Gary Harpst
7 min read ⭑
“People today need more than just a job to provide income, health care, and material needs. People truly need what only Jesus can do—heal brokenness, reconcile relationships, and offer forgiveness.”
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?
Where we live in Findlay, Ohio, there’s an old-fashioned root beer stand that’s been around for almost 70 years. Local families from this rural community come and enjoy a frosty mug, coney dogs, fries, milkshakes, and pulled pork sandwiches. Visiting this local hangout with my grandchildren reminds me of who I am and where I came from. Growing up on a farm, learning about hard and challenging work, and being mentored by depression-era parents who lived by the creeds of “your word is your bond” and “honor God first” have shaped who I am today.
Samuel Girven; Unsplash
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal?
My wife and I both enjoy working full time on worthwhile projects even though most couples in our age range have retired. One of the biggest pleasures in my life is going to the gym with my wife. We complain all the way there about how much we don’t want to go, then w pay our trainer to beat us up, forcing us to do things we “can’t” do. Afterward, we go home, get a bowl of ice cream and watch a mystery or two on BritBox. We love our routine, and we love each other. We’re grateful for our life together and have truly become one in our marriage.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it?
Occasionally, I fall into the trap of defining success in terms of what other people do. I started businesses in the era when multibillionaires were created in the tech industry. Sometimes, for a few short moments, I think about what the world defines as success and second-guess myself. It doesn’t last long, though, because God usually whispers, “Would you trade places with them? Would you trade your journey with me for their billions?” I laugh and the answer is obvious—not for one second would I trade my life for another.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours?
At a stage in life when most people are winding down, God is winding me up. He’s given me a passion to take all of my entrepreneurial experiences and resources to help Christian leaders use their companies for kingdom-building.
Building a business from a few employees to hundreds or thousands is a monumental challenge that stretches leaders to the max. But building a business and building the kingdom of God at the same time can seem like an even taller mountain. We’re studying and implementing proven models where leaders have successfully done both, and we’re building a “whole business, whole person” platform to come alongside passionate leaders and help them accelerate their journey.
People today need more than just a job to provide income, health care, and material needs. People truly need what only Jesus can do—heal brokenness, reconcile relationships, and offer forgiveness. I’ve been told by marketing experts that it’s foolish to target just Christian CEOs, but I’ve decided to listen to God and let him take the wheel on this next adventure.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
The best way for me to stay close to God is to be in over my head. That means being engaged in purposes that are bigger than I am, such as supporting my children and my grandchildren in a society that has lost all ability to reason or building a new business at an age when most people would rather be on the beach.
These kinds of things force me to get on my knees every day and ask for “manna for the day.” The Holy Spirit does not speak to me audibly or in visions (so far at least), but he clearly brings thoughts, contacts, and information to me in surprising ways. I strive to be attentive to his leading so that I don’t miss it. It’s the habit of paying attention to God throughout the day.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So spill it, which spiritual practice is workin’ best for you right now?
I absolutely love the Word of God—reading slowly, thinking deeply, and looking up the places where a given concept is referenced. That practice of digging into truth is amplified in the knowledge of God as I obey and put into practice what he tells me.
In 2 Peter 1, God reveals that in Jesus Christ, we have become “partakers of the divine nature,” and through that nature, we escape the corruption and destruction that wrong purposes and desires produce. The efforts of human beings trying to be kind and love each other can only go so far. In the end, knowing the life that God intends for us requires something only Jesus can do—an infusion of new life and a new heart from the Holy Spirit.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources—lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff, too. What are three resources that have impacted you?
The Call by Os Guinness awakened a deep understanding in me that there is no separation between the secular and the sacred. Every minute of every day is intended to be worship—through our God-given time, intellect, and energy.
Genesis 1-6 tells us what we are designed to do, how we are designed to do it, and what went wrong in the beginning. Those chapters lay the foundation for understanding all of human behavior and even life itself.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is another helpful resource. The meaning of God’s words to us is defined by how he uses those words in Scripture. James Strong devoted his life—without a computer, copier, or any other modern tool—to provide a resource that has blessed me for 50 years. I want to thank him in Heaven.
We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season—and tell us what it’s done for you.
First Peter 1 tells us all we need to know. The truth of God conquers all other feelings, emotions, and lies of the evil one. When we’re struggling in our “doing,” we need to drop back to our “knowing.”
QUESTION #8: dream
God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
Over the last 18 months, I’ve experienced almost a “breadcrumb” type of leading from the Lord: “Do this. Do this. Then do this next.” During the process, I haven’t always understood what the end goal was supposed to be.
This vision of equipping Christian CEOs to use their businesses for kingdom-building is brand new for me. We’re creating a new company and retooling all of our software, learning systems, and coaching models to pursue that purpose. We’re just beginning to understand the “what” of the vision and are eagerly awaiting God’s guidance for the “how” as we seek out business owners who want to build their companies on the foundation of God’s Word.
I’m 73 years old, so it’s a big stretch for me to be called to form a new venture that goes way beyond my own knowledge, abilities, and strength. But God says, “My power is sufficient for you,” and my answer can only be, “So be it!”
It’s no secret that this culture of ours prizes youth. Turn on the TV, and you’ll see countless ads pushing products to make you look younger. It’s no wonder young people constantly feel pressured to achieve great things before they get “too old.”
But does God conform to that mentality? Scripture tells us that some of his greatest callings and gifts came to people in their old age. He gave Abraham his promised son, Isaac, at 100 years old. He called Moses to deliver the Israelites when he was 80. He enabled Caleb to conquer his portion of the promised land when he was 85. And he allowed Elizabeth to give birth to John the Baptist even though she was barren and “advanced in years” (see Luke 1:7).
So what do you feel too old to do? Maybe God is calling you to do it anyway.
Gary Harpst is the founder of LeadFirst.ai and has been recognized by Leadership Excellence magazine as one of the top 100 thought-leaders in management and leadership. He is also the author of Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others. He co-founded and became CEO of Solomon Software and later established Solomon Cloud Solutions, a technology consulting service firm for Microsoft Independent Software Vendors and Microsoft Business Solutions Channel Partners. His books have been on the best-selling lists of the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week.
