Posts tagged community service
150: Lessons from Downton Abbey

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha Brangenberg take a surprising trip across the pond—to Downton Abbey! While it may sound like a lighthearted detour, the grand finale of the beloved British series offers powerful lessons for every retired believer navigating life’s next transition. 

Retirement isn’t the end of purpose—it’s a new beginning. Drawing inspiration from characters like Mr. Carson, Mrs. Patmore, and Lady Mary, Jim and Martha unpack timeless truths about passing the baton, mentoring the next generation, and embracing change with grace. 

From the butler who wonders if his life’s work still matters, to the cook who lifts her apprentice into leadership, Downton Abbey becomes a mirror of what God calls us to in this season: to keep serving, teaching, and investing in others. Because as Jim reminds us, if you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose. 

Key Takeaways for Retirees 

  • Retirement is not a 30-year vacation—it’s a calling to a new mission field. 

  • Your wisdom and experience are needed now more than ever in your community and church. 

  • Passing the baton well means mentoring others and celebrating their success. 

  • Transition done with grace honors God and strengthens relationships. 

  • As Downton Abbey reminds us: we move “forward into the future, not back into the past.” 

For Those Near or In Retirement 

Whether you’ve already stepped away from full-time work or are preparing to, this episode will encourage you to see this next chapter as a divinely appointed opportunity. God still has plans for you—to disciple, to serve, to pour into others—and to live fully in His purpose for your later years. 

____________________________________________________________________ 

Two incredible sponsors that made this show possible: 

  • SaferNet VPN, more than just a sponsor – it's how Jim and Martha protect their devices at both work and home. With internet filters and controls along with antivirus, make sure you get SaferNet on your phones and computers! 

  • Instead of giving money to businesses that don’t stand on biblical principles (far from it), take your wallet to Patriot Mobile, where you can get the same great cell service at an affordable rate, supporting faith, family, and freedom. Make the switch

FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
149: “Refiring” as the Body of Christ

Is retirement really the end of your impact—or the perfect time to “refire” your purpose? In this powerful conversation, Jim Brangenberg talks with John McCarthy, founder of Purpose Promise, about how believers over 55 can turn retirement into a season of legacy, wisdom transfer, and renewed calling. 

Jim and John discuss how the American dream of retirement has trapped many Christians in a “retirement prison,” when God’s design is for older generations to invest their wisdom and experience into the body of Christ. Instead of losing identity and drifting into boredom, John explains how retirees can reshape their later years around biblical principles of vocation, discipleship, and intentional living. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

  • Why retirement as it’s been done isn’t the answer 

  • How Scripture shows that God’s people thrive when wisdom is passed down to the next generation 

  • Why John calls it “refirement” instead of retirement—and how it leads to joy and purpose 

  • Practical retreat tools that help retirees remap beliefs, habits, and rhythms around God’s design 

  • How staying rooted in your city and community can transform culture, instead of “moving away” and leaving a wisdom gap 

Explore and discover resources at PurposePromise.org. And for a limited time, get a free copy of iRetire4Him with a donation of any amount to iWork4Him Ministries. Give at iWork4Him.com/donate and let us know in the “notes” section of the donation page where to send your book.  

____________________________________________________________________ 

 Make the switch to Patriot Mobile, America’s only Christian conservative cell service provider! You can get great, affordable cell service while supporting causes that promote faith, family, and freedom. Signing up is a breeze: www.PatriotMobile.com/iWork4Him

FEATURING: John McCarthy

ORGANIZATION: Purpose Promise

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
148: Grace and Grit in Retirement

After 37 years of teaching in St. Paul, returning iRetire4Him Podcast guest Sheila Arrington thought retirement meant slowing down. Instead, God led her to Arizona and into a new season of ministry. From founding the Purposely Designed Conference to mentoring women through her ministry, Sheila shows that retirement isn’t an ending—it’s an opportunity to glorify God in fresh ways. 

In this episode, Sheila shares how: 

  • Leaving her Minnesota roots opened the door to God’s new assignments 

  • God is using her to empower and equip women 

  • A sabbatical taught her the importance of sitting with God before doing for God 

  • Retirement is not about checking out but stepping into deeper purpose 

If you’ve ever wondered what God might have in store for your retirement years, Sheila’s story will inspire you to see this season as a powerful new beginning! 

____________________________________________________________________ 

Special iRetire4Him book offer: 

When you give to iWork4Him Ministries, we’ll send you a copy of the iRetire4Him book! Just make a donation and in the “notes” let us know your mailing address.  

FEATURING: Sheila Arrington

ORGANIZATION: Sheila Arrington Ministries

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
147: Living Your Legacy NOW

Too often, our culture paints the later chapters of life as a time to slow down and focus on personal leisure. But what if this season is when you can live out your Christian legacy most fully—mentoring younger generations, sharing your faith, and showing the world what a vibrant life looks like? 

In this episode, Father Greg McBrayer—Anglican priest, aviation chaplain, and 46-year veteran of American Airlines—shares how God is using his decades of experience to make an eternal impact. From leading one of the largest airport chaplaincy programs in the world to investing in the lives of coworkers and ministry leaders, Greg shows how post-career years can be your most fruitful season yet. 

You’ll hear how to: 

  • Find greater purpose beyond your career by serving God in the marketplace and your community 

  • Use your experience to mentor younger generations and strengthen the next wave of leaders 

  • Identify opportunities for post-retirement ministry that bring joy, meaning, and impact 

  • Embrace your unique calling and keep serving in faith and work environments, even in highly secular spaces 

  • Build a Christian legacy that inspires others long after the workday ends 

Whether you’re still working, recently retired, or in a new season of volunteering and ministry, this conversation will encourage you to see your life as a lifelong calling from God—one that doesn’t end with a job title. 

____________________________________________________________________ 

Links and resources mentioned in this show: 

  • SaferNet.com - protect yourself from digital delinquency with an amazing app from a Kingdom business 

  • Get your copy – in print, digital, or audio – of the iRetire4Him book for tons of examples and resources to live out your “retired” years with purpose and impact! 

FEATURING: Greg McBrayer

ORGANIZATION: American Airlines

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
146: This Retirement Lie is Stealing Your Purpose

What if the way we think about retirement is not only unbiblical but actually harmful? In this powerful episode, Jim and Martha Brangenberg sit down with Danita Bye to expose the cultural lie that age 65 marks the end of purpose. 

Danita brings a compelling challenge to believers: at a time when AI is accelerating and younger generations are desperate for wisdom, we cannot afford to sideline our spiritual elders. Retirement doesn’t mean retreat—it’s a divine invitation to reengage through prayer, mentorship, vision, and leadership. 

What You'll Hear: 

  • Why traditional retirement is dangerous for the Church and society 

  • A personal story that reveals how America views the elderly—and what we’re missing 

  • The link between disengaged elders and a generation hungry for purpose 

  • What AI and cultural confusion mean for our grandchildren’s future 

  • The radical power of intentional, intercessory prayer in this season of life 

 
Danita closes with a bold reminder: the world may call your best years finished, but God never does. Whether you're 65 or 85, your influence still matters, and your calling hasn’t retired. If it feels impossible to make an impact in this season, that might be the best sign you're right where God wants you. Because with Him, nothing is impossible! 

Resources Mentioned: 

Connect with Us: 
Visit iRetire4Him.com,follow us on your favorite podcast platforms, and connect on Facebook

FEATURING: Danita Bye

ORGANIZATION: DanitaBye.com

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
145: “The First Time I Retired...”

What do you do when you’re ready to retire—but God clearly says “not yet”? 

Julé Colvin, founder of Pathways to Growth, joins Jim and Martha to share her story of obedience, purpose, and preparation in her “retirement” years. After building a company that supports nonprofits through grant writing and leadership development, Julé sensed it was time to step back—until God asked her to stay and steward the legacy a little longer. 

In this heartfelt conversation, Julé opens up about coming to faith through a coworker’s example, how she sees her business as a Kingdom ministry, and the spiritual and strategic work of raising up leaders to carry the mission forward. 

Whether you're approaching retirement, rethinking what it means, or wondering how to multiply your impact in your later years, this episode will meet you right where you are. 

In This Episode You’ll Hear: 

  • How Julé came to know Jesus because of someone who “Worked4Him” 

  • What it looked like to take a year studying Scripture to rebuild the company as a Kingdom business 

  • Why she believes retirement is more about redirection than release 

  • The importance of discipling your team before transitioning out 

  • Why she and her husband moved into a 55+ community as a missional decision 

  • How she’s preparing for what’s next—and leaving room for a second (or third) retirement 

  • Why “writing the vision” matters in the second half of life 

 

Scriptures Highlighted: 

  • Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (think about this in terms of trust during your retirement years) 

  • Psalm 92:12–15 – "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.’" 

Books Mentioned to Add to Your Reading List: 

FEATURING: Julé Colvin 

ORGANIZATION: Pathways to Growth  

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble
144: The Two Shall Retire As One

What happens when both spouses retire—and suddenly share the same space, time, and rhythm every day? 

In this fun and down-to-earth episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha welcome Rodney and Donna Smith to talk candidly about their first few months navigating retirement together. The Smiths explore how they’ve adjusted to being home at the same time, what it looks like to merge their different daily habits, and how they're slowly easing into volunteering and serving others. They also highlight the importance of communication, separate time, and letting go of rigid expectations. 

Whether you’re already retired or thinking about what’s next, this episode offers encouragement, humor, and practical wisdom for couples who want to walk through this season with grace—and a little bit of fun! 

In this episode: 

  • How men and women often experience retirement differently 

  • The unexpected adjustments of sharing the same space full-time 

  • Starting (and restarting) retirement goals like volunteering and fitness 

  • The power of routines, rest, and giving each other room 

  • Why flexibility and friendship matter more than a perfect plan 

FEATURING: Rodney & Donna Smith 

MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteers

Watch On YouTube
Watch On Rumble