Market Place Ministry: You Are Called by God

Transforming the Workplace

The traditional idea of Christian ministry has often been limited to the pulpit and church walls. However, there is a revolutionary perspective that is changing how believers view their role in the workplace. Jack Sarah, Vice President of Harvest Evangelism in the eastern United States, shares a transformative vision of how every Christian is called to be a minister in their workplace.

The Universal Call to Ministry

Contrary to the popular belief that only pastors and religious leaders are called to ministry, Sarah emphasizes that every believer has a divine calling to impact their work environment. “You don’t need to be a pastor to be anointed and called by God,” he explains. This perspective is grounded in the biblical example of the first disciples, who included fishermen, tax collectors, and people from various professional backgrounds.

The Four Levels of Marketplace Ministry

Sarah identifies four distinct levels of Christian participation in the workplace:

1. Survival Level: The most basic level, where believers simply try to “survive” in an environment they perceive as hostile.
2. Passive Differentiation Level: Where Christians seek to distinguish themselves through ethical behavior, but without active involvement.
3. Intentional Impact Level: The turning point where believers recognize their divine calling and actively seek to make a difference.
4. Transformation Level: Where spiritual impact becomes evident and others are drawn to the believer’s living testimony.

The Power of Prayer in the Workplace

A crucial element of marketplace ministry is prayer. Sarah shares inspiring examples, such as a used car dealer who transformed his business by implementing daily prayer. He also mentions the case of a law firm where a diverse group of employees, from the operations director to the cleaning staff, met regularly to pray for the company, seeing tangible results.

The Connection Between Marriage and the Marketplace

A unique perspective that Serra presents is the vital connection between marriage and success in the marketplace. He highlights how spouses can provide crucial spiritual discernment for business decisions, acting as “enemy revealers” and offering divine intuition at critical moments.

Impact on the Community

Serra vision goes beyond individual success. When Christians embrace their role as ministers in the marketplace, entire cities can be transformed. He cites the example of Hawaii, where more than 3,500 “marketplace ministers” are actively impacting various sectors, from government to education.

The Redemption of the Marketplace

Serra presents a profound theological perspective on the marketplace. Although work became difficult after the fall in the Garden of Eden, he argues that Christ redeemed the marketplace through His sacrifice, symbolized by the crown of thorns. This redemption means that the workplace is not cursed territory, but a divinely prepared field for ministry.

Conclusion

The central message is clear: every Christian is called to be a minister in their workplace, regardless of their profession. This calling requires intentional prayer, living testimony, and the willingness to see the workplace as a field for ministry. As Serra emphasizes, “God has placed you in that position for a reason, and your work is to build His Kingdom right where you are.”