iRetire4Him

FEATURING: Dr. Bill Wagner 

ORGANIZATION: Institute for Global Strategic Studies at Olivet University 

At nearly 90 years old, Dr. Bill Wagner isn’t slowing down – and he’s not apologizing for it. 

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim Brangenberg talks with Bill Wagner – pastor, international missiologist, and founder of the Global Strategy Forum. They discuss why the modern idea of retirement may be one of the Church’s biggest lies. 

Bill shares how, as a young man in his early 20s, he began asking a question most believers never consider: “What will God do with me when I’m old?” That question shaped a lifetime of preparation and now fuels Bill’s ministry. 

You’ll hear Bill: 

• Share how dyslexia, engineering, seminary, and missions uniquely prepared him for impact later in life 

• Describe the senior-led, old-fashioned revivals he’s launched, putting retirees back in leadership, evangelism, and service 

• Unpack what he learned studying movements that think strategically at a societal (macro) level – and why the Church often doesn’t 

• Reveal the four-part framework he personally uses to evaluate his life every two months, modeled after Jesus’ growth in Luke 2 

Bill also challenges us with a hard truth: older believers are one of the fastest-lost groups in the Church – not because they lack faith, but because no one expects anything of them anymore. 

This conversation isn’t about staying busy. 
It’s about staying faithful. 
And believing that God may do His most strategic work through you after retirement, not before. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• iRetire4Him book: a field guide for Christian retirees who want to live their “4th quarter” with purpose 

• SaferNet: a VPN, antivirus, and web filters/controls to keep your family and business safe 

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FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg 

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries 

What if this next season of life – whatever your age or stage – was shaped by something as simple as opening your door? 

In this light-hearted and practical New Year’s special, Jim and Martha Brangenberg share why welcoming people into your home can be one of the most meaningful ways to build relationships, encourage real conversation, and live with purpose. Whether you’re still working, newly retired, or somewhere in between, this episode offers encouragement and easy ideas for turning ordinary gatherings into moments that matter. 

You’ll hear: 

• Why home gatherings create space for deeper, more authentic conversations 

• Simple ways to host without pressure, perfection, or overplanning 

• How shared meals and relaxed conversation often open doors for lasting relationships and ministry opportunities 

• Why taking the initiative now can shape connections throughout the year ahead 

This episode isn’t about hosting flawlessly. It’s about being present, intentional, and open. A simple invitation may be exactly what God uses to encourage someone this year. Listen in, then ask yourself: Who could I invite into my space in the months ahead? 

Additional Resources Mentioned in This Episode 

• 2026 iWork4Him Events 
  Learn more about upcoming in-person gatherings and where Jim and Martha will be in 2026: iWork4Him.com/events (Maryland, North Carolina, Orlando, & Cincinnati) 

• Support the Mission (PWI Swipe Program) 
  Help more workplace believers and retirees live with daily purpose by partnering with iWork4Him using PWI Swipe. Find all details and start swiping today! 

Book Offer + Signature Punch Recipe 
During the month of January, listeners can receive one of the iWork4Him books for the cost of shipping only – a great way to start the year or share with friends. If you’re inspired to host, you can also request Martha’s favorite mocha punch recipe (and a few other simple party-friendly ideas). For both the book offer and the recipe, email [email protected] or call the “listener line” at 866-713-9675. 

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FEATURING: Michael Turner 

ORGANIZATION: Retired businessman, Lake Pastor 

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 

• Get the iRetire4Him Book 
  iRetire4Him: Unlocking God’s Purpose for Your Retirement is available for the cost of shipping (to US residents). Email Jim at [email protected] to request your copy and begin reframing this season through a Kingdom lens! 

• 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg 

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries 

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 [email protected] 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! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEATURING: Russell Jenson 

ORGANIZATION: Retired business owner, coach, and educator 

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 [email protected] 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! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEATURING: Jim Brangenberg 

ORGANIZATION: iRetire4Him 

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 [email protected] 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!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEATURING: Buck Jacobs 

ORGANIZATION: C12 Group 

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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg 

ORGANIZATION: iWork4Him Ministries 

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! 

• 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

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FEATURING: John McCarthy 

ORGANIZATION: Purpose Promise 

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  

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FEATURING: Sheila Arrington 

ORGANIZATION: Sheila Arrington Ministries 

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.  

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