Orrin,
One thing I've learned from people like you and the elite TEAM leadership is that true character is never negotiated and integrity cannot be bought. I recently was actively pursued by an old friend who recently became an associate of a huge media/advertising program. I openmindedly listened to what he had to say and looked the details over. To be honest with you, it looked like a great opportunity from a financial standpoint.
Here's the problem. Alot of the ads were geared toward "not so desirable night club facilities", alcohol, less than favorable activities for young, vulnerable people and of course it was teaching the average 95% person to part with their consumer capital for some obviously non-worthy things. I knew within the first 5 minutes of seeing the presentation that no money on earth could get me to be a part of that! I'd starve first! I allowed my friend to finish his presentation and as tactfully as I could, I let him know, I'll see you on the battlefield!!
I let him know I respected his opinion and his right to free enterprise, however, I couldn't be a part of that.
He, for the most part thought I was "high" on something for telling him the way it is. He understood my stance and admired my conviction, but, made it clear that there's nothing anyone could do regarding the media that's placed in our society's hands. I left it at that. But, Orrin, between you and me..........HE'S GOIN' DOWN! I know there's a massive group of LEADERS who have their character and principles intact and aren't going to allow people like that succeed in the ongoing erosion of our culture. As the bible teaches, I will love him where he is at and respect him, but, it's not happening on my watch! PERIOD! Thank you so very much for teaching me to be the husband, father & friend that GOD intended me to be. God bless you!

Orrin,

For my wife and I this is the easiest assignment ever! Here is a prime example of life changing through The Team System. Without it. I would not be married to the best woman in the world to me.

Bruce and Jess Gilbank walked into our lives at a time where my wife and I were going in different directions. We had been married just over 1 year and things were going south. Bruce and Jess showed us the plan and we were both sold on it. Not just the Business side of it but The System. That first night Bruce shoved about 10 CD's at us and said, "We are going to Florida for 10 days. See if you can listen to those. Well we started that night and we both knew then all by heart by the time they got back.

We joined The Team when they returned from Florida. We got right on system and Bruce kept pouring CD's on us. It was a knew way of thinking!! It was what I had waited all my life to hear. It was time spent together with the women I was falling in love with all over again. Then the friday after we joined The Team we went to the joint Mens and Ladies Leadership meetings In July of 2006 in Lansing with Bruce and Jess. On the way home from one of the most informative nights I have ever spent Bruce and Jess asked if we had a church we attended regularly. We confessed we did not. They invited us to The church they called home on sunday. The New Haven Fieldhouse in Flint. There we met upline folks there that have become mentors in Gene and Wendy Lukonon and Greg and Val Mantei. Both couples have become much more then mentors they have become wonderful friends that I cherish. I also met Pastor Larry Rednower and with some counsuling from him I renewed my faith and became baptized.

Flash back to the day before, saturday we went to the monthly seminar with Bruce and Jess and met alot of Team Providence. We saw the heart of the team that night. Tim Marks was the Ticket Holder speaker that night in Saginaw. We wanted to stay badly but did not have the money to purchace the tickets to the Major. The next thing we see is Bruce handing 2 MAJOR tickets to Kathy and I!!! "Just pay me when you can" Bruce said and smiled and sat in his seat. Here is a guy who honestly barely knew me and gave me 180.00 worth of tickets because he knew I needed it. I sat in my seat with my wife next to me crying. We have been sold on The Team system since day one. It is changing lives and hearts and helping people grow to be the person God wants them to be.

Also Bryan Andres my running partner and one of my closest friends, I would not know this man who is like a brother to me without The System being the way it is.

Has The Team System made a difference? It has made all the difference in the world to my family.

The best thing that I can do is stay on System and lead people to the truth.

Tony and Kathy Moreno
Team Providence

Orrin-

Thank you for this assignment! To think back to when I got involved with TEAM, honestly brought back some painful memories. I would like to take this time to tell you about what lead up to my entering this life changing family without being too long winded, so please bear with me....

I was approached by a friend in about May of 2006 and he showed me a quick plan. I wasn't really in the looking window at that time so I simply told him that I would think about it. In one ear I was told by my wife that I didn't have time for another business as I was working to get my 'S' business running smoothly. In the other ear, my friends words were resonating the possibilities. By the Grace of God, I never told him no, just that I would think about it. Six months later after the initial follow thru, same thing happens. He shows up at my shop talking about how great things were going and I tell him the same thing I said before. Let me think about it.

Now fast forward to the end of March '07. This is the time when my world stopped and turned completely upside down. My wife of 4 and a half years informs me that she's unhappy and is leaving. ( The details I can share with you some other time when we can meet face to face fishing or something :) ) The day after she tells me this, I receive a call from a local business owner about a business plan that he would like to go over. At this time, not thinking completely rational, we line up a time to get together. One week to the day that my wife drops a bomb, she moves 600 miles away and I meet with this guy to look at a business plan. ( at this point there was no life of quiet desperation.... I was definitely not quiet about my desperation! ) Now, when I meet with this gentleman and his wife, I'm completely thinking he has an 'S' type business to share. Boy, was I surprised! Here he is at my house showing me the same crazy plan that my friend had been showing me for a year. I told him I'd seen this already and he directed me back to my friend. ( At this point I was starting to see the integrity of the people, to send me back to my friend who was on a different team and for him to edify my friend spoke volumes) This happened on a Monday and by Tuesday, I attend the local open and sign up the same night.

So why do I tell my story? Simple. From day one of being apart of TEAM and the system I have learned so much about how to deal with lifes curve balls. I have grown more since joining than I have in the 33 years I've been on this earth. It was divine intervention that led me to this system. The Lord knew what I needed in my life at that very moment. As much as I wanted things to work out with my wife, I know that people have to want to help and change themselves before things can move in a positive direction. Sadly, she chose the road that was easier for her to travel.... But as for me, I now have a group of people (friends), that helped me during those tough times, see the way to a bright and prosperous future. If it weren't for this system, I do not want to know what my life would have been like. But, I am grateful for the direction it is going. Before this system, I hated reading and now I can't get enough of it. I have been so richly blessed by this system that I am continually trying to pay it forward. A system that holds so much power to change lives like it has in mine is a treasure. It would be selfish of me to not share with others.

I will continue to do my part in the media war that this country so desperately needs. Thank you for the opportunity to share. You and the other leaders are true examples to follow. Keep charging because come life or death, this cause is much more worthy to run for than to be running out for the next copy of TV Guide!!!

God Bless you and yours, Orrin!

Rick

Orrin,

To narrow down to just one example the Team System has affected my life is nearly impossible, but yet still possible (see, without the system I wouldn't have been able to think that way! ;-P) Hands down, the biggest impact the System has made on my life is bringing me to open my heart, soul and mind to Christ. For so long it was difficult to even live. Every situation had unnecessary complications because of the way I thought.. because I thought that God didn't exist; that He was some fairytale. Even after joining the Team and being on System for months I was still making poor decisions, not exactly being a leader, but my uplines and mentors and most importantly my boyfriend, who introduced me to TEAM, still believed in me; even when I gave them every reason not to. After reading so many books that mentioned God, listening to so many cds that mentioned Him, and attending seminars where the Team had prayer at the beginning (which by the way completely scared me), I began to ask questions. Jon and Heather Groves, God bless them, sent me The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and the Christianity 101 dvd by Pastor Dickey.

Everyday was a new 'rock bottom'. There was definitely a Media War going on in my mind. What society says a 20 year-old should be like, and what I believed I should be like were two totally differnt people. Yet, I was fitting in with the current culture real well; with my family not so well. My mother, who is also on the Team now, used to fight with me about going to church and I would say to her, "It's my life, what do you care?" And she would say, "I care because when I die I want to know that your going to be in heaven with me." After hitting the ultimate rock bottom it was time to put my pride aside and admit that I needed help. I sat down with my mentor Krista Beach, who is my boyfriends cousin (I had known her for years, but NEVER talked to her until I joined the TEAM), and we just talked for a long time. As we began to speak about religion she explained the peace in life, knowing that your sins are forgivin when you believe in Jesus, afterall He was sent to this earth to die for our sins. I immediately began to cry, and she asked "is opening your heart to Jesus something you want to do?" And right then and there she taught me how to pray, and walked me through what to say and do. It was so simple! Life became bareable, and actually kind of fun.

Krista came with me to buy my first Bible and while we were in the Christian book store I saw all these other books I had been reading from the System in there. It was Awesome! After deciding that I wanted to live a Christian life, I began to learn about what it means to be Christian through the books in the System and realized that I have always agreed with the values, but never knew how to live them. It was reading that taught me how. I realize now, that the trouble I went through were necessary to fulfill the purpose in life God has destined for me. After all, the more problems we have, the more God is able to use us. :-D I see now, that I had to be broken, in order to be made a strong Christian. I have never been more accepting and happy for my past, present and future, than I am now.

Orrin, I heard you say on a cd once, that if one person's life was saved than all of the no-shows, all of the trials was worth it. Thank you so much for keeping your dream of a million people (and beyond) alive! The TEAM has definitely saved my life. The System gave me the ammo to win the Media War in my head, and there is nothing else I would rather do than to be in the fight to win the Media War in this country and in the world!

God Bless!

Sabrina Morse
Band of Brothers-Reliance Company

Orrin,

The TEAM system has been one of the best and most influencial personal development programs I have ever participated in! The way it has transformed mine and my wife's life is hard to put into words. I want to share with you and the other bloggers what it has done for us, but I don't want to sound arrogant! It has strengthend our relationship together, it has molded my self confidence to talk with people, helped with finances, and helped me build relationship with people that go far beyond what I was ever capable of doing. In addition and by far the most rewarding: I have received countless letters, voicemails, emails, and phone calls from people thanking me for what the TEAM system has done and continues to do in their lives.

Prior to participating in the TEAM system I had no people skills whatsoever, lived in a 500 sq. foot 1 bedroom apartment, made a minimum wage salary at a job, and was searching for what my purpose was in life. At that point was when my Dad and brother introduced us to the TEAM System. That was only a couple of years ago, but since I have learned and implemented many of the TEAM teachings and other leadership principles the results have been amazing! I don't ever want to come across as being arrogant, but some of the results we have experienced have been well worth it! Just to name a few: we have developed many friends that I would consider "fox hole friends", devlop other leaders, have witnessed others receive pay raises at work because of their personal growth, personally witnessed people break the bondage of past baggage, and have seen people on our TEAM grow in their marriage and spiritual walk! I don't know how you could ever put a pricetag on something that profound!!!

On a personal note (and again we are not gloating) the results my wife and I have experienced (after 27 years on Earth) because of the TEAM training system and other leadership programs have been amazing as well! Our relationship is stronger than ever, our income has increased 8 times by developing the leadership capacity that comes with the increased responsibilities, spent time (almost a full day) with best-selling author John C. Maxwell, I have been the top salesperson at my company for 3 straight years, my wife has been a top salesperson as well, developed over 1400 clients, started writing a book about Leadership, we have spoken at other Leadership Conferences, developed relationships with many C-Level executives at Fortune 100-500 companies, and increased our spiritual development. The most fullfilling personal reward we have expierenced has been to be a small part in helping other people grow into their leadership potential.

It is true that if you want to do more you have to be more! We have made a decision to always value our growth over achievements. Why? If you become distracted by the achievements of your pursuit and not discipline in your growth that got you there, your vocabulary will start to talk about what you did instead of what you are doing. I do not want to downplay the value of achieving personal goals, but that is why some people don’t grow past those goals! Remember the reason goals are achieved is because the man or woman you have grown to become, up until that particular point, in your pursuit of your potential. The saying of “what got you here will seldom get you there” is so true! Achievements should always serve as stepping stones to do something greater! The secret is always keep growing and keep serving!

Now our pledge to each other and to you is that we will make our future greater than our past! Max DePree said “You can’t become what you need to become by remaining what you are.” This quote should serve as your personal battle cry for pursuing your potential. We look forward to growing with you as well as everyone else that is associated with TEAM! Thank you Orrin and the rest of the PC and RT members for giving us all an opportunity to grow!!!!!!

Thanks Orrin!

Best,
Matt

Matt, I believe your blessing and attitude are a walking, talking advertisement for why the Team training. Thank you for sharing and making this blog better by your comments. Keep them coming and thanks also for encouraging others on the blog. We have the beginnings of a special community where we can lift one another to be our personal best! thanks, Orrin

Orrin,
I have just begun to read "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey. I am on habit number one: "Be Proactive." I can already see how this habit and principle has made a difference in my life and in the lives of many other people. Even though I have not yet read this book, I can see that the principles which are there have been shared in other books and by other people in person and on CDs and DVDs. The idea that how we choose to think and respond to what happens in our lives is the most important determining factor to our success, happiness and even the very quality of the lives that we live is truly revolutionary and a revelation. I can see how this has been a factor, both negatively by not choosing to stop and have the correct thoughts and actions in response to a situation, and positively by choosing to do so, in my life. To really make this relevant, I apply all of this to my present situation. There are other situations in my life which I will not mention now, but the chief occurance which is affecting me now is the recent passing of Kline DeWire. This is a fact which I must face, Kline is gone. How I feel and what I do in response to this fact is totally my choice. I have already stated that it is my intention and my desire to go forward and make a significant difference in the world to honor Kline's memory. This is really hard because of the large hole left by Kline's absence, but I must choose and I must think and I must act to make a difference. What happens to me, what happens around me all makes no difference; it is what happens in me that makes all the difference in the world.
I know that this principle is taught many other places but Stephen Covey's book is bringing this out in a very effective way in my mind and in my life. I will now do something which is very risky. I will try to name all the people I can think of connected with the team who have shown remarkable, even miraculous, changes in their lives as a result of making the changes in thinking taught by the TEAM System. This is risky because as hard as I try, I am sure I will forget someone. I won't connect names to changes, but some were just what appeared to be losers who became winners. Some were "successful" people who were successful because they just ran over other people. Some had no people skills and really didn't care enough about other people to want to change. These are just a few of the changes which the system brought about. Some of these names will be very familiar to everyone on the TEAM, and some will not, but I am sure they will be in the future. So here is my list (in no particular order and forgive me if I make any misspellings) of the hall of fame of people who have been changed by the TEAM system: Dean and Teresa Frey, Orrin and Laurie Woodward, Tim and Amy Marks, Chris and Terri Brady, Mike and Sue Strickler, Brian and Cathy Erb, Shane and Kelly Erb, George and Bev Shrawder, Chip and Tina Barber, Tony and Michelle Barinoski, Steve and Jannelle Miller, Devin Miller, Rodney and Gina Miller, Chris and Carol Miller, Dan and Kris Hostetler, Dave and Anna Lapp, Mike and June Geiser, Mike and Laura Swarey, Mike Heimbach, Mike and Lynnette Parr, Tony and Sharon Hoffman, Dave and Beth Ober, Greg and Lin Johnson, Denny and Donna Smith, Ivan and Andrea Valentine, Larry and Marsie Van Buskirk, Aron and Mary Radosa, Kirk and Cassie Birtles, Doug and Sherry Stroh, George and Jill Guzzardo, Mike and Carol Foos, Randy and Valory Haugen, Jerry and Polly Harteis, Joe and Sandy Harteis, Rick and Tina Lines, Don and Chris Freeze, Mark and Anna Huber, Billy and Peggy Florence, Chuck and Colleen Goetshcel, Bill and Jackie Lewis, Ralph and Bev Hernandez, Bert and Greta Ferris, Mark and Jenn Paul, Mike and Christy Raatz, Mark and Kim Baum, Ken and Judy Bloom, and as hard as I am trying I know that I am leaving a lot of people out who were in my mind when I began this list, and I apologize to you all. Any omission was by no means intentional. If you feel slighted please feel free to email me and let me know. I am also sure that there are untold numbers of people who have been transformed by the system whom I have never met and possibly will never meet in this life. Well time to go.
DaveC

Dave,

I just wanted to tell you that I have been impressed by reading how you are tackling the "Challenge Spikes" in your life! Obviously they are not easy, but your attitude has not wavered and your self leadership is shining through!

Thanks for leading!

Best,
Matt

Our experience with Media thru Team has been at our local high school. Sheldon Bouchard a huge leader on Team Central had developed a leadership program before his retirement in June.07 and luckily our kids got to experience this. So thru the media that we use and listen to at home and some of the same system books that he used in his program at school our kids are given a incredible opportunity to understand what Team is all about at home and how leadership is an important part in our everyday lives including school. Sheldon and Pauline have also donated the system books to the local library which will now be available to everyone in our community. We are so very lucky.Thanks Orrin and The whole Team for enriching our lives and the lives of our children with this incredible opportunity.

When my husband and I first became involved in the Team's system, I already limited the media that came into our house and regularly listened to sermons and other positive teachings on the radio. However, after listening to the first few cd's our wonderful mentors, Ryan and Carrie Sharpe, gave us, I was hooked. The speakers seemed so real and down to earth, it made the teaching very practical and applicable. I used to lead a women's bible study. Our focus was on becoming better wives for our husbands, and better moms to our children. However, I never really felt like what we were studying was going anywhere. One of the first books Carrie recommended was "Finding the Hero in your Husband". Wow! What an eye opener. We have read a number of marriage books since then and I truly believe our marriage is better than ever. Books like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "How to have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People" have helped my relationships with our children and the other people in my life. I now know my purpose- to equip others to build strong family relationships- and have a deep desire to help others find their true purpose.
A young couple recently joined our team. The husband read "How to Win Friends...", and when I sat down with them the next time, he was not even the same person! His people skills improved almost overnight. He now sees a way to change some of the negative cycles that have plagued his family for years.
The stories are endless. When we share this media with people, and they choose to use it, it never fails to leave a positive impact. We can't share this information enough. Thanks for a great system! Sheila

My husband and I have been a part of the Team for the past 3 years and its system has overwhelmingly had a huge impact on our lives and the lives of our family, church, team and friends. My husband is the pastor of our church and he has said that the Team's leadership development program is second to none. He has learned more about leading people, caring for people and loving people from the books, the mentorship and the seminars and cds, that are part of Team's system. I have found that I am challenged to live more than just a mediocre life by the speakers, the cds and the books. I just picked "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself". In the 2nd chapter, the author quotes the Bible verse, "As a man thinketh, so is he." It is so true. If I am constantly telling myself I can't do something or I'm no good at this or that, then I will live that out. But if I surround myself with positive influences in my life and fill my head with uplifting and encouraging thoughts, then I KNOW I can do it. For me, the best part of the Team system is the mentorship. We have the privilege of working with Ryan and Carrie Sharpe. I have called this lady countless times and she is always thinking of what is best for me. I may not always like what I hear, but she tells me what I need to hear. She is a true friend and one of the best mentors on the Team today. I want to end by telling you a story about a couple on our team. You spoke on a cd once about a couple who may be a part of the Team for a temporary time in order to get help with their marriage or with their kids; to become better leaders in their home. This happened to this couple. They were with Team for a time. But the effects of the leadership development system are lasting in their home today. They are now coming to church - them and their children. They are growing spiritually in the church and as a family. Thank you so much for your leadership. We will forever be blessed by the Team! Samantha, Team Braveheart

Orrin,
The Team media has made so many changes in our marriage and teaching us how to handle the difficult situations. It is preparing us to be better people and leaders.

I want to share some exciting things with you in regards to the team's media system. I have been able to help several people with different issues through the Team media, either loaning a book to someone or giving an idea that I have learned from the media myself. So far, I am beginning to see changes in two of the people and it is so exciting to see someone stretch themselves to make a difference. One individual read two books (emotional intelligence Quick book and personality plus), not only did they help him at work, the books also helped him with his girlfriend. He liked personality plus so much he got a copy for himself and then he bought his girlfriend a copy for Christamas, which is awesome. There is a riple effect for you. I met another person recently who is from Poland and her thinking is along the same lines as TEAM. She and I were talking and she wasn't sure how to handle a certain situation, and I mentioned to her that I have a book that could help her if she likes to read. Now she is reading the book and I gave her a copy of the LLR book for Christmas to have. She is going back to Poland shortly. She plans on going back to school to become a therapist for autistic children. I mentioned to her that the leadership training we are going through is the best out there. I am working on a list of books for her to get and read to help her prepare herself in understanding people. I think with her thinking now and what it will be, she can make a difference in Europe. She is replacing one of her entertainment books with an educational book from our media to start reading. She and I will be getting together to discuss the book she is reading when she is done. One more thing. My brother was giving some books he had away and I found the book "7 habits of Highly Effective People" and I left him voicemial mentioning to him that book is gold and if I were him I would keep it. It could help him in his new career. After listening to my message he decided to keep it after all, which I am glad. I plan on helping more and more people because this world needs help. The team media is the answer to all questions. Thank You Orrin and team leadership for this media.

Orrin,

The posting a comment and forgot to add my name at the bottom. I am so excited about all the changes happening with other that I forgot my name. The posting came from Cindy H
Cindy H

When my husband and I started with TEAM, I just wanted out of my job and be home with my babies, financial security,etc. Our mentors Ryan and Carrie Sharpe gave us a stack of CD's and books to listen to and Read. I couldn't get enough of them. I immediately starting thinking more positively and wanted to learn more. I have always been told I am stubborn. I always have believed that if something is wrong, don't do it and if something is right, do it. No exceptions! I couldn't figure out why other people didn't feel this way. Well, thanks to everything I have learned thus far I can see why. I am learning that I am not always right and took take a step back and gather my thoughts first before reacting/ judging. My husband and I have had a horrible past yr, due to my being fired two days after Christmas last yr. If it weren't for the system and didn't have access to individuals who cared about helping us, I don't know if we would have made it. We needed it more than anything. God definitely has a vision and I believe TEAM is a part it. I have never been more proud to be apart of anything. We are behind TEAM 100%. Being a part of TEAM Braveheart has changed our lives and I can't imagine not trying to help others do the same.

Christine