Purposeful Work from Creation to Return

What does it mean to see your work through God’s eyes? In this inspiring talk from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Andy Mills traces the biblical foundation of work from Genesis to today—unpacking God’s original design for humans as co-creators. He challenges Christians to reject the sacred-secular divide, embrace their spiritual calling in the workplace, and discover the joy and purpose that comes from aligning work with God’s mission.

Andy highlights two core truths: work is our first calling from God, and we are invited to co-create with Him as He progresses creation. This vision reframes work not as a burden, but as a deeply spiritual, missional endeavor.

Part of the Lausanne Workplace Track Series, this talk will inspire Christians to live out their faith in the workplace with passion, integrity, and eternal purpose.

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Faith in the Workplace
00:36 Historical Context and Progress of Faith in Work
01:39 The Lose-Lose-Lose Situation
02:35 God’s Design for Work Pre-Fall
03:33 The Call to Work: Genesis Perspective
05:17 Being Co-Creators with God
06:33 The Role of Humans in God’s Creation
09:36 The High Calling of Work
11:48 Conclusion: A Win-Win-Win World

Explore the Full Workplace Track Experience

Delve into the sessions and use the guided questions to strengthen your understanding of your calling.

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Lausanne Workplace Track Series

This series features global leaders exploring the vital role of Christians in the workplace as witnesses, innovators, and disciple-makers. Recorded at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, these talks cover themes like redemptive work, business as mission, tentmaking, integrity, entrepreneurship, and equipping the whole Church for whole-life ministry. Whether you’re a CEO, student, teacher, or technician—your work matters to God.

Explore the Full Workplace Track Experience >

Purposeful Work from Creation to Return – Panel

Jerry White, Mahafahatra Vonintsoa, Mimi Chan & Wendy Simpson

15:48

Overcoming Challenges at the Workplace — Panel

Jackson Harry, Paulo Oliveira & Sharoon Sarfraz

07:57

Whole Church to the Whole World with João Mordomo

João Mordomo

07:21

Whole Church to the Whole World with Steinar Opheim

Steinar Opheim

Speaker's Bio

Andy Mills

Andy Mills is a husband, father, and grandfather from Boston, USA. He has over 50 years of experience leading both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and currently serves as Co-Chairman of the Grace & Mercy Foundation. Andy is passionate about integrating faith and work, and exploring the importance of Scripture in the workplace. He is also Co-Founder of the Mango Fund in Uganda, helping build businesses that lift communities out of poverty. God’s recurring question to him: “What difference does being a Christian make in your work?"