Podcasts about operation mobilization

Red Letter Christians Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 34:41

Shino and Shania left Mogadishu, Somalia, as Muslims and refugees. They settled in Europe, where they became more devout in their practice of Islam. Then Shania saw a video of radical Muslims in Iraq beheading a hostage in an orange jumpsuit. As they committed this horrific act they shouted praise to the god of Islam. Watching the video, Shania was horrified; she began questioning everything she'd been taught about Islam and Allah. That night she had a powerful dream—a dream that ultimately led her to leave Islam behind and follow Jesus Christ. It was a dangerous decision, yet Shania began immediately to tell others of her new faith and encourage them also to follow Jesus. Four years later, after seeing Shania's faithfulness and love even in the face of intense Christian persecution, Shino also chose to follow Jesus. United in faith, the couple became even more bold in their witness, putting their names and faces in online videos encouraging other Muslims to follow Jesus. The videos have produced lots of response: on one side are Muslims wanting to hear more about Jesus, while on the other are Muslims promising to violently punish Shino and Shania for their apostasy. Listen as Shino and Shania share their testimony of coming to faith, and please pray for more Somali people—in Somalia and spread through other nations around the world—to meet Jesus Christ. Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast or download the VOM App for your smartphone or tablet to access VOM Radio each week, in addition to e-books, audio books and video content from The Voice of the Martyrs.

Tony Deik discusses Missiology After Gaza

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 42:03

Watch Tony's Presentation at CATC2024 Tony Deik is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, Palestine. For the last thirteen years, he has lived and ministered in different contexts, including in the Philippines, Hong Kong, England, Palestine, and Bolivia. Tony is a member of the Networking Team and Board of Directors of the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation, Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College, Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and a member of the organizing committee of Christ at the Checkpoint. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen, researching biblical and Graeco-Roman conceptions of justice. Formerly, Tony directed the online education program at Bethlehem Bible College, served with Operation Mobilization onboard MV Logos Hope, and worked for the Centro de Capacitación Misionera in La Paz, Bolivia. In a previous career in computer science, he worked on large-scale research projects in semantic web and e-government interoperability for Birzeit University and the Palestinian government. In addition to his publications in computer science, he contributed to several edited volumes in theology and biblical studies, including Reading Ecclesiastes from Asia and Pasifika (SBL Press, 2020), The Religious Other (Carlisle: Langham, 2020), and Between Religion and Politics (Dar Manhal al Hayat, 2022 [Arabic]). [https://christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu/speakers-2/] Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/ To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians Instagram: @RedLetterXians Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne Intro song by Common Hymnal: https://commonhymnal.com/

Praising God for a Decade of Inspiring Testimonies from Persecuted Christians

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 38:58

Over the last decade, God has allowed VOM Radio the opportunity to bring you into fellowship with persecuted Christians and tell the stories of what God is doing around the world even amid suffering and persecution. This week we'll look back on some of the most moving moments of the first decade of VOM Radio. It was September of 2014 when The Voice of the Martyrs began releasing new VOM Radio episodes weekly. The first episode introduced listeners to members of our persecuted family in China. , a gospel worker with YWAM Frontier Missions and , serving with Operation Mobilization, told in 2015 how God was drawing Muslims to himself – even ISIS fighters were coming to faith in Christ! By watching the JESUS Film in his Turkmen heart language, life was forever changed. Several guests over the years have told of being imprisoned for Christ just as the founders of The Voice of the Martyrs, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, were imprisoned for their faith. , who spent many months locked in a shipping container in Eritrea, reminds us that everything—including following Jesus—will cost us. Listen to how and , both imprisoned for Christ, saw God's purpose for them in prison as they shared the gospel, and how was reminded that God could still change people's hearts, even in prison in Iran. You'll hear these stories of heroic faith and also stories of faith overcoming fear, like praying God would remove her fear after Cuban authorities issued an arrest warrant for her husband. God has inspired thousands with the testimonies of martyrs' widows who publicly forgave their husband's killers, like and . shares how she learned that her husband and teen-aged children had been killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Also remembers how God ministered to him after his wife, Bonnie, was killed for her faith in Lebanon. More than seven years after his abduction, still doesn't know what happened to her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh. After a season of great loss, chose to sit at the feet of persecuted Christians to learn from them about following Christ in difficulty and suffering.

VOM Radio 10th Anniversary Special: Praising God for a Decade of Inspiring Testimonies from Persecuted Christians

Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 37:48

Over the last decade, God has allowed VOM Radio the opportunity to bring you into fellowship with persecuted Christians and tell the stories of what God is doing around the world even amid suffering and persecution. This week we'll look back on some of the most moving moments of the first decade of VOM Radio. It was September of 2014 when The Voice of the Martyrs began releasing new VOM Radio episodes weekly. The first episode introduced listeners to members of our persecuted family in China. Gina, a gospel worker with YWAM Frontier Missions and Julian, serving with Operation Mobilization, told in 2015 how God was drawing Muslims to himself – even ISIS fighters were coming to faith in Christ! By watching the JESUS Film in his Turkmen heart language, Silas's life was forever changed. Several guests over the years have told of being imprisoned for Christ just as the founders of The Voice of the Martyrs, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, were imprisoned for their faith. Helen Berhane, who spent many months locked in a shipping container in Eritrea, reminds us that everything—including following Jesus—will cost us. Listen to how David Byle and Petr Jasek, both imprisoned for Christ, saw God's purpose for them in prison as they shared the gospel, and how Dan Baumann was reminded that God could still change people's hearts, even in prison in Iran. You'll hear these stories of heroic faith and also stories of faith overcoming fear, like Maria praying God would remove her fear after Cuban authorities issued an arrest warrant for her husband. God has inspired thousands with the testimonies of martyrs' widows who publicly forgave their husband's killers, like Anita Smith and Pauline Ayyad. Hannelie Groenewald shares how she learned that her husband and teen-aged children had been killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Also Gary Witherall remembers how God ministered to him after his wife, Bonnie, was killed for her faith in Lebanon. More than seven years after his abduction, Susanna Koh still doesn't know what happened to her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh. After a season of great loss, Nik and Ruth Ripken chose to sit at the feet of persecuted Christians to learn from them about following Christ in difficulty and suffering. THANK YOU for listening to the stories of our persecuted family over the last ten years! We pray that VOM Radio will continue to build a bridge of fellowship between fellow members of the Body of Christ whether they live in free nations, hostile areas or restricted nations. What episodes most moved or inspired you during the first 10 years of VOM Radio? Share your most impactful episode. Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the podcast.

Wisdom Beyond Common Sense, Part-3

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 29:27

••• Faith In God's Word, Ep 329••• Bible Study Verses: Isaiah 5.13-16, Exodus 12.13-28, Exodus 14.21-29, Exodus 15.22-26, Jeremiah 29.11, Joshua 1.1-9, 1 Samuel 30.6, Joshua 6.1, Judges 5.7 .••• “God does not guide those who want to run their own life. He only guides those who admit their need of His direction and rely on His wisdom”,Winkie Pratney, Winkie Pratney is a youth communicator, Christian apologist, evangelist & writer from Auckland, New Zealand. With a mostly teenaged audience, Pratney speaks world wide to over 500,000 annually in churches, universities, high-schools, and Christian-oriented festivals. Pratney's leadership seminars encourage young people to live a Christian lifestyle. He also facilitates training seminars in conjunction with other Christian organizations such as Campus Life, Champions For Christ, Operation Mobilization, Masters Commission, Youth With A Mission, Young Life, Youth Alive, and Teen Challenge. Pratney is the author of several books including the most recent Youth Aflame: Manual for Discipleship and Ultimate CORE: Church on the Radical Edge and is the primary contributor of the Revival Study Bible †••• "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!", Romans 11.33, NKJV .••• What is the beginning of wisdom?••• How do you make your way prosperous according to the Word of God?••• What was the original ‘Blood Solution'?••• What was the ‘Rod Solution'?••• What was the ‘Tree Solution'?••• What is a ‘Wisdom Solution'?••• What can abort one's destiny?••• What was the first wisdom solution that God gave to Joshua?••• What was the second wisdom solution that God gave to Joshua?••• What was the condition of Jericho when the Israelites approached it?••• What was the original land mass given to the Israelites and why have they yet to achieve those borders?••• What was the 5th wisdom solution given to Joshua by our Almighty Creator God?••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be the kind of person who utilizes all the Godly wisdom solutions through the power of Holy Spirit?••• Pastor Godwin Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounters Radio Podcast originally aired on May 18, 2024 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcasted to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible .••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in it's mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ .•••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Enes Ersahin Photography, Istanbul, Turkey, https://allmylinks.com/enesersahin, ensersahin@gmail.com, https://www.donationalerts.com/r/kadircanersahin. Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software .••• † http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Winkie-Pratney-Quotes/ .••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/wisdom-beyond-common-sense-part-3 .••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes .••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ .••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 .••• FERP240518 Episode#329 GOT240518Ep329 . ••• Wisdom Beyond Common Sense - Faith In God's Word, Part-3 .Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intentional Living and Giving: A Deep Dive with Larry O'Nan

Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 23:05

Tommy Thomas: Today we continue our dialogue with Larry O'Nan that we began last week. Before delving into that conversation, I'd like to share some reflections that have emerged after revisiting our episode a few times. As the one handling post-production duties for this podcast, I typically listen during the edit for technical nuances and formatting concerns, rather than immersing myself in the content. However, I get a second chance to absorb the discussions when I tune in via my podcast app. This usually occurs on Saturday mornings during my long bicycle rides. Alongside other favorite podcasts like Alan Alda's Clear and Vivid, previous Tennessee governor's Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam's You Might Be Right, Tia Brown's One Question Leadership Podcast, Far East Broadcasting Company's weekly update and other enriching podcasts. During one such ride last week as Larry recounted the early days of Fund Development with Cru, my mind traveled back to 1974 to those nascent beginnings. As a young 23-year-old joining the Crusade staff, my prior fundraising experience had been limited to helping a friend with a critical medical procedure. While this endeavor proved fruitful, it primarily relied on contributions from close acquaintances. Under Larry's guidance, alongside a small team of field reps, I unwittingly became a part of Campus Crusade's foundational efforts in Fund Development. Back then, not only were we tasked with raising our own personal support, but we were instrumental in pioneering the organization's approach to securing substantial funding for specific projects. My tenure with Larry proved to be a master class in various aspects of life and fundraising. From time management strategies to maximizing air travel budgets. And even cultivating relationships with affluent donors predominantly in their senior years. Those lessons were invaluable. Little did we know that we would be trailblazers in Campus Crusade's fundraising efforts, contributing to the trajectory of Larry's enduring career. Looking back, I'm deeply grateful for those formative years and the profound insights into both fundraising in life that Larry had parted to me. Let's pick up where we left off last week. [00:02:40] Tommy Thomas: Take me into your new book, Intentional Living and Giving. What was the genesis of that? [00:02:48] Larry O'Nan: The genesis came back from this study when I was assigned the job of writing to come up with Stewardship Theology. I did another book in the mid 80s called Giving Yourself Away, and in many respects, this is a revision of that, although it's a totally different package, but it was still basically all the same core theology. And a few years ago, I was in Ireland for an event, And some people in Britain were saying there's nothing that's really distinctive that we know about this, simple to understand about what stewardship's about, because there's a lot of misconceptions out there. And there's a lot of traditions that would get in their way. [00:03:30] Larry O'Nan: In Great Britain, years ago there was a guy there that started orphanages. And he had about 300 kids in the orphanages in Bristol. And as he was working with these kids, he was a great marketer, but he was known for praying things in. So, he'd go into his closet and pray. And then people decided that his style of raising funds was the way they would adapt. So, they would say we're not going to ask for money. We're going to go pray for it. What they don't tell you is the story of how well he was at marketing where the kids were living. And everybody knew where he was located, and he was out all the time talking about the kids in need. [00:04:13] Larry O'Nan: So, you'll find that story. And there are some people who say we should never ask for anything. God is the one that provides. We're not going to go that route. So, there's a lot of skewed ideas of what this all means. The book itself, Intentional Living and Giving, is a recap of everything. So, the first nine chapters are the Theology of Stewardship, and then the latter nine chapters are how do you practically apply this in your life. So, we unpack what God's role for man was and what we do, how we respond, how we act, what we should be doing. And then the latter part is here's some very practical things that will help you be successful. And out of the whole book, there's one chapter because everybody expects a book on stewardship to be about money. [00:05:01] Larry O'Nan: I dedicated one chapter to talk about what money is and how it works and what tithing is and some of those things. But that's one chapter out of 17 chapters. And I really say this is one thing you can give, but there's a hundred other things you can give as well. What are you doing in stewardship? Not what are you doing with your money? And so the book itself is, what I discovered, there's people out there, Tommy, I remember a lady about a decade ago, she was probably in her 60s, maybe 65, and she had tears in her eyes. The context was she'd been married to a pastor, and they'd gone through a divorce, so that was a mess up. [00:05:40] Larry O'Nan: They had been in ministry for years and years. She raised a family of a couple of kids. And her tears in her eyes was I never have figured out my purpose in life. Why did God put me here in the first place? And I thought for 65, you just missed some of the great joy because he was very clear giving you assignments and work. You just didn't know what day you were a steward. So, she really was fulfilling a stewardship, and everybody knew about it, but she was miserable because it wasn't articulated to her that you are doing what God called you to do. I think of that lady every once in a while, and I think, boy, if more people understood how they could be a steward and practically implement stewardship in their life, they could go from confusion and fear to thriving and abundant contentment. [00:06:30] Larry O'Nan: And that's what I'm really trying to help people get is I'm trying to help you free yourself up from the confusion and the fear that you probably are living with to wonder if you're doing what God led you to do. Why am I here in the first place? What's all about a life that says I'm thriving? I have an abundance. Nothing about money there, just the abundance of life, and I can be content. So, the book is really unpacking that for the average Christian. I wrote it as much for the international side as I did the American side, but it's a universal challenge that's out there, and that's why the book is you know, on its way out the door. I'm just trying to help people get free so they can thrive. That's what it's all about. +++++++++++++++++++ [00:07:15] Tommy Thomas: Early in your career, and then you took a break from it, and I think now you're back at it, but tell our listeners a little bit about your Andy Ant series. [00:07:24] Larry O'Nan: I'm a dad. I have two daughters. My oldest daughter was three years of age, and the other one was just coming along. She's about three years younger. One night, Carrie, I read her stories every night when I was home, and I would put her to bed after reading her a kid story. And one night she said, Daddy, I don't want you to read me a story. And I did. I thought this is weird. She says, I want you to tell me a story. [00:07:53] Larry O'Nan: And so I laid down her book that I was going to read to her, and I laid there in bed for a minute, and I said, once upon a time, there was an ant, because I was remembering the book of Proverbs, it said, watch the ant, learn of his ways, my definition is, though he's tiny, he's mighty in many ways, we can learn a lot from ants, how they store, how they work. The diligence, the way they work together in cooperation. I've got a 300-page book on ants, believe it or not. I didn't write it, but the guy did his doctoral thesis on ants. And I thought that's an interesting one. But anyway, I started telling my daughter stories and they were really just stories about her and the life she lived about this little character. [00:08:34] Larry O'Nan: And I named him Andy. And she liked Andy Ant. So many nights it would be tell me an Andy Ant story. Now, the Andy Ant stories that are out today, my brother is the author of all the books. We did collaborate on the concept, but he's an attorney in Denver. And I said if you will work on the storylines the way you see him, I'll try to work on the marketing and getting the stories out there and their books for three- to 10-year-old kids. They are the day in the life of a little boy that I didn't create. My brother is basically Joseph Tyler Johnson, the main character. But I, in my world of Andy Ant, it was what Carrie was doing outside and how the ants interrupted her life. And then Jessica came along, and the same thing happened. So, the environment there was learning from the ants and learning principles of daily living in a fun way without being religious. [00:09:32] Larry O'Nan: I wasn't trying to make him memorize verses at that time of day. What did I learn? Andy would play baseball because Carrie had a baseball bat and she played out in the backyard and tried to hit the ball. Andy started hitting the balls in the grass. So, it was crazy. It made no sense. And if for 10 years, Andy existed between Jessica and Carrie and myself, the life came when my brother got involved and created it. We eventually got a former Disney artist who had worked for 21 years for Walt Disney personally, and he did all of the illustrations. So, if you see the Andy Ant work today, there's eight books in the series. [00:10:13] Larry O'Nan: It looks like what you would call Disney evergreen art because it was created by one of the Disney evergreen artists, and he did that. He spent two years of his life working with us on the entire series. He's no longer living, but that's the story of how we got the stories going. So that is out there for kids that really, there's a stewardship element to it because I have trouble giving up on Andy because I'm a steward of Andy. So, I got to take care of this crazy ant. Because that's a responsibility that God gave me. But it's incidental to the other story of really helping people thrive. I'm much more motivated to help you and other people that you might know or other adults. God's really got a purpose. I want you to thrive and do all that God led you to do. [00:11:07] Larry O'Nan: And if I'm doing that and you're doing that, we're going to get along fine. Life will be better for both of us. Yeah. ++++++++++++++++ [00:11:13] Tommy Thomas: You mentioned you just returned from Spain. Are there cultural differences in the way a Latin population would see stewardship or an Eastern European population or does it transcend? [00:11:29] Larry O'Nan: It transcends. I started working with the guy that created this environment that I was a part of. It was the guy that I've mentored for 40 years. And I started training him. He picked up on it. There's another guy in Switzerland that has taken it even further. One of them got into helping missionaries raise their own personal support called Ministry Partner Development. And this conference was centered around helping missionaries do that. Now, I probably met less than a half a dozen Americans there. Everybody else was European. There were 20 countries involved. I met four people from Ukraine. There were people from the Baltic states, across France, Spain, everywhere else. [00:12:13] Larry O'Nan: Some of them were with organizations that you would recognize, but they were the European expression. So Young Life and Navigators and Operation Mobilization and Youth of the Mission were all there. So was Agape Europe, which is the Cru expression of Campus Crusade. But I'd say two thirds of the organizations, I couldn't even figure out how to pronounce their names. They were unique organizations to the culture. Some of them were humanitarian, camping, evangelism, church planting, church growth. And they were all equipped with how they could raise financial support as missionaries within their culture with nobody ever leaving their culture to raise the funding that they need because they're raising money in Spain, in France, in Germany, in Switzerland, in the Netherlands, in Great Britain, in Ukraine, in Hungary, in Czechoslovakia, in Poland. [00:13:10] Larry O'Nan: They're racing the same kind of a thing that you and I would have done, in the seventies with Cru is being done over and over again. And it's not a Cru thing. It's their own unique thing. Everybody that was at that conference was volunteering their time to help others. It was not sponsored by an organization. It was sponsored by a network. And they came together to help, and they keep on training people how to do it. And they're helping the nationals be successful in it. Spain's a unique country. Years ago, when I first went there, probably 40 years ago, I was told over and over again, you can never raise money in the country of Spain. [00:13:53] Larry O'Nan: It's impossible because we don't have the money here. And this guy that was telling me that over and over was making sure that we weren't going to mess up his plan. The Lord took him home. He's probably been gone about five or six years. The generation that came after him learned about what we're talking about in terms of fund development and just said we do not want to be dependent on money from outside of Europe. [00:14:20] Larry O'Nan: We don't want to be dependent on money outside of Spain. And so, this ministry is 100 percent funded now by Spanish funds, and comes in through the Spanish structure. They rarely get any money outside of Spain and rarely any from the United States. That doesn't mean that we don't encourage that when it's available. But it's very unhealthy when an organization becomes codependent on somebody else just to make them work. And the entire European structure is trying to say we do not need funding from the West, i.e. the United States. I say if people want to be generous and help you, accept it. [00:15:01] Larry O'Nan: But to say that we cannot survive as an organization because we don't have funding from the U.S. They think it is wrong and they need to be responsible. The principle is that every place in the world, God's landed his people and he's got money everywhere. And it's all his. So, let's go find it and let's work with the partners that are there. And if you look at any part of scripture, in fact, the principles that we teach on stewardship came out of the Middle East. They didn't come out of America. These are all biblical principles that came out of a period of time of the Old and New Testament. So, it works as well there. It takes some time, and it takes, I find that sometimes leadership of their organizations is the number one liability to doing it right because they're assigning somebody else to go raise it, but they don't want to go through the pain or the refocus of their attention to do it right. [00:15:58] Larry O'Nan: When I was over in Spain last week, I was saying, get you copies of Intentional Living and Giving, get the dialogue going with your leadership and your board. Because if they're with you, you can thrive as an organization. If they're not with you in this philosophy or theology you're going to be having struggles all the time because they're going to want money faster than the development process will get it to them. Even there, and the book will work there, and it's all in English right now, that's the way the books start typically, if an English person writes it. But I would anticipate in the next two or three years, we'll be in half a dozen languages that will be relevant to the mainstream. You can have about eight languages in the world and be into the marketplace, any place in the world. [00:16:44] Larry O'Nan: Yeah, there's 2000 languages, but those are heart languages. And the economy works in about eight languages. The world economy is there. That's where we're at. And these people, yes, the entire conference in Spain was English. But when they read scripture, they would read it in five languages because somebody in that room knew one of those five languages. So, that's what it was. And it was the generation Z and maybe millennials that were leading the conference. I never spoke once. I just spent a lot of time interacting with the participants there. And I didn't need to speak because they were doing a better job at doing that than I could ever have done. And it is universal. It can work any place. Some of the largest funding for Christian enterprises currently happens in Asia, not in the United States. +++++++++++++++++ [00:17:37] Tommy Thomas: Let's try to bring this thing to a close. I want to ask you. I don't know that I like the word lightning round because you might want to take longer to answer than a lightning round might incur, but so I'll start with, if you could give a younger version of yourself, a piece of advice, what would it be? [00:17:56] Larry O'Nan: Don't be afraid to fail, work a plan or develop a plan and work the plan. Don't give up. [00:18:06] Tommy Thomas: If you could get a do over in life, what would it be? [00:18:13] Larry O'Nan: If I could do a do over? I probably would have gained understanding of stewardship earlier. I totally tripped over it. I think my life would have been a lot more fulfilled if I'd just known it a couple of decades earlier. [00:18:31] Tommy Thomas: How have you changed in the last five years? [00:18:36] Larry O'Nan: You got to go backoalmost 10 years on my change. My wife died 10 years ago, and about nine years into that, I said, Okay, I'm very much alive and well and healthy. And I said, instead of retiring, I'm going to reboot and keep on going. That's been the radical changes to my fault. I take on more than I should. But if you have got a responsible bone in your body, you'll probably do that. And yeah, I think that people that quit on anything lose life. I see people retired, but I also see 40-year-olds that quit on a marriage or quit on their kids or quit on something else. I just think stick with it. That I was going to write a book some years back. I may still do something someday with it called The Curve. [00:19:33] Larry O'Nan: Because the only time you really grow is when you're in a crisis situation. And the book, The Curve, was about how you navigate the curves of life. And it's in the curve when you think it's the worst that you're probably going to grow the most. So, embrace the curve and realize that what comes out of the backside of it is going to make you a better person. [00:19:55] Tommy Thomas: What's the best piece of advice anybody ever gave you? [00:20:00] Larry O'Nan: You have the freedom to fail. I don't think I ever would have done what I did in my years that God gave me here so far if I did not embrace that and just go for it over and over again. I write it down every once in a while when I'm up against the wall. Larry, you have the freedom to fail. Go try it. [00:20:26] Tommy Thomas: It's been a wonderful conversation, Larry. Thank you. It's good to catch up and we shouldn't wait this long to do it again. [00:20:34] Larry O'Nan: I should come out and someday we have to go out and see what's in your part of the world together. I have fond memories of working with you, Tommy. Fond memories. [00:20:42] Tommy Thomas: You're welcome on the Gulf Coast anytime you can catch an airplane ride down this way. ++++++++++++++++++ [00:20:47] Tommy Thomas: Thank you for joining us today. If you are a first-time listener, I hope you will subscribe and become a regular. You can find links to all the episodes at our website: www.jobfitmatters.com/podcast. If there are topics you'd like for me to explore, my email address is tthomas@jobfitmatters.com. Word of mouth has been identified as the most valuable form of marketing. Surveys tell us that consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all other forms of advertising. If you've heard something today that's worth passing on, please share it with others. You're already helping me make something special for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. I'll be back next week with a new episode. Until then, stay the course on our journey to help make the nonprofit sector more effective and sustainable. Links & Resources JobfitMatters Website Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas The Perfect Search – What every board needs to know about hiring their next CEO Larry O'Nan's Website Larry O'Nan's Email: Larry@LarryONan.com Intentional Living and Giving: Discovering Purpose, Igniting Abundance, and Thriving as a Steward of God's Blessing by Larry O'Nan The Adventures of Andy Ant: Lawn Mower On The Loose (MJ Kids; Adventure of Andy Ant) by Gerald O'Nan Connect tthomas@jobfitmatters.com Follow Tommy on LinkedIn Listen to Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Grit, Grace, and Global Mission with George Verwer [A Commemorative Episode]

Lausanne Movement Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 56:15 Transcription Available

In this special episode of the Lausanne Movement podcast, we're privileged to present a previously unpublished interview with George Verwer, the inspirational founder of Operation Mobilization, and Justin Schell, Director of Executive Projects at the Lausanne Movement. This conversation is a tribute to George Verwer's life and enduring legacy. Starting from his early days, George shares of being touched by the Gospel and making a significant commitment at a Billy Graham rally, to pioneering literature evangelism at the birth of the Lausanne movement, Verwer reflects on the key moments that shaped his ministry. George discusses the trials of leadership, emphasising the significance of prayer, humility, managing failure, and the constant need for grace and forgiveness in leadership roles. Additionally, George delves into his approach to cultural sensitivity, the impact of his ministry style on his family, and the importance of a prayerful foundation. He offers invaluable advice to emerging and established leaders in ministry, highlighting the need for personal transformation and understanding the nuances of leadership in global missions. We trust that this interview would not just act as reflection on his contributions to missions but become an invitation for you to continue his legacy and join in the mission to accelerate global mission together. If you would like to help us improve our podcast, please send us the feedback – https://forms.gle/QbNzK7BGqqnFHPHc7 Geroge Verwer Bio: George Verwer (1938-2023) was born in New Jersey, USA, in 1938. When he was 14 years old, a woman named Dorothea Clapp gave him a copy of the Gospel of John. Mrs Clapp prayed for 18 years for the students at George's school to become passionate Jesus-followers and take His message to the ends of the earth. Three years later, George attended a Billy Graham meeting in New York City, where he made a personal commitment to Christ. His entire life was changed.   Inspired by Jesus' commission to make disciples, George began sharing his faith with fellow students. Within a year, two hundred had chosen to follow Christ. At college in Tennessee, George became burdened for those without access to the Bible, and in 1957, he and two friends sold some of their possessions to fund a road trip to Mexico; taking 20,000 Spanish-language tracts and 10,000 Gospel booklets. The trip led to many more and fanned the flame of George's conviction to share God's Word with those who'd never heard it. Moving to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, George was confident of God's call on his life. He blazed a trail for world mission, motivating others in nights of prayer and planning further literature distribution ventures. It was at Moody that George met Drena Knecht, who would become his wife. In 1960, George and Drena were married. They prioritised their service of the Lord and sold some of their wedding gifts to fund a six-month outreach to Mexico City before moving to Spain, where they established what would become OM's work there. While in Europe, George smuggled Bibles into Communist-controlled countries, but after being arrested and deported, he took time to reflect. During a time of private prayer in Vienna, Austria, George climbed a tree and saw a group of young people boarding a bus. In that moment, the name Operation Mobilisation sprang to his mind, with the idea of mobilising ‘busloads' of young people into mission. Under George's exuberant leadership and fuelled by the passion of believers from many nations to reach those who had never heard the Good News, OM expanded in the 60s, 70s and 80s: first, across Europe and into the Middle East, then with volunteers crewing ocean-going ships. Logos, the first of five vessels, was launched in 1971, and since then more than 49 million people have visited the onboard book fairs, with over 70 million portions of Scripture distributed during port calls in 151 countries. After a time living and establishing ministry in India, George and Drena, along with their three children, settled in London, England; where George continued to emphasise radical discipleship within OM and focused on ministry sustainability. George led OM until 2003, then concentrated on special projects, travelling and speaking on global mission at thousands of gatherings worldwide. His authentic lifestyle and zeal for the spread of the gospel has motivated countless individuals and churches into more intentional mission involvement.  Rarely seen without his world map jacket or inflatable globe, George always prayed for the nations and current issues. He was energised by encouraging others and keeping in contact with thousands of friends and ministry partners through letters, emails and phone calls. George wrote several books, including Revolution of Love, Out of the Comfort Zone, Messiology and Confessions of a Toxic Perfectionist.

Mission Network News (Fri, 22 Mar 2024 - 4.5 min)

serving andrew scott orgs operation mobilization

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 4:30

Today's HeadlinesUN describes Sudan as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory”How to pray for Muslims during RamadanClean water and Living Water needed in rural Kenya

war pray muslims civil war kenya refugees ramadan sudan famine living water north africa east africa khartoum rsf rainy season humanitarian disaster operation mobilization mission network news

Sending & Serving Orgs - Operation Mobilization

Amazon to the Himalayas

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 26:46

In this episode, I speak with Andrew Scott, the president of Operation Mobilization (OM). OM is a missionary-sending organization that has over 5,000 missionaries serving worldwide in over 140 countries. Scott has served as president of OM since 2010.

David Graeser - Living Sent: Another Great (Co)Mission Approach (John 20:19-28)

john 20 fuller theological seminary another great great comission living sent operation mobilization

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2023 37:32

A sermon from missionary (Operation Mobilization; Envision Atlanta) and seminarian (Fuller Theological Seminary), David Graeser. Find us: maranathalilburn.org Follow us: facebook.com/maranathalilburn instagram.com/maranathalilburn

Mission Network News (Thu, 31 Aug 2023 - 4.5 min)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 4:30

Today's HeadlinesChristian blood flows freely and frequently in the DRCQuestions & Answers in ministry opportunitiesRussian war affects Bible translation in former Soviet nations

bible gospel evangelism persecution soviet north africa islamic state drc adf jesus stories operation mobilization vcm democratic republic of the congo mission network news

Mission Network News (Mon, 28 Aug 2023 - 4.5 min)

Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 4:30

Today's HeadlinesWar, hunger threaten to destroy SudanOM's Five Focus RegionsMiracle stories from Iran

healing war iran civil war great commission sudan genocide north africa south asia sahel global missions darfur khartoum mbbs mekong arabian peninsula north caucasus operation mobilization mission network news

Episode 47: Thilak Pappu, Raised by a Guru

One80

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 43:00 Transcription Available

Dr. Thilak Pappu was a Hindu of Hindus. Raised by a guru, Thilak served as a worship leader, a temple builder, and a searching for God mountain climber. The striving and idol worship were weighing him down. Slowly over time Thilak started to ask questions to the only God who was actually listening. And God answered those questions, through the Bible, other Christians and an encounter with actual Christian worship. After Thilak became a believer, he got commissioned to the mission field by none other than Billy Graham. Dr. Pappu holds his Doctorate in Ministry from Columbia International University and on the show, you'll hear valuable insights on Hinduism and reaching Hindus. Dr. Pappu studied 14 years under his guru, and as a believer, spent 14 years on his research on reaching Hindus. Today's Sendoff features OneWay's Heart Bible for the Nations.Contact Thilak with your questions. His email is Thilakpappu@hotmail.comHelpful links:Operation MobilizationBilly Graham sermon from 1987Cardiff Baptist College, WalesIsaiah 6Death of a Guru book, by MaharajHinduism from a Christian perspectiveSan Jose Bible CollegeColumbia International University, SCHeart Bible for the Nations Follow One80 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.Never miss a One80. Join our email list. Follow us on Instagram.Share One80, here's how!OneWay Ministries

The Changing Role of the CFO – Scott Brill & Mark Tjernagle - Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 25:56

[00:00:00] Scott Brill: The great recession. I had to actually take a leadership role in reduction in our workforce at Target. And I don't get too worked up about dollar decisions, blending decisions, all of those things. Sometimes they go the wrong way. It doesn't bother me at all. The really test of my mettle is the weight, the impact that this is having on people, not just themselves, but their families, and so that was one of the hardest things, having to sit there as people walked into a room knowing that they were about to learn that they did not have a job anymore. ++++++++++++++++++ [00:00:36] Tommy Thomas: In our quest to pass something useful along to the next generation of nonprofit leaders over the course of the past 90 episodes, we've had conversations with nonprofit Chief Executive Officers, Chief Development Officers, Chief Communications Officers, but we haven't spoken with any Chief Financial Officers. That's about to change. Our guests today are Scott Brill, the Chief Financial Officer at Young Life, and Mark Tjernagel, the Chief Financial Officer at Cru. So, gentlemen, welcome to NextGen Nonprofit Leadership. [00:01:14] Mark Tjernagel: Thanks, Tommy. It's great to be here. [00:01:17] Tommy Thomas: Before you came on, Mark, I asked Scott. He said he's been at Young Life for five years. How many years have you been at Cru? [00:01:23] Mark Tjernagel: Thirty-two years now. [00:01:27] Tommy Thomas: Wow. You must have written the book there on finance. [00:01:31] Mark Tjernagel: Yeah. I'm pretty sure on this stat that I was the youngest CFO Cru ever had. And I'm now the longest-tenured CFO Cru has ever had, so I might be due to do something else now. I don't know. [00:01:44] Tommy Thomas: I'll keep that in mind next time I get a strong CFO search. So, before we dive too deep into your professional career, I want to go back maybe to your childhood or your upbringing. I'm always curious about things that happened to people along the way that made them who they are today. [00:02:00] Tommy Thomas: Scott, we'll start with you. What two or three things do you remember about your childhood that you think were formative in your development? [00:02:08] Scott Brill: Yeah, so I grew up in West Michigan and I think the biggest formative things for my childhood were church, grandparents, campground, and then school. And school became a pivotal moment when I moved from the public school after eighth grade and switched to a Christian school. And that was a big formative event in my childhood. But it was based on strong family and church values. [00:02:37] Tommy Thomas: What about you Mark? [00:02:41] Mark Tjernagel: I grew up in a faith-based home, but not a practicing, what you might think of today as a practicing evangelical type home. My parents loved each other. Great upbringing. One of the things I remember most about my childhood was our house was the house everybody came to. My friends would come over to my house, even when I wasn't there, just to hang out with my parents. So, my parents were great and everybody loved them. I loved them too. And yeah, it was the weirdest thing one time when my friend said, hey, I'm going to go over to your house for dinner. I said I'm not going to be there. He said that's okay. I'll go hang out with your mom and dad. So it was fun. My parents loved people. People loved them. I learned a lot from them. I think the other big thing I learned from them is they entrusted things to me at a pretty young age. And so, they gave me a lot of responsibility and held me accountable. And I think that served me well when I got older and went off to college and started work. So, I learned a lot from my parents. They were great. [00:03:43] Tommy Thomas: So, what was high school like for y'all? [00:03:49] Scott Brill: High school was great for me. As I said, I switched schools after eighth grade. And then I played football and got connected right away with friends from the football team. And it was actually quite a positive experience. [00:04:05] Mark Tjernagel: I played football as well. Maybe there's a common theme here that you know sports or something like that will lead you to be competitive and be a CFO. I don't know but yeah, high school was all about academics and athletics and it was great. I went to a public school. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas a wonderful place to grow up. A real cultural city. I loved it. High school was awesome. High school is also where I came to faith. My faith really became personal to me and started walking with the Lord right before my senior year of high school. High school was a real eventful time for me in my life. [00:04:44] Tommy Thomas: When you got to college how did you decide your major? [00:04:50] Scott Brill: I decided to major in engineering because that's what all of what I viewed as my smarter friends were doing and I started out engineering. And then a year and a half in, I started to get information about what that meant from what I was going to do for a job. And so, I actually switched. And I got my Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The reason I did that was because engineering was a science program and I was at a liberal arts school, Calvin College at the time, now Calvin University. And so all of my science credits and those calculus classes, etc. applied much more favorably to engineering, bachelor's science, and accounting than they would have to a business degree. [00:05:36] Mark Tjernagel: Yeah. I went to Texas A&M and Scott, at A&M, we used to call the engineering school pre-business because so many people started taking all the math and thought, maybe business would be a better major than engineering. But Tommy, when I was in high school, I don't remember if it was my junior or senior year that we had to take an elective and one of the electives that was out there, I didn't really know what to take, but it was accounting. [00:06:04] Mark Tjernagel: I thought I'll try that out and just see what it is. And I loved it. I thought, man this actually totally makes sense to me. And so since it made so much sense to me and I knew there there would be good career opportunities in accounting. I was one of those few, I think that declared my major as accounting right from the start and stuck with it. ++++++++++++++++++++ [00:06:24] Tommy Thomas: You graduated from college, you got a first job, and then somewhere along the way you had a chance to manage people. Scott, reflect back on that. What do you remember about that job? [00:06:35] Scott Brill: I went to the University of Michigan and did my master's in business administration after my first job. Target Corporation - that's where I got my first job really leading a team. And I just remember messing it up. I remember more of the things I did wrong than anything I actually did right. [00:06:40] Scott Brill: And so I left there and went to Target Corporation, and that's where I got my first job really leading a team. And I just remember messing it up. I remember more of the things I did wrong than anything I actually did right. I learned a lot more about reactions to things that I was not doing right than I would have if I just had gotten it right the first time. [00:07:12] Mark Tjernagel: Yeah, I think, I go back a little bit before, before graduation and I've just found it seemed like multiple opportunities where I was put in a position to give leadership to people that I didn't ask for. I don't think I really even earned it. It was thrust upon me, like at A&M, I, as a student, became the director of the Cru ministry, the Student Director of the Cru ministry my last semester I think it was because I was still there. I was the one that was left. I'd gone on a mission trip with a group called Operation Mobilization, a wonderful global ministry. I went on it as a college student, even though I was involved in Cru. I did a trip with OM, but that was okay. And while we were there, they asked me to lead a small group of people to do some ministry outreach in Norway. And I was thinking some of these people don't even speak English. I'm in college. I've never led anything. Why in the world are you making me the leader of this? They asked me to lead a small group of people to do some ministry outreach in Norway. And I was thinking some of these people don't even speak English. I'm in college. I've never led anything. Why in the world are you making me the leader of this? And so it was just thrust upon me. And then when I graduated, I came straight to work with Cru. And so all of my leadership experience really from a work standpoint has been at Cru and like Scott said, I look back when I was a younger leader and I think, man, I'm so thankful I got the opportunities, but wow, I didn't know what I was doing, and it was hard. [00:08:32] Mark Tjernagel: I didn't communicate well. I tend to be more of a quiet person. Especially when work gets busy and hard, I just put my head down and get work done. And I had to learn, no, you actually have to check in with people and see how they're doing, and I slowly learned the importance of being able to communicate with people and checking in with them regularly. But it was a rough go at the beginning, that's for sure. [00:08:54] Tommy Thomas: So let me switch over to the role of a mentor. Did either of you have anybody that came alongside you and either formally or informally mentored you? [00:09:02] Mark Tjernagel: Yeah, certainly. I did a little talk one time. I won't remember all of the stats from it, but I went through several of the bosses that I had. And I wrote down a word or a theme or a thing that I had learned from each of them. One of them was the importance of communication and interacting with people and another one, I remember it was about the importance of Information Technology. He was really big on systems and how all of the systems played into the work that we were doing with finance. I learned so much about kind of crossing functional barriers and not just being a finance guy. Yeah, I had several people that really mentored me. One that really stands out was a board member of Cru, a gentleman by the name of Bruce Buner. I believe he was the very first CFO Cru ever had, but he did that for a short time and then he went out into the business world and was very successful. But he spent a lot of time helping me think about how to put together, it sounds simple, but writing a memo, trying to create an argument, so to speak, not an argument, like a fight, but to make a case, how to think like an executive leader, how to connect in the community, he was a wonderful man and a great mentor. I learned a lot from him. [00:10:18] Scott Brill: Yeah, similarly, it was a long string of different people who were engaged in my career in development. And it changed as I moved around into different roles and functions. But there are people who are consistently there to help and give me advice. And really help me stay out of my own way on some things, especially the same things Mark's talking about. [00:10:44] That's why I like him so much. Same issues on, hey, you can probably communicate a little more and share what you're thinking more readily. And that's been the biggest thing that they've helped do with a lot over the years in leadership. +++++++++++++++++ [00:10:57] Tommy Thomas: Scott, I remember when I recruited Atul Tanden to World Vision from Citibank, and he was an Indian fella, and he had this clipped British accent, and after about six months of being on the job, he called me one day, and, he says, Tommy, he says, if we'd have had this many meetings at Citibank, we wouldn't have had a bank. [00:11:17] Tommy Thomas: What was your biggest shock as you left the private sector and came to Young Life? [00:11:25] Scott Brill: I still have a lot of meetings. And it was funny because I felt like it was a lot less, a lot fewer meetings. Like I had a lot more free time than they did in the private sector. Yet my peers all felt like, how are we adding all these meetings? And we're spending so much time in meetings. And so, for me, it was that your relative position makes a big difference. I felt like I was being freed from a fair amount of meetings, while they felt like they were spending too much time in meetings. [00:11:54] Tommy Thomas: What they didn't know… [00:11:56] Scott Brill: Exactly. Grass is always greener. [00:11:58] Tommy Thomas: You pick who goes first on this one, but tell me about a time in your life where you, in the southern vernacular, a situation tested your metal, and how did you come out of it? [00:12:17] Mark Tjernagel: This is a challenging question. I'll go first. The list is numerous. What's going on in my head is, how do you pick one? I've been the CFO now since 2005. You're tested constantly. [00:12:34] People don't always agree with you and that's fine. You can deal with that. Sometimes you're attacked personally. Those are a little harder to deal with. Sometimes there are leadership issues, where you're going against the grain, you're trying to push for something and it's really hard and it's a time of testing, so to speak. [00:12:54] Mark Tjernagel: I think the example I'd give, Tommy, is one that's really more of a longer-term thing. And that was the CFO in 2005. The guy I took the role over from was Mr. Buner that I mentioned earlier. He had come in on an interim basis while we were in between CFOs before I was officially named that. He was on our board. So, he had me doing a lot of the work and he got me started on a project that didn't end until 2016. It was a project to sell our former headquarters. Many of your listeners might remember Arrowhead Springs which was the former headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ, our name back then when we were founded, but we now go by Cru, but our former headquarters at Arrowhead Springs. [00:13:39] And I worked on that for 10 years and you, the astute listener, will know that in the middle of that 10-to-11-year timeframe was the great recession. That tested a lot of our metal and how, we're trying to sell this property that's costing us a lot of money just to carry because it wasn't producing any revenue. [00:13:56] It was property sitting there. It was very expensive to hold, and very difficult to sell. There are just challenges with how the property was owned. It was owned by multiple entities of Cru. It had water rights and it had easement rights and it had land rights and it had mineral rights. It just was a really challenging thing to begin with, but then just trying to sell it coming and going into and out of the recession. [00:14:22] We had a deal, basically, when the recession hit it fell through. And what I learned from that was just the importance of what I'll call grit like it's just sticking to it. I had to have confidence. I had to go to the board meeting. After the meeting, I remember one of our board members said once, they didn't mean it in a mean way at all, right? [00:14:43] There was a wonderful board member. They said I'm looking forward to the day when we don't ever have to hear about Arrowhead Springs again. It's because that's how everybody felt like, oh my gosh, why can't you sell this thing? Why can't you sell this thing? Year after year, meeting after meeting. [00:15:00] Mark Tjernagel: And it was just, man, we have to stick to it. And one of the things I learned was you just have to have a vision. You've got to work creatively, but you just got to keep grinding. And it took a lot of grit to get to that point where we could finally sell. Let me tell you this, that thing sold, what a relief was taken, the weight was removed from my shoulders. [00:15:21] Mark Tjernagel: And it wasn't actually even a big public celebration. Nobody really cared. We sold the property, big deal, but in my mind, it was, man, that was 11 years' worth of work. And wow, that was great. And just the relief and kind of the internal celebration was good, but I know probably didn't answer your question well about what I learned, but I think it was just that aspect of sticking to something that's hard. Even when it's hard and not giving up. [00:15:51] Scott Brill: Yeah, I go back to that same time period. The great recession. I had to actually take a leadership role in reduction in our workforce at Target. And I don't get too worked up about dollar decisions, blending decisions, all of those things. Sometimes they go the wrong way. It doesn't bother me at all. The thing that really tests my mettle is the weight, the impact that this is having on people, not just themselves, but their families, etc. And so that was one of the hardest things, having to sit there as people walked into a room knowing that they were about to learn that they did not have a job anymore. And that was really hard for me to reconcile with my values as a leader. And so I learned a lot from how to do my best to avoid being in those situations and how to be resilient by focusing on what you're doing for those who will be able to stay and keep their jobs, from a longer-term standpoint. [00:16:51] Scott Brill: So that's the hardest thing is the things that have human impact on people. +++++++++++++++++ [00:16:57] Tommy Thomas: Let's go to hiring for a minute. I probably know that you screen for the technical competencies of an accounting and a finance person. But aside from that, if you've had a key to your success in hiring what would it have been? Hire for attitude, train for skill. It's a lot easier to teach people how to do something that is skill-based and required. [00:17:16] Scott Brill: Mine is simple. Hire for attitude, train for skill. It's a lot easier to teach people how to do something that is skill-based and required. Now, in accounting, there are some jobs they need a degree for. They've already learned a lot of that skill. We're just going to augment that with specific skills, within our systems, technology, and business framework. But I'd rather take somebody who's a little lacking on the skill side who has a great attitude every day. Makes the team much better. [00:17:47] Mark Tjernagel: Yes. I like that hire for attitude, not for skill. It's difficult asking interview questions and assessing character, right? But character, I think we'd all agree, that's like fundamental to really a person being successful on our teams is that is their ability to blend in with our team. And I work with our HR team to really try to craft creative questions, depending on the role, the questions will change, but that help us gain insight into will this person fit not just the technical skill. You're right, technical skill there is a baseline. You've got to know something right? I couldn't hire somebody to do FNPA that doesn't know anything about accounting or analytics, right? So, there's a baseline, but it's that character. But man, it's really hard to assess. We'll do multiple interviews, right? [00:18:38] Mark Tjernagel: And we'll try to weave those questions in there a lot, just trying to gain that will the person fit, and do we think they're of the right kind of character for our team and our environment? [00:18:51] Scott Brill: I find a valuable way, like we tended to always have a lunch or a dinner depending on the level of the position in the interview progression. But get them outside of an office environment in that I'm just trying to present what I'm presenting to you in a lunch or a dinner that you get a lot more of the, who they are outside of work. Mark Tjernagel: That's a great idea. [00:19:12] Tommy Thomas: Yeah, we like to do that in our search practice. We always encourage committees to include a meal so they can get off point maybe. [00:19:22] Tommy Thomas: I think the strangest thing I've ever seen in that was, and it was from the flip side, I don't remember who the client was, but I remember the candidate was in Seattle. And so, the hiring director flew to Seattle to interview the candidate, and that lady took the client to the World Series. [00:19:37] Tommy Thomas: I guess the Mariners were in the World Series that year. And so, I thought, now that's an interesting way to spend an afternoon with your future boss. Just real quickly on terminating. Scott, you mentioned something back in the recession but in general, say you've had somebody that's gone the course and it just didn't work out. What have you learned over the years is the best way to facilitate that? [00:20:03] Scott Brill: I think if you do it right, it should never be a surprise. So if you're terminating somebody because they're not delivering to the expectations that you have for the role or that your ministry or whoever you're working for has it, they should already know that. You should have been communicating consistently with them about where they're missing the mark and giving them a chance to address that. [00:20:28] Scott Brill: Some of those things you can help with. Some of those things you just have to make them aware of and they need to figure out how to handle it on their own. And if they can't, then you're going to that next step where you're having that conversation of, as we've been talking about these things and we're not making progress to the level that we need to, for you to continue to support this role. [00:20:52] Mark Tjernagel: That's so good. It's so good. It shouldn't be a surprise. Unfortunately, sometimes it is even though you say it multiple times, but you're right, Scott. That's progression. Tommy, there's a concept we try to put into practice in Cru. We didn't invent it. It's from the Bible. Henry Cloud has taught on this a lot, about grace, truth, and time. There's a passage in Luke - Luke 13:6-8, if any of the listeners want to look it up. I actually have it here. It says a man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, for three years now, I've been coming to look at the fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Just cut it down. Why is it using up the soil? Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year. I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, then cut it down. And so, there's this concept weave through that parable of grace, wait, don't cut it down yet. Give me another chance. But truth. Look, it's going to be cut down if it doesn't bear fruit, right? Just speaking of the tree, not the person. [00:22:00] Mark Tjernagel: It's going to be cut down if it doesn't bear fruit. But, the rescuer, so to speak, the vineyard the person that works there says no, let me fertilize, let me dig around, let me uncover the truths of what's really happening. Let me fertilize it, try to grow, offering that grace, and let's give it some time so that we can make a decision, but we're implementing grace with truth, but also giving some time because change and developing, it doesn't happen immediately. [00:22:30] Mark Tjernagel: And like Scott said earlier, as we get to the end of the proverbial year from this parable, like everybody should know, okay, it's time. We're not seeing the fruit, we're not seeing the things, this probably isn't a good fit, we're going to make a change. But that's grace, truth, and time. That concept is the thing that I've learned a lot in how people have dealt with me. [00:22:50] Mark Tjernagel: And I think it's been very helpful as I've dealt with my teammates. [00:22:56] Scott Brill: One thing I've learned over the years a lot of times you're doing a disservice to the individual as well. Because there are so many different environments, roles, functions, teams, and expectations. [00:23:10] They just haven't been willing to pull the trigger to make a change a lot of times as well. And they're not being their best selves. And so, I have multiple times where people have come back and said, thank you, I am now in a much better place. Vocation formation. I don't know if you've done any work on that, but I found a role where now I am excited. Like I belong here. I'm delivering great results. And I was not doing that in the role that I was in before. [00:23:39] Mark Tjernagel: And Tommy, sometimes it's not always, like Scott said, it's not always we're going to terminate you and you're no longer employed by Cru. Sometimes it's, you have great character. You're a wonderful part of our team. We love having you here. I know there's a contribution that you can make. It's just not this current role. Let's work to try to find a better role and a better fit for you if we can within the organization. [00:24:10] Tommy Thomas: Next week, we will continue this conversation with Scott and Mark. They will take us deeper into their individual roles as the CFOs of Young Life and Cru, as well as the overall changing role of the nonprofit CFO. Thank you for joining us today. If you are a first-time listener, I hope you will subscribe and become a regular. You can find links to all the episodes on our website www.jobfitmatters.com/podcast. If there are topics you'd like for me to explore my email address is tthomas@jobfitmatters.com. Word of mouth has been identified as the most valuable form of marketing. Surveys tell us that consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all other forms of advertising. If you've heard something today that's worth passing on, please share it with others. You're already helping me make something special for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Links and Resources JobfitMatters Website Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas Cru Website Young Life Website Connect Tommy Thomas - tthomas@jobfitmatters.com Tommy's LinkedIn Profile

Floating Book Fairs and Much More with Randy Grebe

Missions Today

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2023 26:00

Many are aware of the work of Operation Mobilization impacting hundreds of thousands around the globe. But are you aware that they have a thriving ministry on the high seas? This week on Missions Today, Collin speaks with one of the team that has been at work on the ocean for almost 37 years! From a wonderful book fair to ministry on the ground in the ports they visit, OM's Ships are impacting lives for the gospel! Learn more this weekend on Missions Today! For more information on our guest this week and his work, please check out the links below: GBA Ships Operation Mobilization International Operation Mobilization USA Randy Grebe Messiology #logoshope #duloshope #om #operationmobilization #gbaships #ships #library #faith #discipleship #covid #service

ships floating grebe book fairs operation mobilization

SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER OF OWENSBORO-DAVIESS COUNTY – BECKY BARNHART

Shaped by Faith – Shaped by Faith with Theresa Rowe

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023

Shaped by Faith Radio Guest this Week… Find out what is happening at the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County! Becky Barnhart, an Owensboro native, has been the Executive Director of the Senior Community Center since November 2020 A graduate of Owensboro High School and Western Kentucky University, Ms. Barnhart's 35+-year career in communications, marketing, fund raising and leadership includes positions in Kentucky, Washington, DC; Atlanta, and Europe. From 2001-2015, she served with Operation Mobilization, a global missions organization, based in Hungary, Austria, England and Atlanta. From 2011-2015, she held a senior global role as OM's International Communications and Marketing Director. Becky moved “home” to Owensboro at the end of 2015, primarily to be closer to her sister's grandkids, a/k/a, the loves of Becky's life! Keep reading...

Interview with Palestinian Christian Tony Deik

The determinetruth's Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 56:01

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie interview Palestinian Christian Tony Deik. (NOTE: We apologize that Tony's audio is not the best. This is one of the hazards of interviewing persons from across the miles). Tony is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, Palestine. For the last decade, he has lived and ministered in different contexts, including the Philippines, Hong Kong, England, Palestine, and Bolivia. Tony is currently a residential researcher at Tyndale House, Cambridge, where he is working on his PhD research in the New Testament. He is also a lecturer in biblical studies at Bethlehem Bible College (online), and a member of the leadership team of the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation (INFEMIT). Previously, Tony directed the online education program at Bethlehem Bible College, served with Operation Mobilization onboard MV Logos Hope, and was involved in the work of Centro de Capacitación Misionera in La Paz, Bolivia. He has contributed to several edited volumes in theology and biblical studies including Reading Ecclesiastes from Asia and Pasifika (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2020), The Religious Other: A Biblical Understanding of Islam, the Qur'an and Muhammad (Carlisle: Langham, 2020), and Between Religion and Politics: A Christian Perspective on Political Questions from the Middle East (Beirut: Dar Manhal al Hayat, 2022 [Arabic]). Tony is married to Sara, a Bolivian, and they are the proud parents of Nour Sofia. Tony relates to us the hardships that he and his family have faced. Once he married Sara (a Bolivian), he and Sara were forced to reside outside of Bethlehem. This is because Sara is not allowed by the Israeli military (they are the occupying forces and maintain a large amount of control over the Palestinian territories) to live permanently in Bethlehem with Tony. Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find this podcast. Then share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! Also, our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so. You can give a tax-deductible contribution by following this link. Finally, we just want to say thank you for listening in and supporting the work of determinetruth. If you have any questions that you would like us to address, we would love to hear them. Use the contact page on Determinetruth.com If you have been blessed by these episodes, we want to encourage you to make sure you follow this podcast, share it with others, and post a review. By posting a review you make it easier for others to find the podcast on google searches. Good news: the determinetruth App: If you wish to view these podcasts on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app simply download the “tithe.ly church” app on your smartphone and insert “determinetruth” as the church name you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, simply click on the “blog” icon and it will automatically load. If you would like to have Rob and/or Vinnie speak at your church or organization in person or via zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact me tab on this Rob's determinetruth site. If you have questions that you would like addressed in future episodes, you may submit them in the Contact me tab on this site.

George Verwer

First Person with Wayne Shepherd

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 23:59

George Verwer, the Founder of Operation Mobilization, died earlier this month. In this 2017 conversation with Wayne Shepherd, he talks about his life and ministry. Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!

founders first person albert lea george verwer operation mobilization wayne shepherd

George Verwer in His Own Words

Chris Fabry Live

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023

He was a force for the gospel, a visionary for missions in the 20th and 21st Centuries. With the death of Operation Mobilization’s George Verwer, we want you to hear about his life in his own words. Hear his heart, his conversion story, his love story with his wife, his failures and successes. Listen to George Verwer in his own words on Chris Fabry Live.

centuries own words george verwer operation mobilization

Mission Network News (Tue, 18 Apr 2023 - 4.5 min)

founders church stories news religion russia ukraine international global local national events concerns religious newsmakers operation mobilization

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 4:30

Today's HeadlinesTwo injured in Orthodox Easter church attackThree dangers that can choke out a persecuted ChurchGeorge Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization, passes away aged 84

Newsmakers, Monday, April 17, 2023

KCIS Newsmakers Weekend

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 4:27

Orhodox Easter in Ukraine and Russia..Founder of Operation Mobilization passes away...and new study on effect of mega-churches on worship music.

My Tribute to George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization

The Tom Short Show

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 14:53

We've lost another giant of the faith.George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization, passed away on Friday, April 14th.George profounding affected my life, and whether you realize it or not, may well have affected your life as well.Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer as I pay tribute to this great man of God.And check out other resources I list below.Scripture Used in Today's MessageJohn 12:24-26My Open Letter to George Verwerhttps://tomshort.net/2015/05/15/open-letter-to-george-verwer-founder-of-operation-mobilization/George Verwer Final VBloghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94-s6RAZbV4Christianity Today Obituary (Well worth reading!)https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/april/obit-george-verwer-operation-mobilisation-missions.htmlWho do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To become a TSCM Ministry Partner, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/supportTo find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TicTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"?If not, you may request a copy on my website, www.TomthePreacher.comWe send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email.************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

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MISSIONS WORKER: “We Will Never Stop Fishing”

god jesus christ bible christians christianity middle east muslims missions fishing worker arab middle eastern north africa never stop north african brother david operation mobilization

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 23:31

One million to one. One million lost people for every one gospel worker. When Brother David heard the million-to-one ratio of population to gospel workers in the Arab world, he and his wife knew that was where God needed them to serve in missions. Today, Muslims in North Africa and the Middle East are more open to asking questions and seeking information about Jesus, the Bible and Christianity—especially through the internet. Brother David leads Operation Mobilization's North African and Middle Eastern work and emphasizes the need to have more workers reaching Muslims for Christ. David's leads OM workers across 20 countries as they reach out to Muslims and disciple new believers. His teams also work to train Muslim background believers to reach, disciple and lead their own people and churches. He knows there will be Christian persecution as the church grows; he's seen persecution directly on members of his team and his own family. But, from his own experience, he's also seen how God uses persecution of His followers for His glory and purpose. David will advise listeners who want to reach out to Muslim friends and coworkers with gospel conversations. He has seen the insecurity many Christians have engaging with Muslims, but encourages us to jump into conversations about faith and beliefs. He says stories from the Bible and our witness to God's hand in our own experiences are powerful ways to plant gospel seeds with our Muslim friends. He'll also help us know how to pray for gospel work in the Middle East and North Africa.

MISSIONS WORKER: “We Will Never Stop Fishing”

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 25:42

One million to one. One million lost people for every one gospel worker. When Brother David heard the million-to-one ratio of population to gospel workers in the Arab world, he and his wife knew that was where God needed them to serve in missions. Today, Muslims in North Africa and the Middle East are more open to asking questions and seeking information about Jesus, the Bible and Christianity—especially through the internet. Brother David leads Operation Mobilization's North African and Middle Eastern work and emphasizes the need to have more workers reaching Muslims for Christ. David's leads OM workers across 20 countries as they reach out to Muslims and disciple new believers. His teams also work to train Muslim background believers to reach, disciple and lead their own people and churches. He knows there will be Christian persecution as the church grows; he's seen persecution directly on members of his team and his own family. But, from his own experience, he's also seen how God uses persecution of His followers for His glory and purpose. David will advise listeners who want to reach out to Muslim friends and coworkers with gospel conversations. He has seen the insecurity many Christians have engaging with Muslims, but encourages us to jump into conversations about faith and beliefs. He says stories from the Bible and our witness to God's hand in our own experiences are powerful ways to plant gospel seeds with our Muslim friends. He'll also help us know how to pray for gospel work in the Middle East and North Africa. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast. Or you can listen each week in the new VOM App for your smartphone or tablet.

MIDDLE EAST: “The Greatest Gift I've Ever Given”

global missions operation mobilization andrew alexander

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 23:12

Last week we heard Gary Witherall talk about how God called him and his wife, Bonnie, to evangelize Muslims in the Middle East. In this second part of our conversation, Gary describes the day Christian persecution hit home as his wife, Bonnie, was martyred in the clinic where she served Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Gary talks about hearing God's voice in that time of grief as he sat on the floor; in the next room was the body of his martyred wife. Faced with the choice of bitterness and hatred or forgiveness and love, Gary chose forgiveness. In that moment, Gary prayed, “Lord, you have forgiven me of all things. Today I forgive whoever killed my wife.” Gary calls that forgiveness the greatest gift he's ever given anybody. Listen as he shares the responses of friends and neighbors when they saw that forgiveness in action; his wife had just been martyred for her faith yet Gary still loved the Lebanese people. You'll also hear about how God has brought fruit from Gary and Bonnie's sacrifice, and how God is still using Gary today to share His love around the world as he continues to serve with Operation Mobilization.

god lord middle east muslims lebanon palestinians faced greatest gift lebanese operation mobilization gary witherall

Episode 163 - Global MIssion

Some Assembly Required

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 20:51

Join our discussion with Andrew Alexander as we get to know him better and learn more about Operation Mobilization.

MIDDLE EAST: “The Greatest Gift I've Ever Given”

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2023 24:59

Last week we heard Gary Witherall talk about how God called him and his wife, Bonnie, to evangelize Muslims in the Middle East. In this second part of our conversation, Gary describes the day Christian persecution hit home as his wife, Bonnie, was martyred in the clinic where she served Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Gary talks about hearing God's voice in that time of grief as he sat on the floor; in the next room was the body of his martyred wife. Faced with the choice of bitterness and hatred or forgiveness and love, Gary chose forgiveness. In that moment, Gary prayed, “Lord, you have forgiven me of all things. Today I forgive whoever killed my wife.” Gary calls that forgiveness the greatest gift he's ever given anybody. Listen as he shares the responses of friends and neighbors when they saw that forgiveness in action; his wife had just been martyred for her faith yet Gary still loved the Lebanese people. You'll also hear about how God has brought fruit from Gary and Bonnie's sacrifice, and how God is still using Gary today to share His love around the world as he continues to serve with Operation Mobilization. You can learn more about Gary's story by reading his book, Total Abandon (affiliate link). Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast. Or you can listen in the brand new VOM App for your smartphone or tablet.

LEBANON: “To Lay Down Your Life Starts with Humility”

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 23:29

Gary Witherall and his wife, Bonnie, heard God's call to share the gospel in the Middle East. They answered that call by moving to Lebanon, where they served with Operation Mobilization, building relationships with Lebanese people and Palestinian refugees—until the day Bonnie was martyred in the clinic where she served refugee women. Listen as Gary shares about how God called them to the Middle East, what their work there was like and how each day of their ministry was unique. Gary also explains how things changed on 9-11, when he and Bonnie witnessed people all around them celebrating the murder of more than 3,000 Americans. After the attacks, their life and ministry became more difficult, but they never considered leaving. In fact, it was after 9-11 that Gary and Bonnie determined they would stay and serve the Lord—no matter the cost. “I think we were martyred on that day,” Gary says. You'll be challenged as Gary asks the question that persecuted Christians around the world must often ask: what do you love so much you'd be willing to die for it? “If life is a limited period of hours, I want to invest it well. And if it's cut short, I want it to be cut short in the full joy of doing something worthwhile.”

god lord americans christians middle east humility starts lebanon palestinians lebanese lay down operation mobilization gary witherall

David Graeser - The Complete Christian Life in Creed and Deed (Micah 6:6-8)

christian life deeds fuller theological seminary operation mobilization scripture: micah 6:6-6:8

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2023 39:58

A sermon from missionary (Operation Mobilization; Envision Atlanta) and seminarian (Fuller Theological Seminary), David Graeser. Find us: maranathalilburn.org Follow us: facebook.com/maranathalilburn instagram.com/maranathalilburn

Money Matters - December 3, 2022

KRDO Newsradio 105.5 FM • 1240 AM • 92.5 FM

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 58:31

Rick Stevens talks with Dave Manst with Operation Mobilization about legacy, giving and more.

money matters operation mobilization rick stevens

Money Matters - December 3, 2022

KRDO Newsradio 105.5 FM, 1240 AM 92.5 FM

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 58:31

Rick Stevens talks with Dave Manst with Operation Mobilization about legacy, giving and more.

money matters operation mobilization rick stevens

MISSIONS LEADERSHIP: Sending Gospel Workers Into Danger

god jesus christ china leadership christians afghanistan danger iraq missions taliban nepal great commission afghan witnessing international director operation mobilization gospel workers

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 26:47

Lawrence Tong wakes up each morning excited to pursue this goal: vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached. As the International Director for Operation Mobilization, he oversees the ministry of 5000 gospel workers—including many serving in places where Christians face intense persecution, like Afghanistan, China, Iraq and India. Lawrence's first taste of missions—and of the work of OM—came aboard a ship, docking at different ports to share the gospel and train up local Christians. Witnessing a spiritual fire among the young people on the boat, Lawrence committed two years to serving with OM. That commitment has now grown into more than 40 years of gospel work amongst the least reached! Listen as Lawrence shares about his six years of ministry work in China, and an update on the current challenges faced by persecuted Christians there. OM workers were able to return to Afghanistan and continue to serve Afghan people, even after the Taliban takeover. These bold believers understand the danger, but their commitment to Christ and the Great Commission is stronger than their fear. God is still calling people to go to dangerous places to share about Jesus. If you feel called to global gospel work, Lawrence will offer advice about how to think about, pray about and prepare for that calling. He'll also equip listeners to pray for the persecuted church in Afghanistan, Nepal, and China to stay firm in faith, and help us pray for the work of OM around the world.

MISSIONS LEADERSHIP: Sending Gospel Workers Into Danger

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2022 24:10

Lawrence Tong wakes up each morning excited to pursue this goal: vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached. As the International Director for Operation Mobilization, he oversees the ministry of 5000 gospel workers—including many serving in places where Christians face intense persecution. Lawrence's first taste of missions—and of the work of OM—came aboard a ship, docking at different ports to share the gospel and train up local Christians. Witnessing a spiritual fire among the young people on the boat, Lawrence committed two years to serving with OM. That commitment has now grown into more than 40 years of gospel work amongst the least reached! Listen as Lawrence shares about his six years of ministry work in China, and an update on the current challenges faced by persecuted Christians there. God is still calling people to go to dangerous places to share about Jesus. If you feel called to global gospel work, Lawrence will offer advice about how to think about, pray about and prepare for that calling. He'll also equip listeners to pray for the persecuted church in Afghanistan, Nepal, and China to stay firm in faith, and help us pray for the work of OM around the world. To hear more about the history and work of Operation Mobilization, listen to previous VOM Radio conversations with founders George Verwer and Dale Rhoton, and also with OM-USA President Andrew Scott. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the Podcast.

Mission Network News (Tue, 08 Nov 2022 - 4.5 min)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 4:30

Today's HeadlinesPeace deal declared to end Ethiopian civil warGod working in Ukraine despite invasionInaugural term begins at the On Eagles' Wings Leadership Center

David Graeser - Riches or Garbage: Apostles on Display (2 Corinthians 4:6-11)

apostles riches garbage display 2 corinthians 4 fuller theological seminary operation mobilization

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2022 28:10

A sermon from missionary (Operation Mobilization; Envision Atlanta) and seminarian (Fuller Theological Seminary), David Graeser. Find us: maranathalilburn.org Follow us: facebook.com/maranathalilburn instagram.com/maranathalilburn

David Graeser - Looking Through the Lens of Love (2 Corinthians 5:11-17)