UMATILLA — Business men and women from throughout the Golden Triangle area around Umatilla spent three hours at First United Methodist Church here learning how to be better leaders. Some of them have stayed with the church.

The 600-member church in the Leesburg District served as a downlink location for Dr. John C. Maxwell’s March 24 live satellite broadcast "Developing the Leader Within You." The seminar was based on his book of the same title and attracted more than 104,000 participants nationwide, according to Maxwell’s Web site.

Maxwell is a pastor and former executive director of evangelism for the Wesleyan denomination. He is also an author and founder of the INJOY Group, an organization that provides financial training to churches and leadership training for pastors and other church leaders.

Maxwell said that biblical principles, which often seem antiquated in the light of modern business practices, are key to being successful in business. He encouraged his viewers to strive to become people of character, passion, self-discipline, positive attitude, courage and servanthood. He said these attributes can be seen throughout the Bible and were given to people as ways to make their lives more balanced and blessed.

Maxwell also taught methods that business people can use to improve their personal lives, which, he said, would also successfully impact their business lives.

The Rev. David Rawls, pastor of the church, said the seminar was well received by those who attended. Several participants have begun to attend worship services at the church.

Response to the seminar within the church has been positive, too, according to Rawls. "The church was pleased that the last conference served as a wonderful witnessing tool," he said, adding there are plans to use the "Developing the Leader Within You" video series to reach the business community.

Rawls said the church is planning to serve as a host location for the Sept. 15 Maxwell seminar titled "17 Laws of Teamwork."