Posts tagged fruits of the Spirit
155: Retired to an RV – and a Pulpit

Michael Turner thought retirement might be slower and simpler. Instead, one year after stepping away from his company – and after a five-year intentional wind-down – he found himself living in an RV at a Georgia campground, fixing trailers, launching boats, mentoring veterans, and eventually preaching weekly to a pop-up campground church. What unfolded was not a retirement plan, but a clear picture of how God repurposes decades of experience for unexpected ministry. 

In This Conversation 

  • Michael describes his five-year transition out of leadership, remaining chairman while gradually releasing day-to-day responsibility and why that helped retirement feel less abrupt. 

  • A move to Georgia for his daughter’s college recruitment led to an unusual living arrangement: 16 months full-time in an RV at a large campground with both long-term and transient residents. 

  • Michael’s daily prayer: “Lord, use me however You want today” has opened constant opportunities for hands-on service: repairs, transportation, conversations, and practical care. 

  • A request to fill in once for a small campground Sunday service slowly became a weekly preaching role. 

  • Michael reflects on how decades as an executive prepared him for ministry – clear communication, preparation under pressure, anticipating questions, and engaging people from every background. 

  • Realizing the depth of questions being asked, he enrolled at age 65 in a master’s program focused on Christian Apologetics to better serve those he teaches. 

  • The campground church removes barriers many feel toward traditional church spaces, welcoming people exactly as they are – camp clothes, hard stories, skepticism and all. 

  • Retirement rhythms that matter: staying connected to friends, caring for health, developing hobbies, and avoiding aimlessness by setting 3 daily priorities. 

Next Steps 

  • Impact Other Retirees Through the PWI Swipe Tool 
    You can support the ministry by rounding up the change from everyday purchases through the PWI (Project World Impact) Swipe tool. Your spare change helps fund the work of iWork4Him and iRetire4Him. Learn more and sign up at iwork4him.com/donate

FEATURING: Michael Turner

ORGANIZATION: Retired businessman, Lake Pastor

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154: A Simple Christmas Challenge for Retirees

Christmas is meant to be full of meaning – not just memories. In this special Christmas episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha Brangenberg share a simple, practical challenge for retirees: use the Christmas season as an opportunity to love the neighbors God has already placed around you. 

For many retired neighbors, Christmas can be quiet, lonely, or even difficult – especially with physical limitations, tighter budgets, or family living far away. But those challenges also open the door for beautiful ministry opportunities right where you live. 

In this episode, Jim and Martha remind us that loving your neighbors doesn’t require big events or elaborate plans. Often, the most meaningful moments come through small, intentional acts: 

  • Sharing a plate of cookies 

  • Inviting neighbors over for dessert or coffee 

  • Hosting a casual gathering in your home or garage 

  • Delivering leftovers after Christmas 

  • Simply learning your neighbors’ names and saying, “We’re here if you need anything” 

They also share fun, low-pressure ideas like neighborhood gift games (“you’ve been socked!”), community parades, cookie exchanges, and simple games that build shared memories and open doors for deeper relationships. 

Most importantly, this conversation points us back to the true reason for the season – Jesus. Christmas creates a natural, gentle way to share faith, stories, and hope with the people God has placed in our everyday lives. 

Your Christmas Challenge: 

Before the year ends, choose one simple way to love a neighbor. One visit. One invitation. One shared moment. Let God do the rest. 

From the iRetire4Him family to yours, Merry Christmas! 

 

And don’t forget that you can give yourself or a friend the gift of purpose in retirement. Email Jim@iWork4Him.com to request your free copy of iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement – just pay shipping (US residents only).  

P.S. – Read the first chapter for free! 

FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries

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153: “You Got 39 Minutes?”

This week, Jim sits down with brand-new retiree Russell Jenson—whose “quiet summer” on a Minnesota lake turned into something far more unexpected. Just months after handing off his business, Russell suddenly found himself with an empty calendar, a pontoon boat, and a campground full of people who didn’t realize how ready they were for church. What began as one simple question—“Would you come if I kept it under 39 minutes?”—sparked a Sunday-morning gathering that surprised everyone…including Russell. 

You’ll hear: 

  • How a former escape-room business owner ended up preaching (even though he introduced himself by insisting he wasn’t a pastor… right before doing everything a pastor does). 

  • Why 32 campers rolled up in golf carts—bloody marys in hand—to join Russell’s first lakeside service. 

  • The surprising story behind “9:39,” and why that oddly specific number worked. 

  • How God used decades of leadership training, Dale Carnegie coaching, and team-building work to shape Russell’s unexpected next assignment. 

  • Why having nothing on the calendar felt both terrifying and freeing—and how Russell and his wife are learning to listen for God’s direction one day at a time. 

  • The rhythms Russell now keeps—coaching men, leading morning Bible studies, mentoring a young pastor in Pakistan—and why none of it was even on his radar 20 years ago. 

Russell’s story is a fresh, honest window into what can happen when retirement isn’t an escape from responsibility but an invitation from God. If your own next season feels foggy, his journey will encourage you to start with prayer, stay available, and trust that God’s assignments rarely waste your past experiences. 

Tune in for a heartfelt, humorous look at a man discovering what comes after “I’m done working”—and how a Minnesota lake became the classroom where God clarified Russell’s calling. 

 

Ready to plan and execute your retirement with Kingdom impact? Email Jim@iWork4Him.com to request your free copy of iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement – just pay shipping (ships to US residents only).  

P.S. – Read the first chapter for free! 

FEATURING: Russell Jenson

ORGANIZATION: Retired business owner, coach, and educator

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152: Don't Move to Florida: The Mindset Shift You Need to Retire to Purpose

Retirement isn’t a biblical “off-ramp” from purpose. Scripture calls believers to live on mission as long as they have breath. Instead of drifting into a leisure-first mindset, Jim encourages listeners to view retirement as a God-assigned season of influence, service, and legacy. 

That’s why Jim and Martha want to send you the iRetire4Him book at no cost (just cover shipping). It equips you to approach retirement with clarity, calling, and joy. 

Inside, you'll discover guidance such as: 
• Why retirement should shift from comfort to Kingdom purpose 
• How staying rooted near family and community strengthens generational impact 
• Practical ideas for serving as a “fully funded missionary” in retirement 
• Encouragement for investing in younger families who need wisdom and presence 

Ready to plan and execute your retirement with Kingdom impact? Email Jim@iWork4Him.com to request your free copy of iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement – just pay shipping (ships to US residents only).  

P.S. – Read the first chapter for free! 

FEATURING: Jim Brangenberg

ORGANIZATION: iRetire4Him

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151: Full Surrender for Full Satisfaction

Based on your retirement years, how is God going to judge you when you stand before Him?  

In this episode of iRetire4Him, host Jim Brangenberg talks with Buck Jacobs, founder of C12 Group, the world’s largest network of Christian CEOs and executives building businesses for a greater purpose. Now in his 80s, he’s stepped away from leading C12, but Buck continues mentoring and discipling business leaders around the world, showing that God’s calling doesn’t end with age—it just looks different. 

Together, Jim and Buck discuss: 

  • How making money or net worth is not what’s important when it comes to eternity 

  • Why pouring into others is much more gratifying than focusing on leisure 

  • How surrendering your time and experience to Christ leads to lasting joy and impact 

  • The eternal rewards of staying faithful and fruitful in every phase of life 

  • What God will say to each one of us when we encounter Him in heaven 

You can check out Buck’s YouVersion Bible study on Romans 8 for further encouragement on living a Spirit-led life of purpose.

FEATURING: Buck Jacobs

ORGANIZATION: C12 Group

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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. 

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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! 

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FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries

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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.  

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 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

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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! 

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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

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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. 

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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

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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

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