Nola & Mike Patterson have been married for more than 26 years. Originally from the Alberta, Canada area, they now make their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brother Patterson has served in various callings, including Young Men presidencies, as an Elders Quorum President, in bishoprics, and as a bishop. He currently serves as an early-morning seminary teacher. Sister Patterson has served as a Young Women’s President and Relief Society President, among other responsibilities.
Brother and Sister Patterson have found success in their leadership responsibilities as they have focused on ministering to individuals and families not well known to the ward and creating opportunities for those individuals to participate and serve. They have also focused on finding others to assist them in these efforts, realizing that there was only so much they could do on their own.
In this episode of How I Lead, Brother and Sister Patterson discuss with Kurt their approach to reaching out and helping those who need ministering to.
- Leadership Principle #1: Focus on Ministering (19:00)
- Leadership Principle #2: Be respectful of people’s time (37:45)
- Leadership Principle #3: Do what you can and then let go (46:40)
- Leadership Principle #4: Seeking out those who are under utilized (52:30)
That’s awesome! You guys are seriously the best!
This was a great interview. I loved the idea of going out to visit families, then meeting together afterwards. My bishopric has made visits, our EQP has made visits, and the RS has made visits, but they were all separate. I think there is real value in doing this together from time to time.
Thanks!
I just finished listening to the interview with the Patterson’s on ministering. This has been so insightful and also comforting. I so appreciate sister Patterson’s comments on being “the bishop’s wife” as my husband was called less than a year ago to be the bishop. The first few months were really tough and it felt like everything was falling apart before our eyes in the ward. It is improving though I’ve learned to let go.
I loved the idea of first contact ministering and would like to try to implement a similar type model within YW’s where I am currently serving.
Thank you for sending these out. I really enjoyed the teaching summit as well. Please them coming!! 🙂