When an emerging business leader wants to grow themselves or their business, they turn to proven leaders who have a track record of success and are willing to share their secrets. The “hungry for success” emerging business leader frequently submits themselves to be discipled, mentored or at the very least, instructed by those who, while holding the golden chalice of business success, often offer with that chalice a mixture of values that frequently denies or ignores the claims of Christ on this world and their life.

Emerging leaders need strong mentoring relationships that pass on the heart of God for this world and not just the secrets of material success. Where are those godly, successful business mentors who will help the up and coming not only attain success in their chosen field of endeavor, but also show them how to fold their life into the overriding purpose of God?

Mentoring works. Elijah mentored Elisha, Stalin mentored Khrushchev and Fidel Castro mentored Hugo Chavez but those leaders, like all leaders, can only pass on the inheritance of their heart. Where are the business leaders who carry the heart of God into the marketplace, providing leadership, mentoring and dare I say, discipling to the emerging business leaders to help them step into the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints? (Eph 1:18)

There needs to come a shift from a focus on personal accomplishment and even great success in the realm of business done in the name of Jesus, to a more corporate view of accomplishment and success that folds into the master plan of making disciples of all nations. (Matt 28:19) That is the heart of God, the Great Commission, the fulfillment of Psalm 2:9 and the plan of the ages. We in the business community are invited to participate in that grand vision until we see the “kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.” (Rev 11:15) Are we up for it? Let’s disciple!

Webster defines a missionary as “a person who is sent out on a mission.” For some of us, our mission field is the corporate business world.

With His work life as an independent businessman in the carpentry business, I picture Jesus relating to the everyday work struggles of too much or too little work, dealing with challenging clients, and building a successful business.

In His adult ministry, He spent most of His time around business people – fisherman, tax collectors and those of wealth. In love, Jesus always accepted them for who they were but challenged them to grasp eternal truths and pointed them to their God-given destinies.

In Jesus CEO, Laurie Beth Jones states: "If everyone treated their staff the way Jesus did his, you would see an increase in morale and productivity. He created a lean, clean marketing machine. These people were motivated."

In the marketplace our disciplng may come in many forms such as consulting, coaching, leadership development or team building. But like Jesus, our work is to love and accept our clients where they are, and challenge them to know Him and His ways. We must intentionally:

• Pray diligently for those He calls us to serve
• Honor each person as God does
• Discern needs and water with seeds of faith
• Live holy lives as we lead our businesses
• Be prepared to share the good news

Billy Graham has said that the next big move of God will be through believers in the marketplace. To accept this call, we must know that the business world can be a holy place of work – and one where the mission field is ripe for the harvest