Christian entrepreneurs are the most critical aspect for the body of Christ to create a future world that reflects Christ, expands God’s Kingdom, and glorifies the Father. You may be thinking “that sounds dramatic…are entrepreneurs that important?” Well, let me tell you! The world that we know has been created by entrepreneurs. I’m writing this article on a MacBook which was created by Apple, which was founded by two incredibly successful entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. I am able to write this article by accessing the Internet through Google Fiber, an Internet Service Provider that is part of the Google family of companies, founded by, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two of the most notable entrepreneurs of the 21st century. And I’m sitting here in the comfort of my home, wearing sweatpants and sneakers, both of which were created by the one and only Nike, a company founded by the entrepreneur and innovator, Phil Knight.
It’s pretty remarkable to look at all these things, products, and inventions that we use on a daily basis and know that they were built by entrepreneurs. But one glaring thing sticks out to me. Did you notice that none of the examples I provided are Christian entrepreneurs?! Why is that?! Why aren’t more Christians harnessing the greatest, most innovative, and creative force the universe has ever known for the purposes of developing businesses, building things, inventing inventions, and creating the future that we want to live in? I’m talking about the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside every believer! As Christians, we are called to create. God created humanity to be co-creators alongside of Him. This dates back to the Garden of Eden when God gave Adam and Eve the power to name the animals that God created. God has given us the power to create the future that will reflect His design, expand His Kingdom, and bring glory to Christ. We simply need to step out and start doing it.
Sadly, many Christians have been sold a lie that in order to serve God we need to be in full-time ministry or missions or operating within the four walls of the church. There’s nothing wrong with any of these things, but if we as Christians choose not to focus on the marketplace and the realm of business, those areas of culture will be left to the secular.
Christian Entrepreneurs are Called to Create the Future
In a previous article? I talked a lot about Peter Thiel?s book, Zero to One. If you haven’t read it, you absolutely should make it the next book you read. As I shared, Peter Thiel is regarded as one of the world?s foremost thought leaders on startups, technology, and innovation. An in-your-face contrarian, he introduces concepts that swim upstream, when all the other fish are going with the current. He thinks this way for good reason. If we, as a human race, don?t continue to build new things and innovate, the world will remain the same as it is today. There won’t be new products or technology, and what you know today will be the same in 100 years. The future doesn?t just come by the passage of time, we have to create it. The creation of new technology, businesses, and innovations, is what actually ushers in the future.
?In the most minimal sense, the future is simply the set of all moments yet to come. But what makes the future distinctive and important isn?t that it hasn?t happened yet, but rather that it will be a time when the world looks different from today.? Peter Thiel, Zero to One
Friends, it is time for Christians to step forth and lead by creating the future, like the amazing Christian entrepreneurs and business leaders listed below are already doing. If you aren’t following them already, you should start now! These men and women are forerunners leading the way for other Christian entrepreneurs and business people to follow in their path. If we want to see a future that reflects God’s goodness, glorifies the name of Jesus, and expands God’s Kingdom, then the world needs more Christian entrepreneurs! Are you brave enough to be one of them?
Follow these inspiring Christian Entrepreneurs!
Andy Mason @heaveninbusiness
Andy Mason migrated to the US from New Zealand and brings with him over 15 years of practical business experience where he has helped both individuals and organizations discover and align with their God-given purpose and to develop practical steps to make their dreams a reality. Andy is the director of Heaven in Business, which is based out of Bethel Church in Redding California, and together with his wife, Janine, leads Dream Culture ? a movement catalyzing people to discover and live their dreams. Heaven in Business was founded to connect and catalyze believers in the marketplace to partner with God at work, offering resources, training, community, and tools that are designed to bring about personal, business, and city transformation.
Alex Miranda @dailygodpreneur
Alex is the real deal. He is a pioneering Christian entrepreneur and the founder of Daily Godpreneur. I had the privilege of interviewing Alex for one of our past podcasts, which is a must-listen episode! Alex shares how God gave him an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, and how he started businesses practically as soon as he could walk! He is the founder and CEO of a top branding agency in Miami, and runs one of the most relevant and motivational Instagram profiles for inspiring Christian entrepreneurs. You should follow Alex. You won’t be disappointed and you just might get inspired to build something great!
Dr. Melody Stevens @dr.melody_fitplusfaith
Dr. Melody is an inspiring Christian woman and entrepreneur. I love that she incorporates faith and physical wellness with the pursuit of wholeness through Jesus. True health is about mental, spiritual, and physical wellness, and Dr. Melody is a pioneer in this area! Dr. Melody founded Fit+Faith International in 2015 which incorporates her work as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, combined with her coaching and mentoring experience as a health and life coach, to bring the message of health and wholeness in mind, body and spirit, by the power of Jesus Christ. She is equipping God?s Daughters in growing in their health, faith, and life to become who He created them to be. For Christian women, Dr. Melody is a must-follow!
John C. Maxwell @johncmaxwell
John C. Maxwell needs very little introduction. He is a bestselling Christian author & speaker on leadership, blogger, trainer, and executive coach. His work through The John Maxwell Company compels corporate leaders and consumers to inspire, challenge, and equip organizations to live out leadership and reach their potential. He once said, “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” He helps thousands of people every year to have revelation of this and to start walking out their God-given calling and purpose.
Matthew Bell @matthewbellofficial
Matt is the founder of Startup Revival, an Internet marketing entrepreneur, Christian author, and speaker. After graduating from university, Matt began his career in law as a paralegal at White & Case, while studying for the LSAT and planning to apply to law schools. He quickly realized law school wasn?t the right path for his life, so he transitioned to banking, which seemed like a logical alternative at the time. He realized quickly that the corporate culture of Wall St. wasn’t the right fit for him either. During around the same time he had a profound encounter with God that changed the way he viewed everything. Following this “wow” moment, he made the big decision to change industries and get into the digital technology space. He immediately loved it and never looked back. He started his tech career in the NY tech scene at LinkShare then moved on to hold various roles at Shutterstock, where he was a key contributor to the company?s hyper growth pre-IPO. He moved to Austin in 2013 and founded a mobile app company which was acquired by a larger tech company several years later. Today, he is focused on discipling and mentoring other entrepreneurs.
The future doesn?t just come by the passage of time, we have to create it. The creation of new technology, businesses, and innovations, is what actually ushers in the future.
[…] People often ask me questions like: “what is Christian entrepreneurship?” or “what does it mean to be a Christian entrepreneur?” God gave me clear direction as to my calling in life. He told me that my calling has three pillars: 1) be an entrepreneur, 2) disciple entrepreneurs, 3) share the Father’s love with a hurting world. Once I received this profound direction from the Lord, I have since dedicated a big part of my life to mentoring and discipling Christian entrepreneurs and people who are interested in starting their own businesses. This article is my attempt to simplify and demystify what Christian entrepreneurship really is and what it truly means to be a Christian entrepreneur. […]