THE KINGDOM OF SERVICE
September 23, 2020

Service is at the heartbeat of every Christian leader. It is not just an action, but a change of perspective. It is not only a different way of relating to the world, but a different way of relating to yourself. 


Henri Nouwen was a highly respected Catholic Priest and theologian. He made it to the top of his field, teaching at the Divinity Schools of both Yale and Harvard. In other words, he was at the pinnacle of academia. Yet, something was still missing. 


In 1986, Nouwen moved to L'Arche Daybreak, a community for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Nouwen spent the last ten years of his life serving those who could not help themselves. Through his experience, Nouwen's choice to serve others gave him a deeper perspective of God, life, and faith.


Henri Nouwen was a servant, but why should a business leader care about service? 


The Kingdom of God is Different.

Jesus followers live in a kingdom with a different set of rules. Under Jesus' rule, the purpose of life is no longer to gain power, authority, or status. Rather the purpose of life, the way to find significance and purpose, is through serving others. 


Matthew 20:26-28 says, "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (NIV). 


The Kingdom of God abolished the need for power and rank, so let your perspective change accordingly.


Your life is not about you, nor is it for you.

Paul says in Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (NIV). Throughout the Bible, we are consistently reminded that our life is not about us. Our success, goals, and desires are all second to God's. 

We have a higher purpose in life, and that is to serve our Creator. The best way can serve God is by serving those He has placed in our path.


At the same time, some may say that your goals, success, and desires are important. They would be right, but only if they align with God's purposes in the world. You must ask yourself, "What is the fruit being produced by my work?" 

When all is said and done, are you the lone beneficiary of your work or is the harvest plentiful? Point blank, your life is not about you, but God is more than happy to use it for His glory. 


Service is a habit.

Service is a byproduct of following Jesus, which is a choice. In the midst of a typical week, your schedule is full and your life is busy. For many of you, the pace of life probably doesn't slow down very often. Finding ways and time to serve can be a challenge. The answer?

Make service a habit by putting on a new lens. 


Stop seeing your schedule as a barrier, and start seeing it as an opportunity. 


Stop seeing your schedule as a list of things to get done, but rather a list of people to serve.


Your life can become one of service, but only if you flip your perspective. One week, one day, one meeting at a time. Just like any habit, service requires intentionality. 


Simply stated, serve on purpose.


Like Nouwen, your purpose can become fuzzy and your life can become empty without a healthy dose of service. The more self-focused you become, the less long-term satisfaction you will feel. 


As you selflessly serve others, you will be reminded of how Christ has served you first. You will be reminded of the extra mile that He has gone on your behalf. 


Embrace the Kingdom of God, remember that your life has a higher purpose, and make service a habit. Allow your life to reflect onto others what Christ has lavished upon you. 


Become an ambassador for Christ and serve in whatever arena God has placed you. That is what the Kingdom of God is all about.

Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change

By Elizabeth Rivas • March 14, 2023
Faith-driven entrepreneurs, like our Branches Worldwide Leaders, can play a significant role in positively impacting their communities through their businesses. These individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which can drive them to create innovative solutions to community problems and to lead with integrity and compassion. One way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by creating jobs and economic opportunities (like AJ in South Africa ). By starting and growing successful businesses, they can provide employment for local residents and stimulate economic growth. This can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community. Additionally, faith-driven entrepreneurs may choose to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions, which can help to improve the lives of their employees and their families. Another way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by addressing social issues through their businesses. For example, they may choose to start a non-profit organization that provides services to those in need, as Alice has done for girls and women in Kenya. Such entrepreneurs may also choose to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their for-profit business models. This can include implementing sustainable practices, fair trade policies and supporting local charities, which can help to improve the lives of people in their communities. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as role models for others in their communities, particularly for young people. By demonstrating the importance of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, they can inspire others to pursue their own business dreams and to strive for success in their own lives. Furthermore, their demonstration of faith in action through their businesses can serve as a powerful example of how one can live out one's values and beliefs in the world. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as leaders in their communities. They use their influence and resources to bring about positive change through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools, promoting environmental conservation, and working to improve the overall quality of life for their community members. Our Leader, David , is doing exactly this in his international school in India. Our Branches Worldwide Leaders are proving the multitude of positive effects that faith-driven entrepreneurs can have in their communities. From providing direct assistance through jobs or providing services to those in need to being a source of inspiration for others, these entrepreneurs are creating change that will reverberate across geography and generations. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .

Merging Business Mentorship and Christian Mentorship

By Elizabeth Rivas • January 30, 2023
Business mentorship can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers. A business mentor is an experienced individual who can provide guidance, support, and advice to help you navigate the often complex and unpredictable world of business. Meanwhile, Christian mentorship is a type of mentorship that involves a Christian mentor providing guidance, support, and advice to a mentee, with a focus on spiritual and moral development. Branches Worldwide Mentors serve as both business and Christian Mentors. We believe that faith and business can not only coexist, but that they can mutually strengthen each other. Our Mentors not only guide our Leaders in pragmatic elements of business, but also in their spiritual journeys. One of the key benefits of business mentorship is the opportunity to learn from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the field. Our Mentors share their own experiences, insights, and lessons learned, helping our Leaders avoid common pitfalls and to make better decisions. This can be especially useful for those who are just starting out in their career, as they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge as more seasoned professionals. Our Mentors also serve as role models, offering guidance and support as the Leader navigates their own faith journey. They may provide biblical teaching and encouragement, as well as offer practical advice and application of the scriptures. Another benefit of merging Christian and business mentorship is the opportunity to network and build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs of faith. Mentors can introduce Leaders to other like-minded industry professionals, giving Leaders the chance to expand their network and strengthen their spiritual development. Overall, mentorship is an invaluable resource for Christians looking to grow in their faith and navigate the challenges of life and business. We at Branches Worldwide are honored to work with a number of such individuals. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .
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