At the ripe old age of five, Dave Hataj started working in the family business, Edgerton Gear, Inc. Although he was labeled as not being “college material,” Dave was hesitant to settle into a life of working in the gear business. However, as he wrestled with what he was meant to do with his life, God spoke to him in a way that changed his trajectory… not by taking him out of the business but by showing him that the business was his ministry. There are so many golden nuggets in this interview, and we can’t wait for you to listen and hear all that God has been doing through the work of Dave Hataj!

“Community” and “purpose” are two topics near and dear to Dave. You can learn about Dave’s ministry at craftsmanwithcharacter.org when you listen to this week’s show.  Oh, and we are giving away a copy of Dave’s book Good Work: How Blue-Collar Business Can Change Lives, Communities, and the World to 5 listeners! To enter to win, simply call our listener line at 866-713-9675.

Guests: Dave Hataj

Ministry/ Workplace: Edgerton Gear, Inc.; Craftsman with Character

YouTube Video Interview

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

When Ellie was an attorney on her way up the corporate ladder, she thought that God would only get in the way of her aspirations. But as her career grew, she found that all her achievements were empty; she was missing a greater purpose or meaning – the kind that only God can fill. When we believe that our job or title or perceived success is our purpose, we are short-changing ourselves – because God has more in store for us. Moreover, our jobs are only one aspect of our lives that God wants to use to make an eternal impact. In this bonus interview, Ellie talks with us about what it looks like to glorify the Lord in the context of a Fortune 250 company, battling anxiety and fear in the face of the unexpected, and the two most important things to successfully living out your faith at work.

Ellie Nieves is a contributing author to Chapter 8 of our new book, sheWorks4Him: Embrace Your Calling as a Christian Woman at Work.

Guests: Ellie Nieves

Ministry/Workplace: Christian Career Women

YouTube Video Interview

In part one of this PowerPod we talk with one of the most expensive consultants and social media experts in the world - Perry Marshall.  A pastor’s kid and nephew of missionaries, Perry grew up around ministry and felt the pressure placed on many Christians to go into the church full-time. However, he says he never felt called to work in the church, a place he felt was full of “poodles”; rather, he felt called to go out and be a “wolverine” in the competitive world of business. Tune in to this unique conversation with a passionate top-tier businessman of faith as he shares his view of ministry, entrepreneurship, and becoming a cultural influence for Christ in a world FULL of influencers. 

Featured Guest: Perry Marshall
Ministry/Workplace: PerryMarshall.com

Today we are joined by Bryan Dik, the Chief Science Officer of jobZology and a professor of Vocational Psychology at Colorado State University, for a conversation on finding a job that fits our God-given gifts and passions. In his recent book titled, Redeeming Work, Bryan really digs into the four-act story of Scripture and the commonly believed half-truth that “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” Tune in for our discussion on why work is a part of God’s purpose for our lives and how we can be good stewards of our gifts through job development.

There’s so much here to unpack and learn through www.jobZology.com or app.pathwayu.com where you can take an assessment to find careers that fit who you are and what you’re passionate about. Bryan encourages us to look at our career choices and development as a way of honoring how God made us. Now that sounds like a great goal to me! We have TWO copies of Bryan’s book, Redeeming Work, to give away! You can win a copy by calling the listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK).

Guests: Bryan Dik

Ministry/ Workplace: Colorado State University; jobZology

YouTube Video Interview

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

When you get up on Monday morning, do you think “I HAVE to go to work” or “I GET to go to work”? For many of us, it’s the former… but it doesn’t have to be. God originally meant for work was meant to be a form of worship – not an obligation! In this bonus interview, the founder of At Work on Purpose, Chuck Proudfit, talks with us about learning to love your job, the spiritual nature of work, backdoor ministry, and building your witness one choice at a time. 

Chuck Proudfit is a contributing author to Chapter 22 of our new book, iWork4Him: Change the Way you Think About Faith and Work.

Guests: Chuck Proudfit

Ministry/Workplace: At Work on Purpose

YouTube Video Interview

Are your high school and college-age kids influencers (for Christ)? In this PowerPod, we talk with Len Munsil from Arizona Christian University about how a strong connection with faith in college can lead to a strong ministry of faith in the post-graduate workplace! ACU is a conservative theological and cultural university that trains up incredible leaders to go into the seven mounts of cultural influence. Tune in to hear our discussion with Len and graduate student Josiah Friedman about how having a strong missional perspective in college can change your life. 

Featured Guests: Len Munsil & graduate Josiah Friedman
Ministry/Workplace: Arizona Christian University 

Nearly 92% of Americans believe in God but 70% don’t have an ongoing relationship with Him. Chaplains are called to provide emotional, mental, and spiritual care to those on the frontlines of life… encouraging them to “move out of ditches, towards a better destination”, including a deeper relationship with God. With the stress of the past few years, Marketplace Chaplains have been able to avert suicide, introduce workers to Jesus and connect workers to local churches. This is all brag worthy, but Jason Brown, the CMO of Marketplace Chaplains, said on today’s show, “don’t touch God’s glory.” And may we be the first to say that Marketplace Chaplains gives it all back to Him!

In addition to Jason, we also talk with chaplain and recruiter Paddy Warman about our basic human need to be seen and to experience connection, and with Roland Barlowe about how we all can experience ongoing missions in our work.

There are currently 400 openings for chaplains at Marketplace Chaplains. If you are looking for a way to invest in the workplace that will make a Kingdom impact, this might be for you!

Guests: Jason Brown, Paddy Warman, & Roland Barlowe

Ministry/ Workplace: Marketplace Chaplains

YouTube Video Interview

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

If you don’t go into the workplace and share Jesus, who will? This is the question that God asked Doug Fagerstrom many years ago, and it’s the same question God is asking each of us today! But in this special bonus interview, Doug talks about how his life as a new retiree still centers on the same question – just a different location. Whether it’s in the workplace, the home, the community, or the golf course, we each have the opportunity to bring the person, words, and work of Jesus to those around us. Tune in to hear our discussion with Doug about purpose in retirement, faith in the marketplace and beyond, and becoming a chaplain in the second season of life.

Doug Fagerstrom is a contributing author to Chapter 11 of our new book, iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement.

Guests: Doug Fagerstrom

Ministry/Workplace: Marketplace Chaplains

YouTube Video Interview

Are your high school and college-age kids influencers (for Christ)? In this PowerPod, we talk with Len Munsil from Arizona Christian University about how a strong connection with faith in college can lead to a strong ministry of faith in the post-graduate workplace! ACU is a conservative theological and cultural university that trains up incredible leaders to go into the seven mounts of cultural influence. Tune in to hear our discussion with Len and students Emily Forte and Brennan Bowen about their experiences at ACU. 

Featured Guests: Len Munsil & students Emily Forte & Brennan Bowen
Ministry/Workplace: Arizona Christian University 

Justin Ford designs, builds, and manages homes for the elite. In his industry, most companies want something from their wealthy clients… but Justin wants to give something back. You see, Ford’s Custom Tailored Construction was founded on biblical principles – things like trust, authenticity, and honesty. And it is through the way that he serves his clients, Justin stands out and is able to share the gospel. In today’s show, we talk with Justin about what it’s like to serve the ultra-rich, how to find joy amid trial and hardship, and why it’s important to look at the gospel like a fountain (you’ll have to tune in to discover precisely what he means by that). 

In addition, we discuss Justin’s struggle with overworking and how God intersected him with Rise Up Kings – a transformational training and mentorship program for Christian businessmen. This incredible organization and experience have changed Justin into the man he is today… one who doesn’t doubt himself and who can move forward in joy.

Guests: Justin Ford

Ministry/ Workplace: Ford’s Custom Tailored Construction

YouTube Video Interview

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