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GodWorx helps equip all Christians to influence their workplace and integrate their faith, by making disciples and unleashing the kingdom of God wherever they are.
Hello. Thank you for joining the God Works podcast where marketplace multipliers are ordinary people with extraordinary influence. My name is Carrie Whitcher, and I am privileged to lead the National God Works strategy team. God works to equip all Christians to integrate their faith and influence their marketplace by making disciples and unleashing the kingdom of God wherever they are.
Earl McJett:Welcome to the God Works podcast. Today, we are thrilled to talk to Keri Witcher, the leader of the Marketplace Multipliers strategic planning team, and doctor Wayne Schmidt, general superintendent of the Wesingan Church, about switching from Marketplace Multipliers to GodWorks and where the ministry is going in the future. We're excited to talk to these 2, so let's get started. Doctor Wayne, can you refresh us on your perspective and vision for Marketplace Multipliers?
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:I sure would be glad to. It started early for me because my dad was a person who lived his faith, and I worked alongside him when I was a kid. And that planted a seed in me, recognizing the incredible influence that marketplace multipliers, that people have in their everyday context of life, and how God had providentially placed people in settings, people who may never begin a spiritual journey by walking into a church, but are already in a place where others can be of encouragement and influence in their life. So the more I saw that unfold in the lives of just so many marketplace multipliers, people active in their context, I thought, how do we as pastors champion that and commission and encourage that? And that's really what led to marketplace multipliers leading the movement and pastors supporting and encouraging, lay people in whatever context God has placed them to be that disciple making influence for others.
Earl McJett:Wonderful. Thanks. Carrie, the Marketplace Multipliers Ministry has been on an incredible journey for the last 5 years with a dedicated strategy team led by Marketplace Multipliers from across the US. Tell us about some of the key strategies that have been implemented and where you see the ministry going next.
Carrie Whitcher:Thank you, Earl. I'd be happy to share. Marketplace Multipliers seeks to equip all Christians to integrate their faith and influence their workplace by making disciples and unleashing the kingdom of God wherever they are. And as doctor Wayne noted, we do this in whatever career or areas of influence that we are led into. We know that God is at work where we work.
Carrie Whitcher:And so we serve the higher interests of the kingdom while leading with excellence in the marketplace. I'll share that our strategy team is truly top notch, with senior level leadership from a variety of industries and backgrounds, specifically the federal government, health care, business and organizational development, collegiate sports, and others. And this team has been advancing the vision that I just shared along with our ongoing inspiration from scripture. Our strategy team remains committed to abiding by God's direction and plans with continued obedience to our collective calling to make disciples in our marketplaces. In fact, Matthew 28 verses 19 to 20 reminds us of the great commission.
Carrie Whitcher:Quote, therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age. I also think about Acts 1:8, which also tells us that, quote, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Unquote.
Carrie Whitcher:You see, God calls us and equips us for ministry right here, near, and even far. We do not need permission. We simply need to obey and serve those around us by sharing our faith and helping others see their influence to bring others to Christ right where they are every single day. As I think about our key strategies over the last 5 years, we have been intentional in establishing the vision I shared and a related strategy with tactics and resources to help both marketplace multipliers and pastors visualize and act upon the influence that they have in their day to day environment. These resources have included, but are not limited to, the development of a website, a podcast, a book launch with marketplace multiplier stories, and steps to get started.
Carrie Whitcher:A starter kit has been developed for churches or groups with pastors and laity, a prayer app, and a book called Praying on Offense, and the latest efforts to contextualize and launch church conferences that bring pastors and laity together to further fuel the movement within congregations. We also think about what's next for this ministry. And and our team has really worked hard to continue to advance our strategic direction through the establishment of multiyear objectives. And the 3 areas that continue to serve our strategic focus to continually drive action in the coming years include, first, sustainability and expansion, continuing to explore new partnerships and funding sources. 2nd, curriculum deployment, where we've been working to offer already curated content that supports churches inclusive of pastors and laity.
Carrie Whitcher:And 3rd, advancing Kingdom Force language, where we're focused on engaging marketplace multipliers to execute this great commission through sharing of stories and lunch and learns and modeling the disciple making process through ongoing conversations with marketplace multipliers and connection to supportive resources. As part of this, we're also launching a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn to provide regular connection and learning opportunities.
Earl McJett:Wow. That is very inspiring. Thank you. So what led to the decision to navigate a rebranding process?
Carrie Whitcher:Well, late last year, our strategy team discussed the collective desire to continue to create awareness of the marketplace multiplier ministry through advanced connection with laity and pastoral leadership, as well as an improved digital presence through an updated website and a new social media presence. As all of this began to unfold, it became clear that God's timing was now to evaluate our current brand. Our sole intention in this rebranding effort has been to clarify and to optimize our former marketplace multiplier brand with a renewed focus that our ministry goes far beyond the corporate setting or the workplace alone. It's also intended to reach those who are retired, working at home, those who are raising children and grandchildren, students, or as you visit your local community coffee shop. So this movement is not new, but it is a clarification of our intention to invite the everyday layperson who, quote, unquote, works anywhere to be influenced by God and become marketplace multipliers, who we define as ordinary people with extraordinary influence.
Carrie Whitcher:So what is new is our name. God works, with an x at the end, is our new brand, replacing our brand of marketplace multipliers. I think it's also important to share that we're gonna continue to stay true to these foundational marketplace multiplier words, as they will continue to be used when we talk about God works in a variety of settings. For instance, those who participate in this God works movement are marketplace multipliers.
Earl McJett:Absolutely. Well, what's the significance of the name God Works?
Carrie Whitcher:Well, we're thrilled to announce that the new dawn of what I would call a new step in our marketplace multiplier movement. So formerly known as marketplace multipliers, we're proud to share this refreshed identity of God works where our vision remains steadfast and that we are all called to be marketplace multipliers, who are just ordinary people intentionally integrating our faith into our marketplaces, using our influence to make disciples, and unleash God's kingdom wherever we are. Our place of work is part of our mission field, whether that be at home or a factory, at a large corporation or small business, in a classroom, or your local coffee shop. God works, wants to inspire, and equip Christians with resources, tools, connection opportunities, and so much more.
Earl McJett:Absolutely. Wow. So, doctor Wayne and Carey, your leadership has inspired an amazing ministry. In closing, what is your hope for the future for God works, and how might pastors and laity get started?
Carrie Whitcher:My hope for all who are listening is is to hear the same calling on your life and and marketplace, and as Christians to pray and share your story, to unleash God's kingdom and make disciples in all of the areas you have influence in right now. And that includes, of course, where you work, in your home, or even waiting in line at the grocery store. I think it's so important to to not wait to have all the answers. I think this time is and this season is is calling for us to be bold and faithful and encouraging and courageous in this world today to to develop godly relationships and and to share our faith. I also think it's not important for someone to wait, to be approached about the opportunity to serve in in this formal ministry.
Carrie Whitcher:We just all have to start somewhere right from where we are, in our marketplace. And that can include starting by engaging your pastor and sharing more about your desire to integrate your faith in your work place, home, or community. This could result in a small group at a church that supports one another in leveraging the resources on our website. It's just key that as marketplace multipliers, we don't wait for that perfect plan, to unveil itself before we take action. God has purpose in our place right here, right now.
Carrie Whitcher:We need to pray about that. We need to ask for his wisdom, and we need to be willing to learn as we go. And then invite others to join us in the journey, because it it requires all of us, local global partnerships between clergy and laity, and all of our all of our diverse talents and gifts to contribute in spirit led ways, to his call. So that is my broader hope for for what I see evolving here. But I'll I'll turn it over to doctor Wayne for his ideas and thoughts.
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:Wow. That is an amazing summary of the benefits of God works. One of the things I just love about is how it includes all people in all settings. I think marketplace multipliers for some leads to the thought, well, if I'm not in a workplace context, then this isn't for me and yet for many people, their primary context may be different, than their workplace. And so it's, I think, to me, invites all of us, whether we primarily spend time in a place of our living or our community engagement or in our workplace, invites all of us to be involved.
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:And the other thing I love about it is sometimes the impression is that it's for one kind of person. So not only one kind of place, but one kind of person. And I love the fact that God's God works includes people who are older, people who are younger, women and men, variety of ethnicities. An area of growth for us is those who speak Spanish. It's their primary language.
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:It it translates well for them in their setting. So it's the flexibility of the name that remind us not only about the place or the person, but it's about the fact that God is already there and already working, and we're joining him wherever we are.
Earl McJett:Absolutely. Thank you so very much.
Carrie Whitcher:I'd love to close, if I could, Earl, with, just inviting everyone to go to our new website at www.godworks.life. That's godworx.life for more information on this ministry as well as resources to get started. There is also an ongoing opportunity to reach out to us to share your thoughts and ideas to continue to spread this movement. And we're happy to connect people to resources and other marketplace multipliers as well. So if folks would like to send an email, they can do so at contact at god works dot life.
Carrie Whitcher:And, we will be sure to engage and follow-up with you to learn more.
Earl McJett:It has been such a pleasure talking with you both. Thank you so very much for sharing with us today.
Carrie Whitcher:Thank you, Earl.
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:Love to have the privilege. Praying for continued success.
Carrie Whitcher:Amen.
Dr.Wayne Schmidt:Amen.
Carrie Whitcher:Thank you for listening to this episode of the God Works podcast. For more information, go to www.godworks life. That's godworx.life. Please like and subscribe to this podcast and share with others who may benefit. And remember, you too are called to be a marketplace multiplier as God works through ordinary people with extraordinary influence.