The LinkedIn Effect

  I, (Kyle Sr) have always been one of those guys who has been resistant to use social media.  There are numerous reasons, but the one leading factor is how it isolates people.  Sure you know more about your friends and family than you may have ever known; but your time is spent looking at an electronic version of your friends, and one finds them-self having less time for personal interaction. We spend more and more time each day catching up with friends and family that do not live close by, that we unknowingly are drifting farther apart form those who live under the same roof.  

So when we went through Missionary Partner Development training with Converge Worldwide, one of their stressing points was to use social media to expand contacts.  You guessed it!  My red flags went up and the sirens and lights were flashing!  As my spirit cringed, I reminded myself of one of my key guiding principles in life, "Seek first to understand, rather than to be understood."  By the end of the week I was still not a fan of Facebook, but I was beginning to see how my unused LinkedIn account might be used to build connections of value.

I slowly finished developing my profile and then began to use LinkedIn to expand my connections, but with one added catalyst, 'prayer.'  I would search for pastors, churches, and individuals to connect with, then when I found one, I would pray about sending them an Invitation to Connect (ItC). Here's one example of how God unleashed His Spirit as I planned my ways, but allowed Him to direct my steps (Proverbs 16:9).

Last winter I was in a discussion with our sons about how music worship would look in the new church.  With 180 nations represented in Munich we knew it would not look like what is done in the US or UK.  I commented that; "who knows, maybe someone like Third Day will come and help us get things rolling."  The boys just laughed; "yeah, right dad" with a sarcastic tone added. 

Gill & Nigel James, Cardiff Wales

This past August I was looking for new connections in the United Kingdom, as we would be in Europe for six weeks, and we needed new partners.  I logged into LinkedIn, typed in 'pastors UK' and started looking through the list.  I came across a missions pastor in Cardiff and as I looked through Nigel's profile I noticed he was, get this, Tour Pastor for Third Day for the past 14 years.  Prior to that he was Tour Pastor for the Newsboys.  I prayed and the next day felt led to send him an ItC.  Two days later he connected.  I then sent an email asking if he had 'Time for Coffee' via a SKYPE call, which he responded to and a SKYPE call was scheduled.

After talking for an hour, his excitement for what the Lord was doing in Munich led him to respond; "Give me a few days and I will set up some meetings for you with strategic people in the Cardiff community, and within our church." As providence would have it, the time we were in the UK was during his short break from the tour, and he was going to be in Cardiff at the same time.  Praise Jesus!

During one of the meetings, we met one of Nigel's contacts named David, who had been a missionary to Russia and had to return due to health reasons.  He took over an English language school in Cardiff and turned it into a business that provides development of professional skills.  During our time together he said; "You will not believe this.  I did not know they were coming, but there is a team of five people here from Munich; and they are in the room next door."  As he introduced us to Helene, Celia and three others, we responded with a Bavarian greeting which is normally not used by Germans outside of Bavaria.  They were surprised, and in the next three minutes we had exchanged contact info, and made arrangements to have dinner with them while we were in Munich.

Before they left the room though, Helene asked which part of Munich we wanted to live in.  After a brief explanation, she declared she would start looking for housing for us.  They had no idea why we were moving to Munich nor that we were missionaries. 

Helene, Peter, Celia & Sigi - Ratskeller Restaurant, Munich

When we arrived in Munich, we had dinner with Helene and her husband Peter, and Celia and her husband Sigi at the Ratskeller, which is in the center of Munich below the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz.  

Helene was originally from Belgium, Peter was German, Celia was from Brazil and Sigi was Bavarian. It was an incredible night as we quickly became good friends. Much of our discussion was on life, family, the joys, hopes and disappointments. Matilda had a continuing conversation with Helene & Peter (same one who offered to help find housing) about our housing needs and they mentioned they knew of homes that would be available in the near future.  

Then after an hour and a half with them, they finally realized they did not know why we were moving to Munich. So Helene asked; "By the way, why are you moving to Munich?"  I told them we were starting a new English-language church that would reach out to the International community in Munich.  With widen eyes and a warm smile they said; "We need churches like that in Munich."  

Praise Jesus!  Non-believers, catching the vision and joining in to help us make the move. Only the Holy Spirit can orchestrate such a chain of events.  This is the Spirit anointed 'LinkedIn Effect' that we have been experiencing over, and over, and over again!  Yet, this particular thread of the "LinkedIn Effect" continues to develop.  In two weeks we are meeting with Third Day in Arkansas, which indirectly led to us being able to meet with a multi-ethnic, intercultural church in Little Rock, which we have been praying about connecting with for months.  And this is only one LinkedIn Effect thread of many as the story continues to unfold...............Praise Jesus!