July 9, 2025

“I wish I could work in ministry like you,” says my friend Chloe. She taps her nails rapidly on the countertop and then walks over to the front door and adjusts the bright blue “we are open!” sign for the third time. Chloe is an old friend of mine who recently started working as a cashier at a clothing boutique. I’m the only customer at the moment, but I think it’s more than the lack of traffic that’s making Chloe restless.

“How come?” I ask, sorting through the sale rack. I find a dress with strange cutouts, about 100 black t-shirts, and the stiffest jeans I’ve ever seen. Maybe the regular-priced clothes are the better option.

“I’m really grateful to have a job…but I wish I could be doing something to actually make a difference and tell people about Jesus. Selling clothes doesn’t exactly change people’s lives.”

“Maybe it can,” I say. 

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the Bible says: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people,” (Colossians 3:23). Some of us are called to traditional ministry, but people who work in secular jobs (which is the majority of people) also have an important role in God’s kingdom. Jesus called us to be “salt and light” everywhere we go, and salt and light are both elements that transform the space around them. So wherever God has placed us to work, we can make a difference in the spiritual climate!”

Chloe nods thoughtfully. “That’s a good point. I just don’t know how I can do that practically speaking…”

“Good question,” I say. “Ed Silvoso teaches a lot about Luke 10 in the Bible, when Jesus instructed his disciples to ‘speak peace’, or to pray blessings over all the places they went to minister. A lot of the marketplace ministers I’ve seen pray for their customers and clients and ask God for opportunities to encourage them. In Luke 10, Jesus also instructed his disciples to heal the sick, which is an example of meeting people’s felt needs and showing them God’s love and compassion. So maybe, you could start with something as simple as asking God to show you someone who needs encouragement or help.”

Chloe’s eyes are thoughtful. “That’s really interesting. I hadn’t thought of it that way,” she says. “I guess there are a lot of people who are hurting, but it’s really easy for us not to notice. I like the idea of praying for the customers. After all, who knows what they might be going through or if they’re trying to connect with God?”

Just then, a customer comes into the store: a middle-aged woman with her arms full of bags and her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She slowly makes her way to the sale rack and sorts through it with a weary persistence.

Chloe watches the customer thoughtfully, then walks over towards her. “May I help you ma’am?” she asks.

The woman sighs and shakes her head. “I don’t know.  I’m exhausted because I’ve just worked a double shift, and I need to find my daughter a birthday gift by tonight.” She checks her phone to see the time. “I’ve only got an hour before I go to her house.” 

“I’d be happy to help,” says Chloe. “Does she like jewelry?”

I watch from the counter as Chloe helps the woman sort through many options, and slowly, the woman’s tired face softens into a smile. Finally, she settles on a beautiful necklace. “It’s just right! Thank you so much for taking all that time to help me,” the woman says.

Chloe smiles. “Of course! I’m sure your daughter will love the gift you chose!” 

The woman’s smile trembles and tears come into her eyes. “I hope so…we haven’t been close for…a long time.”

Chloe’s eyes begin to tear up too. She takes a deep breath, and then says: “I’d love to pray for you and your daughter if you like.”

The woman nods slowly as the tears begin to run down her cheeks. “Yes…I think that may be just what I need. I haven’t prayed for a long time.”

In moments like this, I’m reminded of this quote from Ed Silvoso’s book Anointed for Business: “If you are a Christian in the marketplace, unsure of your role, listen to the Holy Spirit now…Let God show you that your parish, your congregation, your flock is in fact in the marketplace. There is a purpose and a destiny for you there. You are part of a movement God has designed to bring His kingdom to the heart of the city. You can take your first step toward your destiny right now, because the God of pulpit ministry is also the God of business!”

-Eutychus

This story is fictionalized, but it’s based on many real-life testimonies from marketplace ministers from around the world. From people encountering God in a bar, to an ice cream vendor leading her mayor to the Lord, to California entrepreneurs ending the cycle of systemic poverty for former felons, God is doing truly amazing things through both pulpit and marketplace ministers! To discover incredible real-life stories like these, click here.