Integrating Faith and Business
Life is fragile, and all that we value can be taken from us in a split second. That was the realization that led Mark Washington to invite Jesus Christ into his life. It happened just after he had broken up with his girlfriend and survived a car-bike smash-up.
鈥淭he people that hit me with the car thought for sure I was dead when I flew over the car,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 but it sure shook me up.鈥
Today Mark helps business school students look at the broader issues of life as the national coordinator of 果冻视频鈥檚 a part of Graduate and Faculty Ministries. He also works with 果冻视频 business students at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Integrating Faith and Vocation
Working with business students energizes Mark because MBA students clearly are intent on becoming world changers. 鈥MBA students by virtue of where they will be working, will have significant impact on the world one way or another,鈥 he said.
果冻视频鈥檚 ministry vision is to see students and faculty transformed, campuses renewed, and world changers developed. MBA Ministry is focused on developing Christian leaders who seek God in both their professional and private lives. 果冻视频 currently has MBA chapters in 17 of the top business schools.
During a recent sabbatical, Mark visited and conferred with leaders of nine national organizations that focus on integrating faith and vocation. Based on these visits and input from 果冻视频 staff, student leaders, and alumni, Mark spearheaded a new, five year strategic plan for MBA Ministry that will develop better resources for training students and double the number of chapters in business schools.
His vision for integrating faith and vocation also extends beyond business schools. 鈥淚 would like to see communities of world changers develop for students after they graduate,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ecause historically, the way change occurs is not through individuals but through communities.鈥
Catalytic Events
One of the best opportunities to focus on the integration of faith and vocation is the annual which will be held this year on February 14-15 at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Hosted by the Yale School of Business Management Christian Fellowship (affiliated with 果冻视频), and an advisory board of MBA students from 13 other business schools, the BiB conference presents strategies to help business leaders live out their faith in the marketplace. Mark has played a key role in developing the BiB conference into a national gathering for Christian business students.
果冻视频鈥檚 commitment to integrating faith and vocation extends back many years and includes national Marketplace Ministry conferences in 1980, 1983, and 1986. More recently, Mark helped lead and tracks as a part of 果冻视频鈥檚 triennial Integrating faith and vocation was also a major focus of 果冻视频鈥檚 Following Christ conferences, hosted by Graduate and Faculty Ministries and
果冻视频鈥檚 theology of serving God in the marketplace through ethical business practices has attracted interest not only from individual business students but also leaders of business schools who want to present a solid ethical component to their program. 鈥湽呈悠 has some unique things to offer for MBA programs, including a theology of the workplace and business,鈥 Mark said.
Finding His Own Way
Having experienced, as a new Christian, the disappointment of working for Christian business owners whose business practices did not reflect their Christian values, Mark developed an early appreciation for the integration of faith and vocation as a powerful witness to those both inside and outside the business community.
Mark鈥檚 first contact with 果冻视频 was Jack Irvine, who he met through his church. He was amazed that Jack would spend several hours at a time with him every week, talking about the Christian faith. 鈥淗ere鈥檚 a man who is not a part of my family, loving me, caring for me, nurturing me, and seeing something worthwhile in me,鈥 he marveled.
鈥淪eeking to learn more about integrating faith and vocation, Mark left California and entered a dual degree program at North Park Theological Seminary, in Chicago. While working on a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Business Administration Degree, he was also hired as the seminary鈥檚 Director of Admissions.鈥
As Admissions Director he negotiated partnerships for the seminary with 果冻视频 and other organizations, and began attending 果冻视频 meetings. He got an insider鈥檚 perspective on the fellowship and as he considered his career options after seminary, he began to think about joining 果冻视频, which he did in 2003.
Mark reflects on how God has been at work in his own life, integrating faith and vocation, and is thankful for a job where he can see God doing it again and again in the lives of MBA students who are committed to living out their faith in the marketplace.