Your calling, your mountain

Living out the gospel where you're sent

What if your daily grind isn't just a means to an end, but a powerful platform for God's kingdom? John Kim shares a compelling vision for living out your faith beyond Sundays, showing us how our everyday lives, jobs, and relationships are ripe with opportunities to be salt and light in the world.

John Kim, one of the Queensland campus leaders, recently shared an impactful message about "Abide and Advance," the theme for Heartbeat Church this year. This isn't just a Sunday concept; it's about integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives, especially during the weekdays. As Christians, we're called to abide in God and, from that place of intimacy, to advance His kingdom wherever we are sent.

John emphasised two foundational scriptures that guide this journey:

• John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." This highlights the essential need to stay connected to God for all wisdom and strength.
• Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This is our Great Commission, a call to action to spread the gospel.

Your Calling and the Eight Mountains of Influence

Many of us wrestle with the question, "What's my calling, and does my daily job truly matter to God?" The resounding answer is YES! God isn't just interested in our Sundays; He's deeply invested in every single day of our lives. Just as a loving parent desires to know every detail of their children's lives, God wants to be part of our entire journey, no matter where we are or what we're doing.

To help us understand how we can make an impact, John introduced the Eight Mountains of Influence, a framework developed by Christian leaders Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham in the 1970s. These "mountains" represent key societal spheres where Christians can exert influence:

• Church and Religion
• Family
• Government and Law
• Media and Communication
• Arts, Sports, and Entertainment
• Business and Economy
• Education
• Science, Technology (including Healthcare)

The beauty of this framework is that you're likely influencing multiple mountains already. John used biblical examples like Joseph, who impacted government and economy, and modern examples from within Heartbeat Church, showing how leaders are making a difference across various spheres. Our senior pastor, PJ, for instance, influences not only through his role in church and education but also through business (Airbnb), media (YouTube), and family. This reminds us that our influence isn't limited to one area; God expands our reach throughout our lives.

A Journey into the Waste Industry: John's Personal Testimony

John then candidly shared his own journey, illustrating how God guided him to discover his unique calling. Despite a clear vision to be a missionary in the business sector, the "where" and "how" remained elusive. After building a successful corporate career and living in global cities, John and his wife, Deborah, felt a "half-time break" was needed. This led them to a radical decision: to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Hawaii, leaving their comfortable life behind.

During DTS, God downloaded a seemingly unusual idea to John: the waste industry as a kingdom business. The vision was clear: "give second chances to the people and to the planet." This resonated deeply when they saw the overwhelming waste issue in the Philippines during their outreach, truly understanding waste as a global pandemic.

Returning to Australia, they started a small recycling business in Brisbane from scratch. This journey was far from easy, filled with fear, anxiety, and early mornings spent in prayer. But God continually called for perseverance. Through this small business, they acquired a recycling depot, opening their eyes to the struggles of marginalized people – ex-offenders, those experiencing domestic violence, and individuals battling addiction.

John's business became a platform to:

• Provide meaningful work and dignity to those often overlooked by society. He shared touching stories of employees receiving their first full-time job at 55 or experiencing the simple joy of buying a coffee for the first time.
• Build authentic relationships, not as a giver but as a friend. This took time and trust, revealing the profound impact of showing consistent love and support.
• Share the truth of God's love and pray over people in their darkest moments.
• Create a "safe home" at the workplace, fostering a community where individuals are valued and supported.

Through this, John's calling was confirmed, expanding his influence across multiple mountains: faith, education, business and economy, media, family, government, and technology. His calling statement became: "I am called to build a kingdom business by empowering marginalized people so they can find purpose, dignity, and income to Jesus through meaningful work."

Your Four P's: A Compass for Your Calling

Reflecting on his journey, John developed his own "Four P's" as a compass for aligning with God's vision:

• Purpose: Discovering the brokenness God wants you to restore. For John, it was bringing restoration and dignity to the forgotten in the waste sector.
• Passion: This isn't just excitement but a deep burden that compels you to persevere through challenges. It's the "Lord, how can I fix this?" that drives you forward.
• People: Who are the individuals God has called you to serve and work alongside? For John, it's the broken and overlooked who find a safe place in his business.
• Profit: Beyond financial gain, this refers to the "fruit" we bear (John 15). It's about sustainability, building the Kingdom, and replicating impact for God's glory.

The Crucial Role of Church

We can't walk this journey alone. The church plays a crucial role in supporting us to live out our calling. It's where we:

• Worship God and receive His Word.
• Find community to pray for our purpose and passion.
• Gain accountability to persevere.
• Align our "profit" (fruit) with Kingdom values.

Church isn't just a Sunday gathering; it's a sending place, equipping us to be salt and light in our daily lives, wherever God has placed us.

So, what's your calling? Where are your "mountains" of influence? And how do your purpose, passion, people, and profit align with God's vision for your life? Remember, you are not just saved; you are called and sent to impact your world for His glory.