Speakers: Please Check This Before Accepting an International Invitation

Recently, I received an invitation to speak at an international event.

The message had the details you would expect: a conference name, a proposed topic, an audience and an offer to cover travel and accommodation. The organizer also asked about my speaking honorarium.

As a speaker, you welcome inquiries like these. They can lead to meaningful conversations and new audiences.

But before taking this one further, I checked the event.

That search led me to an article by Brent Lindeque on Good Things Guy: The Church Speaker Scam Is Back.

The article described a suspicious invitation using the same organization and event names that appeared in mine: New Temple Church and RISE BEYOND 2027.

Someone else had taken the time to share their experience. That helped me make a more informed decision. I’m writing this in the hope that it helps another speaker do the same.

What I Know — and What I Don’t

The inquiry I received named New Temple Church in Australia and invited me to speak at RISE BEYOND 2027. The Good Things Guy article reports concerns about a similar invitation using those same names.

I have not established who sent my inquiry or whether the names used in it belong to the people behind it. And, to be clear, my inquiry did not ask me to make a payment.

The reason I’m sharing this is the close match with the published report. If you receive a similar invitation, please take time to verify it before making commitments, sharing sensitive information or paying anyone.

Why an Invitation Can Look Convincing

A speaking invitation does not have to look suspicious to deserve a closer look.

It may include a well-written message, a conference theme, an audience estimate and a professional-looking website. It may offer to cover flights and accommodation. It may even ask for your speaking fee.

All of those things can appear in a genuine inquiry. None of them, on its own, establishes who is behind the invitation or whether the event is real.

Christianity Today reported on an earlier scheme involving invitations that appeared to come from churches. In those cases, speakers were reportedly asked to pay supposed expenses after responding.

The lesson I took from this is simple: before you get into fees, travel plans or contracts, take a little time to check the basics.

Five Checks I Recommend

1. Verify the organization independently

Search for the organization beyond the website mentioned in the inquiry. Look for independent references, public registrations and a credible history of activity.

Then contact the organization using a phone number or email address you found yourself. Ask whether the event and the person who contacted you are associated with it. A real organization’s name can be misused. Finding a website with a matching name is a starting point, not the final check.

2. Check the event and the venue

Is there a credible event page or program? Are other speakers listed? Can you find evidence of previous editions?

If a venue is named, contact it directly using independently sourced details and ask whether the event is scheduled there. A new event may not have an extensive history, but an organizer should be able to provide details you can verify.

3. Ask why they chose you

Does the proposed topic fit your experience and the audience? Can the organizer explain what they want the session to achieve?

An invitation outside your usual subject area is not automatically suspicious. But a conversation about the audience, objectives and format should help you assess whether the opportunity makes sense.

4. Pause if you are asked to pay

Be particularly careful if someone who has offered to cover your costs later asks you to pay for insurance, a visa, registration or another arrangement — especially if they promise to reimburse you.

Verify the requirement independently and check who is requesting the payment. Don’t rely only on a link or contact supplied in the invitation.

5. Protect your personal information

You may eventually need to share information for a legitimate engagement. Before doing so, make sure you know who you are dealing with and why they need it.

Be cautious with passport copies, banking details and identity documents. Passwords and one-time codes should never be part of a speaking booking.

If You Receive a Similar Invitation

If an inquiry mentions New Temple Church or RISE BEYOND 2027, I encourage you to read the Good Things Guy article and make your own independent checks.

If you are in Singapore, ScamShield also offers resources for checking suspicious messages and seeking guidance.

I’ve shared more about my speaking engagements and the website I built to connect with event organizers elsewhere on this site. Good opportunities start with trust, and taking time to verify an inquiry is part of building it.

I’m grateful someone shared their experience before I received this inquiry. If this post helps even one other speaker pause, check and make an informed decision, it has done its job.