You know it’s always amazing when a bunch of Jesus followers from all over the country get together.   The mutual camaraderie and mission pull us together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  The excitement is palpable and inspiring.  Now for the last 14 months we haven’t had events and we have barely gotten together with people in our own neighborhoods let alone our country. But the Country is opening up and God is on the move. As is our calling, we are covering a move of God called the Christian Leadership Alliance. Their mission is dedicated to equipping Christian non-profit leaders to a high level of excellence while protecting and projecting the Gospel message to the lost and hopeless of our land. Martha and I have grown very fond of the Christian Leadership alliance and their leader Tami Heim. We invited Tami to join us today to talk about the Blockbuster event The Christian Leadership Alliance is hosting in Orlando in June. A Perfect time to break out of quarantine lockdown and join a 1000 others in pursuing excellence with others in the kingdom.  Tami Heim is here to talk about all things Outcomes Conference and their theme for 2021 – Thrive.

The Outcomes Conference 2021 June 15 –17, 2021 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel – Orlando

Tami Heim shared with us how the Christian Leadership Alliance prepares leaders of non-profit for the uncertainty of tomorrow.  This was a huge benefit in 2020 as many non-profits had to adjust and learn how to function during the pandemic. 

God has taught her to wait, be patient, and listen to Him for guidance.  As a leader these can be difficult to do, but they paid off as God provided miraculously for the increased expansion of The Outcomes Conference to several countries because of the digital approach last year. 

This year’s theme of Thrive is increasingly important as non-profits learn what it really means to thrive both personally and corporately. 

LATE BREAKING NEWS:  The Outcomes Conference early bird pricing has been extended to May 7th and you can find out more at www.outcomesconference.org Jim and Martha Brangenberg are this year’s emcees for The Outcomes Conference.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Featured Guests: Tami Heim

Ministry/Workplace: Christian Leadership Alliance & The Outcomes Conference

YouTube Video Interview

iWork4Him is a show solely focused on the intersection of our Faith in Jesus and our Work. When these two collide – fantastic things happen all around us. People start to benefit from you following Jesus whether they believe in Jesus or not. That’s when the enemy goes full on frontal attack. He wants to compromise your reputation at work so that your testimony is no longer attractive.  What is one way he does this? An Affair with an office mate.  Whether you are a man or a woman, A committed follower of Jesus or one just finding their way in being a Jesus Follower, the enemy wants to see you fail.  How do we protect our reputation and the reputation of our savior? We need to affair proof our marriages. We need to have a solid ground to stand on at home so that our steadfastness isn’t compromised at work. Even if you are not married, an affair at work will significantly dismantle your witness as a Christian.  Today joining Martha and I in this conversation is Rhonda Stoppe with www.NoRegretsWoman.com She has written many books. We use The Marriage Mentor all the time that she wrote with her husband Steve and today’s topic will come from the pages of Real Life Romance, which we will give away today.

Rhonda Stoppe returns to iWork4Him for another great interview about marriage.  She recently commented on one of our iWork4Him PowerThoughts about the need to Affair-proof marriages in the context of our workplaces.  Her book Real-Life Romance and also The Marriage Mentor are great resources for helping to strengthen marriages at home and to help affair proof them. 

Rhonda and Steve have been married for 39 years and she knows that they continue to need to be transparent with each other and take their advice from scripture.  When they were new parents Rhonda found herself dressing up for church on Sundays and appreciated the compliments of a gentleman there.  After a few weeks of getting compliments she approached Steve and basically explained the situation and told him he needs to compliment her more, as she was looking forward to the compliments of the man at church.  She knew this behaviour could have bad consequences and that is how most affairs get started. 

Applying that story to the workplace is pretty easy.  We need to set good boundaries and clearly protect our marriages.  We can do this by strengthening our marriages and making them a priority.  We shared the 72-hour intimacy rule with her and Rhonda is going to add that to her messaging.  Rhonda encouraged women to pursue their husbands.  This is a successful way to affair proof your marriage. 

Rhonda is offering a free ebook – “A Christian Woman’s Guide to Great Sex in Marriage” when you sign up for her newsletter:  http://www.noregretswoman.com

There is a road to recovery for an affair.  God has forgiven us as far as the East is from the West.  Don’t stop protecting your marriage.  When the kids leave and our lives change we shouldn’t look elsewhere for attention.  Rhonda encouraged marriages to be careful even in our virtual relationships while we work distantly.  It can quickly get out of control. 

For more great insights to affair proof your marriage check out Rhonda Stoppes website at http://www.noregretswoman.com. It is always fun to have Rhonda as a guest on iWork4Him.

Featured Guests: Rhonda Stoppes

Ministry/Workplace: No Regrets Woman LLC

YouTube Video Interview

God designed all of us to be leaders. How do I know this? Jesus handed down an assignment that designates all of us to lead others back to Him. What does it take to be a great leader in challenging times. Some would say Tempered Leaders. Leaders that have been pounded, beaten, attacked, hardened, fought in the heat of battle. Leaders who have face great opposition and have come out with Tempered Resilience. Resilience that represents our ability to rebound in the face of great challenge. Leaders who demonstrate Tempered Resilience, are leaders without pride issues and without privilege. These are tried and true leaders who have earned their position and a right to be heard. Tod Bolsinger comes back on iWork4Him today to talk about his book Tempered Resilience. Tod Bolsinger is a Senior Fellow at De Pree Center and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Seminary.

Tod Bolsinger has been a previous guest on the iWork4Him show talking about his last book, Canoeing the Mountain.  This excellent book about not continuing to do things the way they’ve always been done is a great leadership book that Jim has recommended often.  On March 13, 2020, Tod got off a plane from traveling and discovered that 15 of his next speaking opportunities had been canceled.  Little did he know that God would use this adversity to allow Tod to do 105 webinars instead.  He had a chance to live out what he wrote about in his newest book “Tempered Resilience.”

God also allowed 2020 to be a year to launch the Church Leadership Institute at Fuller Seminary in the DePree Center. 

Tod said a key for leaders is to keep learning and growing and allow formation during a disruption.  Be stronger and flexible and have the capacity to adapt core values.

Tod’s new book Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change is here for such a time as this.  Everyone is experiencing disruption and change.  Tempered tools are stronger than their original matter. 

Most leaders experience the most challenging resistance inside their organization and need help to know how to navigate this resistance and be resilient.  When I asked Tod when someone should read this book, he agreed it could be read anytime, as someone prepares to be a leader, or during their leadership opportunity.  The real lessons are learned in the midst of the crisis. 

Call our listener line at 866-713-9675 to win a copy of this book Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. You can also text:  change to 66866 to get a link to resources by Tod Bolsinger.

Featured Guests: Tod Bolsinger

Ministry/Workplace: Church Leadership Institute

YouTube Video Interview

A few Weeks Back I had an opportunity to sit down with some Christian Educators from around the country who teach in the public school system. 4 teachers, 4 different stories of how they are living out their faith in their work and how www.CEAI.org (The Christian Educators Association International) is encouraging them to be AWAKE in their jobs as teachers. AWAKE = Ambassadors working as Kingdom Educators. From The Twin Cities to California we hear the real stories of teachers working in the teaching trenches of America. Enjoy.

Featured Guests: Karen Cuen, Heather Kohnen, Craig Olsen & Terry Meier

Ministry/Workplace: The Christian Educators Association International

YouTube Video Interview

Its been a year. A year since the Covid-19 Lockdowns hit. A year since almost Normal got lost in a panic to keep millions from dying around the world. Covid has impacted everything. EVERYTHING.  Shopping, driving, socializing, church, family, school, traffic, work. A year ago, the dream for some was to work from home. Today, the nightmare for some is to work from home another day.  Isolation has led to suicide/depression/lonlieness the likes of which our world has never known.  So where does the Body of Christ at work fit into all of this.  How does our faith impact our work when our work is intertwined with schooling and other homebound complications?  Throw into that mix a week of temperatures that broke a ton of modern low temperature records where our home, which has been our safe haven, has now been destroyed by broken water pipes and flooding. The world is in chaos and peace is hard to find. Where does God fit into all these questions? Lets ask Tony Dale. Founder of Sedera Health and The Karis Group out of Austin Texas. Tony has a unique perspective to share with us today.

Tony and Felicity Dale live in Texas.  Texas had a rough time recently with all of the unusually cold weather.  We asked Tony to talk about the adversity and the challenges from Covid-19 and the Deep Freeze on them personally and his companies.  After explaining that he had run out of gas to heat his home and cook, lots of cancelled meetings, etc. he truly felt blessed.  When asked to explain, he sweetly said well Felicity and I have spent a lot of time together this past year and let’s just say – “cold weather leads to warm fellowship!”.  Now there’s a great perspective for us all to consider.  Seriously, Tony acknowledged that many people have had worse conditions than they did, but he knows that the kinds of issues they experienced are far less severe than most of the world. 

Tony’s company has experienced a 50% increase in size this past year.  In fact, he said many new team members have never even seen the office space for the company as they were onboarded virtually.  He acknowledged that his team has determined to not let anyone be left out. 

Isolation has become a real problem around the globe during the pandemic.  Tony reminded us that Jesus asked God to help him only do what the Father asked of him.  We are to let every part of our life be led by Him. 

Jeremiah spent time in the well.  Joseph spent time in prison.  We can make Godly use of our time.  The truth is, even this interview is church.  We are having church when 2-3 gather in His name.  Tony has a new book that will be released this year, instead of what is wrong with health care, he takes the opposite approach.  Stay tuned for more as we get closer to the release of that book.  As always, we are grateful for time with Tony Dale and appreciate his insight for our lives.

Featured Guests: Tony Dale

Ministry/Workplace: Sedera Health & The Karis Group

YouTube Video Interview

When we lose our job, it’s terrifying. Finding a new job is daunting. Who do we turn to? Jesus can be our job search partner and Glenn Inn is here to tell us about his brand new eBook called I Lost My Job: Heaven Help Me. Join us as Glenn Inn shares just a little about his book, which you can download for free at www.JobSearchwithJesus.com

After 22 years in high-tech, Glenn found himself in a job transition. As he spoke with other job seekers, he observed a lot of successful but broken people. It wasn’t long before God challenged him to write a book about unemployment, I Lost My Job: Heaven Help Me. In it, Glenn tells people that its okay to grieve the loss of a job, but also challenges them to see themselves as God sees them: as more than the title on their business card. So whether you were laid off, downsized, let go, or are simply seeking out a refreshed sense of purpose in your work, Glenn’s book will help you understand God’s will for you in this season of transition.  

I Lost My Job: Heaven Help Me can be downloaded for free at www.JobSearchwithJesus.com .  Please share this with your friends that may be looking for jobs.  This book will help them make a great transition and be a better person in the process! 

Featured Guests: Glenn Inn

Ministry/Workplace: Job Search With Jesus

YouTube Video Interview

YOU’RE FIRED! YOU’RE LAID OFF! WE ARE CLOSING THE PLANT – HERE IS YOUR PINK SLIP!  These statements cast fear into our lives in the forms of a tidal wave of emotion. You start to be riddled with questions that seem to have no answers. How will I feed myself? How will I pay my bills? How will I find another job?  Why me? It is a freeway to depression and discouragement. But wait - God promises to never leave us or forsake us and in Isaiah he says, 

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you” – Isaiah 43:2

So where can I find out how to find a job in half the time it usually takes? George C. Murray has the answer in his new book Hired. George is here to tell his story and share some of the answers on what to do when you find yourself out of a job and looking for work.

George lost his job not once, but twice. These unexpected career transitions were a shock to his system and stretched his faith, but he realized some important things along the way. While praying and listening to God’s voice in the midst of his job transition, George felt led to write down a roadmap for cutting the career search time in half in his book, Hired. 

George’s book is for the newly unemployed or for anyone struggling in their unemployment.  Losing a job is hard, but George says some simple, important steps need to happen right away to optimize your opportunities.  1.  You need energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.  2.  You are the CEO of you. 3. Assemble a personal board of advisors.

In his book, Hired, George also talks about his morning routine and tips for taking care of yourself in the midst of your job transition.  He outlines a “day in a life” structure to help you maintain a high level of performance and momentum in the midst of your unstructured time. Remember, your career transition is an opportunity to evaluate your values, purpose, and make positive personal changes. 

If you know someone who is on a job search or you yourself are in that place now, get a copy of Hired: cut your career search time in half by George Claystin Murray and use this roadmap to turn your career search into a great experience! 

Two copies of the book Hired are available by calling the iWork4Him listener line at 866-713-9675 or you can get it online at www.GeorgeClaystinMurray.com It’s never too late to take the next step in the process towards a new job / career.  iWork4Him is happy to present this opportunity to you and learn to focus on what is ahead for you.

Featured Guests: George Claystin Murray

Ministry/Workplace: ADJ Consulting

YouTube Video Interview

In 1994 Os Hillman was thrust into the toughest 7 years of his life as everything around him started to crumble. Fast forward 27 years later and Os hillman is one of the patriarchs of the Faith and Work Movement where millions are impacted with the knowledge that their work matters to God and their workplace is a mission field and that their daily witness ( in actions and words) is the key to reaching a lost and hopeless nation with the miraculous hopeful Salvation and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Os Hillman is a man who has poured his blood into a movement to make sure you and I know that God doesn’t make mistakes and that your work matters to Him.  Os has so many resources that can help equip you to live out your faith at work. Online at www.MarketplaceLeaders.org. Os is here today to introduce his latest book and the latest on the movement we call the Faith and work movement.

Scripture is full of promises from God that are called covenant promises.  Os Hillman has made a collection of 31 categories of covenant promised for us to decree and claim for our work!  How exciting is that?  Os knows that there is power in speaking Gods word and this book helps us do just that.  Check out www.31decrees.com and watch a free video teaching to learn more from Os about biblical decrees and how we can apply them in our work life.

https://www.31decrees.com

BOOK GIVEAWAY!  Call 866-713-9675 to win a copy of Os Hillmans book 31 Decrees of Blessing for your work life!

Featured Guests: Os Hillman

Ministry/Workplace: Marketplace Leaders & 31 Decrees Of Blessing

YouTube Video Interview

As we travel the country and gather stories from all 50 states, rarely do we circle back and gather stories from our home territory of Ft. Myers Florida.  Just recently, The National Christian Foundation in SW FL held a Launch party for Naples/Ft. Myers and we had the opportunity to meet and hear from an amazing ministry in our backyard. Hope 4 kids FW FL.  Jeannie Gawronski is the director and her story is nothing short of miraculous. God placed her in this work with a calling to help Foster Families and kids in the foster system in ways that can only be described as Christian Charity transforming the community.

Jeannie Gawronski grew up in a Christian home but it wasn’t until the night she held her first born child in her arms that she told God she wanted to “do this right” and have Him guide her life.  And guiding it He is.  She is the director at Hope4Kids in SW Florida, where there are currently over 2200 kids in foster care in the 5 county area. 

Jeannie wasn’t sure how God would use her faith in her role at Hope4Kids but very early on they had a client in crisis.  All Jeannie could think to ask her was “Where is God in this for you?”  The client didn’t know but said she figured that Jeannie and her staff must know and they would help her.  She was hooked and from then on her goal has been to make sure that people don’t get a can of corn and be heading to hell, but rather make sure they know they are loved and about the love of Jesus.  This is Jeannie’s work and she cares about the souls of those she works with and helps.  Jeannie sees her workplace as her mission field and wants to encourage others to do the same.

Hope4Kids has a thrift store to sell your unused items to raise money to get this items that the foster families need.  You can look for the foster family support groups in your own area to find an organization similar to Hope4Kids.  Every city has a need for foster families, guardian ad litem, or funding.  If you have questions you can reach Jeannie at 239-789-1145 and locally you can shop or donate at the Hope Co Resale Store. https://www.facebook.com/Hopeswflthriftstore

Featured Guests: Jeannie Gawronski

Ministry/Workplace: Hope 4 Kids

YouTube Video Interview

Millions of Christ followers are asking today, how can I make an impact on my workplace with my faith…and the answer is simple. Complex but simple.  Prayer. Prayer is simply the most powerful, impactful, eventful, insightful and beautiful thing you can do to transform your workplace with your faith…but it doesn’t work like you think it does. When you start to pray for your workplace and those you work alongside at work…who does the changing. God does…but He does it in you first.  I found out first hand that when I started praying for those I worked alongside, they didn’t immediately change but I changed and it impacted them over time. Well Today we head out to Colorado Springs to hear the story of the president of B & M Construction who considers herself the Chief Prayer Officer of the company, Barbara Myrick.

Barbara had a praying grandma that took her to church and helped start her journey with Jesus.  As the Chief Prayer Officer and President of B & M Construction she has the opportunity to bring peace to her workplace and the employees.  The company has a second chance program and apprentice program and gives great opportunity for those that need work and skills.  Though these programs can be messy – that is part of living by faith in your work. 

When Barbara realized that her employees are broken from worldy worries and consumed by things like anger, divorce, and financial strain she started having “rap sessions” to talk to the about it.  She began praying for those that shared and found that peace started to fill the workplace.  It’s ok to struggle and share your struggles with others, and prayer can be the healing balm. 

Barbara told us that it’s important for leaders to share their pains to show that they are real people.  Being transparent can bring the leader closer to reality with the employees.  Though many different elements have brought Barabara to where she is today in leading her company, she recently started attending a local C12 group and has found her place.  When she learned about the group she got all warm and fuzzy and her husband told her she needed accountability.  Barbara has found accountability and so much more through her monthly C12 meetings and her one-on-ones with her leader.  Bottom line:  Prayer can be a powerful tool in the workplace and Barbara hopes to inspire others with this message.

Featured Guests: Barbara Myrick

Ministry/Workplace: B & M Construction

YouTube Video Interview