Ministry in the Marketplace: Getting in the Game

Sitting on the Sidelines

For a long time, I kept my faith to myself. People knew I was a Christian because I said I was, and they saw the Bible verses I posted on social media. 

However, my faith was still mostly a “personal decision.” I believed the lie that any attempt to minister to others would be unwarranted and unwanted. I didn’t follow the Lord’s lead at times when He called me to be bold. 

It took some time, but I finally gathered the courage and confidence to get “off the bench” as the ladies at Anna’s Circle have accurately termed it. 

Getting Off the Bench

What do I mean by that? I mean that I was ready and willing to minister to my co-workers, praying for opportunities, and listening for instruction. I was stepping off the sidelines, standing from the bench and getting in the game.

Even as the places I worked changed over time, my posture of pursuing people’s hearts with the gospel did not. I decided that no matter where I was, that was my mission field.

One time, the Lord put it on my heart to give one of my co-workers, the hostess, an extra tip. This person asked me, why the sudden generosity? Why wouldn’t I just pocket the tip for myself, they wondered? 

I told them that God put it on my heart to freely give it to them, and that God sees them and loves them. They reluctantly took it, and they were moved by my kindness. 

In another instance, one of my co-workers had come over to help me bus our biggest indoor table after a big party had finished eating. 

As we were cleaning this table, we got to talking. I asked him how he was doing. He confided in me about how isolated he felt. 

He told me about how he had tried to find community with the people at work, but they had all “othered” him, and now he had no one. 

I couldn’t help but think about the stark contrast between us. In Christ, I had friends who felt like family. Godly community that only ever invited and encouraged me. I felt like that was what this co-worker of mine needed. 

Suddenly, my Church’s information card burned in my pocket. Not literally, but it might as well have. These cards have the church address and service times. In that moment, I knew that the Lord was prompting me to give it to him and pursue him with the gospel. 

I had been waiting for the right person to give it to, and this was the moment. 

I gave it to him. I invited him. I told him how I never felt alone anymore; How I had a group of people who would never ostracize or scapegoat me, even if I messed up in a big way. 

I told him that what he really needed was friends who loved him like Jesus does. 

I will never forget the look on his face. 

He was a grown man, but there were tears in his eyes. He thanked me, truly, and he agreed – that was what he needed. 

A Chance to Breathe

Fighting against the current as a believer in an ocean of unbelievers was a challenge - one all of us who enter the marketplace are called to meet. I felt like I was constantly pushing back against people who would invite and encourage behavior that looked like the old me, not the new creation I now was. But I tried to be faithful, sharing the gospel and God’s love as I was called to do. 

After playing a period in the game, I got a chance to go back to the bench to catch my breath. I was invited to work under my Missions pastors, the Arrudas, as their assistant! It was an extremely varied role, helping with the day-to-day operations at Known Real Estate and serving as the administrator for Worthy. It’s been a blessing to take a break from the secular world to be shaped by like-minded believers who would disciple me. 

God was giving me rest. So I took the chance.

I have been working for the Arrudas since February of 2025. I have been so incredibly blessed by the job I now have – but that time when I was out in the world, the only light in the darkness, prepared me to appreciate what I now have.  

And I would do it all again, if He puts me back in.

~Josephine Yarlott, Worthy Content Writer