EP 99: Excellence, Trust, and Everyday Mission, Part 2

What if the work you do every day is not separate from your faith, but one of the places God has already called you to serve?

In this episode, Steve Adams and Jim Anthony explore the sacred/secular divide and why so many believers have felt that serving God only “counts” if they become a pastor, missionary, or go overseas. From Genesis 1:26–28 to everyday business leadership, the conversation reframes work as something God ordained and something that can advance human flourishing.

You’ll hear how business owners can live out kingdom purpose by doing excellent work, caring genuinely for people, building trust, and staying open to the conversations God brings. Steve shares the story of Suryan in Indonesia, an IBAM student whose helmet and shoe-cleaning business became a simple pathway for serving students and sharing how God helped him with his own problems.

Jim also reflects on leadership, employee care, the importance of getting out of the office, and why people often follow people—not just companies. The conversation then turns to how churches can see business as an extension of ministry, with structure, champions, and partnership.

The episode closes with Jim’s powerful adoption story from Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, a moving picture of grace, family, and being welcomed home. It is heartfelt, practical, and deeply encouraging for anyone who wants their daily work to matter for the kingdom right where God has already placed them today, now.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:58 Sacred Work
• 02:37 Workplace Faith
• 03:52 Inspiring Stories
• 09:01 Leadership Lessons
• 13:14 Business as Mission
• 17:31 Personal Stories
• 22:38 Conclusion

5 Takeaways

1. Work is not second-class ministry.

The conversation reframes business and everyday work as sacred when seen through the lens of God’s design and human flourishing.

2. Excellence is part of the witness.

Jim emphasizes that business owners should first be good at their business, because poor work can damage the testimony they hope to carry.

3. Trust often opens the door to faith conversations.

Suryan’s story in Indonesia shows how kindness, consistency, and trust can lead people to share their problems and become open to hearing how God helped.

4. Leadership is deeply relational.

The episode highlights caring for employees, knowing people by name, getting out of the office, and recognizing that people work for people.

5. Business as mission can work locally and globally.

Jim and Steve discuss how churches can see business as an extension of ministry when they have structure, partnership, and a champion to help carry it forward.

Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/Mn296aVaG9U

Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

Listen to Part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cP9yEdVVQ4YzAku3ehSYn?si=kEqhyDCLTxOTgJRYYiE-EQ