28 May 2014
EM010: Serving God’s Leaders Around the World with Rich Frazer of Spiritual Overseers Service, International - E10
This week we're talking Rich Frazer, the president of Spiritual Overseers Service, International. Over the years, SOS International has provided training to thousands of leaders in 87 countries through more than 800 training assignments.
Their specific ministry style is to serve organizations who ask them to come and provide specific training for church leaders. They search for and send the most qualified people they can find to invest deeply in the local church, wherever they go. And while they are there, they serve the vision and agenda of the organization that invited them.
Rich has been providing this kind of training for indigenous leaders around the world for over 20 years and has seen the exponential value of investing in the global church in this way.
I'd also like to give our mutual friend, Mike Priebe of MemoryPeel a hat tip for connecting us.
Key Scriptures
- 1 Timothy 2:3-5
- Matthew 9:36-38
- Ephesians 4:11-12
- 2 Timothy 2:2
[bctt tweet=“Why not teach a man to TEACH a man to fish?”]
Challenge
Rich points out that more than 100,000 people receive Christ every day and that more than 2,000 churches are planted every week. However, 90% of the pastors, whether volunteer, full-time, or bivocational, have little to no training. The challenge SOS International has is getting to those leaders to help them know how to study Scripture, show them what Christian leadership is all about, and to invite them to adopt a Christ-like model.
Revelation
Rich shares the surprising story of one of his early prayers about whether he should go into missions.
[bctt tweet="Don't ask God if you should go. Ask God if you should stay." via="no"]
Current Ministry
Rich shares a little about the people SOS International is sending out over the course of this year to invest in the global church.
Level Up
Rich encourages us to consider our investments in missions based on the long-term impact of financial and prayerful impact.
Speed Round
Hindsight
[bctt tweet="The greatest among us is a servant. Not a partner or a patronizing visionary leader. A servant." via="no"]
Best Advice
- Be flexible
Support and Encouragement
- Many people encourage Rich
Personal Success Habit
[bctt tweet="Ask the question, 'What can I do for you?'" username="engagingmission"]
Internet Resource
Book Recommendation
- Western Christians in Global Mission: What's the Role of the North American Church?
- We also discussed: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself
New Place
- Rich shares who he would go find and what he would offer them to support them.
Parting Advice
[bctt tweet="The fruit of a leader is not followers. It's another leader or an 'orchard' of leaders." username="engagingmission"]
Contact Info
Video
When we were discussing Rich's book recommendation, he also mentioned this video of Steve Saint ministering at a church. It's definitely worth 5 minutes to see this.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Oja-rnOlIM?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]
Resources
- Book: Western Christians in Global Mission: What's the Role of the North American Church?
- Resource: SOS International Website
- Contact: SOS International Website
- Ratings on Pinterest
- Ratings on Engaging Missions
Check out the Engaging Missions Online Radio Show #podcastCLICK TO TWEET
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
