Timothy Bryan James Comments on Efforts that Serve God through Business
While traditional missionary work continues to spread the Word of God, some Christians are finding ways to inspire religious growth through business. Pastor and entrepreneur Timothy Bryan James applauds these actions that "lead by example."
PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 23, 2013
The history of Christianity is one that has seen exponential growth, both in the amount of people who have come to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and the extensive networks of churches and resources serving this community. Although this development has traditionally been achieved through conventional missionary efforts, a recent article from Christianity Today notes that there are some within the business community who have found ways to help citizens around the world improve poverty and experience the generosity of man. As a former entrepreneur and current lead pastor at Monterey Church in California, Timothy Bryan James remains inspired by these acts and how they portray a genuine commitment to the Christian ideal.The article focuses the efforts of Brian Rants, the Vice President of Marketing at Nokero--a company dedicated to providing impoverished African families with a solar source of light, as an inexpensive alternative to kerosene lamps. Although Rants had originally entered the professional world with a Bible degree, he found himself motivated by the ways that man could prompt positive change through business.
While many may look to missionary work as the primary focus of any religious student, Pastor Timothy Bryan James explains, "It is always great to see God rising up leaders in every sphere of the culture. Passionate followers of Christ who are led by him into the business world have the most incredible opportunity to demonstrate his love, character and wisdom living through them. It is one thing for a pastor to teach generosity through the Bible, but it is a far superior lesson when one leads and teaches these lessons by example.
In the article, Brian Rants explains his own epiphany as he realized that commerce was not only a benevolent force in reducing poverty, but it was also one that could majorly impact the progression of Christianity and its values. Rants explains, "Not only is business not 'the bad guy,' it's the primary reason poverty has decreased so substantially over the past 50 years. Nothing has undermined poverty, tyrannies, and injustice more than open and free markets. It is the only system proven to actually do that over the long-term."
Having experienced both business development and missionary work extensively, Pastor Timothy Bryan James encourages Christians to take notice of Brian Rants' application of faith and professional success. James concludes, "Luther reminded us that we are the 'Priesthood of All Believers,' meaning we all are used to leading people to know Christ. To succeed in business, be generous with the success, create jobs, behave fairly and honestly, create opportunities for others, and to give Jesus the credit for it all--could there be a better way to let his light shine?"
ABOUT:
Timothy Bryan James is the founder and lead pastor at Monterey Church based in Monterey, California. Having led a life as a promising small business owner, Timothy Bryan James eventually discovered his calling to serve Jesus Christ and spread the Christian faith to the West Coast. Along with the help of his family, Pastor Timothy Bryan James established Monterey Church in 2006 and has since inspired many to surrender their lives to God, strengthen spiritual beliefs and engage with others through community service.
Website: http://timothybryanjames.net