Religion is losing its influence in America. A Barna Group study found “local churches have virtually no influence in our culture.” But should we be surprised? God has been marginalized by an invisible yet formidable wall that divides secular from sacred and partitions Him from daily work—a tragedy both for Christians who fail to integrate faith with their work, as well as non-Christians who fail to see Christ in them.

The Mission

The Center for Faith and Work will equip, connect, and mobilize Christians to live out their faith in the workplace, producing gospel-centered transformation in every workplace and nation.

 

The Importance

The scope of work. Work-related activities fill 45 to 70 percent of American adults’ waking hours. A disconnection between Sunday church and Monday work blunts spiritual growth and empowers secular culture to be the dominant shaping force in one’s life.


The opportunity for spiritual influence. The workplace is the most strategic venue for evangelism, for it is here that Christians regularly interact with countless non-Christians. As in the early church, today’s workplace provides an optimal context for spreading the gospel.


The perspective of Scripture. Work is a good gift from God. It is central to His purpose for humankind and an important way we serve and glorify Him. The Bible speaks more about work than it does about worship, and understanding God’s perspective of work is essential to every Christian’s spiritual development.

 

The Strategy

Equip: The Center for Faith and Work will develop a comprehensive strategy for the academic and biblical integration needed to equip graduates to take their faith to work. The Center will also offer to individuals, churches, and the global Christian community opportunities for life-long learning and supportive resources for spiritual formation and gospel impact in the workplace. Venues and initiatives include university classes, public workshops, group studies, online resources and library, polls and research, workplace devotionals, books, curriculum, and consulting.


Connect: The Center for Faith and Work will offer linking opportunities for Christians in the workplace to find encouragement, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Initiatives include internships, mentoring, online communities, affinity groups, city-wide events, and job-search networks.


Mobilize: The Center for Faith and Work will provide support, inspiration, and resources for gospel-inspired ideas and projects that spread God’s Kingdom influence in every workplace and every nation. Initiatives include international summits, workplace-ministry tools for churches, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

  
 

About LeTourneau University

R.G. LeTourneau—inventor, industrialist, legendary entrepreneur, and founder of LeTourneau University—provides the model and motivation for incorporating faith in one’s profession. Today, under the leadership of President Dale Lunsford, LeTourneau University has gained recognition as one of the Top Colleges in America and reclaimed the university’s legacy of preparing graduates to take Christ into every workplace in every nation. As a leader in Christian education, LeTourneau University is uniquely positioned to champion the integration of faith and work on its campuses and beyond—to individuals, churches, and the global Christian community.

Pursuant to the university’s priorities and strategic plan, LeTourneau is establishing the Center for Faith and Work , and has named Bill Peel as Executive Director, effective January 3, 2011.

Press Release: LETU Names Bill Peel Executive Director of New Center

Expected Outcome for the Center

The Center for Faith and Work will benefit the church in many ways as Christians worldwide will:  

  • grow in their relationship and commitment to Christ, and gain clarity about what it means to follow Christ in their chosen field
  • experience heightened satisfaction in their career, knowing that their work matters to God
  • experience an increasing sense of God’s presence and guidance throughout each day knowing that God matters to their work receive assistance in identifying their calling, and have increased confidence about their giftedness and the unique contribution God created them to make
  • understand the strategic nature of the workplace for evangelism in America and in world missions, and learn to share their faith with colleagues and co-workers in appropriate ways
  • gain insights and ideas for how their work can serve the local community
  • launch new business ventures—locally and internationally—with kingdom-oriented goals and values that “seek the peace and prosperity of the city”
  • have access to job-search and networking opportunities
  • learn practical skills through mentoring and internships
  • enjoy expanded workplace ministry resources and consulting provided by the Center to local churches
  • enjoy growth and fellowship opportunities with other Christians via professional affinity groups, small-group studies, and online classes
  • gain insight from compelling research conducted by the Center
  • see increasing numbers of people come to know Christ as believers learn to see themselves as Christ’s representatives in the workplace