4-28pm
Today I met Jim Gordon – he is the President of a multi-billion dollar company in the US, yet he stood up and said his name and that he is a full time Christian worker! He sees his position as president of his company as full time Christian work. He says the reason his company makes money is to fund Christian work! The sales of this company – Gordon Food Services – in 2008 exceeded, wait for it, $6.7 billion!
I went to a breakfast at Living Hope where he was the speaker. John introduced him…
…and then he got up to speak…
He explained the cornerstone values of his company: Customer is king, everyone in the organisation is important, integrity, excellence, an attitude of gratitude and servanthood.
Because they make money to fund Christian work, it doesn’t mean they don’t follow the numbers. In fact, says Jim, the company is in growth mode. It was started by his great grandfather in 1897, but the current business really took off during his father’s lifetime. They have a strong leadership model where they try and maintain a crucial balance between people and performance and results and relationships.
He ended with Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
He suggested that instead of saying ‘Lord, here is your part of my business’, we say ‘It all belongs to you Lord, thanks for letting me be involved.’ We are taking care of something God has entrusted to us.
What a great message – one I’ll always remember!
🙂
I also went to Bible study and heard Andy Stanley. The series we’ve started with is on twisting the values of life. It’s going to be good.
It’s a quiet evening ahead for Mike and I. Must go and assemble chicken burgers for dinner.
God bless you loads.
You are in His grip,
Helga x 🙂