How to be a missionary.
The other night I attended a Christian leadership business dinner. The theme of the night was “The Redemptive Business.” Unfamiliar with the term, I was open to learning how this principle would apply to my business. To discuss the topic, the association invited a keynote speaker whose business focuses on helping to find employment for refugees in the US.
Chris gave a powerful testimony of how he started the business. Chris explained how he initially felt called to be in full-time ministry. As a result, he told his newlywed bride, and they relocated to Texas to attend seminary. However, shortly after taking his first semester, he felt business as a ministry was his true calling.
Shortly after, he started working for a local Chick-fil-A to gain business experience. After some time, he was offered a leadership role with the potential to own a franchise. However, after much prayer and consideration, he did not feel that was for him, and they moved back to Georgia.
Not knowing what to expect, they landed in a town where most of its residents were immigrants. Undeterred and intrigued, they settled down and soon discovered a need. They noticed how many immigrants were refugees desiring to work but lacked the opportunity. So shortly after, he and his wife launched a refugee staffing agency.
Today the company states they have helped provide work opportunities for over 10,000 refugees. The primary motivator for Chris is sharing Christ’s love with all those refugees who come through their doors. He confidently states that this business is his ministry and his town, his mission field. Also, like other ministries, it comes with its challenges and rewards.
Let’s learn from Chris. Although you may not be called to missionary work overseas, you are a missionary and you mission field is where we are. So whether you’re an employee or business owner, how are you sharing Christ’s message of love, hope, and salvation with the world?
Daily Directive:
Answer and Journal the Following
Read:
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Pray:
Pray on how to be a missionary wherever God has placed you.
Meditate / Make It Real:
Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.
Share / Show:
Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.