What do you say when someone asks, “What do you do for a living?”
I once heard a Reverend answer this question with a twinkle in his eye,
“I work for a global enterprise. We have branches in nearly every country on earth. We operate hospitals, feeding programs, universities, orphanages, disaster response teams, publishing houses, counseling centres, and schools. We offer care from birth to death. We specialize in behavior transformation and life restoration. And it’s called…the Church.”
What a brilliant way to frame it.
Most people don’t realize the Church is the largest social, educational, and charitable movement the world has ever known. Its work often flies under the radar—not because it’s small, but because it’s woven into the fabric of society in ways we sometimes take for granted.
We Feed the Hungry
Every day, Christians around the globe feed the hungry—literally millions of them. From local soup kitchens to major global organizations like World Vision, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, meals are served, groceries are distributed, and dignity is restored.
We Heal the Sick
Hospitals with names like “St. Mary’s,” “Good Samaritan,” or “Mercy” trace their origins to the Church. Many of the world’s first hospitals were founded by Christians who believed caring for the sick was a sacred duty. That tradition continues today with Christian-run hospitals, clinics, and medical missions in underserved areas across the globe.
We Educate Minds
From ancient monasteries to modern universities, the Church has always been about teaching and truth. Oxford and Harvard were founded to train Christian leaders. Today, Christian schools and universities educate millions—not just in theology, but in science, the arts, medicine, and technology—while forming students in character, not just competence.
We Care for the Forgotten
Christians run homes for orphans, rescue centers for victims of human trafficking, addiction recovery programs, safe homes for abused women, and shelters for the homeless. Retirement homes, grief support groups, and mental health counseling programs are led by people who have been changed by the love of Christ and now share it with others.
We Respond to Crisis
Whenever there’s an earthquake, hurricane, war, or famine—you’ll find Christians there. Often some of the first on the scene, and often still there long after the news cameras are gone. Quietly rebuilding. Listening. Loving. Praying. Restoring.
We Transform Lives
At its core, the Church’s work is heart work. Soul work. Life transformation. Through the message of Jesus—through preaching, teaching, mentoring, and discipleship—people are healed from the inside out. Marriages are restored. Addictions are broken. Purpose is discovered. Hope is reborn.
So, yes, I work for a global enterprise.
One that stretches across continents and cultures.
One that’s been active for over 2,000 years.
One that’s still growing every single day.
It’s not perfect—because it’s made up of imperfect people.
But its mission is divine.
And its founder is alive.
It’s called the Church.
And it’s still the greatest human force for good on planet Earth.
