How much value do you place on the power of prayer? All this week, the iWork4Him blog and PowerThoughts have revolved around the message that “prayer changes things.” This episode of the podcast is no different, and very unique guests join Jim and Martha to discuss just how important prayer is, especially in business.

iWork4Him as an organization places a HUGE emphasis on prayer (which is why it’s step 1 in the iWork4Him Nation Covenant). For the last three years, Co-Reign has been interceding on behalf of Jim and Martha, intentionally taking their lives and the ministry of iWork4Him before God’s throne each day. Co-Reign seeks to find the prayer strategy that will fit you best. It’s not just Scott praying for you. It’s a collaboration to strengthen the assignment God has for you.

David McKay, CEO and Owner of HMK Company, joins the conversation as a witness of the impact intercession has had on his business. One example is the culture of HMK. There is a marked Kingdom influence in the project management work that HMK does.

Hiring an intercessor is a new concept for many, but it can make such a difference, as you’ll hear in today’s episode. If this is something you’re interested in learning more about, reach out to Scott for a free consult: https://calendly.com/scottflora/connect

And if you’d like to intercede on behalf of iWork4Him, join the Prayer Team! Jim and Martha will send you emails periodically with iWork4Him’s prayer requests.

Featuring: Scott Flora; David McKay

Ministry/ Workplace: Co-Reign

As this new season gets underway, this first interview is a message that every workplace believer needs to hear. Even within the first few minutes of the show, Dr. Charlie Self has an urgent word: “There is no secular work for God’s people.” Romans 12:1-2 ends religion because our whole life needs to glorify God. Once this clicks, it changes how you live.

Christianity has historically put pastors and missionaries on a pedestal for their full-time vocational ministry. This leaves most of God’s people on a “lower tier” and puts the burden of evangelism on the Church. But the majority of us spend most of our waking hours at work, and God wants to use us there – no matter the location, the position, or the type of work.

As Charlie mentions, to move toward being true workplace missionaries, it starts with one prayer, one church, one song, one sermon, one podcast at a time. An easy way to begin shifting your thinking is by getting a copy of the iWork4Him field guide, which is now conveniently offered as a downloadable PDF (and in print & audio formats). Another simple yet powerful resource is the daily iWork4Him PowerThought – a 1-minute audio that helps believers to live “on mission” at work.

Charlie’s ministry Discipleship Dynamics provides a book and an assessment on personalized discipleship. He’s willing to give away 5 copies of the new book 5D Discipleship Dynamics, so you can email Martha at Martha@iWork4Him.com to try to win one of those.

As you listen to the episode, take heart that you’re a first-tier citizen in the Kingdom of God!

Ps – Be sure to follow iWork4Him on social media:

·       Facebook

·       LinkedIn

·       Instagram

·       Twitter

·       TruthSocial

·       Rumble

Or if there’s some other platform you use, let Jim know at Jim@iWork4Him.com

Featuring: Dr. Charlie Self

Ministry/ Workplace: Discipleship Dynamics & DrCharlieSelf.com

Even after 2000 episodes, the message remains the same: your workplace is your mission field! For some, this might be a new concept. For others, you’ve heard this many times, but that doesn’t necessarily making living it out easier. So for the new and veteran listeners alike, take this “refresher course” of iWork4Him 101!

Jim and Martha build on the previous show 1999 (beginning of the iWork4Him season relaunch) by reviewing the 5 steps of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant. What are they and how can you live them out in your own workplace?

Go more indepth by listening to the show, but check out the resources mentioned that will help you to consistently minister in your workplace:

·       iWork4Him books, found in the bookstore (print, ebook, audio, and PDF formats).

·       PowerThoughts – 1-minute audios that you can listen to each day of the work week that will remind you of this week’s faith and work topic

·       Blog – another resource that helps tie each week’s theme together and solidify it in your mind and heart

·       iWork4Him Nation Covenant – are you ready to take your workplace ministry to the next level?

Take advantage of all of this incredible content this week to really make the iWork4Him message and steps part of your day-to-day life!

Featuring: Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

It’s a typical story. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love and want to pursue ministry together. They get married looking forward to a future of “church work.” But an entrepreneurial, business spirit seemed to keep getting in the way... Little did Jim and Martha (boy and girl) know, God was calling them to ministry, but not in a church.

This is the story of iWork4Him! As Martha mentions in this episode, God was working in every detail of the Brangenbergs’ lives to prepare them for their current ministry of iWork4Him. For example, there are 5 steps in the iWork4Him Nation Covenant, and each of those steps comes from Jim and Martha’s own experiences in shifting their paradigms from “work is work” to work is worship. Hear why iWork4Him exists and why it’s important for YOU to understand that your work matters to God!

A lot of resources were mentioned in today’s show. You can check them out at the links below:

·       The iWork4Him Book Trilogy with new downloadable PDF options

·       TGIF (Today God is First) daily devotional – the resource that initially changed how Jim viewed his workplace

·       Take the iWork4Him Nation Covenant to commit to letting God shift your paradigm and start to live out your faith at work.

·       Connect with iWork4Him on the following platforms:

-        Facebook

-        LinkedIn

-        Instagram

-        Twitter

-        YouTube

-        TruthSocial

-        Rumble

Don’t forget about a special giveaway for iWork4Him’s new podcast season: email Martha@iWork4Him.com for a chance to win a free copy of the iWork4Him book!

Featuring: Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

If you have ever darkened the doors of a Hobby Lobby, you undoubtedly belong to the Hobby Lobby fan club. There is simply something special about this family-feel business culture. Today, well over 43,000 people belong to the Hobby Lobby team of workers, and this is largely due to the positive culture created by Steve and Jackie Green. This incredible couple has been so influential because of their grounding in Scripture, teaching, and personal growth. Plus, as a couple, they set an example of godly prioritization – putting God first, marriage and family second, and work third. Jackie summed up their core values as loving God and loving others. This simple phrase is their guide for everyday decisions. 

Steve and Jackie are also the co-founders of the Museum of the Bible, and if you have yet to visit, we encourage you to add it to your bucket list! Life and circumstances may be challenging and complicated, but God owns it all, and long ago, the Greens determined that God would be their guide. They know this is easier said than done but rely on their faith to see them through each day!

Guests: Steve and Jackie Green

Ministry/ Workplace: Hobby Lobby; Museum of the Bible

YouTube Video

Dr. Za’ndra Bishop and Dr. Andy Westmoreland are more than just headhunters; they are cultural influencers. With every leadership placement they make in an organization, they have the unique opportunity to impact the culture.  Whether it be in higher education, non-profits, or a host of other types of organizations, Za’ndra and Andy are always asking the question: “what could the culture here be?”

When we asked about what it takes to create a culture of belonging, Za’ndra says it starts with a self-aware leader that invests in and with people. Good leaders get to know who is on their team. Both Za’ndra and Andy love a challenge – helping an organization make a tough placement gives them a true sense of accomplishment, knowing the future is impacted by their work with FaithSearch Partners.

Guests: Dr. Za’ndra Bishop; Dr. Andy Westmoreland

Ministry/ Workplace: FaithSearch Partners

YouTube Video

As the President and CEO of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Tom Lin knows that he needs to regularly connect with people and the Lord in order to keep his life centered. Accordingly, he builds rhythms of retreat and mentorship into his daily life and supports Intervarsity staff members doing the same through affinity groups. With 1,600 US employees and coverage on 800 University campuses with over 1,000 students, Intervarsity must intentionally foster a culture of belonging.  As a result, Tom’s listening skills get exercised a lot as he listens to the Lord and staff to navigate the complexities of the organization.  

In a beautiful way that models the Gospel, Intervarsity is working in collaboration with Cru to reach every college campus for Christ. Be sure to refer any students in your life to Everycampus.com to pray, connect, and see where they can get plugged in on campus. We closed out our conversation with Tom by discussing the word “disaggregation.”  Data and trends may say one thing, but real stories tell us what God is up to, and He’s up to a lot at InterVarsity! 

Guests: Tom Lin

Ministry/ Workplace: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

YouTube Video

Jacinta Tegman, the CEO of CRISTA Ministries, says she leads out of her relationship with the Lord - but what exactly does that mean? Simply this: at the end of her term as a leader, the people she led would love Jesus more than they did when she started. As an early riser, Jacinta sees herself as a servant of the Lord and a servant of the mission and staff at CRISTA. With over 1,300 employees across five ministries, she works to create a culture where everyone knows they belong. She relates the experience of working with such varied staff to her childhood with four siblings. They all have different personalities and needs but are one big happy, messy family!

Jacinta had to become comfortable with the leader that God had made her to be, and today she loves living that out at CRISTA. One of the things Jacinta did to help the culture was to move her office into the middle of the activity, so she can know what is going on in the organization. Now that is transformative leadership!

Guests: Jacinta Tegman

Ministry/ Workplace: CRISTA Ministries

YouTube Video

Mike Mantel, the Chairman and CEO of Living Water International, is all about conversation - first with the Lord, then his wife, and then with others. According to Mike, conversation allows him to ask thoughtful questions and learn from the wisdom of others. This is his key to making good decisions as a leader – something we could all learn from!

As the head of a global initiative, Mike’s love for conversation and connection is critical. Living Water International brings together churches, communities, and individuals with extreme diversity both in wealth and geography in an effort to solve the water crisis. 

Mike’s core values start with a rock-solid belief that God is in control and that He is the Master Strategist. His book, Thirsting for Living Water: Finding Adventure and Purpose in God’s Redemption Story, shares of God’s faithfulness and an inspiring vision of a unified, global Church – in which each of us has a vital role to play!

Guests: Mike Mantel

Ministry/ Workplace: Living Water International

YouTube Video

Fun fact: Reverend Dr. Nicole Martin started annually reading through the Bible 20 years ago as a dare from a youth pastor, but it wasn’t until five years ago that she joined the team at American Bible Society. For years God was preparing her heart to love His Word and desire that others would also come to be, as she says, “a Bible nerd like her.” American Bible Society collaborates with other people and ministries to share the good news of the Gospel with the world! Currently, their goal is to reach 7.8 million people with God’s Word and help 100 million Americans engage with the Gospel! 

With God-sized goals like this, Nicole knows that communication is key. And bonus, God knows exactly how He has made her and every other person on the planet – so He knows how to communicate to them individually through His Word! Accordingly, Nicole also works hard to create a culture at American Bible Society that celebrates differences and allows people to feel valued for who God made them to be.  

Guests: Dr. Nicole Martin

Ministry/ Workplace: American Bible Society

YouTube Video