Have you ever wondered why a ministry like WorkMatters even exists? Why there is such a need for bridging the gap between faith and work?
The faith-and-work movement began to take off about 10 years ago with pioneers such as Os Hillman, John Maxwell, and most notably northwest Arkansas’ own Dr. Tom Addington and Dr. Steve Graves (who is a current WorkMatters board member) co-founders of Life@Work. Billy Graham acknowledged the trend saying “I believe the next great moves of God is going to be through the believers in the workplace.” Historic events such as 9/11 in 2001, and the corporate ethics scandals in 2004 caused this movement to explode in recent years. And now, the current economic crisis will put an even brighter spotlight on this movement.
As a result, the need for organizations like WorkMatters continues to grow as more business people are anxious in these uncertain times for encouragement and practical direction on living a life of integrity, character and faith in the workplace. The economy, the election, our growing churches are all driving us to look harder at our lives and what is really important.
It is a great privilege and blessing to reach this five year milestone, especially as we reflect on the way God has used this ministry. In 2002, approximately 100 people attended the first WorkMatters Leadership Conference. Since then, nearly 5,000 business people representing over 250 companies have attended either an annual leadership conference or a monthly Eight-to-Five Unplugged event. Over 50,000 people per week have heard the WorkMatters Minute Radio messages. And the workmatters.org website traffic has grown to almost 500,000 hits per year. The workplace small group ministry has had incredible life impact (I know that first hand as my J.B. Hunt small group changed my life). The one-on-one coaching and mentoring that we do is so needed by so many leaders who struggle in the marketplace.
So thank you for the privilege of the past five years. In my 30 years in the marketplace and in the church, I have never seen a need greater than mobilizing the “Sunday Christian” marketplace army to live the same way Monday – Friday that they do on Sunday!
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
