News
Switchboard: Revolutionizing How We Serve the Kingdom
by Courageous Third Communications
July 24, 2024
Ever think to yourself ‘I’m way too busy with my career/family, but it would be so fulfilling to use my expertise to serve God in another impactful way.’ Or perhaps you’ve been on the other side of that equation, working for an organization whose mission is to further God’s kingdom, and have prayed for someone to help you with x, y or z. Switchboard makes it easier than ever to serve by matching skilled believers with missional organizations in need. Whether it’s a 1-hour consultation to help solve a problem, or ongoing part time support, believers and missional organizations around the world have a new way to connect and work together – all for His glory!
Courageous Third recently sat down with Heather Trumpfheller, the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Switchboard, to learn more about this revolutionary organization.
Tell us a little bit about yourself – your role and where you are located.
I’m Texan born and raised and currently living in Austin. I am the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Switchboard. I’ve always felt like God put me on this earth to be a connector, so it’s amazing to use those strengths for His kingdom. I’ve pivoted careers from broadcast journalism, public relations, nonprofit leadership and technology consulting – where I started and ran a Christian Employee Resource Group at a large technology company – so I relate to many of the Courageous Third readers! 🙂
From a high-level perspective, what does Switchboard do?
Switchboard connects everyday believers around the globe to help impact the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). God has given each of us a unique set of skills and calls us to use those for His kingdom. At Switchboard, we make serving easier by matching skilled believers with missional organizations (ministries and faith-based businesses) in need.
Share with us a little bit about the mission and history of Switchboard.
Switchboard’s mission is the Great Commission. Our vision is to leverage changes in technology, business practices and the Global Church to mobilize everyday believers to advance the Kingdom.
Given the technology of today, we are at a unique place in the history of the Church. With a platform like Switchboard, the entire Church (Body of Christ) can connect so that all believers can play a role in the Great Commission.
The “general” release of the platform was September 1, 2023. So, in less than one year, God has been MOVING and we’ve already expanded our offerings.
How does Switchboard work? Can believers all over the world utilize Switchboard to find ministry opportunities?
One of the joys of Switchboard is you can serve The Great Commission without quitting your day job or leaving your home. Global mission organizations need your specific professional skills and expertise for short-term, fixed-hour challenges. They need you—the accountant, the marketer, admin, trainer, IT specialist and others.
Each one of us has unique skills, strengths and passions that can make a significant impact in God’s Kingdom. And the beauty of it – it’s not limited to what you do in your day job.
It’s never been easier to serve. Many of us work remotely, but with the help of Switchboard, you can now volunteer from home. Believers all over the world are utilizing Switchboard to find ministry opportunities.
Our platform offers two primary modes of connection:
> One-Hour Consultation: Where you can share your quick expert assistance on a topic of interest.
> Virtual Role: Which is more ongoing service from part-time remote believers to join the ministry in a fractional role.
When a person takes on a Virtual Role or provides a One-Hour Consultation, mission teams can stay focused on their local needs. Volunteering one hour of your efficient expertise might save them ten or more hours of hit-and-miss frustration. This is HUGE, especially to those serving locally on mission.
How does someone get started in finding a ministry to support?
If you are unsure of how you can personally serve, then take our quick assessment to help identify areas where you may be able to assist.
If you already know how you can help and are ready to get started, you can sign up online.
What about those with a ministry in need? How do they get connected via Switchboard?
We’d love to partner with ministries and faith-based businesses in need! At Switchboard, we define a Great Commission Organization (GCO), as any organization that exists for the purpose of the Great Commission, regardless of their operating structure. GCOs can quickly get skilled help from across the world and can mobilize everyday believers to work alongside them in their ministry.
Sign up as a GCO here: https://www.globalswitchboard.io/gco
A word of encouragement to ministries – you no longer need to go at it alone! There are people who are eager and willing to support your mission. Missions have changed, and how people serve has changed as well. Switchboard is here to help you!
How has your experience with Switchboard enriched your life either professionally and/or personally?
This may be a hot topic statement, but if you’re like me, you wish you could serve at church without having to volunteer with the babies or be on the production team…. LOL.
And while we know the power of prayer, I love being able to DO something about it instead of just saying “I’ll pray for you” to someone across the world. I actually feel like a united Body of Christ without leaving my couch. And that’s an amazing feeling.
Through Switchboard, I have the opportunity to engage with 250 different mission organizations in over 100 countries, depending on my skills and where I am passionate about serving. It’s incredible!
What’s next on the horizon for Switchboard?
Switchboard was just at the Perspectives 50th Anniversary Conference held in Chicago over the weekend, and we will be at the upcoming Global Leadership Summit in Austin in early August as well as the Missio Nexus Conference in Louisville, KY in mid-September. If you’ll be at any of these or are in those cities, we’d LOVE to meet you so please reach out to me, Heather Trumpfheller.
Check out the Upcoming Events to see more events we’ll be at this year.
