Work is Calling

There are some people who seem to be able to see over the horizon and are able to make plans and influence people to get there. Don is one of those people. We became friends while I served with The Navigators as the director of the Faith and Work Ministry in Chicago and Don served casting The Navigator's vision and mission on a national level. Don is a clear thinker and communicator who is an asset to those around him. Take a few moments to listen as Don describes his varied career path that seemed to always have God's fingerprints all over it. Maybe you will see God's fingerprints on yours as well?

If you’re like me, you still have traumatic nightmares about attending college. If I had more professors like Bill Ritchie, I’d sleep a lot easier today. When Bill isn’t cranking bolts under the hood of an old sports car, he teaches courses in strategic and supply chain management at James Madison University. Bill is a research bloodhound. You can send him on the scent of some unknown and he’ll create constructs, Pearson correlations, means difference tests, discover influencing factors and compile data analysis to find out what you need to know. Learn how Bill discovered that his world in academia was his calling.

Did you ever wonder if God had a plan for professional hockey players? Meet Alex. Alex played with the Minnesota North Stars and later the Detroit Redwings. Then one day God decided He wanted Alex playing for Him. God took him off the ice and placed him in one of the trading pits in Chicago. There he became an agent for Jesus. But that was just a warmup. God traded Alex, back to the NHL where he serves as chaplain to a number of professional hockey teams in the Midwest. I invite you to hear how God turned hockey and trading into Alex’s calling.

What do you get when you cross a Jewish boy from Brooklyn, with a Jewish boy from Nazareth and one of Santa's elves? You get Elliot Rudell, one of the toy industry's most inventive and prolific creators. With over 160 patents and toys, games and dolls that have found their way under Christmas trees all over the world for decades, Elliot is a wildly creative follower of Jesus. Listen to his story, as he tracks God's love and plan through his career. You might even learn a little Hebrew! Oy vey! 

I'm thrilled that Brandon agreed to share his story with all of us. God orchestrated the ending of his position as the leader of a major convenience market chain to open a door to what has become a national specialty food distribution company that has grown in purpose and size. Learn how his commitment to following Jesus and their company's commitment to serving, not just service, has touched the lives of their employees, clients, vendors and people in need in impoverished parts of the world. I know we'll have to have him back to hear more parts of his story! 

Steph would love to be recording songs in Nashville, but until that happens, she sings on the worship team of her church and serves as an ER and ICU nurse in one of Chicago's cutting edge, teaching hospitals. The story of her commitment to her colleagues is inspiring as she not only cares for those coming through the ER doors but also for other medical staff as they endure the pressures of the current pandemic. You'll enjoy hearing how her Jesus Journey fuels her purpose and meaning. Her Work is Calling! #servant #leader #vocalist #caregiver #inspiring #Jesus #purpose #meaning

Todd Jensen spent years on the trading floor in Chicago. When the MF Global fiasco hit the trading world, Todd felt God calling he and his family to something new. Like the Old Testament Abraham, Todd and his family left the Chicago area and moved to Michigan where they purchased an apple orchard and asparagus farm. God has used that step of faith to transform Todd and his family. You have to hear how his Work is Calling! #leadership #shepherdleadership #farming #trading #Jesus #apples #asparagus #hearGod 

If you're wondering why Work is Calling exists, this will help you understand its genesis and purpose. You will get a glimpse into Wayne's story and how it led him on a journey that integrated faith and work. Wayne is the founder of Soul Priority NFP that coaches women and men how to transform their careers and workplaces through biblical priniples. For more information visit www.soul-priority.org #leadership #faithandwork #Jesus #shepherdleadership #faith #meaning #purpose

Listen to Rene's story of how he began to see his work as a calling and how it has fueled his passion to fight human trafficking. If you want to hear more about Soul Priority visit www.soul-priority.org 

This episode features my long time buddy Bob Picha. When you don't find him under the hood of a beamer he's trying to get going, he's playing jazz at some gig. Bob's story of serving God as a radio engineer in the telecommunications industry is inspiring. His conviction of being an advocate for team members gives us the evidence we need to see how God will work in and through a person, who is willing, in the workplace. #leadership #shepherdleadership #Jesus #calling #meaning #purpose #BMW