Address:
1540 Elmtree
Columbia, SC 29209
United States

Phone:
803-776-5282
803 413 3509

Website:
http://www.igniteus.net

Fax:
803 776 1569

Mission Statement:

IgniteUS builds Leadership Competence to transform America's churches into healthy, intentional disciple-makers through on-going coaching and mentoring relationships.

"IUS measures ministry by TRANSFORMATION, not mere activity!"

Certified Consultant, Society for Church Consulting,  Southern Seminary, Louisville KY (July 2007)

Executive Director's Institute of Leadership, SBCSC, (1998 & 2000).

D.Min. Studies, Denver Seminary, Denver CO (1983-1986)

Th.M. Post Graduate Studies in Inter-Test. Literature, Grace Theo. Sem., Winona Lake, IN. (1978).

M.Div., Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, IN. (1975).

BA, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH, Bible Major, NT Greek Minor, (1972).

(2000 – Present) CEO, IgniteUS, Inc. Leadership Development Ministries

The vision of IUS is to raise the Leadership Competence of leaders in the church in the US from 1-10 to 5-10. There are 385,000 churches in America. 85% of those assemblies are not growing or are declining. This is due in large part to leadership issues. The focus of IUS is the transformation and health of the church in the Untied States of America. I have also enjoyed the privilege of leading training initiatives in Leadership Development in twenty-six countries around the globe on five continents.

(1998 – Present) Sr. Pastor, SouthEast Community Church, Columbia, SC

SEC is a microcosm of the church in America. When I assumed the pastoral duties here there were 1,100 members 'on the roll'. The ministry practices were largely what they had been for the past 30 years. Major changes were necessary and have been introduced. We have a formal Philosophy of Ministry, Vision, and Core Values statements. We are continuously implementing strategic ministry initiatives to reach and evangelize the people of the 29209 zip code in which we are located. We have hosted Satellite Simulcast with Christian Communications Network featuring some of the most competent Evangelical leaders in America. We are intentionally and strategically developing leaders for the future that will perpetuate the health and growth of this assembly. Membership is now an issue of what we are and what we do, not merely a matter of 'joining'. Leaders are measured by character and competence, not merely longevity in service. We currently offer Small Groups using The Truth Project materials developed by Focus on The Family. We measure ministry by effectiveness, not merely activity. We are currently using The Truth Project (Christian Worldview) curriculum in our Small Groups.

(1997 – 2000) Executive Vice President, T-Net International, Denver, CO

(1997 – 2000) Adjunct Staff, Consultant for SCBC in Intentional Disciplemaking

T-Net International is an Intentional Disciplemaking ministry launched under the auspices of the Evangelical Free Church in America. It became an independent para-church organization with the blessing of the E-Free church. I supervised twelve Staff members across the USA in leading over one hundred fifty churches through the process of transformation in becoming obedient to all Christ commands of His people. At the time I resigned we had 100 plus churches in the process. I also led training for International Leaders in Ghana, Haiti, and Canada while serving in this role. My role with the SCBC was in guiding and equipping churches in the process of Intentional Disciplemaking.

(1994 – 1997) Ministry Staff, Three Rivers Baptist, Irmo, SC

Administrator of a multiple staff local church. I assumed these duties while continuing extensive International ministry with Burnham Ministries, Int. The position of Administrator provided flexibility for International ministry and in a local church simultaneously.

                                                                                                                                                                   (1988 – 1993) Ministry Coordinator, Burnham Ministries, Int., Mason OH

I served with Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mason OH. This is the host church for BMI. I was responsible for leadership development in the church and led the Deacon/Small Group Ministry development. My duties with BMI consisted primarily of the development of training material for International Leaders. I invested several years drafting and editing material and an additional year Beta Testing the curriculum in South America, Russia, Mexico, and India.

(1980 – 1987) Sr. Pastor, North Baptist, Rochester, NY

NBC is a large suburban church (500+) populated by many Xerox and Kodak families. We operated a Christian School, K-8 with 210 students. I served on the Board of Directors with Good News Mission supplying Chaplains for maximum security prisons. While serving here I did my D.Min. studies at Denver Seminary, Denver, CO.

(1975 – 1979) Pastor, Shawnee Hills Baptist, Jamestown, OH

SHBC was a church plant. It was my first pastoral opportunity upon graduating from Seminary. We began with 17 people and grew to 175 in five years. We purchased 10 acres of land and erected phase 1 of the current three phase building program. This assembly now consists of 500+ people and has completed phase three of the original plans developed in 1978.

Tom is the Senior Pastor of SouthEast Community Church in Columbia, SC (SBC). This ministry is a Turnaround Congregation that has transitioned from old paradigms to new. Tom served in the US Navy and was a participant in the 1962 Cuban Missile Blockade. He has ministered in Africa, Burma, Canada, Europe, Haiti, India, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia and South American. He served for 4 years as Exec. VP of a para-church ministry focused on the health and transformation of entire congregations. He is a certified Consultant with Church Consulting, Louisville KY. Tom and his wife, Peggy have been married for more than forty years. They have three married children and thirteen grand-children. Tom is an avid reader and a jogger.

 Send a message to Thomas Fillinger