Meet Your New World Sector Leaders

“Jesus went up on a mountain side and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve – designating them Apostles – that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:13-14

Welcome to the 2014 Global Leadership Conference – ZION’S DREAMERS! Not since the first century has a “Christian Movement” evangelized the nations in one generation, yet the SoldOut Discipling Movement has deep convictions that “God desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” in the twenty-first century! (1Timothy 2:3-4) Unique to our young movement is that we are united by Jesus’ dream to evangelize the nations in a generation, and we have a definitive plan to accomplish this noble task which we call The Crown of Thorns Project.This plan is being realized as the City of Angels International Christian Church was planted in LA by 42 disciples from Portland on May 6, 2007! During the past seven years the Spirit has multiplied these disciples into over 3,000 disciples with a Sunday attendance approaching 5,000 in 55 churches, in 26 nations, on all six populated continents in the world!

As most are aware in the SoldOut Movement, we divide every city where we plant a church into multiple regions. Under the Lead Ministry Couple for the church in each city, every region has an appointed Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader who have the charge of not only “taking care of the flock” in their responsibility, but also to evangelize all the lost of that region of the city. (2 Corinthians 10:13-17) So similarly to fulfill Jesus’ dream, we have divided the globe into “world sectors” that collectively span the globe “so that all [196] nations [of the world] might believe and obey Him!” (Romans 16:26)

In Luke 6:12-13, it is recorded that “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called [all] His disciples to Him and chose 12 of them whom He also designated Apostles.” In striving to parallel Jesus’ plan to focus on a few and then to present them to the rest of His disciples, after much prayer by Elena & me, we would like to introduce here at the GLC those couples whom the Spirit has put on our hearts to be the SoldOut Movement’s World Sector Leaders (WSL’s): Chris & Theresa Broom – USA North Quadrant and India; Tim & Lianne Kernan – USA Northwest Quadrant and Canada; Matt & Helen Sullivan – USA South Quadrant; Michael & Michele Williamson – Europe; Oleg & Aliona Sirotkin – Russian Commonwealth; Andrew & Patrique Smellie – Africa; Cory & Jee Blackwell – Middle East; Raul & Lynda Moreno – Central & South America; Joe & Kerry Willis – Austral-China; Kyle & Joan Bartholomew – Pacific Rim; Nick & Denise Bordieri – Movement Shepherding Couple; Tony & Therese Untalan – Movement Shepherding Couple; and Michael & Sharon Kirchner – Movement Administration and Law. For the present time, Elena & I will continue to lead the City of Angels Church in LA which through our Region Leaders disciples all of the churches in the USA Southwest Quadrant, which we have called “Judea” for the past five years in reference to The Crown of Thorns Plan. (Acts 1:8)

Of special note in Luke 10, Jesus commissions a second group called “the 72.” (Fascinatingly in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, they are called “The 70 Apostles.”) These preachers along with “The 12,” Jesus’ family, and Jesus’ women leaders composed “The 120” of Acts 1:15. These “120” became the foundation of the church as “The 3,000” that were baptized after Peter’s Pentecost Sermon were “added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41-42) Also unique to the SoldOut Movement, and once again paralleling Jesus’ ministry, we are building a second group of unified Evangelists and Women Ministry Leaders – “our 72” – which we have chosen to call the Crown of Thorns Council. Now, let’s get to know your World Sector Leaders!

CHRIS & THERESA BROOM

USA North Quadrant And India

Chris & Theresa Broom were both baptized in New York City in 1990 and 1983 respectively. When Chris first studied the Bible and saw the fellowship of the Kingdom, he shares that he had but three words in his head, “This is home!” For Theresa, “God answered the prayers of my youth by leading me to His people and the truth of His Word.” Chris & Theresa first met each other on a blind date in the Kingdom! They were married December 3, 1994 and now have two incredible children – Austin (17) and Maria (14). Of special note, the Brooms heroically led the Syracuse Church to become the first church to align itself with the Portland Church in 2006!

After overcoming the paralyzing effects of the Guillain–Barré Syndrome at eight years old (though he still wears braces), Chris first came to NYC to “make it big” as an actor, singer and dancer! So now, in leading the New York City International Christian Church, both Chris & Theresa have a passion to reach out to the thousands of young people “in the business” in America’s largest city! Therefore, Chris & Theresa want to add “just a little” to Alicia Keyes’ famous lyrics, “New York, where the streets make you feel brand new, and the lights will inspire you” to become a baptized “difference-making” disciple of Jesus!

TIM & LIANNE KERNAN

USA Northwest Quadrant And Canada

Tim & Lianne were both born in Toronto, Canada. Lianne became a disciple in 1997 at 19 years old largely through the influence of her father, as she had been “raised around the church” since she was 12. Likewise baptized in Montreal, Tim recounts, “I will never forget first coming to church and seeing a beautiful sister doing a song and dance routine. I turned to the brother who invited me and told him that she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. He responded, ‘First get to know Jesus, then the sisters!’” Tim was baptized just two weeks later in 2001 and married that “beautiful woman” – Lianne – on November 1, 2003! They have two dynamic boys – Junior (5) and David (2)!

Tim & Lianne’s stand for God’s honor forced them to start a remnant group in Toronto and later in London! They have both been partners in the gospel to Elena & me since the first Portland Jubilee in 2004! Together, they have planted the Paris Church in 2012 and the Toronto Church just last month! At today’s ICCM Commencement, Lianne will receive her Masters of Ministry Degree and Tim will receive his Doctorate of Ministry Degree! With these credentials, Tim will now serve as the President and Lianne a Professor at our first extension college – the ICCM Toronto!

MATT & HELEN SULLIVAN

USA South Quadrant

Matt was born on the East Coast in Bangor, Maine and Helen was born on the West Coast in Palo Alto, California. Interestingly, Matt became a member of the Mainline Church of Christ in Louisiana because of dating a young woman. In time, he moved to San Francisco and was baptized into Christ in 1988 through the efforts of the Crossroads Movement. In a short time, this congregation became part of the Boston Movement which became the International Churches of Christ. Helen met Matt in the San Francisco Church as she was baptized before him in 1987! Matt had fathered a child before he became a disciple, yet in the Kingdom, Matt & Helen’s dating relationship was totally pure and they married as best friends on August 22, 1992. They have three children – Melissa (18), Amanda (17) and Ryan (15). All three are faithful baptized disciples, as well as Matt’s daughter Ashley (28)!

Matt & Helen came to the first Portland Jubilee in 2004 and moved to be with us a month later! They hold the honor of planting the Phoenix Church, the Santiago Church (our first Crown of Thorns Planting), and the Orlando Church! As well, though Orlando is only a two year old congregation, from there the Spirit has planted two more congregations – Gainesville and Houston!

MICHAEL & MICHELE WILLIAMSON

Europe

Michael’s favorite quote comes from an old preacher, “Where it’s darkest, the light shines brightest!” Both Michael & Michele’s conversions are incredible stories of light triumphing over darkness! Michael, born and raised in Portland, was first met by a brother from LA, and then was met on separate occasions by over 10 others that invited him out to church! He recounts, “Only after I felt the hand of God in one day as I lost a significant relationship, $8000, my car, my apartment, alongside being arrested did I decide to be baptized on January 23, 2000!” Michele was born in Vietnam to a British father and Vietnamese mother. Though raised in Australia, the Spirit took her to Portland State University for college. There she was converted in three weeks! In time they led the Singles Ministry together and were married on March 6, 2003 just as the ICOC was falling apart!

Upon Elena’s and my arrival in Portland in July 2003, Michael & Michele gave us their hearts. After having walked with us in Portland and LA, God used Michele’s British citizenship to allow the Williamsons the privilege of planting the second Crown of Thorns Church in London in 2010! Today, Michael & Michele have three children – Sharayah (Michael’s daughter – 22), Michael Adrian (9), and Little Mia (2)!

OLEG & ALIONA SIROTKIN

Russian Commonwealth

Inspirationally, the Sirotkins serve as a “prototype” of the Kingdom – Oleg was born in Russia and Aliona was born in Ukraine – countries now at war with each other – but as disciples are united in Christ! Oleg had been associated with the mafia and imprisoned for reckless activity. After being miraculously freed from prison in three days, Oleg began to seek God and became a fulltime worker in the Pentecostal Church. Extraordinarily just two months after we planted the Moscow Church in 1991, Oleg was then met and “taught the way of God more accurately” and was baptized! (Acts 18:26) Aliona worked in a casino in Ukraine, became “cross ways” with her boss, and literally left for dead in the winter in the middle of a forest. One of Aliona’s girlfriends became a disciple and invited her to the Kiev Church, where she was baptized in 1993! Oleg & Aliona were married in 1995, and have two amazing daughters Sophia (13) baptized in LA and Lydia (10) adopted at two years old!

In time, the Sirotkins led the Kiev Church to grow to an attendance of 5,000 on Sundays! Remembering those “glory days,” in 2010 while fulltime, they joined the new movement because they saw the lukewarmness in our former fellowship. Today, their vision for Moscow, Kiev and all 12 Russian-speaking countries of the Russian Commonwealth is to plant churches that bring a “greater glory” for God than ever before! (Haggai 2:9)

ANDREW & PATRIQUE SMELLIE

Africa

Andrew & Patrique are both of Jamaican decent; Patrique was born in Kingston and Andrew was born in New York City! Both were baptized through the efforts of the Syracuse Church: Andrew in 2000 and Patrique in 2001. The Smellies are our “Renaissance couple!” Andrew attained a black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, became the first African American President of Cornell University Glee Club, and was awarded a Bachelor and a Master’s Degree from this Ivy League College! Patrique is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and earned a Law Degree from Syracuse University even “arguing a practice order” before the future Supreme Court Justice – Sonia Sotomayor! They were married on August 6, 2005 and God blessed them with two phenomenal children – Naomi (3) and Isaiah (1)!

After the Brooms planted Chicago, Andrew & Patrique became the leaders of the Syracuse Church – “the little church that could… and did” – and then the Spirit called them to plant the Washington DC Church in 2008! After training in LA for two years with Elena & me, they built up the New York City Church. Upon being asked to go to Johannesburg, South Africa and to oversee the evangelization of Africa, Andrew immediately said yes, and Patrique just cried… not tears of sadness but tears of joy for this gracious opportunity to serve the Lord!

CORY & JEE BLACKWELL

Middle East

Cory was raised a Sunni Muslim by his mom Wazirah and pursued his dream of playing NBA Basketball! God allowed Cory to fulfill his dream as he played for the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma Thunder). He was baptized in Chicago in 1990, but the Spirit called him to LA where side-by-side Cory and I initiated the Cross and Switchblade Ministry in LA, which became over a 1,000 disciples and then renamed the South Central Region! In time, he not only baptized his mom into Christ, but Cory was selected as the World Sector Leader of the Middle East for the ICOC in 1994, where he oversaw the planting and building of discipling churches in 21 nations. After the Lord had given to Cory & his wife four incredible children – Ashley (28), Amber (24), CJ (22), Avrie (17) – she left the Lord. Heartbroken, Cory wandered in a spiritual desert for 10 years, but through Lou Jack Martinez, Cory found revival in God’s new movement in LA in 2010. It was at a LA Singles Retreat a year later that Cory met the “sister of his dreams” Jee – a former top corporate fitness trainer – who was baptized in LA in 2008! They were married just a year ago the Sunday before the 2013 GLC!

Today, the Blackwells lead the thriving Southland Region of the City of Angels Church! Avrie is a key teen disciple in the region. Cory & Jee are looking forward to moving to the Middle East to spearhead this “sure-to-be-glorious” work for God!

RAUL & LYNDA MORENO

Central And South America

Raul was born in Madrid, Spain and Lynda in Bogota, Colombia. Raul was converted in Miami at Florida International University in 1996, while Lynda – a model – first “saw the Kingdom” at a Women’s Day and was baptized in Tampa, Florida in 1997! As relatively young Christians, Raul was selected for the Caracas Mission Team and Lynda was sent by the Spirit to become an intern at six months old in the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil! They both returned from the mission field and met at a Staff Meeting in Miami! They were married on October 6, 2001 and God has blessed them with two adorable children – Felipe (9) and Bella (7)!

In 2003, they were asked to lead the Santiago ICOC. Yet as everything crashed around them, the Spirit led them to Portland, Oregon where they asked Elena & me to disciple them. In 2007, they took their stand for God, discipling, and world evangelism and thus the Santiago Remnant Group began! A few months later, the Spirit took them to LA to heal. There Lynda’s previous experience in Sao Paulo and her love for the Brazilian people served as a beacon for the Morenos to being sent to plant this Crown of Thorns City. As God’s anointed for Latin America and fluent in three languages – Spanish, Portuguese and English, the Lord has grown the seven disciples on the Sao Paulo Mission Team in a little more than two years to now 100 sold-out disciples of Jesus!

JOE & KERRY WILLIS

Austral-China

Joe – born in Nottingham, England – and Kerry – born in Penang, Malaysia but Australian in nationality – were both baptized in England; Joe in 1990 and Kerry in 1991. Interestingly, Kerry was “traveling around the world” with friends, came in contact with disciples, was baptized, and stayed in London while her friends moved on! Ironically, they met half a world away in Manila at our Leadership Conference! They were married on December 12, 1995 and have twins – Luke and Alexandra now both 16 years old! They led Northern England, Scotland and Ireland in our former fellowship!

After initiating the Brisbane, Australia Remnant Group, the Willises moved to LA to train in 2012. They have inspired the entire movement in their faith to raise funds for missions as well as planting the Sydney Church, which has more than doubled in their first six months! Their ultimate challenge is to evangelize China. Already, the Lord is forming the Crown of Thorns Hong Kong Mission Team through the several Chinese brothers and sisters that have been baptized in Sydney! Joe’s favorite Chinese quote is by Confucius, “Heaven means to be one with God!”

KYLE & JOAN BARTHOLOMEW

Pacific Rim

Kyle was born in Hilo, Hawaii in 1981 and stands 6’4” while Joan was born in Davao, Philippines in 1980 and is a little less than five feet tall! Kyle became a disciple in 2001 and starred for the UH Hilo Basketball Team, which once boasted all five starters as disciples! Joan shares this about her conversion, “I attended my first service in Hilo out of fear for my sister being led astray as I was told she was in a cult! Ironically, I quickly fell in love with the Lord and His church and was baptized before my sister Jen!” They married on August 14, 2004 and now have three gorgeous children – Brett (8), Conner (2) and Bree (5 months)!

Kyle’s decision to attend the 2006 Portland Jubilee and his asking of the Elena & me to disciple Joan & him was the spark that “officially” started God’s new SoldOut Discipling Movement! Not only have they planted the Hilo and Honolulu Churches, but they have developed the “Hawaii 5 – 0 Plan” to evangelize the Hawaiian Islands and Guam in the next five years! Since Joan is a “Filipina,” her heritage has guided this courageous couple to plant the Metro Manila Crown of Thorns Church in June 2015!

TONY & THERESE UNTALAN

Movement Shepherding Couple

Like our other Movement Shepherding Couple – the Bordieris, Tony & Therese are “products of world evangelism!” Both were born in Guam in the 60’s, and came from well-known families on the Island. Adding to this was Therese winning the Miss Guam Crown in 1985! The Untalans shared the following about the Guam disciples in 1997, “The entire church fasted and prayed for us to become disciples. Afterall, our children – Jonathan now (30), Coleen (26), Tesoni (23) – loved Kids Kingdom! Though we strongly considered divorce, because of the Kingdom and discipling, we will celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary this year!”

The Untalans have been with Elena & me since our first days in Portland. Of these gallant disciples I can write like Paul, “I thank God every time I remember you. In my prayers… I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now!” (Philippians 1:3-5) The Untalans have been given the charge to oversee all of the Shepherding Couples of the SoldOut Movement.

NICK & DENISE BORDIERI

Movement Shepherding Couple

Nick was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1959, while Denise was born in San Bernadino, California in 1967. Both consider themselves products of world evangelism, as Nick’s Nike colleague was transferred from Taiwan to Manila where he was baptized! They reconnected in Portland – Nike’s World Headquarters – during the time that Nick & Denise were considering a divorce. After two months of studying the Bible, Nick was baptized and then baptized Denise that same day in 2001! They have two extraordinary children – Sonrisa (15) and Makaela (14)!

The Bordieris were the most instrumental couple in getting Elena & me to move to Portland in 2003. We quickly bonded over our vision to evangelize the world and our passion for athletics, since Nick was a “small college All American football player” at Trinity College! Not only do the Bordieris serve tirelessly as “Movement Shepherds” but they also are the outstanding Directors of the benevolent arm of the SoldOut Movement Churches – MERCYworldwide! The Bordieris’ favorite Bible verse is Deuteronomy 15:11, “There will always be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”

MICHAEL & SHARON KIRCHNER

Movement Administration And Law

Michael & Sharon have become the dearest of friends to Elena & me. As “children of the 60’s,” Michael hails from Iowa and Sharon from Oklahoma. Sharon was baptized in 1982 at the University of Missouri led by a couple Elena & I had trained at Eastern Illinois University! Sadly Sharon fell away, but kept the truth in her heart. Michael & Sharon met while working for the Campbell Soup Company in Kansas City and were married in 1994. Michael recounts, “During our dating time, I called Sharon Wesley – “Weezie” – which I affectionately call her to this day! I started ‘church shopping’ and Sharon brought me a Bible and gently suggested that I read it! She realized I was seeking God and it motivated her to come back to the Lord! Though it took a while to get anyone to study with me, I was baptized in the Minneapolis ICOC in 2004.”

When the Kirchners heard about the “new movement,” they travelled to both Phoenix and Portland to “check things out.” After “seeing the Kingdom,” they literally left $55 million dollars “on-the-table-by-retirement” from General Mills to move to LA to be a part of the LA planting in 2007. Given Michael’s skill set, he quickly became the SoldOut Movement Administrator. Sharon has a servant‘s heart that visits the sick and reaches out to the families of disciples in a powerful way. Indeed, one of the Kirchners’ favorite Scriptures is Psalm 78:72, “[We will administer] with integrity of heart and skillful hands.”

KIP & ELENA MCKEAN

Leaders Of The World Sector Leaders

Elena & I are so privileged and humbled to lead this incredible group of disciples! Each couple has so many gifts that surpass our meager talents. Indeed, in our leadership, 1 Corinthians 1:27 is fulfilled, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…” Elena & I stand in awe of God that He would use us – after failing Him in the ICOC – to become “in the world’s eyes” the “founders” of the International Christian Churches, MERCYworldwide, and the International College of Christian Ministries!

In May, I could not emotionally celebrate my 60th Birthday and 42nd year as a Christian, because Elena had been diagnosed with bone cancer – an incurable cancer. After four weeks of prayer (and juicing), Elena’s oncologist (cancer doctor) said, “I’ve never had anything like this happen! Your tests have ‘changed’ from concerning high calcium levels to normal and you no longer have any ‘cancer markers.’” We realize our days are numbered, but like Hezekiah, we are praying for many more years… so that we can see the world evangelized in our day!

I beg you, please join us in praying that the Lord will work through the World Sector Leaders, the Crown of Thorns Council, and all the hard-working disciples of the SoldOut Movement so that like the first century church, the twenty-first century church will be able to write, “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing… This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under Heaven.” (Colossians 1:6, 23) And to God be all the glory!