The Leading the Consumer Rebellion interviewer scheduled time with super servant Pastor Robert Dickie II yesterday. Bob has been a pastor for over 30 years and has mentored many of the top leaders of the Team teaching Biblical centered leadership. Bob and his lovely wife Mary have 5 children that are outstanding citizens themselves.
LCR: How did you become acquainted with the Team?
Bob Dickie: I met Orrin and Laurie Woodward back in late 1996 at a church service. I sat down with them shortly after to answer some questions on marriage. It was over five years later before I took a serious look at their business.
LCR: In those five years, it sounds like you built a close relationship with Orrin?
Bob Dickie: Orrin was hungering for Biblical answers to the issues of life. I would estimate that we sat down weekly for over five consecutive years and in these talks many questions were answered straight from the Bible. Orrin began to read hundreds of books I recommended and I could literally see him changing from week to week.
LCR: What made you finally get excited about the Team business?
Bob Dickie: As a pastor I am constantly confronted with people struggling with finances and dead end jobs. I felt helpless to give any advice to them before I studied the Team business. I also watched Orrin and Laurie’s lives and finances change. When I first sat down with them they were struggling with their finances, marriage, and spiritual life. I believe I witnessed a miracle in the changes I saw in their lives. There is a statement in the Bible that says, “You will know them by their fruit” and judging by the fruit displayed, I became interested in what was happening in their business.
LCR: Were you hesitant about building the business and also ministering to a congregation?
Bob Dickie: I certainly didn’t rush into anything. I had to search my heart and ask what would glorify God. I was asked to speak on a Sunday morning at a major function. There were probably 600 people at the service and I was impressed by the hunger for truth in the audience. Today through that hunger to learn, I speak in front of thousands on a Sunday morning Team function. I started mentoring many of the leaders on the Team and seeing so many lives change. My whole life has been dedicated to serving God and serving others. The making a difference aspects of this business resonated with me and I saw first hand how this Team was making an impact. I don’t judge a persons faith based on whether they are in the business or not, but I will share this plan with everyone to give them the same opportunity that has blessed me. I have deacons that are on the Team and some deacons that are not on the Team, but they are all on God’s team.
LCR: When did you start thinking that Orrin was doing something special?
Bob Dickie: When Orrin told me he was leaving his job and his consulting work I was worried. I thought he was taking a big risk leaving the security of a big corporation. Orrin just stuck to his convictions and went out and built and incredible organization of leaders. When I began listening to his CD’s I was amazed at how well he had assimilated Biblical principles into his business. I studied the Team system and realized it taught all the principles that I believe in. Orrin just laughed and said we must be using the same source material. What separates Orrin and the other Team leaders is their amazing hunger to apply truth to their own lives and share truth with others. When I first met Orrin, I was doing most of the teaching, but now I learn just as much as I teach.
LCR: What would you say drives most of the Team leaders?
Bob Dickie: The Team leaders want to help people achieve their goals and dreams. People get started in this business because they are looking to be happy and the Team leaders teach how to achieve that peace of mind. Orrin and Laurie, Chris and Terri, and Tim and Amy are true American heroes and I believe that the best days are still to come. I love what this business has done for me and my family and will continue to edify the Team leadership because they are following principles worth edifying.
LCR: Bob thanks for sharing your wisdom and thanks for mentoring Orrin.