In john chapter one and verse 35, through 42. Jesus had already called these guys okay, before Mark chapter one, it's pretty clear that Jesus had already built a relationship with these guys. Now, when we read Mark chapter one, it seems like this is the first time Jesus is running into these guys, and just kind of like all out of the blue, he says, Hey, come on, guys. I don't know you, but just follow me. And I'm gonna make you fishers of men. But we read in john chapter one, verse 35, that those disciples were following john at the time. And they said, Hey, Rabbi, where are you staying? It says, we'll come follow me. And they spent the rest of the day with him. So that was their first call. Mark, chapter one was their second call to actually leave permanently and follow Him. And so, when you think about your calling to become a Christian, that's like your first call, and you listen, and I go, awesome, good for you. But sometimes Jesus calls again and said, Listen, I still need you. I still need you to come on out. We've got to, we've got to get the word out here, overseas and domestically. And you have to be receptive to when Jesus calls again. You know, maybe you're thinking I'd like to go overseas, or I want to go to a province. Or I'd like to go where my family is at and you know, maybe a small place that I don't know I don't know your situation. Maybe you're in a, in a country where you go, man, I really want to reach my family. I felt that way. But that maybe that's your second call and you go, okay, gotta listen to that voice and of course get advice. But you know what I told the Flagstaff members who are interested in plaques, I said, this is your second call. Make sure you take it. And I remember when Frank Kim called us to go to Tokyo, Japan. It was scary. You know, I didn't. I my only interaction with Frank prior to that was he came to one of my campus devotionals, the first one of the first times I ever preached in front of the students. And I was talking to my campus minister afterwards, and I said, Hey, what did Frank think about my, my, you know, my devotional, it's like, a five-minute devotional. And the campus minister said, Frank says, you need to learn how to preach. And, you know, I go, Okay, I got it. I gotta learn. So, you know, my, my prior experience with Frank was is kind of a bumbling intern, you know, ministry want to be, but then he's calling me to says, Hey, I'd like you to come out here and help support us and do the work of ministry here in Tokyo, Japan. And I'm like, does he remember who I am? Does Remember, you know, all the mistakes I made and how I struggled and nearly fell away.   26:25  But Pam, and I had made a decision. We're not going to say no, when God calls us. And we didn't, other people had been asked by him prior to that. And they said, No, now I'm sure they had good reasons for it. But I'm just glad that we didn't say no, because we had the some of the best 10 years of our life, learning from him and reaching that country. It's just an amazing, amazing place.   Number seven, a chance to start over and have a fresh start.   I love that passage in Isaiah, when he says, forget the former things don't dwell on the past, see, I'm doing a new thing. And sometimes we just need to forget the former things. We've all made mistakes. And we've all gotten ourselves into situations where we go, I just wish I could fly away and have a fresh start. Everyone deserves a fresh start at times, we've all made mistakes, I've made so many mistakes, I just times I've just wished I just want to be somewhere else. The mission field is a chance to get around people who do not know you. They don't know your backstory. And in fact, those people who become Christians, those baby Christians will that you study the Bible, they'll think you're a spiritual superstar, even though you may be a complete, you know, you feel like I've just really failed in the past. But when those people start getting baptized, they're gonna look at you and go, man, I want to be like you. And I think that's really a powerful thing about a mission team is, you know, of course, you got to deal with your baggage and stuff like that. But you can start over. And I've seen so many people that had really tough situations and their backgrounds, they've fallen away in the past, they just gotten into major sin. But being in a different environment, totally raised their game spiritually. You can start over.   Number eight, it's a chance to inspire the kingdom of God.   I love this church; this family of churches were a part of I love the kingdom of God. I love God's kingdom. I want to see it grow. Man. I just think about I dream of I pray about it in the morning is good Lord, I want to see our churches. Just go to a million disciples just 10 times before I don't let me let me be a part of the solution. I just God, please, please, please, please use me Help me to make a little difference. Let me encourage people let me let me help. Because I love our churches. I love our doctrine I love I love the attitude. I just go Yeah, we've made mistakes by God, man. I love these churches. And our churches need inspiration. Let's show people what God is able to do. You know, when we planted the church in Tucson, it was so awesome. And I just decided, Okay, well, we want to start big. And we had a team of 22. But we had almost 500 people at our first worship service. That was encouraging. It was encouraging for me, but I think it encouraged the kingdom. And that's what the kingdom needs is it needs fresh inspiration. And that's what you can provide.   Number nine, a chance to witness God doing amazing things.   Habakkuk one, five. So, say I'm going to do something that you wouldn't believe even if someone told you. I go, okay. It's so cool what small churches can do because they can start to double and triple. When we planted the church in Tucson, it started with 22. In just two years, it grew to over 100 disciples. That's amazing to me. I just go I was inspired by that. And I've seen that happen over and over again. I remember when I was in Japan, I heard about a church and in a place called Surabaya, we were so inspired because they grew to like 100 in like a year, something like that it was just awesome. But the church can grow so rapidly. And it's so faith building, when you are a part of that and you go, Wow, I'm witnessing the footprints of God. I'm seeing his work in in changing lives. And that is so refreshing. Because if you've been around a situation that's been kind of stagnant, or it hasn't really grown much, you wonder, okay, I want to see God's power. Well, you see it very clearly. When God starts baptizing people, and he starts calling people and people's lives changed, and you hear their testimony you go, that's God, that's only God.   Number 10. The chance to express our love for Christ   In john chapter 21, in verse 17, it says this, the third time you said to him, Simon, son of john,  do you love me? Peter is hurt, because Jesus asked him a third time, he loved me. He said, Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my sheep. Do you love Jesus than feed his sheep, there's no better way to express your love for God than laying it all on the line and just going for it. I want to encourage you, if you are even a little bit like man that I'm thinking about that thought about that a long time, but I don't know. Just go for it. That's such an incredible way for you to say, Jesus, I am so grateful for you saving my life. I want to take a risk view, I want to lay it all on the line, and feed your sheep, take care of the last save people and build up an amazing family for God. Now, there are two golden opportunities domestically here in the US for mission work this year. There's a planting in Hilo, Hawaii, there are already about 22 disciples there in Hawaii. And they're looking to replant that church and build it. And so, if you're a retiree or a younger person, they're looking for a campus minister to lead they're looking to hire there. And think about that. I mean, that's like planning a church in paradise. Or Flagstaff, Arizona. I've mentioned that before. If you're thinking about that, man, just go on the team. You know, give me a call, text me, email me, you know, message me. And it's gonna be an amazing, amazing time. If you're interested in leading it, call me. Okay, just call me get a hold of me. I'm looking for a good leader. I want to make sure that this is totally successful and really saves a lot of souls. But there are also so many opportunities overseas. And I just got a message from Sean Wooten. And he's, he's like, hey, Rob, there are 10 churches in Eastern Europe that have no church and are looking for leadership. I'm just like 1010 countries. He said, there's 10 countries with no church in it. I'm still What? And so, he said, do you want to? You want to go there? I'm like to think about that. I mean, we need to get that gospel out there. There's so much room for expansion. We are a drop in the bucket. We can grow so much. I look forward to the day in our family of churches when you just don't know people because our family churches are so big. So, if you're thinking about it, just go for it. If you're feeling called by God, just please listen to his call. Pray about it, get advice, and go for it.   If you're enjoying this podcast, let me just ask you a favor. Hit the subscribe button. Make sure that they keep coming to you and then let your friends know about it and how to find it. Tell your church friends, your family and please spread the word because my goal is to inspire you to make this life count. Living no regrets life and multiply disciples, leaders and churches. Have a great day and make this life count.  

On August 4th, 2020 a 1.1 kiloton bomb went off five minutes away from the home of Moufid and Jessy Tohme.  This is one of the most powerful non-nuclear blasts in history.  They and the church they lead in Beirut spent the rest of the year helping the 5,000 injured and nearly 300,000 homeless.  On top of that, they have been in near-total lockdown because of COVID-19.  In spite of these horrific circumstances, they have been saving more souls than ever in the history of the 27-year old church they lead.  Find out how they have managed to rise above their challenges and do God's will in extreme circumstances.  In this episode they will share: The history of the church in Lebanon Jessy's childhood living in shelters during a civil war Their "Deep Roots" program that has enabled them to save more souls during COVID than at any time previously How they currently have 230 people studying the Bible with only 100 disciples in the church Their plans to plant more churches in Lebanon Their Arab ministries in the US, Europe, the Gulf and Australia How Jessy started her TV and Radio Career as a means to advertise a ministry event All this and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

You think you’re busy?  Today on episode 81,   I’m going to talk to a man who, along with his wife, lead a church of over 300 hundred disciples. He is also a hydroelectrical engineer who has overseen a massive hydroelectric powerplant.  He now serves as an adviser and cabinet secretary to the president of his country as head of state in charge of water and electricity issues.  In this episode he'll share his secrets to leading in the Kingdom and in a secular career.  He shares: How he dreamed of living a life like Nehemiah, who served both the king and the kingdom of God. What has made the difference for him in balancing his responsibilities How he avoided the temptations that come with his high-powered role in his country How he deals with the pressure of "keeping the lights on" for his entire country How he makes the time for God and his family More about Geoffroy and Florence Gankoue-Dzon: Church city : Brazzaville, main city Country : Republic of Congo Population of the city : 1.8 million Florence is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where she was converted to Kinshasa in May 1996, when she was single and working in a logistics company as a senior cashier. Geoffroy comes is from the Republic of Congo. He knew the Lord in January 1997 in Brazzaville, a few months after his recruitment into the workforce of the national electricity company, immediately after obtaining his electromechanical engineering degree. They got married in October 2001 and God blessed their union with 3 children, including Sarah (18 years old, business law student), Geoffroy-Junior (16 years old, year 12 pupil class) and Angélica (14 years old, year 10 pupil class). Since October 2003, the couple has been leading the Brazzaville Church of Christ on a voluntary basis, which currently has 311 disciples (191 brothers and 120 sisters). Geoffroy was recognized as a self-supporting Evangelist in May 2016. Furthermore, by the grace of God, Geoffroy has enjoyed an exceptional professional career by occupying, in particular, the positions of hydroelectric power plant manager, project manager, minister's advisor (2012-2016), member of board of directors of water and electricity companies as well as advisor to the President of the Republic, Head of State, in charge of water and electricity issues from September 2016.  

Covid got you down?  Today on episode _80,  I’m going to talk about how regain your passion when you feel: Downcast Depressed Dicouraged Lethargic Not yourself I’ll be sharing some of the techniques I’ve used that have helped me recharge my passion when I get knocked down.  

Today on episode 79_,  I’m talking to Chip and Ruby Mitchell, who lead the church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Leading a large, multi-racial church during racial unrest, political tension and a world-wide pandemic, they share: Three practices that have helped them grow How they ended up in Philadelphia What is their "super power" How to live a godly life during racial and political tension How to have an “Exit Strategy” How they blow off steam Three secrets that will help you be a better preacher More about Chip and Ruby: Chip Became a Christian at the University of Massachusetts in 1986. While in college Chip competed as a 2 sport varsity athletics while attaining a BS in Sport Management.  While attending the Univ. of Mass he had the privilege and honor of being part of the Campus ministry of the then Springfield Church of Christ.  After graduation he worked as a Major Accounts District Manager for a fortune 500 company out of Hartford Connecticut. He specialized in payroll, HR, tax filing and unemployment management services. In 1993 he began his pursuit of his dream to become a minister.  In 1996 he was married to the love of his life Ruby Mitchell in Springfield Ma.  Ruby was converted as a professional single woman in the NYC Church of Christ in 1986. She graduated from Ithaca College with a communications degree. Ruby came to Philadelphia in 1989 on the mission team to start the GPCC. They currently have 2 amazing children Alonzo who is 23 and Camri who is 18yrs old.  They have served in many capacities throughout New England for over 2 decades. They currently serve as Evangelist and Women’s ministry leader for The Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ.

Today on episode 78,  I interview Todd and Patty Asaad from Dallas, Texas.  Todd and Patty lead a church of nearly 1,300 disciples.  The Dallas church has been a bright spot of health and growth over the last fifteen years.  Here’s what you’ll learn: How they faced failure, getting fired and then went on to lead a consistently growing healthy church. How a loving ministry philosophy can help change and grow stuck and stagnant disciples and ministries. How to become a kingdom connector and build better friendships How Patty has been able to lead while coping with a chronic illness. All this and more on the Rob Skinner Podcast

Today on episode 77,  I’m going to talk to Kiky and Maya Suherlan from Jakarta, Indonesia.  Kiky and Maya are disciples and business owners in the Jakarta church.  Their corporation encompasses 40 different companies employing over 5,000 people.  Reached out to by Harliem and Vania Salim, the church leaders, they started with a ministry of five couples and now have over 300 business and bank owners, architects, resort developers, former mafia leaders and nationally known celebrities and performers .  If you’ve ever wanted to know how to reach high net worth individuals and influencers, find out how they did this in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Today on episode 75,  I’m going to talk about how to help your small church, ministry or small group grow.  I’ll share from a lesson I did at the Look Up small church leaders conference.  You’ll learn how to: Live an inspired and inspiring life. How to do more with less stress How to develop personal systems How to bear more fruit You can reach Rob at https://robskinner.com/ All that and more on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast   Music   Welcome Back to the Rob Skinner Podcast! My goal is to inspire you to: Live a no-regrets life Make this life count Multiply disciples, leaders and churches   Personal comments   How to Live an Inspired and Inspiring Life   35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”  38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.  Mark 1:35-39 Spiritually powered Self-directed Jesus had a morning routine He chose what to do and what not to do He took action when no one was calling him to do it   “Some had spoken as well as he or better.  Gandhi’s greatness lay in doing what others might do but don’t” Louis Fischer “Successful people make a habit of doing what failures don’t like to do.” Earl Nightingale   How to do more with less stress Anyone in here not busy?  Whether 20 or 600, we are all busy 80/20 rule:  20% of your actions are creating 80% of your performance. Distinguish the 20% of effective work from the 80% of marginal and ineffective work Focus on developing the 20% Inspired preaching and teaching Evangelism Followup Bible studies Training young leaders Pastor factory Communication and encouragement Make a stop doing list Discipling mature disciples Traditional activities Unfruitful events   How to Develop Personal Systems The goal problem Share:  100 member plateau I love to set goals and go after them The problem is if you aren’t hitting them it leads back to the negativity we talked about above. Goals are for losers and systems are for winners:  Scott Adams As long as you haven’t hit your goal, you are technically a “loser.” Goal-oriented people exist in a state of continuous pre-success failure at best, and permanent failure at worst if things never work out. Systems people succeed every time they apply their systems, in the sense that they did what they intended to do.  Scott Adams That is no way to live. Set it up so you feel like you are winning on a regular basis. Examples: Losing weight: Weight watchers rather than set a target weight. Get in shape: Commit to 3-5 times in the gym weekly. Spirituality: 15 minutes meditating on Jesus Bearing fruit: I’m going to share with 3 people a day until I meet someone open Every goal you have needs to have a system that you can work on daily to achieve it. Share:  Personal goal sheet   How to bear more fruit than at any time in your Christian life 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.  Mark 1:38-39 If your church is under 100 members, you have to lead the way. Show slides of people I personally met It energizes you, gives you confidence and inspires others. Create a system of regular evangelism You are the most attractive, persuasive member of your church, use your super-power. 100-200 people a month 3x5 cards Follow fundamentals: Share Follow-up Set up studies Teach Baptize Create Accountability: Habit Tracker Tokyo prayer group

Today on episode _74,  I’m going to talk about how to help your small church, ministry or small group grow.  I’ll share from a lesson I did at the Look Up small church leaders conference.  I’ll be talking about: How to win the mental battle Dealing with negativity, shame and fear Five habits that growing church leaders practice How to break out of a losing mindset You can reach Rob at https://robskinner.com/   How to Win the Mental Battle   Dealing with self-pity, negativity, shame and fear I’ve quit the ministry at least ten times.  Four people at 7:00 midweek led to “overnight resignation”   Three things that keep us trapped spiritually Fear When your church is in the tank, it’s hard not to think about what “they” are thinking about how bad you are doing.  Who are “they?”  It can be the people you respect, your friends, people in the church or even non-existent people “out there.”  We are conditioned to measure ourselves based on the approval or disapproval of others.  Often the people who most loudly say, “I don’t care what people think,” are the ones most carefully monitoring the body language of those around us.  In spite of the fact that most people aren’t even thinking about us and even the ones who are assigned to look out for us are thinking about their own situation, we still worry about others’ opinions.  This fear keeps us from calling to get help, keeps us isolated and keeps us from pursuing normal relationships.  Ministry offers great independence and freedom of action, the downside is that when your growth is going south, it’s easy to cut off communications and relationships with people that can help us. I can think of many times I thought I should call for help, advice or fellowship.  I kept putting it off because I “didn’t have anything encouraging to share.” Another reason is that “I knew what ‘they’ would say.” My pride prevented me from staying connected relationally.   Self-pity Self-pity is an insidious growth killer.  Symptoms of self-pity include blaming others for your sorry situation, comparing your lack of funding to larger, better-resourced churches and using phrases like, “my situation or field is unique, harder or not like anyone else’s.”  The result of self-pity is that we excuse ourselves and let ourselves off the hook for our poor performance.  We become the victim, not the victor and stop trying because unconsciously we feel like people, other churches, or our situation is “keeping us down.”   Shame Shame is a toxic vine that grows well in the lonely, isolated private life of the average small church leader.  Few people know what is going on in the life of a church leader.  He seems cheerful, upbeat to all appearances and endorses a healthy, wholesome lifestyle in his sermons and teaching.  This is a perfect cover for pornography and alcohol addiction, marriage and family conflicts and other private battles.  The primary problem is not the particular sin, but the resulting secrecy, shame and eventual damage done on a personal and church-wide level.  The average church leader has few to compare himself to and so thinks, “I’ve got this handled,” or “no one would understand.”  This self-justification keeps the sin and shame growing.  The church leader is sapped of vitality and slowly bleeds out spiritually.  The church stops growing and often explodes when the sin is finally exposed by God.    Five habits that growing church leaders are doing regularly   The common denominator of fear, self-pity, shame and other related growth killers is the isolation and lack of connection in a minister’s life.  If you want to win the internal battle, it starts with not tolerating isolation in your life any longer.  Church leaders who are leading growing churches not only cultivate a healthy social environment and structure within their church, they also demand and pursue a healthy personal environment in their mind and relationships.   The phone habit The best leaders I know are good with the phone.  They use it and rely on it.  If you want to break out of the plateau you are in, you will need to reject the mantra, “I’m not a ‘phone’ person.” Share: Todd Asaad Share: Randy McKean Make the hard call Leave a detailed message   The friendship habit Strong leaders have friendships that they are building and maintaining.  It’s too easy to have superficial relationships in the fellowship and then only periodic conference relationships with other leaders. Share:  List of 12 friends Work on adding to your friendship base. Birthday card and gift every year for birthdays “Just because” calls and texts to build the relationship   The accountability habit Share:  Marriage DVD The turning point for me was realizing that my sinful nature was rebelling against placing any type of harness or yoke on it.  When I understood that my flesh was driving my reluctance, things changed quickly. I would ask you, “what is holding you back from absolute purity?”  Do you have a system in place that is keeping you away from sin and holding you accountable?  If you want to grow your church, you will need to remove spiritual roadblocks that are keeping you from being the man you want to be. Internal: Habit Tracker External: Accountable2U     The reading and learning habit You don’t know what you don’t know.  When you are in a rut spiritually, one of the best things you can do is get around a high-energy, high-faith environment.  Strong leaders are constantly scouring for new ideas to improve the church and keep their spiritual “mojo” growing. Conferences Books (See Appendix) Com   The healthy systems and routines habit A growing leader has systems and routines in place that guide his behavior. They lead to consistent results.  He doesn’t wake up wondering what is going on that day.  He has routines that start his day and regular activities that over time lead to good results.           How to break out of a losing mindset   Change your mindset from employee to self-employed Share about planting Ashland alone and unsupported Don’t let yourself get trapped by a job or paycheck, keep the fire burning. God has given you meaningful work Do it for the joy of the work “You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles and break through the brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you. “If you don’t have that kind of feeling for what it is you are doing, you’ll stop at the first giant hurdle.”  George Lucas Small church leaders enjoy the control and autonomy of leading their own church Are you an entrepreneur or a mid-level manager? Identify the person you are:  Manager or MacGyver?   Cross The God Gap Reference Matrix Roof Scene Experiment and get creative Keith Avery:  Songleading Small church leadership is all problem solving You will never have enough money, talent or resources. That gap will never go away, get used to it If you want security, safety and management look at a larger church.   Mentally accept getting fired Everyone feels like quitting at times. Small church leadership is the toughest job there is The skill is to know when to quit and when not to quit When not to quit: Setbacks, lack of growth, negative growth, etc. Don’t blame, don’t explain, don’t give yourself a pass No one is thinking of you. Trust God is working on your behalf Let God do his work on you: Don’t ring the bell David Goggins: 40% rule “Retreat! Hell, we’re just attacking in a different direction.” Chesty Puller   When to consider quitting or moving on: When you’ve lost control of the church When you can’t change the culture When you’ve been discredited or moved aside “Team” leadership situations When you and your wife are at odds about the work you are doing When you aren’t in a position to overcome the challenge Before relationships have been destroyed

Today on episode 73_,  I’m going to talk about how to help your small church, ministry or small group grow.  I’ll share from a lesson I did at the Look Up small church leaders conference.  I’ll be talking about: Facing the problem Understanding why churches stop growing Dealing with growth plateaus Overcoming sticking points at different sizes You can reach Rob at https://robskinner.com/   Introduction   “Some had spoken as well as he or better.  Gandhi’s greatness lay in doing what others might do but don’t.”  Louis Fischer   There is good news and bad news about growing your church.  The good news is that you can absolutely do it.  No matter the obstacles you face the location you find yourself in or the people God has called you to lead, you can make it grow.  The bad news is that it will demand that you do “what others might do but don’t.”  My goal is to give you the tools to grow your church from where it is currently at to over 100 members.     Facing the Problem Understanding why churches stop growing Visiting the church in Ashland in 1986 and 2004:  “24” This church, led by a well-meaning and well-intended minister was stuck for decades on a long growth plateau.  Growth plateau, barrier or sticking points are different names for an affliction that affects every church at one point or another.  The church is a body and just like a physical body it exhibits homeostasis. Homeostasis is the tendency to resist change in order to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment.  Examples:  Weight loss, muscle gain, personal habits. Your ministry is perfectly designed to stay at your current size. Your schedule, membership, leadership, culture and expectations preserve your current size. The good side is that churches rarely decline rapidly or disappear. The bad side is that it takes all-out effort and skill to get to the next level. Research supports that there are predictable sizes that a church will level out at.  The most common growth ceilings are fifteen, fifty and one hundred.  When my wife and I planted a self-supporting church in Ashland, Oregon I remember a conversation I had with our campus leader, Chris. I told him, “We have to break out of the teens!”  You might be around 15, 50 or some other number, but you aren’t alone facing this challenge.  Many leaders experience the frustration of “three steps forward, two steps back.”    Dealing with a growth plateau   Denial, avoidance or a lack of acknowledgment. When I visit church conferences, I talk to many church leaders and reconnect.  One thing I have noticed is that few if any will want to talk about how their church is doing.  They speak in generalities.  They are unwilling to face squarely that their church is stuck.  This is a recipe for maintaining the current size.    This happens when the church leader stops believing his church will grow and attributes the lack of growth to environmental factors such as the size of the surrounding population, lack of money, age of membership, or lack of leaders.  All of these certainly contribute to a church’s growth potential, but there are enough exceptions to the rule that it comes across as excuse-making to simply surrender to a lack of growth.  When the leader no longer believes his church can grow, the game is over. Face the problem A better and yet more difficult way of dealing with growth barriers is to take a hard look at yourself and figure out what God is demanding of you in order to reignite growth in your church.  Growing churches are led by growing leaders.  You may not be the reason why your church has stopped growing, but you certainly will be a large part of the reason it starts growing again. Share:  Tucson’s growth history Statistics are a casualty of 2003 Practical challenge: Know, face and talk about your numbers   Overcoming sticking points at different sizes There are two primary areas to evaluate when you are trying to figure out what it will take to kick-start growth in your church. The leader’s mindset and habits The leader of a church under one hundred serves as the model and motivation of the church.  “You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. ”  1 Thessalonians 1:5 MSG Paul reveals his simple method of planting and leading a small church.  He set an example or pattern that young Christians were explicitly called to follow.  He knew that his own living example was the “DNA” of the future church.  His attitudes and behavior would be mirrored in the growing church body.  In the same way, if a church has leveled out in its growth, the leader has to examine his attitudes, words and actions.    Today, we are going to dig in to the leader’s thought life and example in an effort to remove roadblocks to church growth.   The church’s culture, structure and schedule. If a leader is growing but the church itself remains stuck, it could be that the calendar, structure or culture of the church is inhibiting growth.  Sometimes, churches can be held back by one person or small group of people who are holding on to the past or afraid of repeating past mistakes.  We will spend the second half of the class looking at church structures that promote growth.     Leading a church is challenging, leading it to consistent growth is the hardest job in the world. However, you and your church can be the exception. You are the golden child in your congregation: “You are just like cream, you always rise to the top.” You wouldn’t be where you are unless someone thought you had exceptional promise and talent. You can grow your church, but it will take everything you have and more.   Next episode:  How to win the mental battle

Nate and Waldina Bigbee lead a small church in Corpus Christi and share how Covid has forced them to “throw their nets on the other side of the boat.”  They talk about: Starting a Saturday morning church for men How tennis may be a way to reach people Parking lot worship services What three steps to make to grow in your technical skills What to do if you sense God calling you to a mission planting or small church. More about Nate and Waldina: Nate and Waldina Bigbee have led Middle School, Teen, Campus, YoPro, Singles, and a region in San Antonio. Most recently God has called them to take a leap of faith and move to Corpus Christi, Texas during the Pandemic to start leading the small church of 30. They have been married since 2012 and have two wonderful children, Scarlett and Xavier.   Resources mentioned in the podcast: Invite to Corpus Video: https://youtu.be/qs2nCX4eNlw Our Website: www.gc3.church Brady Shearer:  https://prochurchtools.com/ Travis Albritton Digital Missionary: https://www.digitalmissionaryacademy.com/ Practical Christian Podcast: https://practicalchristian.buzzsprout.com/ How to reach Nate: Nate Bigbee Gulf Coast Christian Church nate.bigbee@gmail.com 210-883-7506

I’m going to talk about what to do when you don’t know what to do.  With all the craziness going on in the world, it is difficult if not impossible to know the best possible path forward for your life and ministry.  This is where an old word takes on new meaning.  Join me today as we look at what God wants us to do when we face extreme uncertainty. We'll look at: Common misconceptions about trust Why it's one of the fuzziest commands and yet one of the most difficult to follow Why trust allows us the freedom to tackle our sins and weaknesses How to develop a process-oriented and not performance-oriented life and ministry

In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast you will learn how to set goals to make this year your best so far. Rob's five-step process for setting goals How to make sure that you make progress toward your goals daily How to keep from getting discouraged by goals unattained Notes given below: How to Make 2021 Your Best Year Ever I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. Henry David Thoreau Thoreau understood the power God gave us to choose how we spend the short time we have on this earth.  You can be different, you can achieve things that you’ve dreamt of.  The New Year is an encouraging period because we can select at what level we want to live, how we will live and what kind of people we will strive for.  I love December and January for this reason.  I spend days scribbling my dreams for the new year and what I’d like to accomplish.  Here’s how I do it: Review your goals from last year One of the most important steps is to look back on last year and ask yourself how did you do?  Did you hit any of your goals?  Where did you fall short?  Do your best to review the past without judgment.  Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Simply ask yourself, “What is getting in the way of hitting my goals?”  What can you do better this year?  I thank God for the good that happened in the previ0us year.  I look at what I didn’t get done and then I set up a plan to live my best year so far.  Ask yourself, “What would get me excited this year?” I agree with Tim Ferris, author of the Four Hour Work Week, who wrote that happiness is a vague target when making goals.  Instead, he counsels his readers to ask themselves, “What would get you excited?”  As you dream about the future, what one goal, if you achieved it, would get you the most fired up.  You can usually sense it in your body.  You want to pay attention to this sense of excitement.  Unless a goal triggers something deeply motivating, there is little hope in accomplishing it.  Set balanced goals What I mean by balanced goals is goals that support your complete life.  We all have a multitude of roles and responsibilities.  I want to succeed in my career and family and finances.  I won’t sacrifice my family at the altar of money.  I set goals that help me move forward in all the areas that I consider important.  Here are the categories I set goals for in 2021: Spiritual Who do I want to become? What do I need to start or stop doing to grow? What can help my inner world develop? Family How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father? Money What are my savings goals? How can I make more money? How much do I want to give to God? Health How will I eat? How will I keep my body fit? Mission How can I make a difference making friends and reaching people for the gospel Career How can I excel in my job? What do I need to learn, what skills do I need to gain? Fun and Adventure What bucket-list items will I check off this year? Where and when and for how long will I go on vacation?   For every goal set a system to support the goal One of the best books I’ve read recently is Scott Adam’s, How to Fail at Almost Everything and still Win Big.  One idea he shared revolutionized my goal-setting.  He shared that goals without a system to accomplish them makes you feel like a loser.  If you’ve ever set goals only to stare at them all year long as you make no progress accomplishing them, you know what he is talking about.  By definition, a goal is something yet to be accomplished.  Until it is done, you can feel like a loser.  Some of us have solved this problem by not using goals at all.  That isn’t the best solution.  Instead, you need a daily system that will carry closer to your goal every day.  Let me share with you some of my own goals so that you know what I’m talking about: Spiritual: Imitate Paul and multiply disciples, leaders and churches Wake up at 6:00 am daily and have a “Miracle morning” Family Meet each of my kids weekly for breakfast or lunch Money Pay off personal loan and then create three-month emergency fund Health Record Weight Watchers daily until I get to my target weight Exercise five times or more per week for one hour Mission Start a weekly online Bible Talk Create a close small group to reach professionals in their prime Career: Become an expert in small church planting, growth and leadership development  Program and follow church calendar and plan Write 1,000 words a day, 1 video a day, 2 podcasts per week Daily and monthly time with my disciples Fun and Adventure Schedule a two-week National Parks Vacation Cross the Country on a motorcycle Hang Glide   Post your goals in a place where you will read them daily Have you ever written down goals and then lost them or discovered them years later hiding at the bottom of your drawer?  Don’t let that happen to you this year.  Type up your goals and then post them where you can see them and pray over them every day.  If something unprecedented happens, like a global pandemic, you have the option to change them.  However, don’t lose track of your desires.  God is able to do more than you can ask or imagine.  Don’t let faithlessness get the best of you and allow you to settle for low expectations.  Set goals and systems up, post them, pray over them and prepare for your best year so far.  

Henry and Arunima Gomes have helped their church grow in spite of: A Super Cyclone Being in the hospital for nearly three weeks Covid Strong persecution They share about the rocky start to their Christian life in which they hid a secret no one in their church knew about.  Find out how they've found a way to glorify God in the face of all challenges.

In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast you will find out all the areas you need to look at and diagnose in your area of ministry before you go into 2021.  You'll learn Why it's dangerous to leave your ministry on "remote control" What areas need to be "tuned up" in your ministry or church What is the single best thing you can do to make sure that you and your wife or husband are ready for your best year yet.  

Dinesh George spent 26 days in a Bangalore, India COVID ICU fighting for his life.  As he witnessed people dying in beds to his right and left, his life and perspective was changed.  In this episode he shares: What he prayed about during his hospitilization How his view of Jesus has transformed His gratitude for people around the world praying for him.

Kai and BJ Foster doubled the membership of the Reno Church in the last two years.  A church that had once been 85 members and then had sunk to below 30 disciples for fifteen years has experienced a renewal of faith and family.  Here's what you'll gain from this episode: How "meditative prayer" can spark growth How to motivate middle-aged Christians What you can give your members so that they will read the Bible a minimum of 20 days per month What simple gift can move an "average" disciple into the strong category How to avoid losing your faith and idealism as a leader What's the first thing to do when you walk into a weak spiritual situation  

Progress in our life and ministry depends on the quality of our meditation and thought life.  This episode discusses the content of our internal dialog and methods to improve the quality of our thoughts.

Justin Wood and Seth Buchanon earned Air Force Rescue of the Year honors from the US Air Force for rescuing four injured Green Beret Soldiers.  Since then Justin rescued a downed pilot whose plane had crash landed.  Both are "PJs" or Pararescuemen, some of the most highly trained special forces in the military.  Their original mission was to rescue pilots shot down while in battle. That mission has expanded over the years to include both military and civilian rescue in any and every environment:  Mountains, deserts, oceans, forest.  Find out how these two disciples are saving lives and saving souls on the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Tony and Melanie Singh got back into the ministry in their mid-fifties and took over a small church in Ottawa, Canada.  The church is 25 years old and had stopped growing years ago.  They didn't even know exactly members were there when they moved in.  After determining they had 55 members, they helped the church grow to 110 disciples in only two years.  Find out how they did it in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast. Tony(53) and Melanie(52)  Singh have been disciples for over 30 years. They were baptized in Toronto. God blessed them with  3 children all of whom are now married and 1 grandchild. Their journey led them to serve in Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and San Antonio. The last 2 years their faith has led then to serve in Ottawa, Canada the nation’s capital.  They firmly believe that their best days are ahead. 

Marty Wilkinson lost 100 pounds from 315 to his current 215 pounds.  Minister to a church in College Station, Texas, which is home to Texas A & M University, Marty shares in this episode how anyone can get into the best physical, emotional and spiritual shape of their lives. Marty's Keto Diet tips: 1. It's hard at first but when you get in a good routine and habit. The first three weeks are head. It gets better.  2. You just have to be very deliberate about logging all your food and keeping the fats high, protein moderate and carbs super low. I use the looseit app. I log all my food. Buy a scale and weigh your portions. Don’t lie to the app. If you eat it- log it accurately. Your only lying to yourself. The loose it app will give you a healthy caloric goal based on your weight loss goal.  Then you can calculate your own goals or limits on macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein). 70-75% fat; 20-25% protein and 5-10% carbs. The body body metabolizes fats 1gram = 9 calories. Proteins and carbs metabolize at 1 gram = 4 Calories.    2000 caloric example is: - fats- 1400/ 156grams - 1500/167 grams - proteins 400/100 - 500/125 - carbs 100/25 - 200/50)    So I log all my food and pay close attention to my macronutrients. Goal is high fat moderate protein and low to no carbs   3. The science behind it, is that your body switches it's main energy source from carbs to fat and in order to do that you have to have nearly no carbs in your system and keep it that way.    4. I do a version of the diet where I stick to it hard Monday- Friday and eat whatever Saturday and Sunday. I lost the first 45lbs this way and then switched to staying on for weeks on end until I lost the additional 15.    5. Add fiber supplement to your diet. Sugar is a laxative and no carbs will cause constipation.  Typical meals - 8am Breakfast- 3 eggs, 3-4 pieces of bacon - 10:30am Morning snack- protein bar (find one with low carbs- Quest bars are my favorite) - 12:30pm - lunch salad and chicken thighs - 6:30pm- dinner- chicken or sausage, non starch veggies  9:30pm- snack-1/4 cup peanuts and 2tb peanut butter    Snacks that I like: Nuts, beef jerky, sugar free jello cups  BE SURE TO NOT DRINK ANY THINGS WITH CARBS- no soda, juice etc    Metabolism is greatly affected by lean muscle mass. My goal has been to get as strong as possible.    Workout  **all weights moderately heavy (50-60% 1 rep max)- finish all reps- decrease weight in order to complete reps  Day 1- Chest/Shoulders/Triceps - Row machine 250 meters (start at a slow pace- don’t sprint- goal is steady movement that increases your heart rate)  - Warm rotator cuff with resistance band  Dumbbell Bench Press- flat- 3x8  Row machine 250 meters  Dumbbell bench press- 30-40 degree incline- 3x8  Dumbbell Fly- incline- 3x8 Row machine 250 meters Dumbbell shoulder press- 90 degree incline- 3x8 Standing Dumbbell shoulder combo raises- front and side- 3x8 (one rep is two movements- go light) Row machine 250 meters Tricep push down- Rope attachment on cable- 3x8 Row machine 250 meters  One arm tricep extension- Dumbbell, bench at 90- 3x8 (Hold the weight straight above head, bend at elbow, lowering to opposite ear, then extend to lock out, keep elbow close to ear of working side) Row machine 250 meters   Day 2- Back/Biceps If possible alternate the paired lifts (ex. 1 set pull up followed by 1 set of preacher curl) Row machine 250 meters Pull ups- 3x8 (use machine that assists)  Preacher curl- 3x8 Row machine 250 meters Seated rows- wide grip - 3x8 Standing barbell or curl bar curls- palms up- 3x8 Row machine 250 meters Seated rows- NARROW grip - 3x8 Standing barbell or curl bar REVERSE curls- palms down- 3x8 Row machine 250 meters Lat pull down- 3x8 Standing curls 3 sets of 21’s (7 full curls, 7 half curl top half, 7 half curls bottom half) go light Row machine 250 meters   Days 3- Legs/Core  ** Leg lifts- go light, focus on form, low and slow Warm up- step up’s 2x10 each leg on plyo box or bench Squats- 3x8 Crunches- 3x20 Cardio- 3 minutes  Leg press- 3x8 Bicycles crunches- 5, 30 second intervals  Cardio- 3 minutes Kettle Bell swings- 3x8 Oblique crunch- 3x15 on each side Cardio- 3 minutes   Cardio options: Rowing machine Stair stepper  elliptical machine Or upper body cardio- ski erg Here’s is the link to the home workouts I wrote for the quarantine:   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ADv25XB7GPXG1-3CnwCCiPraENWn1m93LoEW0mQPuus/edit?usp=sharing I’m using bands. Here the link to some on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F1GS47B/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ZucEEbYYKQ15N   I also use a tabata timer app called seconds. I program my workouts into the timer and it announces the next exercise and counts down the allotted time for each station. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seconds-interval-timer-for/id363978811    If your buy the app for $4.99. you can import the workouts as I create them. The app is super helpful, it’s like having a trainer with you. The app allows to run with music or other audio running simultaneously, the music turns down when instructions are announced. Here’s the instructions on how to import the timers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGYlv2ndVU0  

Robert Carillo has spent his ministry career turning around one troubled ministry situation after another.   From Puerto Rico, to New York and New Jersey to San Diego, HOPE Worldwide and now the Metro LA region of the Los Angeles church, Robert and his wife Michelle have consistently restored faith and fruit to every ministry they've worked with.  Find out how in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Dr. Al Baird and his wife, Gloria, served as an eldership couple in the Boston Church of Christ.  They saw the church grow from 30 to 3,000.  In this episode, Al shares about what he witnessed in those explosive early days of what became the International Churches of Christ.  He also shares about his marriage, parenting and the loss of his wife of 56 years in 2018.

Don’t listen to the voice of cowardice and fear.  During the battle of Bull Run at the beginning of the Civil war, Southern General Thomas Jackson rode his horse up and down the front lines of the fight encouraging his men.  When the Union soldiers attacked, he waited, fully exposed, as the soldiers drew near.  His men looked up and shouted to one another, “There he is!  Standing like a stone wall!”  His courage in the face of withering fire and a bayonet charge gave his men the courage to stand and win that early battle.  From that moment to the present, he has been known as “Stonewall Jackson.”

Braxton Kieft gave up his safe, secure and lucrative position in finance to go on mission to the tiny island of Guam.  They took their kids and faced an uncertain situation in the far east.  Find out how they chose pursue the mission over security.  

Each one of us has dreams that we would love to make reality.  However, only courage has the power to transform wishes into dreams fulfilled.  Find out how to make your long-cherished and perhaps long-buried intentions see the light of day.

Joel and Christy Peed planted a church in Wisconsin in 2006 with five people and now the church is 115 and has planted another church.  They have three kids who are disciples and are attempting to adopt a four-year-old girl.  Their church has grown steadily and Joel and Christy have founded the Small Church Leaders Conference, "Look Up", in 2019.  Not only that, they are working on a new ministry called "Waters of Rest" that provides resources for ministry leaders who are looking to develop long-term habits of rest, recuperation and spiritual renewal.  

One of the primary regrets the aged have is that they didn't express their feelings.  Don't let that happen to you.  Those who have made a difference in this life spoke up and spoke out.  Find out how in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.  You can find Rob's book on Amazon.  Go to Amazon and type Rob Skinner in the search bar an you'll find Rob's two books.  Here's the link:  https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Make-This-Life-Count/dp/B08DC5VTR6/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1604460855&sr=8-1

Alcides Morais was the sixteenth person to be baptized in the 1987 church planting to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Leslie moved to Brazil on the mission team from New York City.  They have served in the paid and unpaid ministry in Brazil, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.  They now are bi-vocational ministers in Goiania, Brazil, near Brasilia.  After ten years of living in Seattle, Washington, they felt called back to the mission field they met on.  Find out how they are choosing to live a no-regrets life.

Frank and Erica Kim gathered a team of disciples and flew to Tokyo, Japan in the late eighties.  In a country where less than one percent of the population is Christian of any denomination, they built a church of 1,000 disciples in ten years.  This podcast discusses how they did it.

Dave & Megan Bliley have been married for 12 years and have 3 children: Leelice, Sophie, and Luke. They trained in the ministry in Hampton Roads, Virginia before moving to New Zealand in 2013 to lead the church in Auckland. The church in Auckland has tripled in size over the past 7 years and looking forward to planting another church in New Zealand next year. 

Randy McKean was baptized into Christ in 1973 as a student at the University of Florida. He graduated with high honors with a degree in English, Religion and Education. He served in the full- time ministry for 40 years in such diverse locations as Columbia, South Carolina; Tokyo, Japan; Munich, Germany; Paris, France and Boston, Massachusetts. While leading in Boston from 1990 to 2003, he simultaneously prepared and led mission teams to Europe. Randy last served for 12 years with the Northern Virginia Church of Christ in both the role of lead evangelist and as an elder. Randy has been married for 43 years to his college sweetheart, Kay, who has served by his side in the full time ministry. He has two children, Kent and Summer. Kent is the lead evangelist for the Maui Church. They have four grandchildren. Randy and Kay retired in 2020 and presently lives in Maui.

This is chapter 10 or Rob's recent book, Courage:  How to Make this LIfe Count.  

Hung and Hong were popular actors on television and in the theater when they were met by disciples.  They both became Christians and then in less than six years, they became the leaders of the church in Vietnam.  Since then they have helped the church multiply from one location in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, to a total of four different cities all over Vietnam.  They share the challenges, miracles and ministry philosophy that has helped guide their work.

Sam and Geri Laing were converted in the Crossroads Church of Christ while attending the University of Florida at Gainesville.  They went into the professional ministry and then became authors, speakers and spiritual consultants.  They have written a number of books, including:   "How to Raise Awesome Kids in Troubled Times and "Warrior."  Sam and Geri have four adult children who are walking with Christ and twelve grandchildren.  In this episode they share about what they have learned over the past fifty years.

Bong and his wife Tess lead four hundred disciples in Cavites, a large province adjacent to Metro Manila Philippines.  Bong was converted while a college basketball player in the mid-90's.  He went into the ministry, married Tess and went on a mission team.  He went through a period of intense struggle and could have simply quit and went to live with his family who are living in the United States.  Bong chose to push through the pain and grow through the time of testing.  He has come out stronger than ever.  Two years ago he finished an Iron Man Competition that took 16 hours to complete.  Find out how this spiritual and physical athlete has learned to "run to win."

Roger and Marcia Lamb grew up in the Church of Christ and have served in the ministry since the 1960's.  Roger has spent his career bringing people together through Discipleship Magazine, KNN and Disciples Today.  Marcia wrote the book "This Doesn't Feel Like Love" about her son's experience contracting Leukemia.  She also has won numerous awards as a playwright.  Along with a life of spiritual fruitfulness and productivity, Roger and Marcia lost two of their three children to illness.  Find out how they've found meaning and purpose in the midst of staggering losses.

Nick Shoff watched a TV commercial about another thirteen-year-old in Africa who supported and parented his impoverished brothers and sisters.  Nick got off his couch that day and hasn't stopped giving since.  He organized a basketball fundraiser, JamQuest, that raised $2,700.  Twelve years later, he is still giving and has helped over 60 African kids to achieve a high school diploma.  Not only has he raised money, he has inspired others to use their talents and gifts to make this life count for God and others.

Colonel Sanders, Sam Walton and Moses all have this in common; they were late starters.  If you have ever felt like your glory days were in the past, this episode will encourage you to look forward to the best part of your life so far.  

Wayne Kishbaugh became a Christian in 1994 and six months later received orders from the Air Force to move to Misawa, Japan.  With only his Bible and a determination to stay connected to God and disciples back home, Wayne built a church of nearly thirty people.  When he returned to the US, Wayne left behind a thriving congregation that had its own building, gave generously to the poor and had converted a number of Japanese nationals.  Find out how he did it on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

How do you keep your head in all situations (2 Timothy 4:5).  This program will give you tools to keep your cool and grow during turbulent times.  You will learn how to have: A Learning Mind A Focused Mind A Loving Mind An Expansive Mind A Spiritual Mind If you can keep your head in the middle of crisis, this could be the greatest time of growth in your personal life and your leadership.  Find out how to become a "Ten Times" thinker.

Angel Martinez never wanted to go to the Dominican Republic.  He went to the mission planning meeting only because of the food.  When asked by his minister to pray about going to the Dominican Republic, he couldn't sleep for three days.  He wasn't in the ministry and he'd never led a church.  Nevertheless, ten days after being asked to go on staff with the church, he boarded a plane with 17 others to lead a planting in the Dominican Republic.  26 years later, he's still there and the church is still growing.  Find out how this reluctant man of God found the courage to say yes to God's will.

How do you live out the mission and purpose Jesus called you to when you are too busy, too tired or feel too old?  This chapter offers inspiration and ideas to help you save more people and serve more people than at any point in your life up until now.  Even if you feel like your "glory days" are in the past, you can live a life that is constantly bearing fruit in souls saved and good deeds. You can buy Rob's books on Amazon.  You an also reach him at rob@tucsonchurchofchrist.org

Kelly and Cheryl Boyd moved to Eugene, Oregon, home of the University of Oregon in 2015.  Kelly works full time as an Evangelist and only receives a salary of $1,000 per month from the church while his wife, Cheryl works full time as a doctor of internal medicine.  They spend nearly an hour every morning praying together and through their ministry partnership have helped churches get off the ground in Corvallis, home of Oregon State, Salem and Bend, Oregon.  Their dream is to retire and use their time to plant a new church every year in another town in Oregon.  Find out how this couple is creatively multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches.

At some point in a person's spiritual life, the ability to say "no" becomes more important than saying "yes" to one more activity, event or pleasure.  This chapter offers tools to help you open up more time and energy to enjoy the spiritual life you've always dreamed of.  Some of the topics covered: The Vision Quest Zero-Based Thinking The "Stop Doing" List You can find this book on Amazon by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Make-This-Life-Count/dp/B08DC5VTR6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=courage+rob+skinner&qid=1596319542&sr=8-1

Lynne Greene and her husband, Scott, planted a church in Hong Kong in 1987 that grew to 2,000 disciples in only ten years.  They returned to the US to lead the church in Seattle, Washington.  The Greens then decided to return to the mission field by moving to Berlin, Germany.  That's where she found out Scott had brain cancer.  After beating breast cancer, Lynne lost the love of her life in 2018.  Lynne reflects on what God has done in her life, how she made sense of her enormous loss, and her plans for the future.

Gilbert Kimeng was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, a type of cancer, at the age of 20 while studying at a German University.  A doctor shared his faith with him and Gilbert became a Christian.  He returned to Africa where he became an evangelist and teacher.  He considers himself a traveling teacher who visits 15 different churches in 10 different countries every year.  Find out how this man found Christ, beat cancer, and builds the Kingdom in Africa.

  I am writing this book to inspire you to kindle or recapture your idealism, passion, faith, and hope.  My prayer is that by the end of this book, you will reject fear, procrastination, and the delusion of security and live a life of courageous action.  Many people of all spiritual backgrounds and denominations are living lives that are safe, and small.  Worry, fear and desire for security dominate and choke out the opportunity to live an exciting and meaningful life.  I hope that each person who reads this book will look back on their life and say, “I have no regrets.  Sure, I’ve made plenty of mistakes.  But the dreams I had when I was young, I got around to doing.  My life was an adventure.” You can find the book in print or digital formats on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DC5VTR6/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1595456090&sr=8-2

Brian is an evangelist, teacher, songwriter and worship leader, known for some of the songs he's written that are sung in ICOC churches around the world -- songs like "Be with Me, Lord," "I Need Your Love," "Great Among the Nations," and “Anchor for the Soul.”  Brian and his wife Dessa have served in full-time ministry for the last twenty years in the LA Church of Christ. They have two sons in college and a daughter in high school who all love God as well. Brian recently completed a Master's program in ministry at Pepperdine University.

Tony Fernandez leads a church in Broward County, Florida.  While talking with his wife one day, they felt like they needed more friends their age.  That conversation ignited an explosion of growth of millenials in their church.  They grew from 40 to over 200 millenials in about five years.  Find out how they did it on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Shiva and Ketou (Kay-Too) Murthy are planting a church in one of the most remote and beautiful areas in the world.  Their state of Sikkim is bordered by Nepal, Bangladesh, China and Bhutan.  Find out how this bold young couple has already doubled their church in less than a year on a budget of around $15,000.

Jordan Massey and his wife LaToya lead the campus ministry of the North River Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia.  The campus ministry has grown to as many as 230 college disciples during Jordan's leadership.  Find out what Jordan is doing to build one of the most vibrant campus ministries in the world.

Jewel and Ameer Burton are building a campus ministry in the high desert north of Los Angeles.  They have removed all excuses that would keep them from building a flourishing ministry in their non-traditional campus setting.  Families, friends and the entire church are benefitting from their determination to build a spiritual garden in the desert of Southern California.  Find out how to build a healthy ministry in every situation on this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.

Matt Ruppert is barely 25 and yet has a dream to take the gospel to the campuses under his care in New Jersey and then to "Reach Every Beach" in the Caribbean Islands.  Find out how this young man is making this life count in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast.    

Bruce Williams has served in the professional ministry for nearly fifty years.  He just retired this year.  He became a Christian at the University of Florida, Gainesville in the late sixties and saw the rise of a campus ministry that not only converted hundreds of students each year, but trained and sent off countless campus ministers to churches all over the US.  These campus ministers would drive the Boston Movement and in time would become the International Churches of Christ.  Bruce and his wife Robin saw it all happen and were the first couple trained in Gainesville to be sent out.  

Shawn Wooten became a Christian, helped fourteen of his friends and family members become Christians, and then joined a mission team to Moscow, Russia as a baby Christian.  He planted a church in Kiev, Ukraine with his future wife, Elena, a Russian national.  Shawn has remained on the foreign mission field to this day.  Shawn dreams of the Kingdom of God growing exponentially and has come up with an experimental plan to spark growth in older, slow-growing churches.  He is forming a mission team with disciples from around the world and going back to a smaller existing church in Budapest, Hungary with the goal to double the church in nine months.  If successful, he plans on replicating that missionary surge pattern in many other small churches throughout Eastern Europe and beyond.  

Takeshi Yamazaki was studying at the University of California, Berkeley when he heard the call to move to Tokyo, Japan and plant a church.  He listened to that call in the mid-eighties and has remained true to that vision for over thirty years.  He now has a wife, Manami, and three children and lives in downtown Tokyo.  In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Takeshi reflects on how he did it and the sacrifices necessary to grow a large church on one of the most difficult mission fields in the world.

Dinesh was the first baptism of the Delhi mission team. Dinesh and Caroline got married in 1991. In 1996, they took on the responsibility of leading the South Asia churches. Presently they are leading the church in Bangalore which has close to 1450 disciples. They also serve as Regional Family chairman for the South Asia family of churches which includes the churches in Srilanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and India. Presently in this region they shepherd 6982 disciples in 66 cities.

Growing a church is difficult.  Stepping in as a new leader and growing a church that has been stagnant for years is nearly impossible.  Rekindling growth in a church and being the same leader from beginning to end is borderline miraculous.  Find out how to bring "dry bones" to life again in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast Joel and Beth Nagel lead the Lansing Area Church of Christ. Joel planted the church in 2004 as a satellite ministry from the Detroit Church of Christ with about 30 members. For the first 5 years the church stayed stagnant overall and couldn't grow above 40 members. In 2009, with the same people and the same leadership, things started to change. Over the last decade the church in Lansing has doubled, tripled, and quadrupled with growth every year to over 125 members. They have been able to hire full time campus ministers, buy a church building, get extra funding from outside sources, and create numerous resources that have helped many other churches small and large.  Joel loves to talk to Christian leaders about how conviction and creativity can overcome any bottleneck to growth that we may face. When he’s not behind the pulpit you might find him praying in the woods, trail running, or jumping off of waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Few people have I met as gifted with people and language skills as Herve' Fleurant. Herve' is truly a "man of the world."  Everywhere he has gone he has impacted people with the Gospel.  Find out why in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast. Herve' Fleurant was born in Boston, Massachussetts in July of 1965.  His parents emigrated from Haiti and his father earned a PhD in Music and taught at various universities in the Boston area for over forty years.  His mother went to medical school in France and Spain.  Herve' speaks English, French, Spanish and Haitian Creole.  He started university in Cadiz, Spain and finished at the University of Massachussetts, Boston.  He became a Christian in 1986 and started his ministry career in 1988.  His missionary journey started in Paris, France in the summer of 1988 and then he went on the Cairo, Egypt Mission Team in 1988-1989.  On his way to Sub-Saharan Africa, Herve' stopped off and planted two churches in Port-au-Prince and St. Raphael, Haiti.  He continued on to join the mission planting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa with Mike and Anne-Brigitte Taliaferro.  He took over leadership of that church in the summer of 1990.  He then married Janet Veasey in August of 1991.  He spent a year in Johannesburg South Africa in 1993 receiving additional training.  He returned to Abidjan in 1994 and led the church to grow from 300-1,250 in four years.  During this period, he planted fourteen churches across French-speaking Africa.  In January, 1999, Herve' and Janet moved to Nairobi, Kenya and planted five churches in East Africa.  He returned to the US in 2003 and served first in Denver as Point Evangelist and then in 2007 moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he continues to serve as an evangelist alongside long-time friends Mike and Anne-Brigitte Taliaferro in the Mission Point Christian Church.

Andy and Tammy Fleming have served as full-time Evangelist and Women’s Minister for over thirty years in the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). Andy is a Canadian and Tammy an American, who met in the Boston church of Christ in 1985, and later married on the Stockholm mission planting in early 1987. Career missionaries, they have invested their lives in the churches in Scandinavia, the UK, Los Angeles, and the former Soviet Union. From 1991-1999 they lived in Moscow, Russia, during which time they oversaw the planting of 24 new congregations, the largest of which are currently Moscow and Kiev, each with over 1000 members. They have also worked with the ICOC’s administration, have overseen mission efforts in the Middle East, and currently serve on the ICOC Teachers’ Service Team and Catalyst Team. They are fluent in several languages and are published authors. Their daughter, Britain, (30) and her husband Max lead the campus ministry in Kiev, Ukraine, and their son Justin (21) is a disciple in in Seattle, Washington, USA. Andy is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Leadership from Abilene Christian University (Texas) and Tammy is a certified Advanced Grief Recovery Method® Specialist. From their home in Kiev, they work in cooperation with the Greater Eurasian Mission Society and Eurasian churches’ leadership to strengthen the disciples in the churches they helped to plant and encourage them to remain true to the faith. (Acts 14:21-22)  

Josue and Veronica Ortega have led and planted churches all over Central and South America.  During a ten-year period, 1996-2006, they planted all the ICOC churches in Central America and then planted 26 churches in nearly every state in Mexico.  They live now in San Salvador, El Salvador, which has a homicide rate of 106 murders per 100,000 people, one of the highest rates in the world.  In spite of their circumstances, they are training, equipping and sending out missionaries all over Latin America.   Josue can be reached at:  503-70699444.  Facebook Josue Ortega and Twitter joss1710.  

Who are Vince and Ro Pierce? Vince and Ro Pierce serve as the Evangelist and Women's Ministry Leader for the Tulsa International Church.  They have served in campus, singles, youth and family, and marrieds ministry for over 20 years in various leadership roles. They have served in large, medium, and small size congregations.  They met and graduated from Texas A&M University and moved to Tulsa in 2017 to lead the church. They have big faith and big dreams of God changing lives in Tulsa. They are passionate about discipleship, evangelism, and building family in the church.

Who is Christian Ray Flores? Christian Ray Flores is an entrepreneur, leader, and artist. Co-founder of ATXTribe.org, ThirdDrive.co, AnimateConference.com, Renew.org, and AscendMission.Fund, Christian has a Master's degree in Economics, speaks four languages, and has lived on four continents. Christian has inspired audiences as an international recording artist, award-winning producer, and speaker. He has led churches in Russia, Ukraine, and the US and has dedicated much effort to serve the poor in Eurasia, Latin America, and Africa. Christian is married to Deb de Flores and has three daughters - Diana, Violetta, and Isabella.    You can find Christian Ray on Instagram or at ThirdDrive     Program Outline How did you become a Christian? You have an amazingly diverse background, can you tell a little bit about it? From what I understand, you were a pop star in Russia. What is one of your best memories from your time in the former USSR? You seem to have a strong Entrepreneurial tendency. What advice would you give to a leader trying to adjust to life under the Coronavirus? What innovations are you seeing arise during this pandemic? How do you envision life as a Christian after life returns to “normal?” Where should a person start if he wants to impact people in this current online environment? What advice would you give a person, man or woman, who wants to make a difference and live "no regrets" life? Tell me about a time when you came back from a setback or failure. What advice would you give to people who are dealing with failure or discouragement? Tell me about something that keeps your spiritual fire and ambition burning brightly. If someone wanted to contact you, where would they go?

Who are Harliem and Vania Salim? Harliem and Vania Salim started with a church of around 1,000 members and multiplied it to 35 churches in Indonesia with over 5,000 members.  Along the way, they have started three schools, built their own building, and converted a large number of influential and wealthy individuals and celebrities.  They have done this by insisting on each small group "doing life" together.  They emphasize building a healthy community in each small group and church.  They have two beautiful daughters and offer help and guidance to many other churches in Southeast Asia and around the world.  Program Outline   How did you become Christians? What brought you back to Asia? Please tell me about the size and growth of the Indonesian churches over the past twenty years. Coronavirus, what’s changed for you and the church?   You are a couple that is making a difference, what drives you? Why did you start your schools and how? You've reached some influential people in society, how did that happen? What was it like raising a family on the mission field? What advice would you give a person, man or woman, who wants to make a difference and live "no regrets" life? Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do over or differently? Tell me about a time when you came back from a setback or failure. What advice would you give to people who are dealing with failure or discouragement? Tell me about something that keeps your spiritual fire and ambition burning brightly.

Here are four things that will help you come out of quarantine stronger than before: Let’s learn from the past: Israelites had escaped from slavery They’d gone through 10 plagues, diseases They had to go to a place they’d never been before   We are coming through and out of a quarantine We are going through a plague on the world-Coronavirus We are going to a new place- a new “normal” that we’ve never been to before: How will church be? What will it look like? How will I reach out? How do I lead my people?   Know when it’s time to advance: Dt 1:6-8 6 The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.” They’d received the law They had time to rest and recuperate They had to go back to the original mission, the conquest and settling of the promised land’   We’ve had time to rest, take a break We need to return to our original mission Perhaps you’ve felt the restlessness Understand the power of inertia It’s normal to feel sluggish That’s your sinful nature   Look to God’s guidance during times of uncertainty: Exodus 40:36-38 36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. They were in the desert, uncharted territory for them They longed for the familiar, even if it wasn’t what God wanted for them. God had something better in mind He was guiding them forward through his presence in the cloud or pillar. We have to set our minds forward by faith, not looking back. Some things will remain, but many things will change for good and for the better. We have to have faith that God’s Kingdom will grow and expand in ever greater ways in days ahead. Look to God and his presence in your life. Let the Word and his Spirit guide you through this time. Be a “Can Do” Disciple and leader Numbers 13:30-31 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 10 of the 12 spies said we “can’t” do it They saw the obstacles and said no, let’s go back to the old way Caleb and Joshua said, “We certainly can do it”  because God is with us. You are going to hear a lot of “I can’t” I can’t share I can’t serve I can’t go out I can’t meet I can’t participate You are going to have to decide what kind of a disciple and leader you are going to be: I can do it I cannot do it Because you are listening to this, I think you are a Caleb or Joshua type disciple. Here’s what you can do practically to revive yourself and your ministry in the wake of the Coronavirus:   Create a campaign for yourself and your ministry Whenever, I’m facing a situation where I’ve lost momentum personally or in the ministry I lead, I create a simple, short-term campaign to inspire and prod me. Here’s the benefit of a campaign: It’s short term It’s a forcing mechanism It demands that my best self responds It enlists others so that I’m surrounded by other people moving in the same direction Here is what Tucson is doing at the end of May: Goal:  31 Bible Study Appointments by May 31st Encourage one another: Call, encourage and pray with another disciple every day. Fast and pray together: Please set aside one day to pray and fast for God’s guidance and blessing on the mission. Read the Bible together: Please read through Exodus 1-21 in in 21 days Serve together: Help make PPE masks and ask friends to help us.  If you can’t because of health reasons, find another way to serve. Reach out together: Invite friends and family to a special Neighbor Day on May 24th. Goal:  31 Bible Study Appointments by May 31st You can create a campaign to help you break camp and advance spiritually. Here are four things that will help you come out of quarantine stronger than before: Know when it’s time to advance: Dt 1:6-8 Look to God’s guidance during times of uncertainty: Exodus 40:36-38 Be a “Can Do” Disciple and leader Numbers 13:30-31 Create a campaign for yourself and your ministry

Who is Mike Fontenot? Mike Fontenot became a Christian in 1969.  After graduating from Louisiana State University, he went to Fuller Seminary for his Master's Degree.  He and his wife, Tess, planted a church in Sydney, Australia in the early eighties.  That church has grown to three hundred members and they have planted churches all over Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.  At an age that many have long retired, Mike is still passionately working to advance the gospel "Down Under."  In this interview, Mike shares about his journey as a Christian, church planter and church multiplier.  He shares how he has kept his spiritual fire burning brightly for over fifty years.  Program Outline   How did you become Christians? Tell me about the growth of the churches in Australia:  How many, how big, rate of growth etc. You just celebrated 50 years in Christ, how have you managed to keep your love growing? You are a couple that is making a difference, what drives you? What was it like raising a family on the mission field? What advice would you give a person, man or woman, who wants to make a difference and live "no regrets" life? What would you tell a younger man or woman who has leadership ambitions? Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do over or differently? You returned to Australia at the age most people retire, why? Facing a situation of little or declining growth, what was your plan, how did you execute it? What does "High Faith & High Expectations" mean? If someone is in a situation that has been stagnant or plateaued for a while, what advice would you give them? What is transferable from your situation? Tell me about a time when you came back from a setback or failure. What advice would you give to people who are dealing with failure or discouragement? Who else do you know that is really standing out and growing?  Multiplying disciples, leaders and churches? What advice would you give me to plant ten churches in the next ten years? Tell me about something that keeps your spiritual fire and ambition burning brightly.

Who is John Lusk? John became a Christian in 1983 while attending Louisiana State University. After receiving a BS in Civil Engineering, he married his beautiful wife Barri. John then went to Harding University Graduate School of Religion where he received a Master’s in Religion. Together, John and Barri have led thriving ministries in Memphis, Baton Rouge, San Francisco, Sacramento, St Louis, Bangkok, Manila, and Denver and have spoken to hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. They now lead the Des Moines Church of Christ in Des Moines, Iowa. They have two wonderful daughters and a son in law, all of whom live in Colorado. In his free time, John enjoys archery, bowhunting, and being a YouTube creator for his channel Lusk Archery Adventures.  Interview Outline How did you become a Christian? Who were some of your early models or inspiration in preaching?  Why? How did you develop the tools to preach, what was your foundation? What are the three most common errors or mistakes you see preachers/speakers making? If a person wants to preach "big" and authority and impact, what do they need to know? What are the steps or template you follow to writing a great sermon. What does a beginner need to know or avoid? Tell me about your "pre-game" ritual.  What do you do before you speak? How long does it take you to prepare a conference-level message?  Why? What about your speaking sets it apart?  What can people take away if they want to improve? Tell me about your biggest embarrassment or setback in the pulpit. What do you consider a "golden moment" in your preaching? What advice would you give to people who are shy by nature or terrified of public speaking? Is speaking something your born with or can you learn to be a good speaker? Your wife, Barri, is an excellent speaker.  Did you help her or did she pick that up on her own?  How has Barri developed her skills? Tell me about something that keeps your spiritual fire and ambition burning brightly.  What gets you up in the morning?  What advice would you give a person, man or woman, who wants to make a difference and live "no regrets" life? What would you tell a younger man or woman who has leadership ambitions? Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do over or differently? Tell me about a time when you came back from a setback or failure. What advice would you give to people who are dealing with failure or discouragement? You are an expert in archery and bowhunting, how did that happen? Tell me how you balance your passion for hunting with your preaching and ministry?

Humility is one of the soft skills necessary to be a leader in any organization, spiritual or secular.  Today we will take a look at the attitude that will take you from where you are to where you dream to be.

Many excel in technical and professional areas and yet struggle to make significant progress in their work, family, or relationships.  Often the missing ingredient is a lack of "soft skills."  Many hard driving, ambitious people end up thwarted and frustrated because they have unseen or undealt with personality quirks and behavior.  This episode will focus on how grow in this area.

Part two in a series on "How to Make This Life Count."  We will be looking at the bias toward action that the best leaders exhibit.

This begins a four-part series on how to become a leader who makes this life count. 

The Rob Skinner Podcast will inspire you to make this life count, live a "no-regrets" life, and multiply disciples, leaders and churches.   Rob Skinner graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Business Adminstration.  He chose to pursue Christian ministry and has spent his working life planting and leading churches all over the Pacific Northwest and Japan.  He currently serves as the evangelist for the Tucson Church of Christ, part of the International Churches of Christ.