Called to Corporate: Bringing the Kingdom into Big Business
This response summarizes and rewrites the provided interview transcript, which features Christine Caine and Mimi Chan, focusing on how believers—particularly Christian women—are called to bring the Kingdom of God into the corporate marketplace, emphasizing excellence, purpose, and community.
Bringing Kingdom Purpose to Corporate America
The conversation highlights the crucial role of faith-filled individuals in secular workplaces, challenging the traditional separation between the sacred and the secular. Mimi Chan, an award-winning marketing leader with over 20 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, including her most recent role as the head of events marketing at Amazon Books, exemplifies this integration.
Chan, who leads teams that execute iconic global events like Prime Day, underscores that her purpose surpasses her professional achievements. She generates $5 billion in business for Amazon annually, demonstrating exceptional professional value. However, the core shift in her perspective occurred when a mentor challenged her to see her corporate career, not just non-profit work, as a place where she could change lives and fulfill God’s purpose.
The Shift from Employee to Kingdom Agent
Many Christians initially view their professional lives merely as a means for personal development and financial support, reserving activities “for God” outside of work. The realization that work is a mission field fundamentally changes this outlook. Chan emphasizes the distinction between “being an employee who happens to be a Christian” and “being a Christian first in the workplace”.
This perspective means that the how of the work—the integrity and excellence—becomes more important than what is achieved.
Key Principles for Workplace Faith:
- Excellence as Evangelism: Believers should aim to be the best employees possible, exhibiting salt and light through high-quality work, punctuality, and excellence for the glory of God. When work is done to a level of excellence, people are naturally drawn to ask about the source of that wisdom and capability.
- People Over Profit: While Chan’s events contribute billions in revenue, she prioritizes caring for burnt-out, unrecognized, or demoralized team members. Taking time to pray for someone or share a coffee is more valuable than achieving a deliverable.
- The Goal is God: The ultimate purpose of work is God Himself. Believers are called to do their work as unto the Lord (Colossians). When God is the goal, opportunities and results naturally fall into place.
- Integrity and Wisdom: Like the biblical figures Esther and Daniel, Christians in the marketplace should be smart, sharp people who influence their environments, leading with dignity, fairness, and integrity.
The Rise of Faith Groups in Big Tech
A significant aspect of Chan’s influence is her role as the co-founder and chair of Christians at Amazon, a global network with over 50 chapters. The rise of this movement illustrates a strategic positioning of believers in high-impact industries.
A God-Birthed Movement
The idea for Christians at Amazon began as a small prayer group that later felt led by God to formally establish the network. This movement is not isolated but part of a larger trend in Silicon Valley, fostered by organizations like the Faith and Work Movement.
Companies, driven by a growing desire for diversity that includes allowing people to bring their “whole selves to work” (including faith), have shown a new openness to recognizing and approving these faith groups. This openness means that groups once considered taboo are now officially acknowledged by major corporations.
Strategic Positioning and Accelerating Growth
The tech industry, including companies known as the FANG Group (Meta/Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, and Google), now has recognized Christian employee resource groups. Notably, at a pivotal moment, the Christian groups in these top tech companies were all led by spirit-filled, strong, faith-filled women. This convergence suggests a “kairos moment”—a special, strategic time for God’s movement.
The growth of Christians at Amazon is accelerating: 10 of its current 50 chapters formed in just the beginning of the most recent year, indicating God is “moving even faster”.
Chan compares the current opportunity to the Messianic Psalm 68:11, which speaks of a “mighty throng of women” proclaiming the word with power. Since women in technology and AI can now reach billions quickly, God is strategically placing His daughters in these influential positions globally.
The Power of Community and Intercession
The success and resilience of these leaders are heavily dependent on spiritual community and mutual support.