Switchboard is also hitting new milestones as they determinedly help build the Kingdom, one volunteer at a time. A friend of mine at bible study heard me talking about Switchboard’s progress and asked a fair question, “How much can you actually accomplish in a one-hour, volunteer ‘consult’ phone call?”

 

 

Maybe you’ve wondered that yourself. Can your personal skills or talents really be put to good use in a ‘remote’ fashion?  I like how Clay – a Switchboard Kingdom Consultant – explained his one-hour conversation:

 

 

“We [Clay and the mission team he helped] discovered their root problem. It involved certain transactions in Quickbooks Online and we discussed how to remedy it going forward. We also reviewed a few ways to allocate certain revenue and expenses to create more clarity in their finances.”

 

 

I’m no finance guy so that flies right over my head! But not Clay’s. Clay’s skills were perfectly aligned and he lasered right in on the Mission team’s specific needs.  We like to say that Mission teams benefit in two ways. Their immediate problem was resolved with Clay, so that’s number one. They also preserved the hours of time not spent searching Help Desks or online tutorials. Those precious ministry hours get plowed right back into their local community needs, where they belong. That’s the second win.

 

 

My favorite part is that the Great Commission* of Jesus moved forward, thanks to that one-hour call.
Clay puts it this way,  “Finances and good organization need to undergird a strong mission, so by serving those things, we made for a better organization.”

 

 

We hear daily from other Mission teams who appreciate the “remote” help. Here’s a brief snapshot from their POV,

 

 

•  “It helps us to get the Truth in front of the right people better”
• “I got some inspiration and solid information to help my local ministry keep moving on.”
• “Our organization and our staff will have greater stability and peace and we will be able to better serve and steward our resources.”
•  “My evangelism to a closed country will be more effective now.”

 

 

Some “1 hour” discovery calls lead mission teams to seek additional, even recurring hours of help. Think of these as “Virtual Roles” or “Skilled Advisors.”

 

 

It’s a different – ongoing – volunteer format with the same 2-part wins for the  ministry.

 

 

Switchboard seems to have hit upon an unmet need in the volunteer ranks, so why has no one done this before? I asked Scott Elequin, Switchboard’s Executive Director, and he gave me several reasons.

 

 

“For one thing, the technology was unavailable as recently as 10-15 years ago,” Scott told me. “Missions benefit when volunteers have different talents and abilities.  Matching these volunteers based on their skills means that we need lots of people from all walks of life. “

 

 

We’ll  also need mission partners who can train a new generation of field teams to embrace work-from-home volunteers. And,  I encourage mission pastors to demonstrate to their congregations that all Believers can directly participate in God’s Global story”.

 

 

Lots of milestones. My grandson is walking. Switchboard is launching innovative tools and partnerships. Maybe you’re ready to step into uncharted spiritual territory – and milestones – of your own. I hope Switchboard will help you on your way!

 

 

If you haven’t done so already, please set up your profile with us at GlobalSwitchboard.io and share this blog with friends in your extended community.

 

 

If you have other questions, anecdotes or topics for me to cover in this blog, please forward your information to hello@globalswitchboard.io.‍

 

 

I am called… you are too.

 

 

Be encouraged!

 

 

*Matthew 28:18-20