Kingdom At Work
Kingdom at Work recently had the privilege of gathering with students from Lubbock Christian University’s College of Business who are right at the intersection of faith and work.
Through honest questions and meaningful dialogue with these young adults preparing to step into their calling, one truth became clear: God cares deeply about your work, your future, and who you are becoming along the way.
There were a few questions we didn’t have time to fully unpack during the panel discussion, so we wanted to continue the conversation here.
On Hiring, Faith, and What Really Matters
Q: How intentional are you in looking for and hiring Christians? And why is that?
A: (by Dr. CC Massey, Owner of Massey Orthodontics) Hiring decisions aren’t based on whether someone identifies as a Christian. Instead, we look for individuals whose core values align with our mission. It’s less about a label and more about whether someone lives out qualities that reflect the integrity, humility, and love our business is built on.
A: (by Derrick Merchant, owner of 7B Commercial) We don’t hire based on religious beliefs. We love believers and non-believers the same. Our number one core value is love — loving all people the way Jesus would. It’s a high standard, but we do it to the best of our ability and recognize there’s always room to grow in this area.
Q: How do you include employees that don’t share your faith?
A: (by Derrick Merchant) In our company culture, faith-centered events (like worship nights) are always optional, never required.
Staying Present in the Midst of Busyness
Q: How do you keep busyness from crowding out intentional time with people during the work day?
A: (by Brooklyn Douthitt, Kingdom at Work Operations Coordinator) Busyness is real, but so is the call to be present. It’s important to understand how you’re wired. Some people naturally prioritize tasks; others lean more toward relationships. Neither is wrong, but both require intentionality to operate in balance. Practically, I work on being fully present in the moment. If I’m in a meeting, I’m focused on the people in the room, not the next thing on my list. That helps me not miss what’s right in front of me. It’s also okay to plan a connection. That might look like blocking time on your calendar to invest in your team. As those rhythms build, so do your relationships. You begin to know people more deeply, recognize when something feels off, and step in with care. Those are often the moments that turn into meaningful ministry opportunities.
When You Feel Stuck at the Starting Line
Q: What if I don’t get to choose my work environment yet? Can I still live out my faith?
A: (by Dr. CC Massey) This question hits close to home for many. The answer begins with a powerful Hebrew word: Avodah. It means work, worship, and service, demonstrating that these concepts were never meant to be separate. Your work and service are worship, no matter where you are employed. So you don’t have to wait for the “perfect” job to start living on mission. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” God often shapes us through the very environments we wouldn’t have chosen. It’s in those places that character is formed, wisdom is built, and His light begins to shine through you.
Living Out Your Faith in Any Workplace
Q: How do you navigate your faith in a workplace that doesn’t share your values?
A: (by Brooklyn Douthitt) It starts with something simple but powerful: love people well. Honor, kindness, patience — these actions stand out more than words ever could. And over time, they create opportunities for deeper conversations. Separating faith and work may seem easier, but the disconnection creates internal tension because in truth, they were never meant to be divided. Your faith isn’t just something you carry into work — it’s something you live through your work. We have a great resource for more information on this topic; click to watch the video “Honoring Up.”
When Faith Costs You Something
Q: Do you ever lose business because of your faith?
A: (by Derrick Merchant) The honest answer? Yes. But we believe we also have received an outpouring of God’s blessings since we took a more bold approach to practice our faith in the marketplace. I say “practice,” because we don’t have it all figured out. In fact, sometimes we don’t know what we’re doing. But it takes practice to get good at anything! As believers, we’re meant to shine the light of Jesus to the world. We’ve handed Bibles to over 600 employees this quarter. We ask “how can we pray for you” on our job sites, and we field over 500 prayer requests every month. There are 40-50 people who aren’t happy that we’ve made this intentional shift in expressing our faith, but the blessings of praying for an employee or customer going through a hard time far outweigh any attacks we receive.
Advice for the Journey Ahead
Q: What would you tell your 20-year-old self about navigating uncertainty?
A: (by Derrick Merchant) Press into God when the future isn’t certain. Instead of chasing security, pursue clarity from the One who created you. Ask “Why am I here? Where am I most effective? Do this company’s values align with truth?” Also, don’t underestimate the importance of who you work with. Character matters.
A: (by Brooklyn Douthitt) Uncertainty doesn’t go away, but your trust can grow. The more you walk with the Lord, the more steady you become — even when life isn’t. We’ll never fully know what the future holds. The only thing that remains unshaken in the midst of uncertainty is the Lord.
A: (by CC Massey) Trust God by surrendering your decisions to Him. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Spend time in scripture so you’ll grow in confidence to hear God’s voice. The goal is not to have all the answers but to know the One who does.
A Final Encouragement
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need the perfect job, the perfect plan, or even perfect clarity. What you do need is a willingness to say: “Lord, I trust You with my work, my future, and my life.” Because when your work becomes worship, your workplace becomes a mission field, and your life becomes part of something far greater than you imagined.
Let’s keep building lives — and workplaces — marked by purpose, faith, and Kingdom impact. Here are some resources to get started:
Video: Intro to the Kingdom
Blog Post: Partnering with God in Your Work