Lifework Podcast

Season 2 Episode 5 of the LifeWork Podcast takes listeners back to the roots of Luke Colley—WBU alumnus (’02) and now Vice President for University Advancement & Business Development at Williams.

Luke shares stories of growing up in Fort Worth and Clarksville, AR—learning integrity from a third-shift dad who never stopped working, steadiness from a mother who kept the household thriving, and the lessons of his first jobs in a peach orchard and a small-town grocery store.

This episode invites students, parents, and alumni alike to see how character is formed in the everyday—and how finding your place in God’s mission can begin long before you choose a career.

Dr. Melissa Davis, Agri-Business Professor at Williams Baptist University, shares how her journey from a small town in Tennessee led to launching a new agribusiness program at Williams. Drawing inspiration from Dorothy Sayers’ classic essay “Why Work,” Dr. Davis explores work’s intrinsic and instrumental value—showing how it can be both a livelihood and a calling aligned with God’s greater plan.

She discusses the program’s unique blend of small class sizes, hands-on learning, and real-world engagement through greenhouses, farms, and processing facilities, as well as its rare place among private Christian universities. With a passion for raising up well-rounded agricultural leaders, Dr. Davis invites students from all backgrounds to explore how work can fulfill purpose, serve others, and transform communities.

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Charlie Kirk’s assassination has shaken a family, a nation, and the world of higher education. In this special episode of the LifeWork Podcast, we reflect on the grief of his wife and children, the trauma witnessed by students on a university campus, and the questions this tragedy raises about justice, freedom, and the kind of people we are becoming. From a Christian perspective, we explore what it means to live faithfully in a broken world and to prepare leaders who will walk through doors of opportunity with conviction, even when hostility awaits. At Williams Baptist University, our mission remains clear: to cultivate Christ-centered leaders who will make a difference through their life work.

From Rural Roots to Global Impact: Dr. Melissa Davis on Agriculture and Calling
On this episode of the Lifework Podcast, host Dr. Stan Norman talks with Dr. Melissa Davis, a new agribusiness professor at Williams Baptist University.

Growing up in the rural farming community of Eads, Tennessee, Dr. Davis originally planned to major in psychology—until a class debate on land preservation sparked a passion for environmental science. She set out to become a park ranger, but after 9/11 cut the funding for her job, she pivoted to parks and recreation work and eventually discovered a love for teaching and research. Encouraged by a mentor, she entered a direct PhD program in plant pathology at Virginia Tech, where she conducted field research on plant diseases and taught biology for three years.

Now at Williams, Dr. Davis is driven to prepare the next generation of agribusiness leaders—helping students see that agriculture isn’t just a career, but a calling with the power to nourish communities and sustain the world’s food supply.

Dr. Stan Norman is joined by Dr. Mike Fox, Associate Professor of Christian Ministries at Williams Baptist University, for a conversation about how biblical wisdom shapes the way we work and live. Drawing from Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, Dr. Fox explores how the fear of the Lord forms the foundation for a faithful work ethic—and how cutting corners leads us off the path of wisdom. This episode is a reminder that our work and our calling are inseparable from our worship, and that God’s wisdom can transform not only our careers, but our lives.

Season 2 of the Lifework Podcast launches with a fresh new direction. Host Dr. Stan Norman, president of Williams Baptist University, sits down with Dr. Mike Fox—alumnus, pastor, and professor of Christian Ministries—to talk about the surprising path from a cabin in Moody Hollow to the classroom and pulpit.

In this episode, Dr. Fox shares his early work experiences, the mentors who shaped his journey, and how God wastes no life experience. Together, he and Dr. Norman explore what it means to discover calling, endure hardship, and see every job—whether on a farm, a construction site, or a classroom—as a stage for God’s providence.

This is more than a conversation about career. It’s a story of how ordinary work shapes extraordinary purpose.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Lifework Podcast, Dr. Stan Norman and Academic Dean Dr. Rhyne Putman tackle one of the most pervasive challenges in today’s workforce—the struggle to work faithfully. From employees doing the bare minimum to students using AI to avoid real effort, the modern workplace (and classroom) is filled with "thorns and thistles" that distort God’s design for labor.

Join the conversation as they explore:

Why doing the minimum (or cheating) fails to honor God

The rise of AI and the temptation to bypass real work

Biblical wisdom on diligence, idleness, and work-life balance

How leaders and workers can model a faithful work ethic

Drawing from Scripture (Colossians 3:23, 2 Thessalonians 3) and real-world examples, this episode offers both a sobering diagnosis and a hopeful path forward for Christians who want their work—whether in school, career, or ministry—to reflect wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Listen now and rediscover what it means to labor as unto the Lord in a culture that often resists it.

In this episode of The Lifework Podcast, Dr. Stan Norman and Dr. Rhyne Putman of Williams Baptist University dive into the biblical perspective on work in a fallen world. Drawing from Genesis 3 and the story of Cain and Abel, they explore how sin manifests in the workplace—through temptation, difficult relationships, and misplaced motivations.

Key discussion points include:
How faith transforms our work into worship
The dangers of working for self-glory rather than God’s glory
Practical ways to align your work with biblical principles, no matter your vocation
Insights from Colossians 3 on serving the Lord in every task
How to find joy and purpose in work, even amid thorns and thistles

Whether you’re a factory worker, farmer, healthcare professional, or corporate leader, this conversation offers wisdom for honoring Christ in your daily labor. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of work, faith, and eternal perspective!

Listen now and reimagine your work as an act of worship.

In this episode of The Lifework Podcast, Dr. Stan Norman and Dr. Rhyne Putman pick up where they left off last week as they explore the profound impact of the Fall on human labor—from the idyllic work of Eden to the sweat and toil of a broken world. Drawing from Genesis 3 and Revelation 22, they discuss how thorns and thistles symbolize not just physical hardship but also the spiritual and emotional struggles we face in our daily work.

Yet, there’s hope! The conversation turns to the redemptive power of Christ, who transforms our labor even in a fallen world. How does the gospel reshape our perspective on frustration, legacy, and purpose? And what does eternity reveal about God’s ultimate restoration of work?

With deep theological insight, unexpected tangents (including Rocky IV and manna in the wilderness), and a dose of humor, this episode offers both realism and encouragement for anyone wrestling with the challenges—and joys—of work under the sun.

Subscribe to The Lifework Podcast for more conversations on faith, calling, and the biblical vision for work.

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In this episode of the Lifework Podcast, Dr. Stan Norman and Dr. Rhyne Putman dive into the challenges of work in a world marked by the Fall. Drawing from Genesis 3, they explore how sin has impacted labor, productivity, and our daily struggles in the workplace. From humorous anecdotes to deep theological reflections, they discuss how followers of Christ can find purpose, perseverance, and even redemption amid thorns and thistles. Whether you're frustrated with your job or seeking a biblical perspective on work, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a few unexpected pop culture references along the way.

Join the conversation as we navigate the complexities of work under the curse—and discover hope in the midst of the struggle.

Key Topics:
- The biblical theology of work post-Fall
- How sin affects our labor and expectations
- Finding contentment and purpose in difficult workplaces
- The tension between human effort and divine redemption

Subscribe to the Lifework Podcast for more discussions on faith, work, and culture!

Join us for the upcoming Accepted Students Day on May 22, 2025
Sign Up Here: https://williamsbu.edu/registration/

Applying at WBU is Free! https://williamsbu.edu/application/