Is your work meaningful? Does your job matter to God? In this episode, I'm honored to interview Russell Gehrlein, author of "Immanuel Labor," about discovering God's presence in every type of work—from math teaching to ministry to military service. Russell spent 20 years in the US Army as a Master Sergeant and nearly 20 more as a Department of Army civilian. But he's also been a math teacher, youth minister, and now an author published on major Christian platforms like The Gospel Coalition. His unique career path reveals a profound truth: God is with us in our work, not just on Sunday mornings. If you're struggling with: - Finding your God-given calling - Wondering if your "secular" job has spiritual value - Navigating career transitions with faith - Experiencing burnout or questioning your purpose- Balancing work, family, and ministry ...then this conversation is for you. In this interview, Russell shares: ✓ How to discover the "thread" connecting different seasons of your career ✓ Why "sacred vs. secular work" is a dangerous myth (and how it affected his faith) ✓ What it means to experience Immanuel Labor—God with us—in your daily tasks ✓ Real stories from military service, maintenance work, and leadership ✓ How your spiritual gifts apply to ALL your work, not just church ministry ✓ Why the Good Samaritan principle matters for your workplace ✓ A powerful message for the next generation about finding purpose Russell's story will challenge you to see your work—whether you're a teacher, engineer, parent, business owner, or military personnel—as a platform for God's kingdom. Key Topics Covered: Career transitions, calling and purpose, theology of work, Christian leadership, military faith, work-life balance, spiritual gifts, finding meaning at work, God's presence in daily work, career guidance for Christians, identity in Christ vs. career success About Russell Gehrlein: Russell is the author of "Immanuel Labor: God's Presence in Your Profession" (International Impact Book Award winner). He has written 400+ articles on faith and work, published on platforms including The Gospel Coalition, and holds a degree in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He's a grandfather of five, a devoted mentor, and a living example of how God works through us in every profession. Read his blog at https://regehrlein.wordpress.com/ About Embrace Our Calling: This podcast helps Christian young adults and professionals discover and embrace their God-given calling. Whether you're navigating career transitions, struggling with workplace stress, or seeking deeper purpose, join Marcus Mok as he explores the intersection of faith, work, and calling. 🎁 SPECIAL BOOK GIVEAWAY We're giving away 15 Kindle copies and 10 paperback copies of "Emmanuel Labor" by Russell Gehrlein! How to Enter: If you're watching on YouTube: - Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway from this interview or a question about finding God's calling in your work - Email me at marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com with your name, the link to your comment, and your location - Winners will be selected and notified via email If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: - Email me at marcusmok@embraceourcalling.com with the subject "Immanuel Labor Giveaway" - Include your name, location, and what resonated most from this interview - Winners will be selected and notified Giveaway will end once all books are given away. Winners chosen from both YouTube comments and email submissions. 00:00 - Interview Highlights 02:00 - Introduction to Russell Gehrlein 03:00 Russell's Career Journey: Teacher → Youth Minister → Military → Author 07:11 - The Struggle With Secular vs Sacred Work 12:34 - The Birth of 'Immanuel Labor' Concept 16:54 - Military Service: Immanuel Labor in Uniform 21:56 - Seminary Education & Developing the Theology of Work 25:41 - Writing Journey: 400 Blog Articles on Faith & Work 31:20 - A Message to the Next Generation 33:34 - Special Book Giveaway!
