Sometimes the path to our calling takes many turns. Dr. Eli Jones shares his story in his new book Run Toward your Goliaths. Despite being a first-generation college student, Eli’s childhood was full of first-rate learning experiences! His parents were entrepreneurial, and his dad’s work truck was often a classroom for Eli. After graduating college, Eli took several unexpected career turns. Still eventually, he ended up back in school to get his Ph.D., where Eli indeed found his calling as a teacher and writer!

Eli’s unchanging life mission has been to transform lives, and through teaching principles that come from the Bible – he is able to do just that. Higher education is fertile soil for connecting faith to learning. At Texas A&M, there are so many ways to visibly carry that out through the Christian Faculty Network and Breakaway ministry happening on campus, where Eli is deeply involved.

For the chance to win a copy of Eli’s book, Run Toward Your Goliaths, call the listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK)!

Guests: Dr. Eli Jones

Ministry/ Workplace: Texas A&M University; EliJones.com

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James Barnett had a childhood of road trips to treasure.  Most of us would reminisce about the memories happily and leave it at that. Not James! He has allowed God to take those road trip lessons to shape his leadership at home and at work, in his role as President of DaySpring. 

His many life lessons include learning who is in control, Why God vs What God, and helping others see what they can’t see in themselves.  Even now, James’ parents haven’t lost their sense of adventure and hit the road again for a family adventure to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. In this episode, we learn from James’ example to constantly learn from every experience God gives us.

So many great nuggets in this interview with James Barnett and his new book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner.  

For the chance to win a signed copy of James’ book, call the listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guest: James Barnett

Ministry/Workplace: DaySpring

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In this interview from last year’s CLA Outcomes Conference, we speak with National Commander – Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, who has been with The Salvation Army for 33 years. Ken believes that one of the organization’s strengths is that they don’t have a narrow focus. This allows The Salvation Army to help people wherever they are – however, it can also lead to burn out. Throughout the pandemic, The Salvation Army has been working to meet the needs of the many Americans who have fallen under the poverty line. They went from serving 52 million meals per year to over 225 million in 2020! However, God is faithful, and Ken says that giving went up by 27% this year, which allowed the Army to do what it does best – love on people! Ken also shares with us how he keeps himself from burnout with a routine and schedule that keep his faith centered on Christ.

Commissioner Hodder is 6th generation Salvationist, 4th generation commissioner, and 2nd generation National Commander.  What a legacy he has followed and will leave for future generations. His final words to leaders were to not try to change the people but use their strengths to serve.

Guests: Kenneth Hodder

Ministry/ Workplace: The Salvation Army

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James Barnett has a heart for adventure and a true sense of awe, and this part 1 of a 2-part bonus interview explores some of James’ fondest memories. From an uncle that modeled hard work and generosity to parents that modeled a life of prayer, James’ family has played a large role in his spiritual formation.  His recently released book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner, captures lessons he has learned from his family road trips.  

James’ exposure to author Bob Buford and his book Halftime forced him to answer the question, “Are you driven or all you called?”  This made him take a hard look at why God does something versus what God is wanting to teach in each of life’s circumstances. Celebrating a 41-year career at DaySpring – and  now the President – God  has used James’ adventures to shape his leadership both at work and home.  Through his many experiences, James has allowed God to show him life lessons at every turn.  There is so much to learn, and his Blue Skies book shows how we can capture and share them along the way.

So many great nuggets in this interview with James Barnett and his new book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner.  

For the chance to win a signed copy of James’ book, call the listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guest: James Barnett

Ministry/Workplace: DaySpring

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Having founded a church and worked in the marketplace, Tom Lutz has a unique vantage point on faith integration. Join us in today’s show as Tom discusses finding your purpose, faith in the marketplace, and vocational discipleship!

As a young believer, Tom thought he needed to go to seminary to serve in ministry. Seminaries often teach on the importance of discipleship within the Church, but rarely discipleship within the workplace. After some years, Tom acknowledged that his real calling was to the marketplace. But, despite feeling like God was calling him there, it took him quite a while to not feel like God frowned on that decision. His new book, Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in their Work, is a “how to” book that answers practical questions like:

1.     Who are you?

2.     What is your purpose?

3.     How will you fulfill your purpose?

Believers who integrate their faith at work are more engaged as church members and Followers of Christ. That’s why it is our goal to help start vocational discipleship across the Nation!

For a chance to win a copy of Tom’s book call our listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guests: Thomas Lutz

Ministry/ Workplace: Convene

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In this show from the most recent CLA Outcomes Conference, we talk with Vicki Harris, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for Our Daily Bread Ministries. While Our Daily Bread specializes in producing quarterly devotionals (available at ODB.org), it is refreshing to hear that Vicki still finds her morning time with God to be the key to leading a thriving ministry and work environment. She talks with us in today’s show about applying personal revelation in professional settings. 

With offices in 38 countries, Our Daily Bread prioritizes new avenues for the staff and volunteers to grow in their faith, dig deep into Scripture, and thrive. This familiarity with cultivating a positive work culture over great distances served OBD well during the pandemic. They started hosting virtual leadership events for their staff, which were so well received that other people wanted to come. The result? The Mastering You sessions are now open to everyone!

Vicky Harris wants to challenge leaders to grow their character - what a great perspective coming from a leader in Human Resources! May we all take some time to consider this wisdom today.

Guests: Vicki Harris

Ministry/ Workplace: Our Daily Bread Ministries

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Kenny Hill admits he was building his career in vain. For years, he tried to outpace the shame in his life by pouring himself into his job performance. But it wasn’t until his first marriage crumbled and he was at the end of his rope that Kenny began to really learn about doing things God’s way – in love. Of course, anyone can love people for a few hours, but good leaders co-labor with God to make love a lifelong practice.

This new understanding of love flowed into Kenny’s personal life with his soon-to-be wife, Clarisa. Soon, Clarisa began implementing the same mission-minded leadership skills in her OBGYN practice. Tune in to hear this incredible couple’s journey in the workplace mission field!

Enter to win a copy of Kenny’s book, Elevated: My Journey to Co-Laboring with God, by calling the listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK).

Guests: Kenny & Clarisa Hill

Ministry/ Workplace: Parables Media

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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

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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

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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

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