My Mission Is My Workplace: A 5280 Fellows Reflection

The 5280 Fellows program has been so much more than I expected.

I originally applied because I felt God saying that my mission field was my workplace. I felt led to apply for the 5280 Fellowship so that I could be better equipped for this calling. I didn’t really know much about the program, I just knew God wanted me to do it. And boy – I had no idea the treat I would be in for with this journey!

The first weekend at the retreat was eye opening; knowing that God’s main purpose for us on this earth is to glorify him within our work/workplace was mind blowing. It has changed the way I think about work, how in interact with coworkers, how I interact with people I network with, and how I perform at work. It’s also helped me listen more to God and that has created amazing conversations with non-believers I have run into on a daily basis.

I do not have a very theological background and have never read theology books or articles. The program is really teaching me new ways to think about my faith and giving me a sense of deeper meaning about what I believe and how I speak about my faith.

My cohort is an amazing group of people. It has only been a month and a half and I feel like we are family! We are already brainstorming ideas as to how we can improve each of our industries and how we can help each other do so. I know we will be friends for life!

And last but not least, the speaker series has been such an awesome experience! I grew up Catholic and when I decided to go to a non-denominational church, the first book I read was Philip Yancy’s What’s so Amazing About Grace. To meet him [at a Community & Culture gathering] was such a dream of mine. He and his wife were so inspiring and real. They really showed how Christianity can be lived out today in a radical way.

I am so thankful for this program and feel as if it has already been life changing. It has helped me really dive into my faith and what it truly means to live it out in a real, meaningful way in today’s society. We are not to live in the “Christian bubble.” God wants us to be light in every part of our lives and live a life that has meaning, passion, and where we love like no one else and work like no one else!