Every challenge and roadblock in life prompts us to seek answers. Sometimes to the more philosophical question of “why,” but also to the practical question of “how.” How will I handle this? How will I move forward?

Answers are in abundance, of course, but what are our go-to sources?

Hollywood, the media, our government and school systems–they all scream their answers. And we listen. Our culture is buzzing with voices that resound just above the surface. But below the surface, as central as the foundation of the earth, is where truth is found. How often do we venture there? Is it common to reference the timeless Word of God?

Today, not only in America, but around the world, the greatest challenge we face is moral and spiritual decay. A small percentage of Americans attend church, and statistics show that fewer than 10 percent of Christians seek their answers from biblical sources.

I believe we are very close to what I call a “Judges 2:10 moment:” just one generation after Joshua died, an entire nation fell away from God. Why? Because the Israelites stopped studying and practicing the things they had been taught about God.

The more God is removed from our government, our schools, our society, and even from our families, the more we find decay manifesting itself in our communities.

This doesn’t have to be scary information. We’re already inundated with the decay around us; it’s not news. It just pulls on our heartstrings when we consider our loved ones. I look at my three-year-old grandson, Jaden, and see him growing up in a world succumbing to moral decay. If we can’t change the world in one fell swoop, is there anything we can do to make a dent in changing it?

An Invitation to the Marketplace

Let’s say 30 percent of Americans are attending church on a regular basis. When they do, a generous assumption estimates they are there three to six hours a week, more commonly two. By contrast, Americans sit in their cubicles, conduct meetings in conference rooms, or meet with clients in their offices 46 hours a week, on average.

When we want to reach those who have walked away from the faith, or those who are asking questions and not receiving the answers they need, who has influence in their life–someone at church, or someone in the workplace? Considering where individuals are spending their time the answer is clear. Our influence in the workplace is becoming increasingly vital.

I am a part of an organization called Fellowship of Christian Companies International (FCCI), where we are focused on answering the question, “How do we make mature and equipped followers of Jesus Christ, who will go and do the same?” To answer our own question, we equip Christian business owners to take up their cross and look at their business as a platform with greater potential than just shareholder value. There’s a greater purpose for their business, and we believe that purpose is more eternal than it is temporal. We call the people who are joining us in this mission: Kingdom Leaders/Kingdom Companies. Together, our reach is astronomical.

In America, where there are 28 million businesses, let’s say 10 percent of them are led by Christ followers. What if the 2.8 million Christians leading these businesses committed to being Kingdom Leaders? And with 90 million businesses globally, what if 10 percent of these leaders, or 9 million people, lived each day on mission to share the gospel within their sphere of influence? Imagine if each reached 1,000 people in their lifetime. Theoretically, and mathematically, together we would reach billions!

Of course we honor God’s form, God’s ways, and God’s design. His ways are not our ways. But, when we avail ourselves to be used by Him, through business alone we have means for reaching the entire world for Jesus Christ!

Kingdom Leaders / Kingdom Companies

The Great Commission can be had through the marketplace. It is one of the most powerful platforms in the world. Through our Kingdom Leader/Kingdom Company program, we are equipping spiritually mature servant leaders in the business world. For the organizations they lead, we desire that each Kingdom Company be designed with organizational excellence, built on what we call “elements of a Kingdom Company.” These are core values that truly glorify the Lord.

For example, a Kingdom Company recognizes that God is the owner of the business, and the responsibility to steward it falls on its leaders. Prayer is the lifeblood of every decision the business makes. Integrity is not negotiable. There is no secular or sacred divide. You get the idea.

FCCI is starting a movement to bring God into our workplaces through our values and actions, so people who wouldn’t otherwise set foot in a church, or who do as a matter of absent-hearted routine, can experience the gospel message. Because FCCI is in 139 countries and 48 US states, our potential for world change and Kingdom expansion is remarkable.

What might happen if we take up our cross throughout the highways and byways, the offices and business meeting places of this nation? What impact could we have? I believe we can turn the tide on the spiritual decay in our world, just as the Israelites did after Joshua’s death. Transformation is our bullseye. We want that bullseye to not only be business, but life, community, and nations.

We have been made through God’s workmanship, designed by Him, and in us is a supernatural power, one that’s well beyond any human capability. Let’s mobilize the army of Christ-followers through the marketplace, touching lives through how we love, how we share, and how we show compassion. Now is the time for a mighty movement of God to sweep through the marketplace, lighting the whole world on fire. Let’s do this!