{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"433. From Olympic Dreams to Church Growth in Spain: How Jeff Arias Learned to Trust God","description":"From Olympic Dreams to Church Growth in Spain: How Jeff Arias Learned to Trust God What does it look like to spend decades building a successful career and then use everything you've learned to advance God's Kingdom? In this episode, Rob sits down with Jeff Arias, a bivocational minister serving in Madrid, Spain. Jeff shares his remarkable journey\u2014from growing up in Virginia, chasing Olympic skiing dreams in Colorado, becoming a disciple in 1986, building a successful business career, and eventually helping lead churches across Spain and Portugal. Jeff opens up about being fired from the ministry as a young man, rebuilding his life through perseverance and humility, working with Fisher-Price and Swimways, selling a successful company, and ultimately stepping into a self-supported ministry role in Europe. The conversation explores faith, business, leadership, retirement, greed, fasting, discipleship, and how Christians can make their lives count no matter their stage of life. In this episode you'll learn: \u2022 How Jeff became a Christian while attending the University of Colorado \u2022 The surprising acts of service that changed his heart \u2022 Lessons learned after being fired from ministry \u2022 How he built a successful business career \u2022 Why self-supported ministry is becoming increasingly important \u2022 The challenges and opportunities of ministry in Spain \u2022 How churches are growing across the Iberian Peninsula \u2022 Why fasting remains a powerful spiritual discipline \u2022 Practical advice for Christians preparing for retirement \u2022 How to keep your faith strong while building a career Whether you're a ministry leader, entrepreneur, retiree, or someone simply trying to stay faithful through different seasons of life, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Resources: Join the Fast for Revival: RobSkinner.com Books by Rob Skinner: The 10X Christian Before You Quit Connect with Rob: RobSkinner.com My goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. ","author_name":"The Rob Skinner Podcast:  Helping You Make This Life Count","author_url":"https:\/\/robskinner.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41790055\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/203301550"}