More Than Money: My Burning Bush Moment
A life-threatening heart attack became my burning bush moment, fundamentally shifting my understanding of purpose and calling.
The Burning Bush
Not too long ago, my normal exercise routine at the gym was interrupted by a devastating heart attack. Within a few minutes, I was transported to a local hospital in the back of an ambulance. The mood in the hospital ER changed dramatically when I was diagnosed and eventually rolled into the operating room for emergency open heart surgery. What began as a heart attack cascaded quickly into a series of life-threatening complications including multiple strokes, complete paralysis, acute respiratory distress, pneumonia, and septic shock.
To give the medical staff the best possible conditions for treatment, I was kept in a medically induced coma and remained asleep in the ICU for 32 days. I have no memories of that timeframe and certainly wasn’t aware of the seriousness of my condition. But ultimately, I’m confident that under ANY other circumstances, my story would have had a very different ending. The realization that I happened to be in exactly the right place, with exactly the right people, at exactly the right time, still leaves me in awe.
Thankfully, I did wake up and, after months of intense therapy, fully recover. Although I'm profoundly grateful for the talent and resilience of the medical staff and hospital technology, it has been difficult to think of my recovery as pure chance or probability. The extraordinary series of events that led to my survival and recovery, despite overwhelming odds, has left me with a deep conviction that there was something more at work—a purpose yet to be fulfilled, or perhaps divine intervention guiding the hands of those who fought so hard to save my life.
But ... why did I survive when so many others in much better health and circumstances haven't?
This question haunts me, not from guilt but from a profound sense of responsibility. Perhaps the answer isn't in why I survived, but in what I choose to do with this gift of additional time. Each day now carries both a weight and a blessing—an opportunity to honor those who didn't make it by living fully and purposefully and by sharing whatever insight or comfort my experience might offer to others facing their own battles.
Understanding Business as a Ministry
In today's business world, there's a profound opportunity to view your entrepreneurial journey through a different lens—not just as a means of generating profit but as a divine calling and platform for ministry. Some people use the phrase Business as a Ministry (BaaM). This perspective can transform how you approach your work and impact your community.
When we think of ministry, our minds often drift to pulpits, church programs, and outreach through missions. However, the concept of ministry extends far beyond traditional religious settings. Your business can serve as a powerful vehicle for living out your faith and serving others in practical, tangible ways.
Everyone is called to ministry. But only some are called to the ministry.[1]
Consider this: every day, you have the opportunity to:
Serve customers with integrity and compassion
Create meaningful employment opportunities
Model ethical leadership
Steward resources responsibly
Support your local community
Practical Ways to Transform Your Business into a Ministry Platform
Inspirational Leadership begins with embracing servant leadership principles, putting the needs and growth of team members at the forefront of organizational priorities. This foundation supports creating a culture where integrity and transparency aren't just buzzwords, but lived values that guide daily interactions and decision-making at all levels. The true test of intentional leadership comes in making the hard choices that balance business success with meaningful purpose, recognizing that sustainable growth requires honoring both profit and human values.
Employee Care extends far beyond basic compensation, though it certainly starts with providing fair wages and meaningful benefits. A truly nurturing workplace creates clear pathways for both personal and professional development, recognizing that fulfilled employees bring their best selves to work. By actively supporting work-life balance and fostering an environment where faith conversations are welcomed rather than discouraged, organizations can create a culture where employees feel valued as whole people, not just for their professional contributions.
Customer Service becomes ministry when we approach each interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate our belief system in action. By practicing radical honesty in all our dealings and consistently going above and beyond normal expectations, we create moments that transcend typical business transactions. This approach naturally builds long-term relationships grounded in deep trust, transforming routine customer service into meaningful connections that reflect our highest values and spiritual calling.
Community Impact requires an intentional commitment to investing both resources and energy into local community development. By forming partnerships with local organizations and creating targeted programs that address pressing social needs, businesses can become powerful catalysts for positive change. When companies leverage their platform and influence to advocate for meaningful improvements in their communities, they transform from mere commercial entities into vital forces for social good, creating ripples of positive impact that extend far beyond their immediate business interests.
Practical Steps to Begin the Transformation
Start with prayer and reflection about your business's ultimate purpose
Look for specific areas where you can integrate ministry opportunities
Develop clear values that reflect your faith-based approach
Create systems that support both profitable operations and ministry initiatives
Collaborate with like-minded peers to grow the potential sphere of influence
Look for specific opportunities that align with your employees and company values
And finally...
A life-threatening heart attack became my burning bush moment, fundamentally shifting my understanding of purpose and calling. While I'm grateful for my years in business, I realized my remaining time could be invested in something with eternal significance. Through Juntos Belize, I found a platform where business acumen meets ministry, where profit metrics are measured in transformed lives rather than dollars.
I’m reminded of the CEO of a major Fortune 500 company. Upon his conversion, he was compelled to leave the business world and work in some form of direct ministry. When he consulted with the pastor of a large church, however, the pastor urged him to reconsider.
“Your business success has created a unique platform for ministry, and access to people and places that would be otherwise unreachable.” [2]
Viewing your business as a ministry platform isn't about adding religious elements to your operations. It's about recognizing that your business is a God-given opportunity to serve others, create positive change, and live out your faith.
Are you waiting for a burning bush moment too?
[1] 5 Ways Someone Is Called To Ministry | Indiana Wesleyan University (https://triangle.indwes.edu/5-ways-someone-is-called-to-ministry-indiana-wesleyan-university/)
[2] Work Is Not God's Punishment for Man, Rick Warren (https://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-work-is-not-gods-punishment-for-man.html)
