Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity

Amy Whitfield works as Executive Director of Communications at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. She came into this role after serving as the Associate Vice President for Convention Communications for the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.  Amy co-authored the book, SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference, with Keith Harper, and alongside Johnathan Howe, she hosts the SBC This Week podcast. She is on the steering team of the SBC Women’s Leadership Network and serves on the board of directors of Women & Work. Amy lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, Keith, and her 2 children, Mary and Drew.   In this episode, Amy discusses: – How women can use their gifts on the “front lines" of ministry  – The importance of showing up and taking opportunities – How she keeps the gospel at the center of her work in communications  – The importance of developing people skills and pursuing humility when growing as a leader – Her experience working in a complementarian setting while leading men on her team  – The value of having both men and women on the team and how The Summit is modeling this at their church  – How she and her husband navigate marriage and family when both have key leadership roles  …and, more!   Resources Mentioned: SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference The Church Needs More Deborahs

Ruth Chou Simons is a bestselling and award-winning author of several books —including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and Foundations. This month, she released her newest book When Strivings Cease. She is an artist, entrepreneur, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shop at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys–their greatest adventure.   In this episode, Ruth discusses:   What it was like immigrating to the United States as a young child and how God used these circumstances to bring her family to faith  How God has used her gift of creativity and the arts in different seasons of her life  Being a mom to six boys and learning how to surrender to the Lord and experience His sustaining grace  How she uses her work and art to adorn the gospel The importance of beauty in art as we reflect Him as image bearers  What it looks like to steward the value of your gifts and work  How to keep the gospel at the center of your work    …and, more!  Books by Ruth: When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family

In this episode, we speak to Lauren Green McAfee, a speaker, writer, Ministry Investment Coordinator for Hobby Lobby. She is the author of Not What You Think: Why the Bible Might Be Nothing We Expected Yet Everything We Need and Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy. Her grandfather founded Hobby Lobby and currently she works for their corporate office. Lauren and her husband Michael live in Oklahoma City and are the proud adoptive parents of their daughter Zion and soon-to-be-adopted son, known right now as E.   In this episode Lauren discusses: Her experience working for Hobby Lobby corporate The legacy of generosity passed down from her grandfather and how that shapes the vision of Hobby Lobby today How her family came up with the idea and founded the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC The Supreme Court experience that inspired her to pursue a PhD in Ethics and Public Policy  Their calling to pursue adoption and her struggle with infertility  God’s provision when their daughter was diagnosed with cancer  For more information on this episode, visit www.womenwork.net/podcast/. 

This week’s episode features Michelle Stratton, an attorney in Houston, TX whose practice focuses on complex civil, commercial, and white-collar criminal litigation and appeals.  Before entering private practice, Michelle served as law clerk to Associate Justice Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Edith Jones on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Michelle is married to Brandon, has 3 kids whom she homeschools part-time, and is a member at Christ Community Church in Houston.  In this episode, Michelle discusses:  – The path that led her to become a lawyer and how she images God through her work – Her God-given gifts and aptitudes that prepared her for the work God has given her as a lawyer – The value and importance of having wise mentors and people affirming gifts when choosing a career path  – Her experience working for the Supreme Court and how God used her time in DC to grow her and her husband’s faith – How she views her work in litigation as an instrument of God’s common grace towards mankind  – How she sees her role as wife, mom, and lawyer through a complementarian lens – The importance for all women to have community with one another, no matter if they are single, married, working full-time, part-time, or as a stay-at-home mom   Books Mentioned:  Perspectives on Your Child’s Education: Four Views  View the transcript to this episode here.

This week’s episode features author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin. Jen has organized and led studies for women in the home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. She also serves at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX. Here she discusses with Courtney and Missie: – How she became passionate about biblical literacy and what led her to begin teaching and writing, even when she had 4 children, ages 4 and under. – The dual callings God places in women’s lives and how to balance and be faithful in all of the areas of work and responsibility God has given us – The complex and negotiable factors involved in the view that all women should be stay-at-home-moms if and when they become mothers – A biblical vision for women and work and how it relates to complementarianism, taking the conversation back to Genesis and forward to the Great Commission in the New Testament  – How Christian men and women in the church are brothers and sisters instead of adversaries, and how we can begin to shift the perspective back toward more equality and mutual respect as God intended – Encouragement for women to use their gifts in the local church – How to think through heart issues when work becomes an idol   – How she handles criticism  Resources Mentioned: Her new book, Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands  Her 2-Part Bible study of the book of Genesis: God of Creation: A Study of Genesis 1-11 God of Covenant: A Study of Genesis 12-50 For more content from Jen on the topic of women and work, view this video of her speaking at the 2019 Women & Work Forum in Birmingham, AL.

Episode 8 features the founder and CEO of Daily Grace Co, Kristin Schmucker. The Daily Grace Co exists to equip disciples to know and love God and His word by creating beautiful, theologically rich, and accessible resources so that God may be glorified and the Gospel made known.   In this episode, Kristin discusses: -The tragedy that led her to start writing devotionals -How the Lord grew her business from a small apartment to a warehouse and over 50 team members!  -Organization tips on how to manage a busy schedule and be intentional with how you block out your day -Adopting from overseas and what led her family to do this -How to keep perspective that your work is for God’s glory ...and more   Learn more about The Daily Grace Co. on their website, thedailygraceco.com or follow them on instagram.    For more information on this episode, view our show notes.

In episode 7, Courtney Moore and Missie Branch chat with Jessica Hotz, founder of Elevate, a non-profit that believes in creating sustainable job solutions globally that improve lives and transform communities.   In this episode, Jessica discusses: – Life in Nebraska, her upbringing, and faith  – What led her and her husband to start the non-profit Elevate – Elevate's mission and partnership with artisans around the world   Check out some of Jessica’s favorite Elevate products:  Dimarco bag  Travelers Tote  Utility Bag    Jess also mentions Personalysis in the show, a personality assessment she has used.   For more information on Elevate, visit their website elevatepeople.com or follow them on Instagram. To follow Jessica's Nebraska adventures, and for more behind the scenes look at Elevate, follow her on Instagram. 

This month’s episode features Sara Beth Fentress, founder of 127 Worldwide, an organization that focuses on orphan prevention and caring for vulnerable communities around the world. In this episode, Sara Beth discusses: – How she began 127 Worldwide and some of the challenges with starting a non-profit – Singleness and the joys and griefs that can accompany it – What orphan prevention is and how 127 is meeting that need by connecting people with skills and giftings to communities around the world. Check out their website here. And if you have questions or want to connect with Sara Beth and 127 Worldwide, she graciously offered her email address. You can reach her at sarabeth@127worldwide.org

In this episode, we hear from professional soccer player, Jaelene Daniels. She is a celebrated women’s soccer player who played for the North Carolina Courage and the Women’s National Team. In this episode she discusses: Discipline of your mind and body  Importance of Christian friends and community Standing firm in your faith in the midst of cultural pressure to do otherwise  Mentorship and why it is so vital    Jaelene is a part of a mentorship program for female athletes. For more information, check them out at A Seat at the Table.    Press releases about Jaelene Daniels: Career Stats and Accomplishments  Retirement Announcement  Video Interview on giving up a chance to play for the US Women’s National Team because of LGBTQ jersey    Be sure to check out our Group Discussion questions on our website.

In this episode, we hear from realtor Tiffany Fykes. She and her husband founded Fykes Realty Group in Nashville, TN. In this episode she discusses: Flourishing and promoting flourishing for others Work-life balance The importance of rest Why community is vital    If you are interested in real estate or if you are moving to the Nashville area, check out fykesrealtygroup.com to contact Tiffany and her team.   She references several books in this episode: Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller  Why Business Matters to God to God by Jeff Van Duzer   Be sure to check out our Going Deeper Bible studies and Group Discussion questions at womenwork.net/episode-4-tiffany-fykes/