2/18/26 - 2134: Inviting the Next Generation into Kingdom Business at SWC 2026
Jim: You've tuned into iWork4Him, 13 years of covering the Faith and Work Movement.
Martha: We are your hosts, Jim and Martha Brangenberg, and our mission is to release the testimonies of workplace believers who have learned to unleash their vocational and cultural contributions for the flourishing of the world. What can that look like in your workplace? Let's find out right now.
Jim: A little over four years ago, we were part of the launch of the US Christian Chamber of Commerce. The idea spun off of the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, and if you've been a long time listener of iWork4Him, the Central Florida Christian Chamber also helped launch the Christian Chamber of Commerce in Tampa Bay that we were part of from the very beginning in October of 21. The Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce launched the US Christian Chamber of Commerce, and there's no looking back.
In 2024, the US Christian Chamber had a large gathering in Orlando for three days for the very first conference, like a three day worship service. Now two days - two days!? Two YEARS later, the US Christian Chamber will hosts another Spiritual World Citizens Conference, where 800 Christian Chamber of Commerce members from all over the United States are expected to attend - workshops, networking, speakers, fellowship, worship, building relationships that will last a lifetime.
That's what this year's Spiritual World Citizens Conference is all about. Krystal Parker is back to tell us more about this year's event coming up in April. If you remember that when Krystal was last on iWork4Him, she refused to dish on who the speakers were for this year. Now we all know that. They finally released it. They're on their website, but today Krystal's actually gonna roll out details and she promises not to hold anything back - or she'll never be a guest on this show again. (laughter)
This event of the US Christian Chamber will be attended by people of all ages, including Joshua Washington, who's here today, representing the next generation to tell all of you 30 year olds why you should be there too.
Krystal Parker and Joshua Washington, welcome to iWork4Him.
Joshua Washington: Wow. (laughter)
Krystal Parker: Wow is right.
Jim: That's right. That's right.
Joshua Washington: Krystal didn't tell me about this part when she asked me to come on here, so I love it. That's awesome.
Jim: Yeah. That's a whole other story. You, everybody has to watch the last show we did with Krystal back in November where I asked questions about the speakers and she's no, I'm not telling you. I said, what do you mean? I'm not telling you, you gotta wait till Black Friday. Oh. It's one of those things.
Martha: She is really good at building up the suspense.
Jim: She's the only person in all of the planet that can do that to me and get away with it.
Alright, Krystal, are you excited about this year's conference?
Krystal Parker: I am blown away at this conference, what God's doing, how this is shaping up, and we're really doing something different with this conference, with it being immersive and really putting everyone in a seat, 'cause we want to hear from people through the Think Tanks and Apologetics Under Fire. I am just saying this is something I believe that's going to reinvigorate the conference world. I think things are gonna be different as a result of what we kickoff at SWC 2026.
Martha: I know that all the details are developing in great detail that we can't get into, but today, what would you say you're most pumped about?
Krystal Parker: I'll just go with what everyone's pumped about, which is these Think Tanks. We've got five key issues that we're going to really dive into. Our SMEs are set, so our subject matter experts, our facilitators,
Jim: (laughing) I don't think anybody on the planet says "smes".
Martha: Yes, they do. They say sme.
Jim: I know what a schmoo was, but that was back in the fifties.
Martha: You're really aging yourself now, Jim. (laughter)
Jim: Okay, schmee. All right. We're talking about schmee right here on iWork4Him, people.
Martha: And they are set.
Jim: Subject matter experts. Okay, so these subject matter experts, these five breakouts, these five think tanks, give us a few examples.
Krystal Parker: All right, so I'll give you the one that Joshua's one of our facilitators for.
Jim: Sweet.
Krystal Parker: And it's currency. So Currency Lab, we have an incredible group of SMEs and facilitators that are gonna be part of this room, and that room is also as a sponsor. Inside that think tank, they're gonna frame issues around currency. And what are some of those major issues involved with currencies? I think one of the things that we as believers can recognize is, do we have dominion over the mountain of economics in our nation?
Jim: And the answer is no.
Martha: A think tank isn't gonna give the answers, Jim. It's gonna be asking the questions.
Jim: Oh, okay.
Krystal Parker: But I love that. So this is the kind of discussion that's gonna really be had inside of here. But what we want to identify in these labs is what are the key issues around currency, regarding Christians and business? What are the solutions for those issues? And then if we get this right, what is our big opportunity? If over the next 18 to 20 months we look at doing the right things, educating, training, and preparing, can we look back and say, we moved the dial?
And we wanna hear from people. This is what I love too. There's no seats in the front, there's no PowerPoint. Our SMEs, our facilitators, are gonna be on the move. This room is gonna be fluid. And we're gonna get to hear from people about what their experiences are. Then on Friday, the lab results are going to be presented on stage, so people get to pick two labs to be a part of, and then they're gonna get to see their work on stage and also hear maybe some of the labs they didn't get to participate in.
What were those key issues, solutions and opportunities around AI and innovation, currency, as we discussed, faith and work, unity, which is a difficult one for many of us, and then policy?
Jim: Joshua, you're gonna talk about currency. 20 years ago, nobody would've even thought that this was a conversation to be had because we're like, of course the US dollar's gonna rule the world. And now we got so many different choices. But to point to the fact that we don't have Christians having taken the kingdom to currency because we don't have a single Christian on the Fed Board of Governors do we?
Joshua Washington: Wow. I don't believe so.
Jim: No. Not a single one. No, not a single one. And if we're not on the Fed Board of Governors, how are we gonna make an impact? We gotta take that spot. Let's go.
All right, Joshua, why are you going to the US Christian Chamber Event? I'm gonna jump around a little bit on the questions I told you I was gonna ask you, but why are you going, why are you going, why are you involved?
Joshua Washington: Let's go back to that currency piece for a second. When you think about, we all think dollar, when we think currency. I have this mindset that the three greatest currencies in life is number one time. Forget about the dollar. What do you think the Lord is saying about how we're spending our time? 'cause we're not gonna be here forever.
You talk about a administration agenda, but we have a kingdom agenda. And that kingdom agenda is time-based. It's finite. And so it matters how we spend the time, just as much, if not more, than what it matters how we spend the money. The second one is knowledge. I think one of the greatest deficits that's holding back a lot of our believers, both young and old, is that deficit of knowledge when it comes to the economics and how we build a kingdom ecosystem economically.
And then the third is relationship. Those three currencies combined is really the winning formula for how we as believers can have dominion. And I think fourth one on that list will be money, but I think we gotta get the first three. And that's why I'm excited about, one of the reasons, I'm excited about this conference, being in that lab and leading that lab.
Krystal Parker: Can I jump in? Because this is a really cool conversation. So you're gonna have voices like Joshua that are gonna be saying, Hey, you guys are talking currency, you're talking gold, you're talking Bitcoin, you're talking digital, but have we thought about this for currency? And then somebody like Krystal Parker's gonna jump in and say, we have another issue when it is related to currency, and that's the transactions that are taking place in our community.
We have a trillion dollar hole in our boat. Even though Christians own over 50% of the world's wealth, we're handing it to the enemy. How do we fix that? These are the conversations that are gonna have. So somebody's gonna walk in with a limited scope because where you sit determines what you do. And if somebody's looking at it from just one angle, they're only gonna see one piece. They're gonna walk into a room with a hundred, 150 voices, with subject matter experts and facilitators to guide this conversation so it doesn't get outta hand and it really flows.
We wanna really have some great conversations. We wanna hear, what are we missing? What are we not thinking about? Whatever board that is, do we need to be thinking about how do we get somebody to have a seat there so that we are positioned in places we need to be? This is why I'm so excited about the labs.
Martha: Yeah.
Jim: Yeah. I could sense it and I love that. And Joshua, what you just said, those three currencies. I don't want him to ask me how am I doing spending my time? I really don't, I don't wanna know the answer to that question because I'm pretty sure he would have some suggestions for me.
But when you talk about time and knowledge and relationships, when you look at the kinds of things that are going to follow us into eternity, how we spent our time, that's that gold, silver, and precious metals, wood, hay, and stubble. How we spend our time. The knowledge thing. I believe we, our souls will go with us. Our knowledge will go with us, and our relationships are absolutely a currency that spans outside of time. It will be eternal. And that's, I love that conversation.
Ladies and gentlemen, you're talking about the US Christian Chamber of Commerce. You're thinking am I gonna go there and we're gonna network? No. We're talking about raising kingdom warriors.
Martha: Actually, it's " yes and." (chuckling) Not no. "Yes and." The reason I say that is the theme of the conference, if you didn't know that yet, it's just so critical to know that God has so much more for us, so we actually talk about wanting to do things the right way, and it's important that we seek God's will and ask him where we should spend this time that we are discussing and then discern if he is going to lead you to join us for the US Christian Chamber of Commerce Spiritual World Citizens 2026 event in April in Orlando with the theme of "yes and."
Jim and I are excited to be MCs for this event, so let's be sure to get you registered and see you soon. Keep listening to the rest of the show and I can guarantee you're going to want to be in the room in April.
Jim: Still goes down, as Martha and I mc'd the 2024 event, when that event was over, I could tell you it was the absolute most deeply moving spiritual experience ever been to at any conference. Period. End of story. And that's what you get to look forward to, because there's gonna be even more people in the room this year. And Joshua, that's why we wanted to have you on today, because there's gonna be more people there. But we're also trying to, we're inviting in, we wanna get the next generations there because obviously some of us are getting old and we're not the influencers of the world that we need to be. And we need the next generations to be equipped and ready to take over.
Joshua Washington: Yeah and I agree, Jim, and I think if you are a leader, a business owner, anyone watching this, I want to challenge you to invite your young people. I think of, it's almost like the church culture right now. We have a bit of a culture in business where I don't believe there's a lot of young people who see a place for themselves in kingdom business. I think many have overcomplicated it and don't really understand that it's not just for those who are established or more seasoned but it's a spot and a space for everyone.
And I think that comes from those mentors and those leaders saying, Hey, you should come to this. The only reason that I actually became involved in the chamber, right? This is how this happened. I was laying in bed looking for, I decided in 2021 to leave that corporate job and start a business, and then waited till after that decision to say, oh, crap, how am I gonna do this again?
So a part of that "oh crap" moment was pull out my phone, get on Google, let me start looking at some chambers. But I had a sense of discernment to say, I wanna find, is there such thing as a Christian chamber around here? And that was really my question. So I typed in Christian chamber, found the Christian Chamber of Central Florida, which was meeting off of Waterford at that time, walked into my first meeting, heard about the young professional network, and thought, okay, I'm still in that age range. Let me see if there's something for me to get involved here.
Walked up to Krystal Parker and said, Hey Krystal, how can I serve? Because that's what you're learning when you go to church, right? Start serving. So I asked Krystal, this is the exact question: can I come maybe help set up the chairs? She looks at me dead in my face and says, can you lead? And I said, Krystal, that's not what I asked you. I was talking about setting up chairs. I'm not looking to lead. So my point is, it was an invitation.
She didn't even know me. It was almost like Jesus and the disciple, she just said, Hey, here's an invite. Come join. And I want, for leaders who are watching this, that's really all it takes, just in start inviting your young people 'cause that's how they're gonna start to show up at events like this. And they will be the flame that you want to fan. Because they're the ones that are really going to spread this 'cause they have the energy and the opportunity.
Martha: And where else can we all get in a room and have a conversation like the one you were just describing about currency? Because so many times when we're in a position, maybe your responsibility is the P & L, maybe your responsibility is the operations, whatever it might be. That's all you get to focus on. And when you can sit in a room with other believers that want to understand God's bigger picture, you can be that much more confident and empowered to go back into your work with a better kingdom perspective in whatever it is that God has you on assignment to do.
So I love the connection there because there's so much practicality, but it's different that we can get anywhere else. And you setting it up as these think tanks is gonna energize everyone in the conversation. Joshua, at this perspective right now, couple months away from the event, what are you most excited about?
Joshua Washington: Man, that's a hard question. I'm pretty excited about all of it. But I would say I'm really looking forward to this lab, what we've talked about already.
But the networking piece, I wanna see these young professionals really get out here. 'cause I know it, I see it month in and month out. There's a young professional right now who's trying to figure this thing out, who's trying to, who wants to be in business. The Lord has called them to, to business, but they're realizing and figuring it out that it's hard.
It becomes a wilderness very quickly if you're not careful. And that person, that young professional is one relationship away, one conference, walking into an expo floor or walking into a lab and meeting someone who has been there, who's walked through that and can help them out and can help lead them. So that's one of the things I'm really looking forward to.
The stories and the relationships and the, Hey, I was in this position, but then I went to this conference, the Lord led me here, or I decided to clear my schedule and go and look what God did. So I'm really looking to those "look what God did" moments from this conference 'cause I truly believe we're gonna have quite a lot of 'em.
Martha: Awesome.
Jim: All right, so speaking of who you guys are gonna be bringing to the expo, we're gonna talk about that in a second. What we all know is what we're gonna be bringing to the expo. We'll be bringing our cell phones, we'll be bringing our laptops, our iPads, and whatever mobile device you may have.
Imagine if you get a virus on your device or somebody hacks into what you're doing on your device while you're using the free wifi at the conference. And then you can't use your device for its intended purpose and it distracts you from the reason you're attending the expo in the first place. It's not only gonna set you back on time and energy, but potentially compromise the work you're doing.
That's why we partner with SaferNet. SaferNet is a trusted partner of iWork4Him that we have installed on all of our mobile devices and computers. Their virus protection, their VPN, their 84 web filters. They are a kingdom Company, keeping the bad guys out so you can keep doing the kingdom work God's called you to do. Check out safernet.com and let 'em know iWork4Him sent you.
Krystal, you got some speakers speaking at this event. I know there was some question in the last show we did. Name some of the speakers you got coming.
Krystal Parker: We're gonna kick off the event with a ribbon cutting. And I'm really excited that Mike Sharrow, who's the president and leading C12, is going to be one of our opening night speakers. There's so many. I'm excited about every single one of them, having him kick us off and really set us in motion, I think is gonna be a really great beginning.
On Thursday we've got incredible moments on stage. You've got Heather Wilson and her brother Jacob, who are the founders of Give Send Go. If you haven't heard their story and the things that they've run up against, it's incredible. And so we're going to be hearing from them. Sam Sorbo will be with us as one of our keynote speakers. Gosh, Brandon West is gonna be there. We've got so many incredible speakers. I just would do a disjustice to tell you. They're all listed on our website. swc2026.com.
And then every lab, has a subject matter experts pod. There's three of 'em. And those three speakers that are in those rooms, they easily, every single one of 'em, keynote or global speakers, that are right there up close and personal. So when people look at this, they see probably close to 60 different speakers that are pouring their time into making this event a very memorable experience for people that are in attendance.
Jim: And you close it out with a speaker from New Zealand?
Krystal Parker: Yes.
Jim: That's gonna be a lot of fun. Alright, so Joshua, give your perspective, speak to the people that are 40 and under today, why they should be there.
Joshua Washington: Oh man. I think you should be there because it's almost like one of those Esther moments, for those of you who are familiar with that story in the Bible. This is one of those pivotal moments, I believe, not just in your life personally, but I think for our nation, for our communities. The Lord is truly, he's bringing us to be more unified and he's starting it in the marketplace.
I believe this will pour out from the marketplace and into our churches. And as I said before, it is a body of Christ. So if you're not there, we will feel it. Something will be missing. I don't care, I don't care if you think you're too young, Timothy. No, you're not too young. You are part of this body. And you need to be there because you're going to be a part of this movement. I believe we are, we are right at the doorstep. Or maybe even one foot inside of the house of what the Lord is going to do from a revival perspective in the people and in the marketplace.
And so it's an opportunity. I don't think it's even something that I would say I'm gonna try to pull your leg to get there. This is an opportunity to get in on what the Lord is doing and get under the blessing that the Lord is bringing to these kingdom businesses. And I just, I think it would be a foolish decision to miss out on this moment, so don't miss it.
Martha: I was thinking about all of the different gatherings of young people that have been happening lately with this focus on revival and you take all of the thousands of young adults that went to Passion or went to the different conferences maybe at the beginning of the year, and they got their hearts right. This opportunity, as Joshua said it, and I love that, is really that next step to say, okay, what's the practical application of the kingdom in my work and how God is preparing my heart for how I live that out on a daily basis?
And I think that's been a missing piece for the younger generations, especially because we've not seen the the importance of getting that connection so early on in a career. Imagine starting your career already getting the Kingdom impact conversation so that you're like, of course, my job as an accountant is incredibly important for the kingdom because I see my purpose in living that out.
So I really wanna challenge everybody that's listening, not only to look at their calendars and get registered for themselves. Like Joshua said, bring someone alongside of you that you maybe are mentoring or encouraging or works for you and have them come because this could be that life-changing opportunity as well.
Jim: April 22nd to 24th, online at swc2026.com. Krystal, when you launched the US Christian Chamber, there were a smattering, a small smattering of Christian Chambers across the country. Now you've got 25 plus affiliated Christian Chambers of commerce all over the country and it's growing every day it seems. Where are they all located? So people listening today, they know.
Krystal Parker: I would just say from sea to shining sea. And I'm not even joking about that - California to as far over as Pennsylvania. Michigan, obviously down to Florida, Texas, Midwest. Sea to shining sea, truly. It's amazing, this movement of God. This is unique in the nature because you talked about some of those other conferences and other things that are happening, which are very important. But then there's those of us, like the Joshuas in the world, that have that business anointing, and where do we go? Who do we find for mentors?
And I'll tell you, he's talking about who the speakers are that are in the room. Imagine connecting with a Jim and Martha Brangenberg. Imagine connecting with a Ford Taylor. Imagine connecting with Bill Yeargin from Correct Craft or Mark Whitacre or a Sean Kouplen, who's also gonna be their speaking.
Imagine this in your business circle as a young professional or even a seasoned professional to be able to have access to leaders that are not just business anointed, but they're called. They're stewarding their business in a way that brings glory to God and that really honors him in all that they do. My goodness, this is a game changer, a life changer, and this will change our nation as we come together as one and have one voice, one mission, and obviously serve one God. It's gonna be powerful.
Jim: It will be. And we would love to see you all there. SWC2026.com. It's just a few months away. Get your tickets now. Reserve your hotel rooms. It's right next to SeaWorld so you can come early and go see the orcas. Do they still have orcas there? I don't remember, but you could see SeaWorld. It's amazing. You could see all of Orlando. Plus for those of you in the frozen tundra, in April in Orlando, it's beautiful. It's before it gets ridiculously hot.
Krystal Parker, Joshua, Washington, thank you so much for being on iWork4Him today. Thanks for promoting this amazing event. Thank you both.
Krystal Parker: Thank you.
Joshua Washington: Thank you, Jim.
Jim: You've been listening to iWork4Him with your hosts, Jim and Martha Brangenberg. We're Christ followers. Our workplace, it's our mission field, but ultimately iWork4Him.