FIVE REASONS FOR INTEGRATING FAITH AND WORK

Matt Trayler • January 5, 2026

There are those who contend that faith and work do not mix and should be kept mutually exclusive. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are countless examples of people whose faith in God propelled them to success in their business pursuits while being effective representatives for Him in the marketplace. Here are five reasons for integrating our faith with our work on an everyday basis.

To please God. As a hobby videographer, Alex Kendrick dreamed of producing movies that boldly proclaimed faith in God. There was a problem: He was an associate pastor at a small-town church in Georgia. He had no money, and there were no actors nearby. Producing movies seemed impossible.

However, Alex desired to please God with his films. Working with his brothers Stephen and Shannon, in faith, they raised $100,000 and produced Facing the Giants, which grossed more than $10 million at the box office. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. In 1955, Stanley Tam’s heart was stirred by the desire to see people in the nation of Colombia come to know God. Tam prayed earnestly to God about his request, but the Lord impressed upon him it would require surrendering 100% ownership of his company. Even though this seemed an unusual, even unprecedented command, Tam obeyed, turning over all the stock in his company to an evangelistic foundation. Years later, he joyfully told me, “Since making that commitment, we have funded over $200 million in evangelism efforts.” Psalm 37:5 declares, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Faith, incorporated into your business life, comes with incredible rewards – especially being used by God.

God’s wisdom provides better results than any consultant. David Green, in his book More Than a Hobby, explains why he decided to close his Hobby Lobby stores on Sundays. Even though he learned it could cost him $100 million annually, Green turned to God for counsel. Proverbs 8:10 teaches, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Green followed God’s wisdom, allowing his people a day a week for rest and worship. He says it was one of the best decisions he ever made.

Faith in the workplace changes lives. I had been hiding from God for 20 years when I started working for Gregg. When I needed answers to business issues, Gregg never shied away from quoting a proverb or telling me about a parable from the Bible. His servant leadership approach was different from anything I had ever experienced. Gregg’s courage and willingness to incorporate his faith into his business practices changed my life and eventually resulted in my desire to teach millions to do likewise. In Hebrews 10:38, God says, “But My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” Incorporating courageous faith in your workplace does change lives for eternity.

God can transform entire workplaces. Seth felt God was instructing him to stay employed at a large hardware store until every employee heard about Jesus Christ. Obediently, Seth began a Bible study and a prayer group at work. By the time God released Seth from the store two years later, all 170 employees had heard about Jesus, and 100 of them had received Jesus as their Lord. “…and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

© 2026, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

How do you feel about people sharing their faith in the workplace?

• What are some of the possible problems that can occur when someone shares his or her faith with colleagues, employees, customers, clients or suppliers? What safeguards do you think are necessary?
• Have you experienced ways in which you have tried to integrate your faith in God with how you approach your work each day? If so, what are some examples? What kind of response did you receive?
• Why do you think there is opposition to people seeking to live out their faith through their work, as well as in other areas of their lives?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 22:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17,23-24

Challenge for This Week

Have you ever wondered why God has placed you in the kind of work that you do – and the specific place where you work? Take some time this week to pray and consider, if you have not already done so, what the Lord would desire to do through you in the workplace.

It might be helpful to discuss this with some close friends, a mentor, and perhaps members of your CBMC group. Invite them to offer their perspectives.

Resources:

1. Books
   1. The Five Tasks: What Every Senior Leader Needs to Do, by Stevephen R. Graves
   2. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work, by Tim Keller
   3. Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God, by Jamie Winship
   4. Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk, by Jordan Raynor
   5. Full-Time:  Work and the Meaning of Life, by David Bahnsen

2. Other Christian Groups outside of Grace

• Barnabas Group
• Christian Bussiness Men Connection
• Convene
• For Entreprenuers
• 100 Companies that Care

3.  Deep question:  Where do you get your sense of identity from?  How does that affect how you operate?

We have had an incredible season of people feeling called by God to do something.  We wanted to give them a place where we could tell their story and their needs, so you can help send them!  Some have been gone for years, but their tie to Grace continues, and so does our desire to “send” them or support them.  The question that we are wrestling with is, “What does it look like to be a sending church?” What is our role?  What is your role?

This list will grow as we get into this more, so please check back often.  Here is the official “Sent Page” with longer descriptions and ways to contact the people in the videos.  A giving link for each missionary is on the “Sent Page.”

Christina Levasheff – Supporting women in ministry in Fresno through Standing Stone.

Hayden Marchbank – Called into full-time missions and heading out to get training

Sofia – Her calling has taken her to a place that it is not safe to talk about online. To see her video, please get in touch with Ryan Zeulner for the password.

Brooke Mandagie – Called to Indonesia

Hailey Deverian – Has been serving in full-time missions through Circuit Riders for the past 7 years.  Still doing it, but in need of support.

Bronwyn Tosh – Called to serve college students through Navigators in Seattle, Washington.

Antonio and Kristina Navarro – Recently called to Grace to serve college students at UCI through Navigators.

Daniel Rich – In Hawaii, running all of FCA Hawaii and expanding it like crazy!

David Woods – Planting King’s Chapel, a new church using Grace’s facilities.

Micah Gniffke – Heeding Christ’s call to reach those who have not yet heard the Gospel overseas.

Ian McCallister – He heard his calling to distribute Bibles and has been faithfully serving!

Randy Carrasco – He is a guy with a big pastor’s heart.  He wants to build up and send people out!

Look for ways to lend your time and talents to our community as an investment into eternity.  Below are different regular rhythms of service.  Use these or find your own!

Weekly/Monthly Rhythms:

• Life On The Streets (LOTS) Breakfast: Saturdays at the Crossing Church parking structure. Grace prepares and sponsors the meal every 6 weeks, but we have people serving and loving people every Saturday.  Contact Amy Vuong.
• The Bridge Shelter:  Grace throws different events at the Bridge Shelter every month, just two doors down.  There are also other opportunities.  Contact Steve Pishel to get involved.
• The Cottages:  Help foster parents with our Art + Play events on the 4th Saturday of every month, or bring them a meal for 20.  Please get in touch with Ali Bray to learn more.  Or Sign up HERE.
• Hands of Grace:  Our internal support structure for tending to the needs of our community.  Please get in touch with Jim Williams to find a way to serve on a team.
• Teen Leadership Foundation: If you are interested in mentoring an at-risk youth living at one of the TLF Homes, please contact Kaitlin.
• Labors of Love (Trellis): Serving neighbors in need by supporting them with manual labor projects on the first Saturday of every month. Sign up HERE.
• Food Ministry Service: Grace is blessed with two leaders of food ministries to locals, one in Costa Mesa and one in Santa Ana. They could use faithful volunteers—contact Bill Nelson for the Costa Mesa opportunity and Randy Carrasco for Santa Ana.
• Distribute Bibles once a month to school-age kids through the Gideons.  Email Ian MacAllister to get involved.
• Care Portal – Respond to needs in the community as a representative of Grace.  Sign-ups to come.

Quarterly:

• Mexico Church Ministry: Our team is developing a plan to visit the church we built last year and support Pastor Manny.  There will be various activities that could last as long as one day or the weekend.  Contact Mike Grant to get on the email list to hear about the next event.
• Alpha:  Our Alpha team is ramping up for another round in September and another in January.  Reach out to Ryan or Kelly Callaghan to be part of the team meetings leading up to the launch.

Yearly:

• Colombia Mission Trip with Movements of Grace, July 5-11th and one in January. You can contact Sean Lawrence for more details and reserve your spot on the trip.  We currently have multiple families going.