Christian Business Leadership: How Howard Oakes Integrates Faith in the Marketplace

Howard and Debbie Oakes

Leading the Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce with Kingdom Principles

In a world where faith and business are often kept in separate compartments, Howard Oakes stands as a beacon of integration. As the leader of the Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce and an active participant in Jesus Christ CEO's, Howard has spent the last decade revolutionizing how he approaches business through the lens of biblical principles. His journey from "Sunday Christian, Monday-Friday atheist" to kingdom-minded business leader offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to honor God in their professional lives.

The Journey to Christian Business Leadership

Faith in Action: You lead the Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce and are involved with Jesus Christ CEO's. Can you share the pivotal moment that led you to understand that faith and Christian business leadership weren't meant to be separate compartments?

Howard: It took me 40 years to realize that my faith was to be integrated in every area of life. I had a great mentor who revolutionized my worldview in the last 10+ years and made me see how much of the Bible clearly declares how you conduct your business affairs. Plus, listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me became a great influencer in what the Lord wants each day from me—work-related or not.

My mentor had established a multi-million-dollar business and was enlightened by the Lord that he was worldly successful but not listening to what God wanted from him. When God took away his business after 15 years of success, it got his attention. God transformed the way he looked at the marketplace, and he wrote a workbook on how to hear the Holy Spirit's direction, which helped me study that information.

One of the key scriptures was Matthew 6:10: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." I had never considered that part of the Lord's Prayer to be such a clear command to do the work here and now, as God is doing now in the heavens. That was a revelation. It took me out of a self-serving attitude to a purpose-driven life unto God. Now everything I do is to seek Him first, as Matthew 6:33 instructs. Success has been redefined to measure things based on His word and commandments, however that manifests itself.

Biblical Principles in Christian Business Operations

Faith in Action: How do you practically apply biblical principles in your day-to-day operations of the Christian Chamber of Commerce?

Howard: The transformation starts with Matthew 6:33—seeking first the kingdom of God. Every decision, every policy, every direction we take begins with prayer and seeking God's will rather than our own understanding. We've moved from a self-serving attitude to asking, "What does God want us to accomplish through this chamber?"

Success for us isn't measured by membership numbers or revenue alone, but by how we're fulfilling God's purposes in the marketplace. We focus on equipping business leaders to hear the Holy Spirit's direction in their daily operations, helping them understand that their businesses can be instruments of God's kingdom on earth.

Challenges in Christian Business Leadership

Faith in Action: You're essentially shepherding other Christian business owners. What unique challenges do you face when encouraging fellow believers to authentically live out their faith in the marketplace?

Howard: Small business folks and entrepreneurs are self-motivated. They tend to focus 99% of their time and energy on accomplishing their goals. Like the past me, they tend to be Sunday Christians and Monday-Friday atheists. In other words, they are devout in their faith on weekends and through Bible studies but forget or even dismiss their reliance on the Lord in business decisions.

They often make good business choices based on worldly business practices and forget to run it by God to see what He wants. My mentor has a well thought out and biblically based roadmap on how to run your company. Most folks I work with have never taken the time to study it and put it into practice. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, they think. They are doing well and don't want to mess around with any ideas or methods that may complicate their established protocols.

I understand their hesitation—it took me a couple of years to embrace all the godly views of conduct. Currently, I still ignore some of them to my peril. It's our sin nature. We plan to enlist them to go through the book "Living In Communion with God Holy Spirit," that my wife and I will be teaching in September.

Redefining Success in Christian Business Leadership

Faith in Action: How do you help Christian business owners redefine success through a kingdom lens? What does "kingdom economics" look like in practical terms?

Howard: I think the old adage of "counting your blessings" must come into play. I have never been financially successful. I have never been money motivated. There's an obvious connection. However, I have had an impact in people's lives, whether in business or personal relationships. I have seen the success of others through my influence and ability to make connections.

If the average businessperson can value their impact on people through their product or service—and not just make a sale and provide income for themselves—then they are successful. It's actually easier to do when you work for yourself and don't feel the pressure to meet the boss's expectations. Unbiblical compromise is very common. You must choose beforehand and prepare to stand your ground. It's not easy.

We point out what our monthly speakers are doing—running their businesses God's way. This gives attendees examples for themselves. We also show videos from the JCCEO's institute that demonstrate how someone followed the leading of the Holy Spirit or did business God's way, not their own way.

Christian Business Leadership's Community Impact

Faith in Action: How have you seen Christian businesses impact the Kerrville community collectively?

Howard: We established the Kerrville Christian Chamber less than three years ago. Individual lives have been impacted, and that's where it starts. Bottom-up changes are the best way to make a better world. Changes from the top come and go. It must be a groundswell of independent voices motivated to take action. That usually takes time and strong conviction to make a difference.

Most of us need to get our own lives in order before we attack the community's problems. Biblically, we know that if a pastor's house is in disorder, then he shouldn't be preaching. Excellence, not perfection, is the object of our desire.

Some of our speakers are business owners in Kerrville. Their stories tell our attendees how they do business with a biblical emphasis—not just out there to make money. They might be praying for the person they're working for, doing a great job for them, being ethical in the quality of their work. Our attendees are increasing in number, which impacts our community with more faith-based workers.

Maintaining Integrity in Christian Business Leadership

Faith in Action: How do you coach Christian business owners to maintain their integrity when working alongside or competing with secular businesses?

Howard: We must be wise as serpents, gentle as doves, as the Word says. We need to know and practice our values no matter the cost. That is very difficult when you are selling someone something they may not need just because they may want it. It may not be in their best interest to purchase the product or service, or there may be another company that can better meet their needs.

"Closing the sale is all that matters"—that's the mantra from most companies, and it's a challenge to stand your ground and refuse the income that comes from unethical practices. I've heard of folks who have been fired for these righteous decisions.

We offer the JCCEO's Institute for business owners, and we'll be teaching "Living in Communion with God Holy Spirit" in September. These resources teach how to follow the Holy Spirit's lead in business, which leads to integrity and other godly traits. The "sale" may not be the main reason that God wants you to work with a person. They may need your godly intervention in their lives through prayer for a situation they shared. When they learn to follow God's leading, they won't be competing with secular businesses in the same way—their clients will see the salt and light difference that a person with integrity brings.

The Future of Christian Business Leadership

Faith in Action: What is your vision for raising up the next generation of Christian entrepreneurs?

Howard: The vision of the Kerrville Christian Chamber is to restore the preeminence of Christ in the marketplace. We wish to invade, occupy, and manifest the Kingdom of God in business. I also work with an organization called JCCEOs—Jesus Christ Chief Executive Officers, or as I prefer to say, Christ Executive Officers.

This organization, started by my mentor Leray Heyne, is an international outreach to the business community. Currently, they are in over 40 countries and have hundreds of Christian-owned companies following his transformational blueprint. In the early 21st Century, Billy Graham said, "The next great move of God will come from the marketplace." The Kerrville Christian Chamber is just a small piece of that revival.

We plan to enlist the next generation to go through "Living In Communion with God Holy Spirit," which my wife and I will be teaching in September. It's written for the spouses of the JCCEO's participants who have gone through the JCCEO's institute, but it will be great also for the small entrepreneurs who attend our monthly meetings.

Let's continue to pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Howard Oakes leads the Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce and is passionate about helping business owners integrate their faith into their professional lives. The chamber meets monthly and offers resources for Christian entrepreneurs seeking to honor God in the marketplace. For more information about the Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce or upcoming events, contact Howard via email: KCC2023@pm.me or cell 714-401-8813.