Power of OR - A podcast by and for Christian business leaders who want to be Spirit-led

Ep 17: Disqualified by Man OR Qualified by God?: Repentance, Restoration, and Global Ministry Impact

Featuring: Blake Mattocks Org: 365 Christian Stories [https://365christianmen.com/] What do you do when your entire world collapses – and you're the reason it did? In this deeply honest conversation, Blake Mattocks shares the defining OR moment that changed everything: protect his reputation and cling to what was familiar or bring his failure into the light and trust God with whatever came next. That decision – costly, humbling, and obedient – became the doorway to unexpected healing and a global ministry impacting millions. This episode reminds us that the Power of OR often appears in moments of surrender, not strategy. The OR Moment Blake faced a choice many leaders quietly fear: * hide, manage, and preserve a powerful position * OR repent, resign, and let God rebuild from the ground up Choosing obedience over self-protection didn't end his calling – it redefined it. Key Takeaways * How crisis reveals whether we trust our plans or God's provision * Why repentance is a decision, but healing is a process * The danger of longing for what God is asking you to leave behind * How surrender creates space for God to lead step by step * Why God sometimes removes a single source of provision to invite deeper trust * What it looks like to follow God without a clear roadmap From Collapse to Calling Out of loss, uncertainty, and daily dependence, 365 Christian Stories was born – spreading stories of redemption across more than 100 countries, without a marketing strategy or monetization plan. A powerful reminder that God's work advances through obedience, not control. For the Listener Wrestling with a Decision If you're standing at a crossroads – clinging to security, reputation, or certainty – this episode offers hope. God doesn't always reveal the full plan, but He is faithful to guide those willing to choose His way. The most powerful decisions are rarely comfortable, but when we choose God's way, He does more than restore. He transforms!

Ep 16: Your Job Isn't Just a Job

Featuring: Jim Brangenberg Org: iWork4Him [https://www.iwork4him.com/] For years, Jim Brangenberg thought ministry happened primarily inside the church. Then God transformed his understanding of work, showing him that the workplace is one of the greatest mission fields in the world. In this special episode of The Power of Or, host Brad Hawkins turns the microphone around and interviews co-host Jim about the experiences, convictions, and calling that led to the founding of iWork4Him [https://www.iwork4him.com/]. Jim shares how prayer, discipleship, and a fresh perspective on Scripture changed the way he viewed work – and why he believes every believer has a God-given assignment, both before and after retirement. What You'll Hear in This Episode * How a daily prayer habit transformed Jim's view of work * The origins of iWork4Him and its mission to connect faith and work * Why every workplace can be a mission field * Lessons learned from interviewing more than 5,000 guests * The difference between discipleship as a program and discipleship as a lifestyle * How Jim and wife Martha have partnered in ministry for decades * Why retirement is not the end of your assignment, but the beginning of a new one If you've ever wondered whether your work truly matters to God, this conversation offers a compelling conclusion!

Ep 15: The Portfolio that Actually Matters

Featuring: David Noble Role: Financial Adviser, Pastor What happens when God's direction doesn't make sense on paper? In this honest and deeply personal episode of the Power of Or podcast, David Noble shares the remarkable journey of balancing decades in financial services with a calling to ministry, discipleship, and radical obedience to God. From growing up in a military family and moving 10 times before adulthood, to encountering Jesus at a young age, walking away from faith for years, and eventually surrendering fully to Christ at 28, David's story is filled with unexpected turns. He opens up about leaving a successful financial career to attend ministry school in North Carolina, pastoring a church that later closed, and learning how to trust God even when outcomes looked nothing like he expected. Throughout the conversation, David, Bra, and Jim explore what it means to remain curious about God's purpose instead of becoming discouraged by setbacks. David also shares lessons from 33 years in the investment world, insights on fear and greed in the markets, the importance of hearing God together in marriage, and why relationships matter more than achievement. What You'll Hear in This Episode * Why David believes discipleship matters more than simple conversion * The surprising story behind leaving financial services for ministry school * How he and his wife learned to make major life decisions in spiritual unity * What closing a church taught him about obedience and success * Powerful parallels between investing, narratives, fear, and faith * Why staying curious about God's plans changes everything * The importance of investing deeply in relationships * David's perspective on calling, transition, and why "I'm not done" still defines his life Whether you're navigating career transitions, ministry calling, financial pressure, or simply trying to follow God faithfully through uncertainty, this conversation offers wisdom, humility, and encouragement for the journey. In the end, David's story is a reminder that faithfulness is not measured by worldly outcomes, but by a willingness to keep saying yes to wherever God leads next.

Ep 14: The Secret to a Meaningful Life

Featuring: Paul Nichols Role: Retiree and Chaplain What does a life of quiet faithfulness really look like? In this episode of the Power of OR, Brad Hawkins and Jim Brangenberg sit down with Paul Nichols, a retired manufacturing worker, longtime chaplain, pastor, husband, and faithful servant whose impact has stretched across decades of loving people well. From factory floors and hospital rooms to funerals, Bible studies, and late-night phone calls, Paul shares how God used ordinary moments of service to transform lives. His stories are filled with wisdom, humility, humor, and a deep conviction that loving people where they are can change everything. Rather than chasing recognition or comfort, Paul chose a life of consistency, compassion, and eternal perspective. His testimony is a powerful reminder that ministry is often messy, people are complicated, and love is still the most transformative force we can offer. What you'll hear in this episode: * How Paul became a chaplain inside a manufacturing plant * Why "meeting people where they're at" matters so deeply * The challenges of loving difficult and broken people * Lessons learned from decades of ministry and listening * Why retirement doesn't have to mean checking out of purpose * Why Paul believes the key to life is simple: love people well Paul's life is a picture of what can happen when someone quietly says "yes" to God day after day for decades. Whether he was praying with hurting coworkers on a factory line, helping struggling families at 2 a.m., or encouraging others through Scripture, his mission stayed the same: love others the way Christ loved him. This conversation will challenge you to rethink influence, purpose, retirement, and what it means to truly serve people. If you've ever wondered whether small acts of faithfulness really matter, Paul's story answers that question with a resounding yes.

Ep 13: Leadership Starts at Home

Featuring: Dr. Miles Mettler Role: Focus on the Family Ambassador In this episode, parenting isn't treated as a formula. It's revealed as a series of choices. Dr. Miles Mettler shares how his journey through health and behavioral sciences, leadership, and faith led to a powerful realization: you can react out of instinct or you can respond with intention – and that choice shapes everything in your home. If you want to bring out the best in your kids, it starts with bringing out the best in yourself. From growing up on a South Dakota farm to serving with Focus on the Family, Miles unpacks the real work of parenting: owning mistakes, building trust, and choosing thoughtful responses over automatic reactions. It's in those small, everyday moments – the tone you use, whether you pause to listen, whether you admit when you're wrong – where the trajectory of a family is formed. What you'll hear in the episode: * Why success at work can mask failure at home * The moment that changed how he chose to express love to his kids * How small decisions shape long-term trust and communication * The impact of reacting critically vs. responding with grace * The shift from talking more → to truly listening * Why letting kids fail (at the right time) builds maturity * The role of apology in restoring connection and credibility * How faith was modeled through consistency, not just conversation * How parenting evolves over time – and what that means for grandparents This episode is a reminder that parenting isn't about perfection. It's about choosing wisely in the moments that matter most. You can try to control outcomes or you can lead with intention, humility, and trust – and that decision can change everything.