Leading with a Higher Purpose

For me, faith is not something I compartmentalize. It is not something I practice only on Sundays or keep private while I work in public service. My relationship with Christ shapes how I lead, how I serve, and how I make decisions every single day. Whether I am speaking with a mayor in rural Alabama, working with business owners, or shaping economic development policy, I carry my values with me.

Christian values like honesty, compassion, service, humility, and stewardship are not just moral ideals. They are practical tools that strengthen leadership and guide public service in powerful ways. In my experience, putting faith into action creates better outcomes because it keeps people, not politics, at the center of everything we do.

Faith Creates a Foundation for Trust

In any leadership role, trust is essential. You can write the smartest strategy in the world, but if people do not trust your heart, your leadership will not last. Christian values lay the foundation for trustworthy leadership because they are rooted in truth and integrity.

When I say I will do something, I do it. When I make a promise to a community or a partner, I follow through. Not because it makes me look good, but because Scripture teaches us to let our yes be yes and our no be no. In rural economic development, where relationships drive everything, this kind of consistent character builds strong partnerships over time.

Communities that have been underserved or overlooked do not want more empty promises. They want leaders who show up, listen well, speak truthfully, and deliver results. Faith-based leadership makes that possible.

Serving Others Before Ourselves

At the heart of the Gospel is the call to serve others. Jesus modeled servant leadership at every step, and that same spirit should guide our work in public service and economic development. When you are driven by faith, your focus shifts from “What can I gain?” to “Whom can I help?”

This mindset changes how we structure policy. It changes how we interact with struggling families or small business owners. It changes how we approach challenges in rural communities that have lost major employers or seen downtowns decline.

Instead of seeing these places as problems to solve, we begin to see them as people to serve. That shift matters. It leads to more compassionate programs, more respectful communication, and more dignified development. It ensures we do not just build for the sake of growth, but build in a way that uplifts everyone involved.

Stewardship and Fiscal Responsibility

Christian leadership includes the principle of stewardship—managing resources wisely, humbly, and with accountability. This is especially important when we are dealing with public funds and taxpayer dollars.

In my work, I apply this principle by pushing for responsible budgets, strategic investments, and long-term planning. I do not believe in spending for the sake of appearances. I believe in using every dollar as if it came from my own family’s pocket.

This kind of stewardship builds confidence in government because people can see their money being used wisely. It also ensures that we are building something sustainable—not just something flashy for the short term.

Building Communities Through Faith Partnerships

One of the most powerful and often overlooked forces in economic development is the role of churches and faith-based organizations. In nearly every town I have visited, the local church is not just a place of worship. It is a community anchor.

Faith-based groups are often the first to step in when a family is in crisis, when a school needs supplies, or when seniors need care. They run food banks, after-school programs, job training classes, and addiction recovery ministries. These organizations are part of the economic and social fabric of the community.

In public service, we must recognize and uplift these partnerships. When we collaborate with churches and nonprofits, we multiply impact without multiplying cost. We get resources to people faster and in a way that is compassionate, familiar, and culturally grounded.

Holding to Conviction in a Complicated World

Leading with Christian values does not mean every decision is easy. In fact, it often means standing firm in hard moments. It means defending what is right when it is unpopular. It means being honest about limits and taking responsibility when things go wrong.

Public service and policy-making involve compromise, but faith gives me a clear line that I will not cross. I will not trade truth for convenience. I will not support something that compromises my integrity, even if it comes with political gain.

Faith gives leaders strength to stand, grace to lead with humility, and wisdom to make difficult choices with clarity and peace.

A Higher Calling

Ultimately, I see public service and economic development as a calling, not just a career. I am called to help communities grow, to empower families, and to create opportunity. And I believe that calling comes from God.

When we bring our Christian values into leadership, we do more than create jobs or build infrastructure. We build trust. We restore dignity. We lead with love. That kind of leadership does not just change communities, it transforms them.

If you are a person of faith in a position of influence, I want to encourage you. Do not hide your values. Let them lead you. Let them shape how you speak, how you act, and how you serve. Our world needs more leaders who are guided by truth, love, and purpose.

That is how we build a better future, one decision, one community, and one act of faith at a time.