“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22 (NIV)
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
This week, I want to lean into something that’s more than just a professional philosophy—it’s personal. As we approach the back half of the year, I find myself reflecting not only on our business goals and leadership strategies, but on the foundation that fuels it all: faith.
How do you live out your faith in business?
That question came up in a conversation recently, and I didn’t hesitate with my answer:
For me, faith gives my business its ultimate purpose.
Growing Champions isn’t just a coaching and consulting firm. It’s a calling. A mission. A faithful platform to inspire, encourage, and equip leaders to become the leaders they were created to be. The impact we strive to make goes far beyond bottom-line results—it echoes into eternity.
Faith as the Foundation of Growing Champions
When I launched Growing Champions, I didn’t know that I wasn’t just starting a business—I was stepping into an uncommon purpose. Up until that point, I had kept my faith separate from my work. While I was comfortable discussing my faith with others outside of work, I found it uncomfortable discussing my faith as part of my business. And, as I taught about being outside of my comfort zone, I became aware that I needed to be more transparent about my faith IN my business. Now, my faith is not an add-on; it is the core.. I often reflect on that quote by Erma Bombeck: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
That’s the kind of faithful leadership I want to live out. It’s what I want for the leaders I serve.
Two Truths That Shape My Work
There are two Scriptures that have become pillars for my leadership philosophy:
1. John 15:5 (NIV):
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Think about Jesus’ powerful words in John 15:1-8: ‘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.’ Our work flows directly from this truth.
Just as a skilled vinedresser (or gardener) nurtures each vine, ensuring it’s deeply connected to the life source, pruning away what hinders growth, and setting up the right trellises to support the coming harvest, that’s precisely our role as leaders of teams, homes, and organizations.
Our mission at Growing Champions is to encourage, inspire, and equip you on your journey to Kingdom Impact. We bring our experience, our stories, and our process expertise to guide you through the ‘4 branches’ of leadership development: Develop Self, Develop Team, Implement Structures & Processes & Frameworks. These aren’t just arbitrary steps; they are the essential aspects that draw life from the Vine.
We’re here to help you identify what needs to be pruned for healthier growth in your personal leadership, how to cultivate a thriving team culture, and how to establish the robust structures that enable sustainable fruitfulness.
Ultimately, we are guiding you not just to grow, but to flourish. We help you become the leader God called you to be, multiplying your influence so that you, too, can effectively ‘vinedress’ your own people and your organization towards their full, fruitful potential, resulting in that lasting Kingdom Impact.
2. Philippians 4:9 (NIV):
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
This is where theory meets practice. It’s where faith becomes action. In the world of leadership and business, there are countless opportunities to either compromise or stand firm. To cut corners or to lead with character. This verse keeps us grounded in faithful execution.
Living this out means showing grace in negotiations, choosing truth when it’s uncomfortable, and leading with generosity.
How Work Strengthens My Faith
Every leadership challenge I encounter—every tough decision, every moment of uncertainty, every coaching moment provides me with an opportunity to live out my faith. It drives me to prayer. It humbles me. It reminds me of my dependency on God’s wisdom, not just my own insight. And, know this… I haven’t come close to the full potential of that calling. I still mess up. I still forget. There are physical reminders that I have to get myself there. Whether it is a Post-it note on my computer screen or a bracelet with an important verse, I have to constantly remind myself to come back to the vine. Just this past Sunday, our pastor reminded us of ways to ensure we are living out our faith:
1.) It’s in the company that you keep – Who are you investing your time with?
2.) Learning from God’s word is an acquired taste – Sometimes it feels or ‘tastes’ bitter & salty to read some of the challenging words, but we must learn to enjoy and appreciate the instruction.
3.) Meditate on God’s word – Here’s the truth. If you want to get more fit, you have to exercise. Well, if you want to learn how to apply your faith, you must strengthen the muscles. If you aren’t reading scripture daily, I encourage you to get started. Start small. The verse of the day in the Bible app takes about 3 minutes to review. The fruit of those 3 minutes can be so sweet! Have you ever said to yourself, “I really need to read the entire Bible.” I did. It took a challenge from a friend at church to get me started, and now I am working my way through the entire Bible this year for the 4th time! Maybe this post will be the encouragement you need to start… today!
4.) Thrive where you are planted – You don’t have to work in the church ministry to be in the mission field. It’s at the grocery store, the ball field, and the workplace. I can hear you now: “Well, I will get started when I retire”, or “I will change when I get a new job.” I said the same things! Remember, people change either out of desperation or inspiration. Don’t wait until you are desperate!!
Seeing my clients navigate leadership with courage, compassion, and conviction sharpens my own spiritual discipline. It reminds me that we’re all in a process of becoming.
This isn’t fluff. This is powerful, competitive, and uncommon leadership in the real world.
Being effective as a leader means aligning your calling with your calendar. It means putting values into motion. That’s why at Growing Champions, we coach leaders to become mission-minded, Spirit-led, and purpose-driven. If your faith is a part of who you are, it should shape how you lead. That’s the kind of culture we’re building—where leaders don’t have to separate faith from business but learn to integrate them with clarity, confidence, and consistency.
👉 Want to connect faith with your leadership more intentionally? 📩 Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the word ‘FAITH’ in the subject line, and I’ll send you the Purposeful Reflection Tool, designed to encourage and equip you to move closer to the leader you were called to be.
- Quote of the Week
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” – Colossians 3:23 NLT
What You Need to Do
Your Call to Action: Faith in Action
If you made it this far into the post, thank you and well done. Now, let’s get started.
This week, ask yourself:
- Where does your faith show up in your work?
- Are your business decisions aligned with your values?
- What’s one way you can abide more deeply in the Vine this week?
And most importantly:
How can your leadership become a faithful testimony that inspires, encourages, and equips those around you?
It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning and living in the trenches of leadership. If this edition challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who leads, loves, or learns alongside you, and subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together! ☕💪
Until next time — Stay Faithful. Lead Well. Keep Growing, Champions! 💪
P.S. Want to share your story of courage and grace on The Uncommon Leader Podcast? Email me and let’s connect!
