.W Lay Church
.W stands for DOTW, which is short for Doers of the Word, a reference to Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” .W Lay Church is a network of congregations of the Evangelical Church of North America, meeting in places like Colorado Springs, Colorado and Seoul, Korea.
For the last several years we’ve been learning, along with North Korean Christians, how to do lay church—and it’s been beyond exciting to watch the results. In the time it takes American Christians to come to understand even the basic principles of the gospel, “amateur” North Korean Christians are teaching others, planting churches and literally laying down their lives for the gospel.
With that in mind, we decided to plant our own lay church, in the west—.W Lay Church, in Colorado Springs. Even before we planted it, it spread to Korea, to interested “amateur” believers there.
Now that we’ve been underway in .W for a little while, we’re seeing the same things we’ve seen among North Koreans—the same things that Christians have seen throughout history all the way back to the New Testament: believers growing to fullness in Christ, surprisingly quickly, without external accoutrements like buildings, paid clergy, or study Bibles for everybody.
As a result of our experience, we’ve formulated twelve principles that are necessary and sufficient to enable “ordinary” Christians to launch lay churches that help members to grow to fullness in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are interested in learning more about .W Lay Church, please contact us by sending us an e-mail.
Reverend Eric Foley
The Reverend Eric Foley is CEO and Co-Founder, with his wife Hyun Sook Foley, of Seoul USA, a multinational, multicultural ministry supporting the work of the indigenous underground church in North Korea and the spreading of historic underground Christian discipleship practices worldwide. Foley is a much sought after speaker, analyst, and project consultant on the North Korean underground church, North Korean defectors, and underground church discipleship. He and the Seoul USA executive team oversee a far-flung staff in the US and across Asia that is working to help North Koreans and Christians everywhere grow to fullness in Christ. Foley is Dean of Underground University, a missionary training college for North Koreans. He is committed to equipping North Korean church leaders for comprehensive underground Christian service.
Rev. Foley pastors .W (which stands for DOTW, or Doers Of The Word) Evangelical Churches in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Seoul, Korea, congregations of The Evangelical Church of North America denomination. Over the past twenty years he has helped more than 1,300 churches and Christian NGOs learn how to build volunteer and giving programs. Most recently, he has focused on teaching Christians in countries with freedom of religion how to adopt the discipleship practices of the North Korean underground church.
Rev. Foley received a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Purdue University, served as Presidential Scholar at Christian Theological Seminary, and received a master’s degree in Applied Communication and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Denver. He is currently a doctoral student and Nonprofit Fellow in the Doctor of Management Program in the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, where his research centers on the happiness of North Korean defectors. He is an ordained pastor of The Evangelical Church of North America.
Rev. Foley and his wife, Hyun Sook, the Co-Founder and President of Seoul USA and a doctoral student at Regent University, divide their time between Colorado and Seoul. They have four children. His books, Coach Your Champions and The Whole Life Offering are available through amazon.com. His congregational training manuals and persecuted church discipleship manifesto Church is for Amateurs are available through Seoul USA.
Suzanne Dubois
Suzanne Dubois trained and consulted with more than 400 Colorado ministries over the past 6 ½ years. She is a prominent speaker, equipping ministry leaders in fundraising, board development, events, and marketing. Suzanne has a joy for learning and currently is pursuing an MA in Christian Leadership through Denver Seminary. She is passionate about the work Christian nonprofits do, and is committed to seeing them excel in the area God has called them to.
Reverend Timothy Dillmuth
He also oversees media relations and is responsible for the web-site and social media pages associated with Seoul USA and DOTW. Most recently, Tim has been involved in the promoting of These are the Generations, a new book that chronicles the faith of three generations of Christians within North Korea. Pastor Tim received a bachelor’s degree from Zion Bible College and an M.Div. from Regent University. He is currently an “elder in transfer” with The Evangelical Church of North America.
When he is away from the office, he can be found spending time with his wife Melissia and their three children in and around Colorado. They enjoy hiking, camping, and of all things . . . exploring new kinds of root beer!
Eric,
I like following the trail that you are blazing my friend…
you inspire me,
Gareth
Eric Foley ROCKS!
Eric –
I was at your seminar on Friday, here in PDX and learned a lot. Thank-you.
I am a Realtor, but my passion is the Kingdom, and with many years of business behind me I can’t help thinking about this new world (new to me) of fund-raising.
I recently got fired up about a ministry called ShowMercy.org and asked their permission ot go raise the money needed to make a film for them. We hired a filmmaker and the Lord brought the money in and the crew is leaving next week for Uganda!
I feel like a shark smelling blood in the water. My competitive juices are flowing. I’m connected to my passion again.
Being at your seminar further openned my eyes to how I might have a Kingdom role, rather than sitting on the sidelines, etc.
If we ever get a chance to meet, I’d liek to thank you in person for your quality presentation.
Blessings,
Mike
Eric,
I was at MI seminar on yesterday and I was inspired and encouraged regarding all that I’ve learned. My life is to assist those in need to be blessed through the Love of Christ and this vision has gained momentum through your wisdom, knowledge and obedience to share all that you’ve been given. Thank you for heading to the “Call” of Christ to encourage us to take up our “Cross” and follow Christ.
I’m willing to totally put a “stake” in it!!
Eric,
You are a great mentor in my Christian walk as well as my leadership role in ministry.
Thanks kid.
Much of what is best in philanthropy is based upon Christian principles of charity–even if it isn’t identifed as such. With no surprise, the most productive fund development programs follow these principles–whether they know their source or not–and consistently raise much more money with a significantly higher degree of donor retention.
This took me a while, but thank you for the training here in S. Cal. I am still fairly new to the world of ministry and NPO’s. Your training and the help of Mission Increase has been vital, as I learn my way.
I also want to say that your passion as a pastor comes through at each training. I usually leave filled spiritually. I came to learn about fundraising, but instead learned about my passion. Makes sense, it should not be a bout $.
Thank you again
Eric,
Everything you teach seems to always benefit me on both a professional AND personal level. Your training has opened my mind and heart to bigger and better ways of working and living. I appreciate your ministry.
I can count on one hand the number of people who have made a significant positive difference in my life and you are definitely one of them. Thanks for helping me move closer to Christ.
God bless,
Sandy
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I am excited about the TG process and want to learn more! Especially about the “engagement” area.
Kim
Glad to hear it, Kim–sure looking forward to being with you and other ministries in Raleigh, NC for the Transformational Giving seminar on 4/12! Make sure to type “Engagement” into the search bar of the blog here to look up past entries on Engagement–lots here to dive into.
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Eric, Really enjoyed your book, even more the MI training event you did in Raleigh, NC, 4/12/2010. Thanks so much for sharing your journey in life and your passionate pursuit of God’s design for unlocking His provision to fund and leverage Biblical causes. No doubt, the Master derives much pleasure from your labors. Your PEO approach is far easier to grasp [and impart] than another matrix I was introduced to many years ago, which identifies Ignorant, Informed, Interested, Involved and Impassioned as a categorical/strategic approach to Evangelism, Discipleship, Multiplication [and organization-building.]
In Raleigh, you mentioned that within our spheres of influence, we are likely to be 80 times as effective as a ‘highly influential’ outsider. I want to use that nugget in our FCCI/Christ@Work curriculum, a tool box in God’s hand for transforming business leaders. We address Biblical stewardship in Time, Talent, Treasure and Relationships.
Can you point me to the source that you used for the 80X effectiveness?
Again, many thanks and Godspeed!
Thanks for your kind words, Steve. Let me source that stat and get right back to you.
OK, Steve, here’s the link to the study conducted by Social Action: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121554292423936539.html
Turns out I was low in my citation. The number is actually ONE HUNDRED times, not eighty!
Eric,
I attended the MIF workshop in Raleigh this past Monday. Thank you for taking us back to a thoroughly Scriptural approach to resource development and equipping people for works of service.
Dr. Stacy Rinehart
Great to have had you there, Dr. Rinehart–and good to have you posting up on the blog.
Just found this blog and am thoroughly enjoying getting to read through some of the ideas and tips you have written about. I’ve just been recently pushed into a position to kind of lead the mission group that I work with to establish an online front, as well as many types of promotional material.
I do have a question (as to whether you have already posted and maybe I have missed it) about tips you might have concerning having a booth at a convention. This is my next big project and definitely want to do it excellently.
I also appreciate your view that Christians can’t do it half-heartedly, but we must set the standard for excellence so others can follow our footsteps.
Eric, Really enjoyed your book, even more the MI training event you did in Raleigh, NC, 4/12/2010. Thanks so much for sharing your journey in life and your passionate pursuit of God’s design for unlocking His provision to fund and leverage Biblical causes. No doubt, the Master derives much pleasure from your labors. Your PEO approach is far easier to grasp [and impart] than another matrix I was introduced to many years ago, which identifies Ignorant, Informed, Interested, Involved and Impassioned as a categorical/strategic approach to Evangelism, Discipleship, Multiplication [and organization-building.]
+1
Giles, I’m honored by your kind words and encouragement. Great to have you in the TG community. Anyone with a URL of butterflycrazytown.info is alright by me.
Congratulations Eric on your new position! I know you will be blessed, and that you will continue to be used by God to inspire many, as you have inspired us.
Blessings,
Veroni
Thanks, Veroni!
Eric,
I am always thankful for your thought-filled and thought-provoking posts. I also appreciate the links to other stimulating posts/ideas.
There are several foundational concepts that relate to ministry leadership and the TG paradigm that I would love to process with you (it has some application with our organization, but is also far broader).
I know you are quite busy, but is there any way that could happen? Please feel free to e-mail me directly.
Thanks and blessings on your ongoing work!
Don
Eric did a great job helping World Gospel Mission get a vision for transforming donors into champions.
This month’s Outcomes magazine is all about TG. http://www.christianleadershipalliance.org/?page=outcomes
If I didn’t know better I would have thought they all had Eric ghost write the atricles.
Thanks Eric for helping WGM be ahead of the curve on this improtant teaching.
Todd
Thanks, Todd! It’s great to see these favorite topics of ours getting more and more mainstream coverage from more and more writers. Go God go!
Dear Pastor Foley, This is a much-belated but still heartfelt expression of gratitude for your kind words written two years ago in an article about me and my Salvation Army efforts. Your words inspired and challenged me and, now that we have returned to the US, I am redoubling my work with the US Army Advisory Boards (both National and Regional). Collaboration on fund-raising strategies would be most welcome.
Wonderful to hear from you, Mrs. Abdalla. Please forgive me for misspelling your name in my two posts on you. Good to receive this update on your work. Please let me know how we can best collaborate. I’d be delighted.
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