Ep 2005: The Power of Connection

Just like Jim and Martha, Chad Hawley struggled with the pull between business and ministry, until realizing that his business was his ministry. He realized this while going through somewhat traumatic life circumstances, but the message that God gave him totally changed his perspective and the trajectory of his life.

Chad created the Nexus Mountain Network that connects the seven “mountains of influence” in which believers reside. He gets that you’re not just a ____. Each and every role that you hold is significant! People in so many spheres of work and life can and should join together for greater impact (just like we promote in the Tapestry Project).

You can download the Nexus Mountain Network app today, take an assessment to determine your mountains, and get connected! The app’s capabilities range anywhere from hosting live panels to sharing photos to setting up push notifications for groups.

Sandy Woods talks about how she’s been able to use the Nexus app for Kingdom impact. As a principal, Sandy is of great influence in the mountain of education. Nexus helped her grow New ERA (Education Reform Association) from a handful of people to hundreds. If you’re in the education field, you should definitely get involved with New ERA!

Although the Nexus Mountain Network app is our resource of focus in this episode, there are others mentioned to help you find purpose and significance in your job – no matter what it is!

·       iWork4Him books: paradigm-shifting guides to unlock God’s purpose for your work (and retirement!)

·       iWork4Him Performance Review template: a downloadable PDF that you can use to be a more effective manager

Awaken Podcast Network (APN): find over 100 Faith & Work podcasts that include topics from every mountain of influence

Featuring: Chad Hawley; Sandy Woods

Ministry/ Workplace: Nexus Mountain Network

Ep 2004: Put Some Pep in Your Prep

Think about your morning routine. What does it look like? Steve McLean wants to help you “connect your Sunday to Monday” with the daily devotionals from His Word at Work. This ministry is connected to FCCI, Fellowship of Companies for Christ International. Steve started writing the daily devotionals because SO MANY people don’t have an eternal perspective when they go to work each day.

In this episode, Josh and Mike join Steve in this conversation on workplace missions, as both have benefited from the His Word at Work resource. Both men have been inspired to share more often in their workplaces. This is because reading material like the His Word at Work devotionals make them more sensitive to God presenting opportunities.

It’s all about being purposeful and intentional with your life. As Jim mentions in the show, this is also a great reminder for retired folks (and the whole idea behind iRetire4Him). As long as you have breath in your lungs, God’s not done with you!

So, what are some ways you can you start being a workplace missionary today?

-        Sign up to receive the daily His Word at Work devotionals straight to your inbox!

-        Commit to the iWork4Him Nation Covenant, with four key steps to living out your faith at work.

-        Listen to the 1-minute iWork4Him PowerThoughts. This week’s PowerThoughts are adapted from five different His Word at Work devotionals!

-        Connect with iWork4Him on social media by searching @iWork4Him on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Rumble, and Truth Social.

How else are you consuming content? What’s happening in your mission field? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at Jim@iWork4Him.com.

Don’t forget this special giving opportunity that was announced: with a donation of any amount, you can receive a copy of one of the three iWork4Him books – iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, or iRetire4Him. Simply make a donation and send an email to Martha@iWork4Him.com to confirm which book you’d like.

Featuring: Steve McLean; Joshua Claro; Michael Etchison

Ministry/ Workplace: His Word at Work

Ep 2003: Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Thinking about quitting your job to go into full-time ministry? DON’T! You’re already a full-time missionary right where you are! As Executive Director of t-factor at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Mark Whitacre has witnessed firsthand the impact that this truth can have on business leaders across the country. Actually, Mark has a fascinating story that’s even been made into a movie (learn more in his previous iWork4Him interview).

t-factor ministers to Christian leaders, inspiring them to bring Jesus into their workplaces and improve culture. For reference, Coca-Cola Consolidated is America’s largest bottling company and is determined to “honor God in all [they] do.” Mark helps to orchestrate t-factor Summits that encourage Christian CEOs and the like to transform the marketplace – and it’s effective! 68% of business leaders who attend t-factor events implement at least one t-factor takeaway within 90 days.

Richard Williams is one of those leaders whose life and business was changed by a t-factor Summit. He was shown how to make God a big deal at his company, Lineage, and has since been able to support his employees through chaplaincy and grow Lineage through a thriving workplace culture. As Richard mentions: “don’t have sloppy agape!” Instead, invest in employees, coworkers, and clients just like Jesus poured into so many in the marketplace.

You could be an attendee at one of the upcoming t-factor events, but it’s invitation only! For an invite, reach out to Jim at Jim@iWork4Him.com to connect you with Mark.

Featuring: Mark Whitacre, Richard Williams

Ministry/ Workplace: t-factor

Ep 2002: Is it OK to Pay People to Pray?

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

Ep 2001: You’re a 1st-Tier Citizen

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

Ep 2000: iWork4Him 101

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

Ep 1999: The Birth of 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

Guided by the Bible

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

Cultural Influencers

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

Reaching Every Campus for Christ

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