Summary: While looking for a full time evangelist position I have preached at a number of churches on an interim basis. Several have invited me back regularly as you can see on my References page.
My past professional sales and marketing experience gives me insight into developing effective grass-roots evangelistic programs. I also have successful leadership experience through the military service and employed positions over the years.
Transferable skills: My work history has trained me in skills that are transferable to evangelism. In this summary you will see that I have gained skills through practical application which can be useful in ministering to the church and evagelizing.
Having worked as an Army sergeant and as a sales/production manager for two large home building companies, I have learned that leading by example and team building are essential to the success of any operation.
Working as a substitute teacher, preaching & teaching Bible studies, developing and working a nursing home ministry gives me experience with all ages from kindergarten through the final years.
Having worked security at a drug rehab clinic has taught me how to connect with those struggling with substance abuse problems.
While working for a national cemetery and funeral home service provider, I leaned how to deliver memorial and graveside services as well as how to deal with people in emotional distress.
My studies through Sunset International Bible Institute include several courses in counseling and I have received company sponsored training in sales psychology during my sales career. These educational programs and professional positions have given me insights in working with people going through various emotional phases and stages of life.
Speaking experience: Public speaking was necessary in the classroom as well as in many of my teaching, sales and leadership positions.
Many studies show that the peak attention span of an audience is 18-20 minutes. After that, their attention drops exponentally. I like to keep sermons to roughly twenty minutes and devotional messages to eight minutes or less.
Whether a topical, expository or textual sermon, it’s important to have the message constructed around a single biblical theme, leading to a concluding point. Using illustrations to clarify and applications to show the importance in our lives, causing us to reflect and examine ourselves as a result of the message.
Having laid approximately 150 people to rest while working at the cemetery, I had the opportunity to do memorial and graveside services for a number of un-churched families. It’s important to meet with the family to gather the personal information being shared at the memorial service and graveside.
In teaching: As mentioned earlier, I am currently working as a substitute teacher with a local school district working with all grades from K-12 and with special needs kids.
I have given in-depth classes on various books of the Bible as well as topical classes. I use what I refer to as the “continuation of thought” method as opposed to “verse by verse”. Continuation of thought focuses on context rather than yots and titles; looking to understand what the writher is saying rather than each and every word he has said.
Illustrations help convey the message in everyday terms and sum up the thought with an application in our lives before moving to the thought conveyed in the next section of text.
On outreach and evangelism: I’ve been involved in a number of evangelistic efforts both in the church and in my own personal evangelism. I prefer using a grass-roots approach where I am likely to meet people face to face rather than through mailings, church directory ads and the like.
An example that comes to mind is when I was working at the drug rehab center. I wasn't allowed to preach to the clients, but I was allowed to have conversations with them. I took my Bible to work with me and let the clients see me reading it. This led to people offering their opinions and asking questions. I was able to get a couple of the clients to attend church as a result of getting them to start the conversation.
Direct marketing by distributing fliers door to door in neighborhoods near elementary schools is an effective way to get attendance at church events like VBS, church camp, cook outs and the like.
I have also developed a program where we partnered with a free local Christian newspaper. The church produced a flyer for coming events which we then inserted the fliers into 1400 copies of the newspaper for general delivery. This has brought people to the church.
Finding a nurshing home who didn't have a Sunday service, I have also set up a ministry where we bring the church to people who aren't able to come to the church. This involved first finding a nursing home willing to allow the service and then finding men in the congregation willing to help with the service in rotation. Each service consists of hymns, Lord's Supper, scripture reading, a brief sermon and prayer. The residents, staff and family members enjoy this opportunity to gather in worship. We have had a number of visitors to the church as a result of this effort.
During the warm months I ride my bicycle around town and stop to talk with those people holding signs at the intersections. Sometimes I get them something to eat, give them a Bible or resources for free food, shelters and detox centers. This leads to a conversation which may allow me to offer some biblical advise and invite them to the church.
Writing experience: In addition to writing sermons and devotional messages, I have been publishing monthly articles in Pathway Christian Newspaper since 2016. This is a free local newspaper circulated in Toledo and some surrounding towns. The papers are typically delivered to restaurants, laundromats, grocery stores, libraries and other businesses where people are likely to pick them up to read.
Education: I have received my Bachelors Degree in Bible Studies from Sunset International Bible Institute. In addition, I have at least 14 years of self study in scripture. I make it a point to read my Bible from cover to cover at least once per year.
I also have some college background in the Real Estate field from Bowling Green State University and Hondros Academy along with various continuing education studies in real estate and contract law.
Through my professional relations with sales organizations, I have received considerable company sponsored sales, sales psychology and management training through such notable trainers as Danielle Kennedy, Bill Artz, Charles Clark III and William C. Byham, PhD.
Additionally, I have considerable self study in marketing, team building, business and management, having studied programs by authors and trainers including Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Earl Nightingale, Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, Dave Sandler, Floyd Wickman and others.
Arguably, the most important education and training I have received throughout my career has come from my mentors, church members, students and customers whom I have dealt with on a daily basis.