The article was published September 19, 2024 by reporter Son Dong-jun in Korean language. This is an interview with Dr. Willy Kotiuga, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Bakke Graduate University, and a Pioneer in Workplace Ministry.
“Gospel is an invitation, not coercion, especially in the workplace.” These are the words of Willy Kotiuga, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Bakke Graduate University in the U.S. He is a global pioneer in workplace ministry and has served as a senior director at a leading global engineering company for over 30 years. With successful projects in more than 25 countries worldwide, he has worked with government and private investors and collaborated with leaders from various fields. His approach to spreading the Gospel and workplace ministry is not just theoretical but something he has practiced personally.
Willy is scheduled to give a lecture on workplace ministry at the 4th Lausanne Congress, which will be held in Incheon, South Korea, starting on the 22nd. I met him at a café in Jongno, Seoul, where he shared his philosophy on workplace ministry and advice for the Korean Church.
The Gospel is an Invitation, Not Coercion
Regarding the spread of the Gospel, Willy emphasized that “Jesus invites, but the devil intrudes.” He stressed that the Gospel is an invitation, not something to be forced upon others. He said, “It’s important to respect the other person’s will and build trust first, creating a foundation for evangelism.” Especially in the workplace, applying these principles is essential. Instead of actively trying to evangelize, he said it is more important to demonstrate that God is alive within us, which is the core of his workplace ministry.
He shared an example from his time in corporate leadership, introducing what he called the “Forgiveness Coupon.” During his tenure as an executive, he gave employees 490 opportunities for forgiveness each day, inspired by Matthew 18:22, which speaks of forgiving “seventy times seven.” This practice was his way of showing the Gospel in action. It was a thoughtful approach to sharing biblical values with non-Christian colleagues. He said, “If all believers practiced biblical values in the workplace according to their circumstances, incredible things would happen.”
Expectations for the 4th Lausanne Congress
At this upcoming Lausanne Congress, Willy will lead a session on workplace ministry.
Fourteen years ago, at the 3rd Lausanne Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, he also emphasized the importance of practicing faith in the workplace as a vital method of spreading the Gospel. His lecture titled “People at Work: Preparing to be the Whole Church” has been downloaded over 12,800 times worldwide, having a considerable influence. He noted that “since the 2010 Congress, interest in workplace ministry has grown, with forums and conferences being held continuously across countries and continents.” For this Congress, 1,900 people have registered for the workplace ministry track.
He pointed out that while many churches focus heavily on unreached people groups, there is relatively little attention given to “unactivated Christians” in the workplace. He said, “For example, a Christian CEO who employs 1,600 people should realize the enormous impact they have on society, akin to that of a megachurch pastor.” Including the families of these employees, more than 5,000 people would be affected by their decisions. He emphasized the need to consider the impact workplace decisions have on society and family life, adding, “A pastor preaches the Gospel for 30 minutes, but a manager influences employees for at least 40 hours a week.”
This influence is not limited to CEOs alone. Willy’s key message is that workplace evangelism is not about convincing others through words, but through living out the Gospel. This approach allows coworkers to naturally encounter the Gospel, starting with relationship-building in the workplace. He added, “When we live out the calling God has given us, that place becomes a ministry field.”
Challenges and Opportunities in Workplace Ministry
“Christians in the modern workforce face significant challenges.” Willy particularly explained that millennials are not reliant on authority due to the flood of information and choices available. However, he argued that this phenomenon could be an opportunity for evangelism. “People are increasingly seeking a meaningful life over success, which is a crucial opportunity for spreading the Gospel,” he said.
He also mentioned workplace fellowship groups as a vital part of workplace ministry. He said these groups should not merely be a gathering of Christians for worship but a platform to build relationships with colleagues and an opportunity for evangelism. “Authentic communication and prayer are the first steps to spreading the Gospel,” he added.
One of his key concerns is the issue of trust within the Church. He emphasized that “restoring trust is essential for building genuine relationships,” and that “the Gospel is not merely conveyed through words but through the actions of Christians, which is when trust can truly be restored.”
The original article in Korean language could be found HERE.