In this episode of Servant Leader’s Library, Nicholas Paulukow sits down with René Dekker, CEO of Global Disciples, to explore how faith-centered leadership can shape both mission and impact. René shares his journey from more than 20 years in international business to pastoral ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, along with the leadership lessons learned from serving across cultures and now leading a global mission organization. It’s a candid conversation about values, trust, and what servant leadership really looks like when your work is grounded in a mission bigger than yourself.
Nicholas Paulukow
Welcome back to Servant Leader’s Library, the show where we shelve the ego, dust off real-world leadership stories, and explore what it really takes to build thriving organizations. In this episode, host Nicholas Paulukow sits down with René Dekker, CEO of Global Disciples, to unpack how faith, humility, and servant leadership can shape a life of purpose across business, ministry, and global missions.
René’s journey spans more than 20 years in international business, a transition into pastoral ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, and now leadership at Global Disciples, where he helps equip believers to spread the gospel and build sustainable fellowship in places where many have never heard the name of Jesus. But as you’ll read, his story is about more than leadership titles. It’s about calling, conviction, and learning what it means to serve others with excellence in every season.
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From Business to Ministry
Nicholas Paulukow
René, let’s start at the beginning. What first shaped your view of leadership and service?
René Dekker
I grew up in the Netherlands with a practical worldview and a father who modeled both business leadership and servant leadership. I followed that path into international business and spent more than 20 years in financial leadership, strategy, and global team leadership. Over time, I began to see that my work was not just about building a career. It was part of a greater calling to represent Christ in places where He was not yet being represented.
Faith in the Workplace
Nicholas Paulukow
What was it like trying to live out your faith in a corporate environment?
René Dekker
It was challenging, especially early on. The corporate world is performance-driven, and I had to learn that living out faith at work starts with excellence. When people see consistency in how you work, lead, and serve, it creates opportunities for deeper conversations. I learned that servant leadership in the workplace is often less about forcing words and more about listening well, serving faithfully, and being ready when the opportunity comes.
A Different Calling
Nicholas Paulukow
At some point, your path shifted from corporate leadership into pastoral ministry in Bangkok. What was that transition like?
René Dekker
At first, it was confusing. I had always believed business was part of my calling, so stepping into pastoral ministry felt unexpected. But through prayer, discernment, and conversations with my family, that calling became clear. What I learned in that transition is that servant leadership is not limited to one setting. It can be lived out in business, in ministry, and anywhere God calls you to serve.
Servant Leadership in Practice
Nicholas Paulukow
How do you define servant leadership?
René Dekker
For me, servant leadership begins with realizing that your life is not your own. You do not lead for your own sake. You lead for the sake of others. That changes the way you think about leadership. It becomes less about influence or recognition and more about helping people grow, serving them well, and showing up with humility, honesty, and purpose.
Leading a Global Mission
Nicholas Paulukow
Now as CEO of Global Disciples, how do you bring people together around a shared mission?
René Dekker
It starts with clarity. Clarity around vision, mission, values, and why the work matters. At Global Disciples, that means staying centered on equipping local believers to help more people know and follow Jesus. As the organization grows, the focus is not just on scaling programs. It is on developing healthy leaders, building strong teams, and making sure the mission stays at the center of everything we do.
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