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

YouTube Video

What do you get when you mix a lawyer and a Christian? David Gibbs III, a Christ-following lawyer whose purpose in life is to protect the rights of Christians. This is a FAVORITE GUEST of ours and a FAVORITE EPISODE. The best, most up-to-date advice-straight from the source. Get some answers to the legalities of being a working Christian.

Featured Guest: David Gibbs III
Ministry/Workplace: National Center for Life & Liberty

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

YouTube Video

Can a lawyer be Christian? Hmmm….meet David Gibbs III. If you’ve ever wondered if we still have any rights in the workplace, take a listen! You will learn the legalities of being a working Christian today.

Featured Guest: David Gibbs III
Ministry/Workplace: National Center for Life & Liberty

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

YouTube Video

A personal journey through suicide and burnout.

Hear from Steve Ramseur, President of Occupier Services at JLL, as he transparently shares his amazing journey of faith, born out of his work.

Featured Guest: Steve Ramseur
Ministry/Workplace: iWork4Him - Subscribe

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

YouTube Video

Do Christians experience burnout? We believe they do. Steve Ramseur, President of Occupier Services at JLL, shares a story of the lows of suicidal thoughts and the fallout and then redemption, of his burnout, and what God did with it.

Featured Guest: Steve Ramseur
Ministry/Workplace: iWork4Him - Subscribe

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

Does your entrepreneurial spirt come from God? Hear entrepreneur Matthew Bell’s take on why some of us value independence and creativity first. The author of the empowering message, “Kingdom Powered Entrepreneur”.

Featured Guest: Matthew Bell
Ministry/Workplace: Matthew David Bell