CINCINNATI, Dec. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- At Work On Purpose (AWOP) is expanding its reach with the launch of the Institute, an initiative that will allow the growing community to further develop and advance citywide workplace ministries around the world.
Announced over dinner at 3z.net in Covington, Kentucky to a group of more than 90 Christian business owners and executives, the Institute will have several dimensions to continue to fuel the faith at work movement it supports.
With a vision to restore full Christian commitment and contribution to work, the AWOP Institute will focus on guiding Christian marketplace leaders to fully harness their organizations as platforms for advancing God's Kingdom throughout the marketplace.
"AWOP has become a citywide model for workplace ministry—a distinct model that is collaborative and very unique," said Chuck Proudfit, founder and president of AWOP and the Institute. "We've done something different here. Across church homes, denominations, zip codes and ministries—we have built a network across the city—and the nodes in that network are prototypes, and they are projects, and those faith-at-work expressions are happening all over our city," explained Proudfit.
"We now have an opportunity with the Institute to further mobilize working Christians to bring their Sunday faith to their Monday work," he said.
AWOP is a pioneer in the workplace ministry movement. The community has more than 10,000 members in the Cincinnati, Ohio area alone, though the growing community has reach around the world.
Food for the launch announcement was provided by Venice on Vine, a restaurant, catering company, and food truck, whose story was shared by Sister Judy Tensing. Tensing is co-founder of Venice on Vine.
Tensing explained how, for the last 35 years, Venice on Vine has helped adults overcome barriers to gaining employment. Those barriers can include generational poverty, lack of access to a quality education, addiction, or a history with the court systems.
Venice on Vine provides its workers with a sense of place and provides work skills development, she explained.
Tensing provided one of many examples, provided throughout the event, of AWOP community leaders and organizations making a difference in the city.
Several other executives, owners, and non-profit leaders shared their stories at the event, sparking conversation on cultural health and how the Institute will help them develop their leaders, steward their organizations, and impact the communities in which they work and live.
Julie Thomas, president of Priority Logistics Group and Priority Dispatch, talked about the power of expressing faith at work. She also shared how her organization treats workers with deep respect and care.
Kelly McCracken, president of Franciscan Media, talked about the value of content and information in helping to improve peoples' lives. "How can we really make an impact on people's lives? That's what I see really coming to life in the AWOP Institute," she said.
Tom Thatcher, director of the AWOP Institute, added how the new platform will encourage collaboration from diverse industries and sectors. "The Institute will create experiences that we can use to extend the scope of AWOP's message and reach, including partnering with other organizations such as schools, churches, and other marketplace ministries," he said.
Thatcher explained that this includes the "next generation" of leaders within local churches, business, education, and government.
Dan Kiley, Chairman of the Board at Arria NLG, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that the Institute will help to harness resources for the common good of every city it touches. "Our city needs it. Our state needs it, our country needs it, the world needs it. We need to come together, we need to share our blessings with each other, and we need to share our knowledge with each other," he said.
"The timing is now—and the Institute is here with the opportunity to impact generations of people," said Kiley.
About At Work On Purpose (AWOP)
At Work On Purpose is a pioneer in the workplace ministry movement, advancing citywide workplace ministry around the world. With offices in Mason and Blue Ash, Ohio, more than 10,000 individuals from the private, public, and social sectors are a part of the AWOP community in Greater Cincinnati alone, with thousands of others in the AWOP network globally.
To learn more about AWOP's innovative citywide workplace ministry model, AWOP Institute, or to find out how you can get involved, visit http://www.atworkonpurpose.org or call (800) 513-9580.
SOURCE At Work On Purpose
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