Discipleship in the marketplace

AIM board member Stu Johnson is getting to do his dream. He is leaving his executive role and starting several businesses that double as venues to disciple people. He tells the story of his coworker, Troy.

Troy Freeman was released from prison in June 2005. We hired him to work at Wood World based on his wood working experience. He transformed our business from selling exotic wood to making custom furniture from exotic wood. I quickly promoted him to a supervisor in our wood shop. He regularly attended church and after a few months asked to be dis­cipled.

One Sunday he came to me at church and explained that when he was released from prison he stayed at ‘Half House” in downtown Dallas. He said he could see the street people who stayed under the bridge on Interstate 35. He asked if he could use the van to bring them food. I said yes and quickly organized food bags and he recruited 3 more people to go with him. By now he was about ½ way through the “Making of a Complete Disciple.”

He has continued that work every Sunday and now goes down there and brings them to church on Sunday. They also have helped many of them get jobs, health care and even apartments. When he completed the discipleship course he came to me and told me he wanted to start his own company so he could employ more street people. We helped him start Freemen Construction and Freemen Mission.

Troy is now leading two of his employees in discipleship. He is going to preach next Friday night.