Since stepping into the role of host for The Shepherd at Work, I’ve had the privilege of uncovering incredible stories from leaders who are using their businesses as platforms for Kingdom advancement. Every week, the show reveals how work—no matter the industry—can be an act of worship and a mission field. What fascinates me most is the emerging trends I’m noticing from these conversations.
My guests absolutely love being part of the US Christian Chamber of Commerce! Time and again, they share how this community has inspired and encouraged them.
What stands out even more is how many of them can trace the hand of God preparing them for the roles they hold today. Heather Wilson, co-founder of GiveSendGo, put it beautifully: “You can look back and go, wow, I didn’t know He was preparing me way back then for what He is having me do today.”What’s also striking is that the road to success is rarely a straight line. Many guests have shared the challenges they’ve faced, often from deep valleys, before climbing to new heights.
Tamra Andress, a six time #1 best-selling author and top 1% podcaster, opened up during her episode: “Currently, I am in a valley…I’ve raised my hand to say I need help, but I don’t know what to do all the time…I am willing to face the friction as you say yes to being an entrepreneur because it is not easy.” These raw and honest moments remind us that even when we feel stuck, God is always working in the background.
One of my favorite parts of the show is when I ask guests to share a miracle in the marketplace. From divine connections to lives being saved, these testimonies are undeniable proof of God’s hand at work.
Heather Wilson shared a particularly moving example about her team at GiveSendGo interceding in prayer for a campaign. The beneficiary had a gun and was preparing to commit suicide. “God had us call in that moment…We couldn’t have planned this any better. God is using us not to just raise funds but to literally save lives.”
It’s more than just individual miracles—partnerships are a recurring theme. For three episodes in a row, I had the privilege of interviewing married couples and families working side by side in business.
Brett and Mary Elaine Baker, co-founders of VAUSA, shared how their business brought them closer: “Before the business, we weren’t aligned…The business became a forcing function for us, forcing us to create common goals and a vision. For the first time, we were rowing in the same direction. It created a true partnership in our marriage that we could have never attained otherwise.”
Another trend that excites me is the call for business owners to engage more deeply with their communities. Scott Cahill, owner of FINSEC Life, challenged us to take a closer look at our cities: “If you go back hundreds of years, you’d see business owners were deeply involved in their communities. Now, many businesses aren’t thinking about the long-term health of their city. Have prayer meetings, intercede for the city, show up, stand up for the children, participate in schools. There is so much to be done.”
And perhaps the most consistent theme of all? Using your business as a tool for Kingdom advancement. As Karmae Cipriotti Fahr, CEO of The Fahr Group, put it: “People may not be going to church…we may be their only vision of Jesus, and it’s at the workplace.”
These conversations remind me of a greater truth: We are more than our businesses or the titles we hold. Our businesses can be forces for good, not just financially but spiritually. We aren’t meant to build bigger storehouses—we’re meant to give back, to invest in the communities we live in, and to point others to Jesus.
What can we take away from these stories?
First, surround yourself with a strong team that complements your strengths. Second, remember that the road to success isn’t always straight—hold your vision tight but your plans loosely so God has room to move. And finally, open your eyes to the miracles happening around you every day. Don’t miss them.
The Shepherd at Work airs every Saturday morning on Shepherd Radio, or you can listen anytime on your favorite podcast platform. Who knows? Maybe your story will be next!
Special thanks to our producer, Mike Gilland, and our sponsor, the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, for making this show possible.
