You Can Make an Impact in Your Office
How is your working environment? Do you find it exciting, or dull? Is there too much office politics at your workplace, or are you grateful that your colleagues are kind and helpful? As a Christian you can influence your office atmosphere and even your colleagues for Christ!
Sam Tan, a system engineer, has been working at his present company, a prominent computer company in Petaling Jaya, for seven years. Since joining an Impact group meeting with some of his Christian colleagues more than a year ago, he has found encouragement and support from the group. The meeting was initiated by Campus Crusade’s Impact! Ministry. Sam says, “It is good to meet with other Christian colleagues in the office environment to share about God’s word. As we have the same faith, we are more open with one another and as a result I get to know them more. We share and pray for each other’s needs. I don’t feel lonely working here. ” Sam meets with his 5 other colleagues regularly. Early this year, through the efforts of some of the members of this group, an additional group was formed.
Nancy Tan and Tham Ching Ping hold executive positions in a well-known fast food company and enjoy their discussion time during their Impact group meeting. Nancy finds the discussion topics relevant to their work. She says, “They (Impact! Ministry staff) throw us some thought-provoking questions. This helps us to see things from a different angle and learn new ways to approach problems.” Tham agrees, “Through our sharing, we learn to apply biblical principles into our working life. We are invited to think deeper (about life’s issues), and this has widened our scope.” Both agree that the discussions have helped them see circumstances as opportunities, rather than interruptions, to share Christ. The group serves as a reminder to both of them to be witnesses of God, and keep themselves out of the office politics.
Darren Tan and Joshua Chin work in one of Malaysia's leading providers of Managed Network Services. One of the reasons they joined the Impact group early last year is because they realised that as Christians, they could bring some positive influence to their company. The group pulls some like-minded Christians in the company together and acts as an accountability group that also encourages them to be good witnesses for Christ.
Joshua believes that Christians should have a positive impact at their workplace. He says, “Work is important to God, we serve our Lord through our work. The way we work is an indication of how we serve the Lord. Since God has called me to work in the marketplace, my mission field is here.”
Darren, a young believer, knows he has changed since he came to know the Lord. Even his colleagues noticed the change. He believes witnessing for Christ is more effective through personal relationship and one-on-one sharing. He says, “We can share about a topic in a more in-depth manner, such as relationships or family issues, and meet their needs.”
