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How Faith Influences A Chattanooga Business Leader

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The Lord gives unique gifts to all. Corporate America is full of believers and non-believers both who attain the gifts and skills to take companies to the next level. Bob Bosworth is a man who has helped the city of Chattanooga flourish by using the gifts God has given him. I had the opportunity to sit with Bob and hear about the ways his faith in Christ has manifested itself in the many roles he has taken on throughout his career.

Walk us through your vocational journey.

My vocational journey began when, after failing out of Amherst College, I was drafted into the United States Army, in the midst of the Vietnam War.  I spent three years in the military, with significant time in a base at the DMZ in Korea and, also, at a base in Monterey, California.  It was a time when I worked with people of different races, different socio-economic levels, different levels of commitment and radically different levels of aspiration.  It was also a time in history when the country was hugely divided over matters such as the war and race relations.  It was a time that the military was despised to the extent that I was spat upon while in uniform by people of my own generation, and protesters appeared at burials of young men killed in war, burials at which I was part of the team conducting the solemn military burials.  This, while a long explanation of the start of my journey, in retrospect, served as the foundation of that journey as I learned, sometimes in very hard ways, of the importance of working with a diverse group of people in less than ideal situations.

Following my release from the Army, I was readmitted to Amherst, and then continued my education at the University of North Carolina where I received my MBA.  From there I went to work for PruCapital, the investment arm of Prudential Insurance Company, in Atlanta. My focus was on working with smaller companies, with whom I could develop meaningful relationships. One of those relationships, with Chattem, eventually resulted in my hiring as a financial analyst in 1980. Over the next eighteen years, I was fortunate to work with many wonderful people in a variety of roles, eventually assuming the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  After eighteen years, I had experienced a fair amount of stress, mostly self-imposed, and as a result, I left Chattem, which had been my vocational home for a long time.

During the next 7 years, I was involved in a variety of things. My family was one of a small group that helped plant Rock Creek Fellowship in West Brow, Georgia in 2000. That effort proved to be one of the most rewarding and spiritually enlightening and growing experiences of my life. RCF was focused on reaching the people on the back of Lookout Mountain in meaningful physical as well as spiritual ways.  During that time a group of us founded a company, Livingston, which was an investment company focused on providing financing and investments to small and early stage companies. Eventually I had the opportunity to go back to Chattem as President of the Company after having served on the Board of Directors during the seven-year hiatus.  I remained in that role for seven years until Chattem was acquired by a large international pharmaceutical company. I retired in 2012.

In retirement, or more appropriately, in this season of life, I have been blessed with many areas of involvement. I am privileged to serve on the Board of Directors for Covenant Transport, Southern Champion Tray, and Rock City and on not-for-profit Boards including Chattanooga Christian School, United Way, Hamico Foundation and the R.L. & K.H. Maclellan Foundation. Yet my greatest joy and gift has been the opportunity to work with young people as a mentor and thought partner as they wind their way through the earlier stages of life.

This is a long journey, befitting, of course, my 70 years in this world, but each step of the journey has taught and continues to teach me much about life and faith.

How are ways you have seen the Lord work in your vocational journey?

I was brought up in the Congregational church in Bolton, Connecticut, where my father was a Deacon, my mother taught Sunday School and my brother and I were always involved.  Over time, and particularly when I was in business school and at PruCapital in Atlanta, I drifted away from the faith. There was a sense in which my material needs were being fully met, but there was also a quiet sense of being lost. Ironically, and more importantly, providentially, I met my wife, Susan, in Atlanta. She was and is a woman of great faith.  When we first met and our relationship was growing, I recall thinking, “I don’t fully understand the depth of her faith, and don’t know if I can share such depth.” I am thankful that the Lord brought her into my life at that time, as I was in an environment that was desolate and essentially devoid of faith.  It became the first time that I thought clearly about the way that the intersection of faith and vocation should occur, and it was also the time that my faith began to be renewed.

A second point occurred during my time at Chattem.  It was here that I began to recognize the power of a quiet faith in the presence of others and in the midst of a work place environment that did not overtly proclaim the faith.  It was amazing to me the manner in which people closely watched the actions of others, not just the words.  This reminded me of a story Eric Youngblood told about the moment at which he asked his mentor in seminary if he should tell people that he was a pastor when he arrived as the first pastor of Rock Creek Fellowship.  His mentor told him that “Whatever you do, don’t tell them. But don’t let them be surprised when they find out.” This is how I have learned to approach the faith/vocation intersection.  Ironically, I also found that many people who were not overtly of the faith carried many of the same principals. In fact, the prominent mantra for Chattem was “Do what’s right. Do your best. Treat others like you would want to be treated”.  This sharing of principles created a very effective working environment which, in turn, created a very successful company.

Thirdly, I have also been blessed to be on the Board of Directors of two companies, Covenant Transportation Group and Southern Champion Tray, both of which are founded on the Christian faith.  In these cases, it has, again, shown to me the diverse way in which His presence can be known and made known.

How have you tried integrating your faith with your business and has it been difficult?

In reality, I try not to separate them. They are one in my mind. However, using the word integration, I tried to exercise the principles that are consistent with my faith, and recognized, as I said before, are not inconsistent with the effective operation of a business. I didn’t hide my faith, but was not evangelical as the term might generally be used.  And I certainly never used my faith as a weapon in a judgmental sense.  But I don’t believe many people missed the fact that my faith was my foundation.  Perhaps due to the way I approached the situation, it has not been difficult for me to see business and faith as one.

Is there a mentor that has helped you in your faith/business journey?

Scotty Probasco, a very well-known businessman and philanthropist in Chattanooga was on the board at Chattem and became a real mentor for me. He was an incredibly faithful, supportive and encouraging individual.  But he was also very capable of showing tough love, and provided real guidance in doing so.  One of my favorite stories which reinforces this point, derived from the time he called me into his office after I had made what I perceived to be an extraordinary presentation on an important topic to a bank group which included the bank of which Scotty was Chairman and Founder.  When I sat down he told me that he was going to tell me something that I would be sorely tempted to take as a compliment: “You were the smartest guy in the room. You were smarter than all of the bankers to whom you were presenting.”  At that point, I must have started smiling as he said in no uncertain terms, “Stop, you’re starting to take this as a compliment; you failed to engage them as people, as human beings and as people talented in their own right. Yes, you were smart and yes, you got the deal, but you are not going to be successful in life and in business unless you engage with, care for and respect all people.  Remember that always”.  This was a powerful moment in my life, and one that reminds me daily of the importance of fully loving our neighbors.

What does being a Christian Business Leader mean to you?

I almost want to alter the phrase to “being a leader who is a Christian”.   To me it simply means that one has solid values which are evidenced in the manner in which your vocational skills are exercised, and, more importantly, in the manner in which you treat the people for whom you work with, and those who work for you.  That is what Christian leadership is all about.  While perhaps a strange way to think about this, in my eulogy, I hope it would not be first said that he was the President of a leading Chattanooga company; I would prefer them saying first that he cared about people and empowered them through the Lord to do things of which they were capable.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story?

The verse that is my favorite, and that I try to live by is the verse on which Rock Creek Fellowship was founded: Mark 12:30-31, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”  While the first point is clearly preeminent, I find the second point exceptionally important in the way in which we deal with others, all others, in every aspect of life

Do we need to cultivate more Christian business leaders, and if so, how do we do that?

Developing leaders with Christian values is very important. There can be a certain devotion to servant leadership that focuses solely on the word “servant” and neglects the responsibilities and importance of the word “leadership.” I think empowering leaders to understand that exercising the leadership talents that God has provided for success vocationally coincides well with exercising their faith. We need to find a way to empower and teach leaders to rise up professionally and spiritually without bowing to cultural norms, and doing so in a manner that draws others to those leaders rather than pushing them away.

Do you have any specific advice you would give for an up and coming Christian business man or woman before they start their business?

Find a mentor. Find people who have been through the wars, people with whom you can share worries, concerns and opportunities. Surround yourself with people that you respect and trust. Also, foster those faith-based qualities particularly in caring for all people, those for whom you have great care and admiration but also for those with whom you struggle. Sometimes it can just mean a smile, or a simple act of kindness. Those “random acts of kindness” can be incredibly powerful.

If you could say one thing to other Christian business leaders, or the business community as a whole, what would it be?

There are three things: First, let your values undergird everything you do in the way you act and the way you treat all people. Second, don’t ever neglect or underestimate the importance of your God-given vocational skills. These vocational skills allow you to be in a position to exercise and display your values. I don’t care what you do, but be good at what you do, and a good steward of the gifts you have been given. Third, “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words[1].”

No matter who you are: selfishness, power, and money tend to become unconscious underlying motives when working towards success. For Bob Bosworth, I see a man of true character and a man that genuinely cares for the good of people. Bob is not a perfect man, but he follows a perfect God who has used Bob’s faithfulness to advance His Kingdom.

 

[1] Quote from St. Francis of Assisi

How Faith Influences the Owner of A National Furniture Company

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We continue our new series on how faith influences business with William White and his story.  Our goal is to find out how their faith influences their business, the role of Scripture, their role in the Church, and more.

He believes that God was leading him “always and in all ways.”

“William, are you going to do something special? When are you going to find your career?” William White’s grandmother was always after him to make his life count for something special. Many years later, he is President of Gabriella White, a holding company named in her honor, overseeing 350 employees at furniture companies Summer Classics and Gabby.

His career path took many twists and turns, but he believes that God was leading him “always and in all ways.” Growing up, he spent summers working in the warehouse of his father’s fledgling business, Summer Classics, an outdoor furniture company. Loading and unloading trucks in a hot warehouse, he remembers as “rough work in a rough environment.” And it left him with a bad taste in his mouth. He did not want to work for or with his dad at Summer Classics.

But after a stint in banking, and a promising sales job at a chemical manufacturer, White began to reconsider his options. He could stay with the chemical company, which would involve a move, or his father held out a tantalizing prospect: start an indoor furniture company under the Summer Classics label, helping the company avoid the seasonal downturn endemic to the outdoor furniture business.

He took the bait, and launched “Gabby” in January, 2010 – the midst of the recession – with a 1,500 square foot showroom in Atlanta. Today the Gabby line is found in showrooms all over the US, and it has been profitable every year. Gabby and Summer Classics now operate out of a 500,000 square foot warehouse/showroom where 220 employees are housed, with 13 additional retail stores across the USA.

Working with his father as he launched Gabby had challenges, but White believes that “faith is an integral part of how we maintain our close relationship and run the business.” The father and son work successfully together because of their strong faith, and they consider themselves best friends. “The culture at Summer Classics has become better because of the two of us working together – two heads are better than one,” he jokes.

The company’s statement of Core Values is ingrained in everything they do. The statement was derived from a study of scripture, which White relies on for daily guidance leading the business. Every employee is held accountable to those values in their regular performance reviews.

Last year he invited his weekly Bible study leader to come into the office every Friday, to be available as a Chaplain for employees to talk to.

White nurtures his employee relationships and tries to be positive every day, remembering that “if the boss ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Relationships are the area where he strives most to model his faith. Last year he invited his weekly Bible study leader to come into the office every Friday, to be available as a Chaplain for employees to talk to. This gives employees a venue other than the Human Resources office where they can share personal issues, problems at home, or other relationship issues. The Chaplain listens, counsels and disciples those who come to him. White says, “I think it’s working well – but it’s really not any of my business. I pray that employees are taking advantage of this opportunity to receive counseling – but it’s all very private.”

White wants the workplace to be “kind of like a club. We work hard to find the right people for every job – those who fit the requirements, want the job, and have the capacity to get the job done. And once you’re in the club, you want to stay there because of the people around you.” When mistakes are made, “we try to model compassion and forgiveness in the workplace,” White says. The company has a “3-strike rule”, giving employees who make mistakes an opportunity at a second, and even third chance.

The companies in the Gabriella White family strive to give back to the communities they serve, helping previously homeless families get into furnished housing, donating to cancer research in honor of a 17-year employee who lost her battle with the disease, and offering physical and logistical support for emergency response when disasters strike.

“Scripture is the most important thing – living in the Word.”

When asked if there were specific books which guide him in his business faith practices, White said, “Scripture is the most important thing – living in the Word.” He has many verses that he goes to as he lives out his faith at work and at home.

From Titus 2:7, “in everything set them an example by doing what is good.” In Proverbs, he cites 3:1-3, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” And from Philippians 2:1-2, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

He is also led by the verses in Proverbs that speak to letting God direct your paths and seeking wise counsel. His favorite parable is The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He prays that as he honors God in the workplace, God will honor him by saying, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

“well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

How Faith Influenced The Owners of A Painting Company

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In anticipation of the upcoming publication of a handbook for Christian Business Leaders, we will be interviewing business leaders who seek to exemplify Christ in the workplace. We hope to explore various topics involving how their faith influences their business, the role of Scripture, their role in the Church, and more. Our first interview is with Greg Duble, about how God owned their painting company.

Walk us through your business journey.

In 1998, I met with the owners, two brothers, of a manufacturing company in Memphis, in what I thought would be a routine appointment. But little did I know that their company story would change my life forever.

Their father owned the company and was ready to retire, but the brothers were unsure if they wanted to buy it. They began to pray, and came up with a plan. “If we’re going to buy this company,” they said, “we’re going to make a covenant with God.” They would set aside the resources to run the company and grow it, but everything beyond that, they would donate for Kingdom work.

In their first year, they gave away $20K to several ministries. When they followed up, they were amazed at the impact they had made.

Fifteen years later, they were giving $20M away. They still ran the company as if it belonged to God, calling it a “storehouse company.”  They wanted to follow ancient Egypt’s example, storing supplies in case of famine, and ensuring that they would always be able to provide for their community.

Even though I left that appointment thinking, “Man, doing something like that would be really cool,” I also thought my interest would eventually fade. But it didn’t. I wrestled with the idea for several years, praying for clear direction.

Finally, six years later, I was convicted to go out and see what God had for me. I sat down with wise people whom I really trusted and cared about. After discussing the idea, two of them wanted to get financially involved. I realized then that God had already found the capital to start the company. Now if only He would tell us what kind of company it would be.

My two investors and I agreed that there would be three pillars for the business. Again, using the manufacturing company as a model, we wanted to do Kingdom work with the money we gave away. So, our first pillar was to have an impact on the people that work for us for Christ. The second pillar was to have an impact on all those we encounter for Christ. And the third was to be a storehouse company. We made a commitment to God that everything above what it cost to run the business, we would donate.

Then we decided to get into the commercial painting business. We named the company, “Thousand Hills Cattle Company,” because of Psalms 50:10, “God owns the cows on a thousand hills.” It made sense to us, but apparently not to anyone else. People would ask, “What’s that got to do that with painting?” And I’d say, “In all things, Christ preeminent[1].” Christ is in everything. And it was because of the name that I had so many opportunities to share the gospel with people. I really believe the name came from God—I would never have picked it out. For example, I had decals on the side of our vehicles with cattle on the side of a hill. People would stop me on the street, and ask how many cattle we had. When I told them we were a painting company, they would always be confused and ask for an explanation. Occasionally, I would even get the opportunity to share the gospel with them. We even used wrong number phone calls as a chance to talk to people about Christ. We were blessed with multiple opportunities to live the gospel out in front of people, and with the people I worked with.

We truly believed that our company represented Christ. And because of that, all the things we did had to be done as if we were doing it for Christ. We worked hard to make sure work was done properly, and a job site was left spotless. Multiple times we got compliments from clients, and again, it was just another opportunity to say it’s because we’re doing this for Christ.

This was the first time I really recognized that it doesn’t matter what you do—if you’re a garbage collector, if you flip burgers—it doesn’t matter. God wants to use that.

In the first year, we went from 2 to 43 employees. We had multiple job sites all running at the same time. It was exciting to see what God was doing, and at the end of each year, how much we could give away to various ministries. It really changed my understanding of business from the heart, not just the brain. It was amazing to recognize God’s ownership, not just of our money, but of our time and talent. This was the first time I really recognized that it doesn’t matter what you do—if you’re a garbage collector, if you flip burgers—it doesn’t matter. God wants to use that. It’s a part of His plan to send the gospel out. We had several guys that worked for us that became believers. And we had believers who were deeply impacted by that process. It was really exciting.

But the work also had to fall within contractual and legal guidelines. There are all kinds of hoops to jump through to weed out dangerous circumstances and keep people safe. But it can lead to hard decisions. For instance, we would compete against companies that would cut every corner and underbid us on jobs. We would say, “OK God, I’m going to do the right thing, the thing you called me to do.” And you’d watch someone that was doing the wrong thing get the bid, get all the rewards, and not get caught. We’d wrestle through those moments, trying to focus on scripture. In the end, the important thing for me was being assured that God’s intentions were good for me, being assured that God was going to take care of me, as I followed Him.

How did you see that play out? In terms of, you lose an important bid to someone who wasn’t doing as good of a job as you could have, and you trust God to take care of you.

Yes. It’s clear to me that God uses these kind of wounds or trials in our lives to help us draw closer to Him saying, “God, I don’t understand this, but I trust what You tell me in scripture. I trust that what I am doing is reflecting You, and that’s the most important thing here. I cling to the promise where You say You’ll care for my needs.”

Often times, I’d be upset about losing a bid to someone who would cut every corner, and then another significant bid would come up. I would win it, and then I would realize that the bid we won fits perfectly into what we were trying to accomplish with the company. If I had gotten the other job, it wouldn’t have worked as well, and I would have missed out on the other bid.

So, lots of times I had to wait on things that I couldn’t see where God was at work. God’s always looking ahead and saying, “Hey, I’ve got something for you, just trust Me, trust Me, trust Me.” These moments would remind me that I don’t trust God like I should. That I wanted to be in control. I think we go through these things so that we realize, “You really do have me God. You really are trustworthy.”

I did my best to let God steer the company. Things only got messed up when I tried to grab the reins. But when you’re trying to do things in a biblical manner, you’re trying to follow, to reflect Christ, people are going to cheat you. People are going to mock you. People are going to be naysayers. You just have to face that.

Any way that the church as part of the community can be more supportive of Christian men and women in business?

I think the true picture of the church is the body. And a large part of the church is made up of business owners and business leaders. And so I would say that we are the church. The church’s responsibility is to love people through grace, to shepherd people, to pour their lives into people. And I don’t think that only involves the pastor, I think that includes the body. We should look for ways to engage; we should look for ways to be involved. Because let’s be honest, in our culture especially, the biggest mission field is where the business leaders are going to be. So I think we should walk alongside, and love, and care, and hold accountable as a united church.

Do you have any specific advice you would give for an up and coming Christian business man or woman before they start their business, or in general?

I would say two things are key. Stick a nail in your hand, cut your finger, do something to keep you from being idealistic. There’s nothing idealistic about starting a business. If it can go wrong it will go wrong. You have to be logical; you have to be grounded. The other thing I would say is you have to find wise counsel. Find people that you trust that can walk alongside you. People you’re willing to hear hard stuff from. Those are key.

Also, “growth” always seems like a good thing. And the right kind of growth can be great, but the wrong kind of growth can drive you out of business. So be mindful. You always have to be present. We have this idealistic thought that if I start a business, I’ll be my own boss, and I can do what I want. Well you really can’t. So being mindful, being present in your business, is really important.

What I’d like people to take away from my story is that as a believer we need to realize that what we do, we do for Christ. So that means He is the business. He is a part of the business. He owns the business. And we are but mere stewards. You’re never your own boss. In fact, I was so convinced of that, that I rejected the idea of being called the president or the CEO of Thousand Hills Cattle Company. My title was Chief Steward. And I think that’s what we are—we are each the chief stewards of God’s work.

Any favorite sections of scripture that explicitly address business?

Proverbs is full of great wisdom about how we’re to reflect Christ in our dealings. But there are many places where, as a business owner or leader, you’re going to be confronted about how you should act. You’re not going to have to look very far to figure it out. Proverbs is one of those places. Psalms is another. The whole Old Testament talks about when God is displeased by His people’s actions. Understanding that is important.

In Ephesians, Romans, and Hebrews, Paul encourages us to not shrink back, to keep our eyes on Christ, to realize that we’re broken and sinful. And because of what Jesus did—that justification on the cross, His resurrection—we’re in a life of sanctification to become more Christ-like.

I named the company after a verse that God gave me in Psalms. And interestingly enough, if you read that whole section, God is yelling at His people because they are rejecting His ownership over all things. And God’s responding, “Who are you? What do I need you for? I own it all. I created the wild animals of the forest, and I own the cattle of a thousand hills.” And God wasn’t just bragging. He was giving an example of great wealth—unattainable wealth—for all generations to come. And God’s responding, “Who are you? What do I need you for? I own it all. I created the wild animals of the forest, and I own the cattle of a thousand hills.”

 

*Interview has been edited for continuity and brevity.

[1] Col. 1:15-20.

New Ways to Give

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“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
2 Cor. 9:14

Giving Brings Thanks

Almost every day at LMW we hear a word of thanks from someone who is using our resources. We receive these thanks because of your contributions to “supply the needs of the Lord’s people.” We have increased our distribution of free books and resources this year by more than 500% because of your faithfulness. Thank you!

I pray that you will consider including LMW in your year-end giving plan, that we might continue to receive thanks from people all over the world. In addition to writing a check or making an online donation, there are many ways to give that will ease your tax burden, leverage your charitable investment, and make a huge impact on the people whose lives you touch.

  • Highly appreciated stocks and equities – the stock market is booming! Many of your investments may have increased significantly in value from their basis. Selling them would incur a large capital gains tax, but donating those stocks to charity allows you to take that appreciated value as a tax deduction.
  • Minimum Required Distributions from Retirement Accounts – at age 70 ½, you are required to take a minimum distribution from most retirement accounts (IRAs, etc.) Arrange to have this distribution delivered to your charity of choice and avoid including it in your taxable income for 2017.
  • Donor Advised Funds (DAF), including the Generosity Trust, the National Christian Foundation, and Community Foundations have become a major vehicle for giving. Leverage your assets by holding them in a DAF, and select the charities you wish to receive gifts from there.
  • Sales of Business Interests, Real Estate, and other appreciated assets: Donating appreciated assets prior to their sale allows you to deduct their appreciated value rather than pay capital gains tax.

If you are interested in exploring more information about these forms of giving, please give me a call, or speak with your financial advisor.

Thank you again for enabling this overflowing of thanks from pastors around the world:

  • “Thank you for your investment in ministry across Africa!” Zambia
  • “Thank you for your support. I love God’s Word and I like the way you break down the scripture.” Prison Fellowship, USA
  • “We are so thankful for your help and support!” The Argentine Bible Society
  • “Heartfelt thanks for this great resource.” Zimbabwe
  • “Thank you so much for the materials. The book is a great help to bring the Word of God to the churches we are called to pastor.” Romania

We are excited to finish our first 25 years strong, and look forward to what God has for LMW in the next 25 years. I pray that your Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful, and may you enjoy the peace, love and joy of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Leadership Ministries Worldwide

What They’re Saying About The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible®

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Don’t take our word for it. Just read some of our reviews. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® is one of the top-selling world-class biblical resources for powerful gospel preaching.

“Ever since I received these materials, my studies, preaching, and teaching have been changed; not me alone, but other pastors in my community as well because I organized Pastor’s Fellowship and we meet every two weeks to study and learn The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® (POSB) together. . . Every leader around the world, both clergy and laymen needs this: the POSB so that they can understand God’s Word and present God’s message with more Clarity.”

Pastor Isaac Asamoah Kwarteng, Ghana

I have been a frequent user of the POSB and the other Outline Bible resources for over 20 years. All of the materials are simple, yet profound in their usefulness in preparing solid and practical Bible lessons. Nothing compares to the POSB when examined with similar commentaries. It has everything a serious Bible student needs to discover the great spiritual nuggets of truth. . . It truly is set apart from all of the rest! (and the Lord willing, made easily accessible to everyone, in every part of the world, who desires to teach and preach the Word of God.)

Dr. Denny Bates, Spartanburg, SC

 “The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® is so thorough! When you find the scripture you want to preach on, all the truth is right there. It’s not like a commentary – it’s facts and supporting scripture, and it eliminates the need for extra research. These books help me to really love the Word because everything is right there. It gives me great peace. I also use the Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible, the Believer’s Handbook, and the Minister’s Handbook. I have found these to be great gifts for students – they grow!”

Pastor Tammy Mitchell, Manchester, NJ

“I love The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible®. I use it every week. I am blessed to have the complete set. “

Pastor Imogene Cross-Best, Lakewood, NJ

“An entire theological library that is biblically and theologically trustworthy. I highly recommend your material.”

Pastor Bill Monroe, Florence, SC

There Are More Spanish-Speaking Believers Than English Speaking

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With over 400 million native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, behind Chinese. It is the primary language of most of South and Central America and Spain. It is also the language of choice for a large part of the populations in the USA, Australia, Island nations, and Europe.

More than 90% of the people in Latin America are Christians, and this number is anticipated to grow by 130 million over the next 30 years*. Many of the next generation of Christian leaders are coming from Spanish-speaking countries. These leaders are crying out for quality, theologically sound biblical resources to help them share the gospel message. About 90% of the pastors serving areas throughout Latin America have no opportunity to attend seminary – or any type of Bible classes. They are hungry for resources and training in Spanish that will deepen their understanding of the Bible, empowering them to share the gospel faithfully.

In Argentina, the government made a significant investment in improved internet infrastructure. This increased access led the Argentine Bible Society to seek a digital learning platform to deliver quality biblical resources to pastors across their country. LMW has partnered with them to develop “Teleios”, a Spanish-language version of Lystra Global, a free online library for pastors.

 pictured above: Rodrigo Guerra of the Argentine Bible Society, presenting Teleios at one of the Bible Congress’ plenary sessions.

pictured from left to right: Andrew Lamb, V.P. of Distribution at Third Millenium Ministries, Ruben del Re, Director General of The Argentine Bible Society, and Dave Worland, President/CEO of Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

Teleios was presented at The First International Congress of the Bible in Buenos Aires November 15-20. We anticipate that more than 1,000 pastors will sign up on Teleios within 6 months, giving them access to Biblia de Bosquejos y Sermones (The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible®) plus other books and videos developed specifically for the Argentine Bible Society.

Please pray for the pastors who will be receiving these new resources in their native language. Biblia de Bosquejos y Sermones includes the entire New Testament, plus Genesis and Exodus. As we are putting these resources in their hands, we are also praying for resources to complete the Spanish translation of the remaining volumes of The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® into Spanish. Can you help us in this effort? Visit lmw.org/give, and select “Teleios” for your donation. Thank you!

*Pew Research Center, “The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050”, April 2, 2015.