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Scott & Laurie Prindle – Network Marketing
Scott & Laurie Personal
How it started – Scott was raised in Massachusetts in a Congregational church. He had received a Bible from his Sunday School class but his parents gave him the option to join the ski team or attend Sunday School. Scott turned out to be a great ski racer and was the captain of his ski team through high school and college. He was insecure and shy growing up and turned to alcohol and drugs in a party atmosphere to socialize. At the age of 19 he had a serious car accident and woke up in a hospital aware of God's presence and thankful to be alive. He began to read the Bible given to him in that Sunday School class searching to fill the emptiness in his life. Scott began to repeat the Lord’s prayer every night; wanting to change his party lifestyle but failing. He watched the Cathedral of Tomorrow TV show on Sunday mornings and heard a phrase that resonated in his heart, "God loves you and has a plan for your life." Scott accepted the Lord at the age of 21 and moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to get a fresh start and pursue a career in ski racing and coaching. His party lifestyle continued through the influence of the resort lifestyle and pro ski racing, but Scott started attending a local Bible Church which became the support he needed to leave the addictions behind. He met Laurie in Jackson Hole and when they married he joined the charismatic church she attended. As a single mom, Laurie got her second chance when her life was shaken from a severe car accident resulting in a broken arm and neck. Realizing she was tired of going it alone she fell to her knees in her friend’s bathroom and was born again. Shortly after, God miraculously healed her broken neck So, at the age of 27, Scott served the church by cleaning the building, teaching Sunday School, became an elder, and when the pastor left, he was asked to serve as the interim pastor.. When the church finally chose a permanent pastor Scott and Laurie felt adrift; knowing were called to pastoral ministry but not knowing where or how.
Scott & Laurie moved to the Teton Valley in Idaho, planted a Foursquare church, and opened a ski shop which they ran on a bi-vocational basis. After 6 years of doing both Scott burned out and tried to go "full time" but the support was inadequate. It was about that time he met Joe and Carol Felger who were network marketing a nutritional product. Scott had been in Amway for 7 years and two others for a total of 10 years... and had sworn off network marketing for life. They became friends with Joe and Carol anyway and Laurie wanted to help people in their own congregation with this product that is changing people’s lives. Scott couldn't deny the health benefits even in his own life and realized that Joe and Carol were mentoring 1000's as the top earners in their company while his church was touching dozens. Scott & Laurie decided to build a business and with mentoring by Joe and Carol have quadrupled their income in three years so that they can afford to minister in their small community.
Personal Passion – Scott loves "coaching". He believes it is easier to copy an action than an idea. "Mentoring by modeling" works in sports, in business, and in discipling believers. Some of his skiers were on the US Ski Team and his business and church members are headed for similar success. Laurie loves how her gifts and talents are being utilized to build the Kingdom through ministry opportunities that arise by meeting the felt needs of people.
Personal Benefit – Network marketing for Scott is the financial reason he is able to pastor in his small community. He has the freedom and a business reason to spend time with people. Their community has a strong Mormon contingent that is closed to the gospel, but they are very open to the business which is built through relationships. Scott & Laurie have been able to use their business as a means of ministry and financial support. Laurie loves the benefit of being able to work together with her husband and has blossomed into a King in her own right.
Value to Others – Scott & Laurie are able to encourage others to be entrepreneurial, develop people skills, and live life more abundantly as promised in John 10:10. As a bi-vocation pastors with a growing business, they are able to help people answer the question, "Am I doing the right thing." Spiritual maturity for most of us has an expression in the marketplace - not behind a pulpit. Scott & Laurie live by their conviction that “Life is Ministry”, and “People are Eternal”.
Business Upside – The extra income provides more freedom and more family time. The work side of the coin is more contact with people which complements his pastoral ministry. Scott & Laurie are a great example of Kings who have integrated their vocation with their ministry in a way that is very rewarding spiritually and financially.
Business Downside – Scott has experienced some backlash in the religious community for being in a network marketing business and thought about quitting. However, his Foursquare overseers saw the calling in his life and the aptitude in business and refused to let him resign.
Vision for the Kingdom – Scott is doing what he enjoys most - coaching. He's encouraging, equipping, and empowering people to "go" and "be" the church. He views the concept of "going to church" as an oxymoron. We are the church and our ministry is in the marketplace; It's after we leave the Sunday service that we "go be the church."
Scott feels challenged to reach business and tourists that visit the Teton Valley. His networking marketing opportunities naturally lead to regional, national and even world-wide contacts... everyone has a use for their products and experiencing the reality of Jesus.
Impact from Releasing Kings – Releasing Kings articulated a conceptual marriage of ministry and business that Scott was already living but had never heard. The book's impact helped him integrate the theology and the current plan the Lord is unfolding for Scott and Laurie. A huge paradigm shift is occurring right now as Christians move in marketplace ministry instead of just sitting in church and plugging back into their jobs during the week.
How Scott Can Help You – Scott & Laurie build their business and ministry on the basis of personal relationships; not surprising given the pastoral gifting. Their business represents a health benefit and a business opportunity for everyone. It's also an unique vehicle to help pastors serve in small communities that couldn't otherwise support a full time minister. If you're navigating how to become more entrepreneurial without crossing a line in your congregation, Scott is a great resource and you're welcome to contact him.
summit@ida.net 208-456-2222 or 354-8822
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