In this show from the most recent CLA Outcomes Conference, we talk with Vicki Harris, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for Our Daily Bread Ministries. While Our Daily Bread specializes in producing quarterly devotionals (available at ODB.org), it is refreshing to hear that Vicki still finds her morning time with God to be the key to leading a thriving ministry and work environment. She talks with us in today’s show about applying personal revelation in professional settings. 

With offices in 38 countries, Our Daily Bread prioritizes new avenues for the staff and volunteers to grow in their faith, dig deep into Scripture, and thrive. This familiarity with cultivating a positive work culture over great distances served OBD well during the pandemic. They started hosting virtual leadership events for their staff, which were so well received that other people wanted to come. The result? The Mastering You sessions are now open to everyone!

Vicky Harris wants to challenge leaders to grow their character - what a great perspective coming from a leader in Human Resources! May we all take some time to consider this wisdom today.

Guests: Vicki Harris

Ministry/ Workplace: Our Daily Bread Ministries

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Kenny Hill admits he was building his career in vain. For years, he tried to outpace the shame in his life by pouring himself into his job performance. But it wasn’t until his first marriage crumbled and he was at the end of his rope that Kenny began to really learn about doing things God’s way – in love. Of course, anyone can love people for a few hours, but good leaders co-labor with God to make love a lifelong practice.

This new understanding of love flowed into Kenny’s personal life with his soon-to-be wife, Clarisa. Soon, Clarisa began implementing the same mission-minded leadership skills in her OBGYN practice. Tune in to hear this incredible couple’s journey in the workplace mission field!

Enter to win a copy of Kenny’s book, Elevated: My Journey to Co-Laboring with God, by calling the listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK).

Guests: Kenny & Clarisa Hill

Ministry/ Workplace: Parables Media

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In this interview from the most recent Outcome’s Conference, we talk with Rich Stearns, the President Emeritus of World Vision, about keeping your marriage and your faith strong, leading with values, and what a thriving ministry looks like. As to this last bit, Rich relates thriving in faith and ministry to the core mission of World Vision: to restore the dignity of the poor and bring hope to the hopeless. Isn’t this what we should all be doing? When we work to bring dignity and hope to everyone in our sphere of influence, our teams, organizations, and clients thrive.

Plus, Rich discusses his new book Lead Like It Matters to God: Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World, which was selected as the Christian Leadership Alliance book of the year. Surrender and sacrifice are just two of the 17 values that he outlines in this new book. Rich’s writing style is easy and the lessons are long lasting – be sure to pick up a copy today!

Guests: Rich Stearns

Ministry/ Workplace: World Vision

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Growing up as a missionary kid in Belize, you can imagine how a near-death experience at age 12 led Jonathan Nowlen into a closer relationship with God. Then, as a young adult, Jonathan followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a career missionary with YWAM, where he eventually served in over 60 countries. While in NW Arkansas to drum up church partnerships, God compelled Jonathan around the idea that all Christians are missionaries and the Kingdom of God can be advanced through the workplace. Thus, The Metron Manager Project was started. Through Jonathan’s books, curriculum, podcast, and marketplace mission consultations – God is transforming lives through the dignity of vocation.

Jonathan says that the podcast started as a way to expound on the ideas written in his books and share the stories of practitioners that are being renewed. His message is lifegiving – whether you’ve been in the workforce for a long time or when you start your very first job.

Guests: Jonathan Nowlen

Ministry/ Workplace: The Metron Manager Project

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Valerie Bell is the CEO of Awana Clubs International. At the most recent Outcome’s Conference, we had a chance to ask Valerie how she keeps her faith strong and her leadership Christ-centered... the answer won’t surprise you: through scripture memorization and journaling. Accordingly, the entire Awana staff is currently memorizing Philippians 2 together because Scripture memorization isn’t just for the kids they serve! Awana is now in 129 countries serving over 5 million children weekly. They are the first to tell you that they are not about child discipleship but lifelong discipleship. What will they remember and know in 2050 when they are adults? After hiding God’s word in their hearts, the second most impactful thing Awana does is provide loving, caring adults. Valerie says, “we need a little less Disney and a whole lot more Mister Rogers.”

Valerie’s new book, Resilient: Child discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church, is all about learning to bend and flex but not break. Her book was based on the need to Belong, Believe, and Become.

Guests: Valerie Bell

Ministry/ Workplace: Awana Clubs International

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In today’s show, we talk with husband-wife team Jerry and Carol Meek, the founders of Desert Star Construction and Glorious Reflections, about working with your spouse, building a business on integrity, and focusing on God over goals. Jerry and Carol met in the high school choir and built a friendship that became lifelong in marriage. God has carried them through the good times and the bad and continually highlights our need for hope in every circumstance.

In the 2008 recession, the Meeks determined not to lay anyone off despite decreasing building projects. So instead, they worked on some special projects that kept the team strong so that when the building started to return, their team was still together and able to rebound quickly. This fierce love for those God has put in their care was passed down from Jerry’s dad, who told him the only thing you own is your integrity. And sure enough, when they stopped focusing on their income goals and made giving goals, the results were amazing!

Today the Meeks have started Glorious Reflections – a collective of leaders who want to live and lead in a way that brings glory to God! You can take the 21-day challenge by texting “challenge” to 55444. BONUS: a few tips from Carol about working with your spouse: encourage your spouse, plan personal time, be respectful, people are watching.  Jerry’s tips: be 100% behind your spouse’s success and don’t treat your customer better than your spouse.

Guests: Jerry and Carol Meek

Ministry/ Workplace: Desert Star Construction; Glorious Reflections

Sponsored by GiANT https://GiANT.tv/iWork4Him

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In this show from the most recent CLA Outcomes Conference, we talk with Brenda Long, Sr. Director of Infrastructure Operations at Food for the Hungry. Brenda has been with Food for the Hungry, an organization that takes a holistic approach to ending poverty through purposeful relief, for over 26 years. Tune in as we discuss getting still before God, leadership development, personality tests, and the mission to end hunger. 

When we asked Brenda about the daunting task of ending hunger, she said that Food for the Hungry is simply called to be a part of the solution, not the whole thing. They believe that it is through partnership and cooperation that the Kingdom of God comes to fruition. Accordingly, Brenda says we are all leaders, even if it's not in your title. Studying the enneagram is one tool that has helped her to lead better and understand those she leads. As a 7, she has a deep need to be around others, and this past year has challenged that need, first in losing her mom and then during the pandemic. For more information on Food for the Hungry's mission, check out their FREE eBook download, God's Story!

Guests: Brenda Long

Ministry/ Workplace: Food for the Hungry

YouTube Video

Transcript

Here we are, at our nine-year celebration of iWork4Him and it all started with a speech. A speech about five ways to incorporate your faith into your workplace. Now, nine years later, iWork4Him is a legacy organization with over 2,100 produced podcasts, over 3,000 different guests, 3 brands, 3 books, and so much more. iWork4Him has become the mouthpiece of the faith and work movement – a movement dedicated to every workplace believer.

In today’s show, Jim and Martha have fun recounting all that God has done, who He has allowed them to meet, and how they have personally grown through the challenges of the last near-decade. From live radio one day per week, to five days per week, to podcasting the 1-minute PowerThought and 15-minute PowerPods, to on location shows at events and workplaces across the country – God has used this platform to share what He is doing in the lives of workers who are on mission at work. 

A big thank you to our guests, donors, sponsors, Board of Directors, and listeners these past nine years. We look forward to all that God has in store for the future – will you join us?

And for kicks – you can go back and here where it all began! CLICK HERE to listen to our FIRST EVER iWork4Him show!

Guests: Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

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Transcript

Most people look at investments as only economical, but Pete Ochs’ company Capital III focuses on the economic, social, and spiritual aspects. Pete’s holistic view of investment impact has led to some fantastic innovations for several of his other companies. Pete’s story should inspire us to ask God how He wants us to innovate for economic, social, and spiritual flourishing!

During a lawsuit, Pete read Proverbs 6, and God pierced his heart to humble himself before the opposition. When God used his obedience and the scripture to turn the situation around, Pete learned how applicable the Bible is in our daily work. Fast forward to today, where one of Pete’s companies is running a manufacturing plant in medium and high-security prisons and seeing lives restored through the three aspects we mentioned earlier. When an inmate receives fair wages, community, and biblical guidance, there is no limit to what God can do!

Pete recently released a book bundle called, A high impact LIFE, that he is offering to our listeners at a 10% discount with coupon code: IWORK4HIM

Guests: Pete Ochs

Ministry/ Workplace: High Impact LIFE & High Impact Business; Capital III

YouTube Video

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In an interview from the most recent CLA Outcome’s Conference, we talked with Mark Tjernagel, CFO for Cru, about holistic living and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit every day. Cru has a set of organizational values: faith, growth, and fruitfulness. However, during COVID-19, Mark’s team has added an additional value to the list: community.

Throughout the Pandemic, Mark’s finance team has been intentional about staying connected and recognizing the importance of every department playing out their role to the greater mission. Romans 12 is a whole chapter that drills down to the beauty of the body. We are all part of the body of Christ, and we need each other.  The members of his team need each other, their department needs other departments, and Cru needs other organizations for the whole body to thrive.

Guests: Mark Tjernagel

Ministry/ Workplace: Cru

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