Awakening to Kingdom Life

Awakening the Kingdom

On December 21st, 2024, Michael Pierce and Bryan Elliott hosted the Kingdom Business Roundtable. This was hosted at Christian Life Assembly in Calgary, Alberta. The heart behind this gathering was for believers in the marketplace to join together with a shared desire to discern how God is moving in their business spheres and to awaken His people to their divine calling. The conversations were rich with both practical wisdom and profound spiritual truths, a testament to how the Kingdom of God transcends the walls of the church and infiltrates every aspect of life. Below is a reflection on the insights gained from this transformative and intimate gathering.

Awakening of the Body of Christ

The Body of Christ, long likened to a "sleeping giant," is being stirred by the Spirit of God, called to arise and shine with the light of Christ (Ephesians 5:14). Gratitude emerged as a key theme throughout the roundtable discussions. It is not just a response but a spiritual discipline that opens hearts, shifts atmospheres, and ushers in the light of Christ into a world yearning for hope. As Kingdom-minded believers, there is a divine invitation to embrace the new beginnings God is orchestrating in this season, walking in step with His Spirit and trusting His purposes.

Kingdom Ambassadorship in Business

The role of a business leader is revealed to be far more than mere management or profit generation. In the Kingdom of God, leaders are called to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), carrying His presence into boardrooms, offices, and marketplaces. This ambassadorship is marked by principles that reflect the heart of God: unity, integrity, and sacrificial love.

Unity, as highlighted in the roundtable, stands as a cornerstone of Kingdom influence. The prayer of Jesus in John 17:21—to see His people united as one—resonated deeply. Examples like the Mayor of Toronto’s declaration of December as Christian Heritage Month remind us of the tangible ways Kingdom values can shape culture when believers step into their roles with boldness and grace.

Testimonies of Transformation

One of the most stirring moments came through the testimony of Bryan Elliott. Having walked away from faith at age 18, Bryan’s journey back to Jesus at 46 was marked by profound brokenness and even greater redemption. His story serves as a powerful reminder that the grace of God knows no bounds. It was in his surrender that Bryan discovered the joy and transformative power of worship, a lifestyle that now defines his business practices and reflects the reality of Heaven on earth. Bryan also shared practical strategies for integrating Kingdom principles into the workplace. From hiring intercessors to implementing prayer models, his approach is a movement that shows how spiritual intelligence can lead to innovation and unity.

Foundational Kingdom Principles

Identity and Sonship

Understanding one’s identity as a son or daughter of God transforms every aspect of life. Living as heirs of the Kingdom (Romans 8:14-17) allows us as believers to walk with joy, peace, and intimacy with Jesus, free from striving. This revelation calls His sons and daughters to move from performance-based mindsets to resting in the assurance of their divine inheritance.

Redemption and Stewardship

The discussions emphasized God's redemptive power, affirming that nothing lies beyond His restorative reach. When believers surrender their lives, work, and businesses to Him, they witness His purposes unfolding, even in the most challenging circumstances (Romans 8:28). Viewing stewardship as an act of worship aligns one's perspective with Heaven's truth, focusing on God's glory as the ultimate outcome.

Generosity, reflecting God's nature, extends beyond financial giving to encompass spiritual wealth, love, and resources (Luke 6:38). A Kingdom-oriented workplace, where employees are empowered to bless others, embodies the culture of Heaven, demonstrating God's heart in tangible ways.

After our heartfelt conversation, guests were invited to ask questions to both Bryan and Michael. The questions were focused on navigating Kingdom principles within their entrepreneurial journey.

Questions such as:

·      How do we navigate challenges in the marketplace as small business owners?

·     What should the approach be when business partners aren’t believers?

·      How do we overcome the feelings of loneliness in entrepreneurship?  

From these questions, a theme emerged: embodying the fruit of the spirit is the bridge to bringing Heaven on earth. Faithful stewardship in this realm becomes a powerful testimony, positioning believers to be entrusted with greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10), and by embodying the fruit of the Spirit, believers can be the light of God and allow their lives to speak of God’s transformative power. (Matthew 7:16)

A Call to Kingdom Action

The Kingdom Business Roundtable ended with a resounding call to action. God is inviting His people to surrender fully to His will, allowing Heaven to invade their lives and workplaces. As believers align their leadership and business practices with His Word, the resulting transformation will extend into their communities.

This season is one of expectation and faith. There is an invitation to embrace the unexpected, endure transformational suffering, and celebrate the restoration that only God can bring.

May His people rise as sons and daughters, faithfully reflecting His Kingdom in every sphere of influence, to the glory of His name.

Bringing the Kingdom of God to Earth

We are continually inspired by the ways God is working through the lives of people in local churches to transform communities. Recently, Bryan Elliott and Michael Pierce had the privilege of meeting with First Love Church and Life Connection Church in Calgary, Alberta engaging with their eldership teams. These gatherings were rich with revelation, hope, and a deep sense of purpose.

As Bryan and Michael spent time with these congregations, a clear theme emerged: true transformation in a city begins with the people of a local church. Elders and leaders are uniquely positioned to minister to their congregations, guiding them to become spiritually equipped and empowered. In intimate small-group settings, they witnessed firsthand how these leaders desired to understand their roles in shaping a vibrant, kingdom-focused community.

It was in this context that a question arose—one that would set the tone for the discussions to come:

Understanding the Kingdom of God

Our get togethers began with a powerful question: What does Jesus’ prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” mean to you? Grounded in John 5:19, this discussion led to profound reflections on the church's role in the transition from the church age into the Kingdom age.

This transition does not mean the church fades away. Rather, it signifies the church stepping into its God-given authority within the kingdom realm. Undoubtedly identifying as the Lord’s ekklesia in these days will allow us to move beyond our present thoughts on what church is or is not.

The Greek word ekklesia is translated as "church" in the Bible. It is made up of the prefix ek or ex, which means "out of" or "from," and the root word kaleo, which means "to call". In the Bible, ekklesia refers to the community of Christians and their spiritual mission as God's people. In ancient Greece, Ekklesia was the assembly of citizens in a city-state during the Golden Age of ancient Greece. The Athenian Ecclesia was already functioning around 621 BC.

When we recognize the full intent of the Greek root word of ekklesia, the New Testament Church, we recognize the community of Christian believers is also the assembly of citizens (authoritative assembly or body) in a city-state set in place to reconcile God’s desire in Matthew 6:10; “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.

As we sat reflecting and considering on the biblical role of reconciling all things to God, a common longing emerged: to see the manifestation of God’s kingdom in action—not just through strong teaching but by engaging the entire body in ministry of God’s Kingdom.

The discussion quite naturally led to an even deeper challenge: how will the church live out this mandate and call of authority practically, not just within its walls but in every sphere of life? It is becoming clearer, veils are falling from our sight, this calling extends to every believer, pointing to the profound responsibility Paul describes in his message referring to reconciliation.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

The Call to Be Ministers of Reconciliation

The Apostle Paul’s words resonate deeply in Father God’s mission. As he urges in Scripture, we are all called to be ministers of reconciliation. This ministry is not reserved for those on a platform but extends to every believer in every sphere of life.

Believers who gathered on those days expressed their desire to see their congregations embrace this calling, moving beyond passive participation to active engagement in the ministry of the saints. This shift requires each individual to view their life as a mission field, living out the principles of reconciliation and kingdom authority daily.

Looking Ahead

Remembering those collective times together, is a powerful reminder that the work of the kingdom requires all of us. As Christ For Your City partners with churches like First Love, Life Connection and Christian Life Assembly, we are reminded of the importance of raising the next generation of disciples to live out the Kingdom Reality.

We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside congregations and are greatly encouraged to watch how God continues to move through their communities.

Let us all carry the mantle of reconciliation and authority, transforming not only ourselves, but our churches and our cities and communities for His glory.