City Impact Across Cincinnati: At Work On Purpose

[Reimagine Curator]

City Impact Across Cincinnati: At Work On Purpose

News and Views February 2024

Valentinus, who lived in the 3rd Century AD, was certainly “at work on purpose” as part of the Early Church, and he ultimately earned sainthood and the title Saint Valentine. Valentinus was a clergyman in the Roman Empire who ministered to persecuted Christians – hazardous work back in those days. A talented evangelist, Valentinus earned the wrath of the ruling authorities, suffered arrest and was brought before emperor Claudius Gothicus. The emperor took a liking to Valentinus until he began to evangelize Claudius, at which point the emperor beheaded Valentinus.

Before his death, Valentinus wrote a note to the daughter of a judge whom he had led to Christ, signed “from your Valentine.” Today’s holiday practice was inspired by acts of love like these, from Valentinus to the world. This Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the faith behind the formalities.

Gary Wilkins is a spiritual innovator taking “stained glass” principles to “plain glass” workplaces. Trained as a pastor, but now employed as a strategist at MLA Companies, Gary describes his work as “pastoral counseling to clients and accountants.”  Through training programs like Business Redeemed and Redemptive Leadership, Gary and his colleagues are bringing the “yeast” of God’s Kingdom into the “dough” of the marketplace. Through his own marketplace ministry called Faith Culture, Gary is guiding working Christians to apply Biblical truth in marketplace situations. Watch as Gary shares his compelling vocational journey.

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h THE THIRD PATH   “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33   I see many leaders building “kingdoms” in the marketplace, but not the kind of Kingdom Jesus represents. For working Christians, our journey starts by understanding what God’s Kingdom at work even looks like in practical terms.  We need to understand the contrast Jesus draws between different “paths” in pursuit of “kingdom”. A first path is the “religious” view that was embodied by the Pharisees and Sadducees, where we try to reach God on our own terms, or misuse a religious system to achieve our own objectives. A second path is the “worldly” view that saturates today’s society, where we seek to achieve our own ends on our own terms. The third path is the “Kingdom” view Jesus advocates, where we honor God through service to others, and abide in close relationship with Him. Jesus’ Kingdom is the world as it “ought” to be, where working Christians are set apart by a number of qualities: (1) focusing on what God would want in a situation, and defining “success” through that lens; (2) serving others with a genuine desire and commitment to better quality of life; (3) acting with an integrity between the values we espouse, and the behaviors we model; (4) integrating law and grace, so that we uphold standards of righteousness, and account for the reality of human shortcomings; and (5) embracing the supernatural, as the Holy Spirit counsels us from the “inside out” and God moves supernaturally from the “outside in”. As this New Year unfolds, one of my resolutions is to better represent God’s Kingdom at work throughout my sphere of influence. Join me!

JANE DOERMAN Jane Doerman is a clear example of someone who had a dream, laid it down in faith, and then watched the Lord resurrect it in a way that was better than she could imagine. Her journey began in college at Asbury University where she was a media communications major and was given the opportunity to intern at a radio station in Alaska. She tells the following story: “It was super exciting work. They had us on air. They had us creating content, they had us doing live broadcasts. And that is really where I fell in love with radio broadcasting. That became my dream.” Jane eventually landed a position at a Cincinnati radio station and says, “I felt like this was an opportunity to shine. And that dream that I held so tightly soon became a nightmare. The further I got into the work that I was doing, the choices that upper management made affected the work that we did. It really got to a point where the Holy Spirit was telling me, you know, it is time to leave...”

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With co-host Laura Jackson and production director Stacy Doose, At Work on Purpose founder Chuck Proudfit is celebrating ordinary working Christians making extraordinary contributions to the places and spaces where we work and live. Buckle up for some podcast stories that will forever change the spiritual significance you see in work. ­ Listen Here ­ ­

AFFILIATE OF THE MONTH Specializing in cakes, cookies and donuts to brighten your morning, Busken Bakery has been serving up pastries to Cincinnati, Ohio since 1928. Visit online to learn more.     “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

­ As Christians, we talk about sharing a common “world view”. That sounds great in theory, but putting it into practice can be tough. We’ve selected bloggers that “connect the dots” between Biblical wisdom for work, and the tough realities of the working world. Enjoy our current posts, and explore our archives as well.

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At Work on Purpose is guiding Christians to faith filled lives at work. We are advancing citywide workplace ministry across the world, and we serve working Christians, local churches and ministry networks.

What's Happening in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA?

https://86hlv.img.ag.d.sendibm3.com/im/sh/G7DQ2NaBg75y.jpg?u=92pJLo34vnrQtjfMn94p1t4CXMgHYCX47Vc" width="570" border="0" data-bit="iit" /> AN EVENING WITH JOHN RINEHART

John Rinehart is the author, founder and CEO of Gospel Patrons a global teaching and discipleship ministry with a focus on stewardship. On the evening of Wednesday, March 20th, John will be encouraging and challenging our Cincinnati community to dream about how God can fully use our gifts and abilities to advance His Kingdom. Sponsored by the National Christian Foundation of Ohio, this evening is free of charge but attendance is limited:   When Wednesday, March 20th  6:00pm arrival and fellowship  6:30pm dinner and program   Where Manor House 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, OH 45040   Register to join us for an inspiring evening. ­

John Hartz Failureship Spectacülar Isaiah 55 tells us that God's ways and thoughts are so much higher and better than our own. Our culture tells us that the point of life is success, leadership, and individual achievement. We are taught to fear failure and run from it at all costs. But if God's ways and thoughts are so different than ours, what should our lives really be about?   Come find out at the Failureship Spectacülar. That's right, Failureship, not leadership! Everyone consistently fails daily, but failure isn't something to be feared. It's where God does his best work in us! Walk away with new freedom and victory in Failureship.   Join event host John Hartz, and hear from speakers including:   Sarah Roberts, director of women's ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and chaplain of the Oklahoma Sooners National Championship softball team   Dan Busken, President of Busken Bakery   Only failures are invited to attend. But the good news is, that includes you!

Register to join us March 9, 2024 at Northstar Church in Loveland, Ohio. Seating is limited. Doors open at 8 am, event is from 8:30 - 11:30 am. There's no cost to attend. In fact, you’ll be paid at the door to attend because God's ways aren't our ways!

­ CONNECTING CHRISTIANS TO BUILD TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS THAT GROW THEM AND THEIR BUSINESS G7 Networking has created an environment where Christians can connect both virtually and in person. It all starts by filling out your profile, no credit card required. Simply click here and explore a work world of opportunity!

h Create your FREE profile and start participating today.   Connect with Christian Professionals throughout the country.   Discover G7 Networking local and virtual EVENTS.   Visit our local and virtual CHAPTERS.   Engage with tools and resources that grow you and your business.

Questions?  Contact Nathan Traylor at [phone]

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The Graduate School at Cedarville University is pleased to partner with At Work on Purpose. Members of the At Work on Purpose network are eligible for a 15% tuition discount when you enroll in any Cedarville online graduate program, including the MBA, MA in innovation, brand-new graduate certificate in leadership, and more in-demand options. With convenient 7-week courses and 1- and 2-year completion plans, a Cedarville graduate degree equips you to advance professionally while supporting your desire to honor Christ in the workplace. To learn more about Cedarville University, its distinctly Christian graduate programs, and this partnership, visit cedarville.edu/AWOP or call 937-766-8000 to talk with an enrollment advisor.

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