On this episode, we’re joined by John Harris.
John Harris is President of the Rocky Mountain Christian Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Thunderbird Jewelry and part of the ownership group of Thunderbird Supply Company (like Home Depot), which has been proudly serving the wholesale Native American jewelry and crafts industry since 1974. John is passionate about honoring Christ through business, serving the Native American community, and discipling the next generation of Kingdom-minded leaders.
www.LinkedIn.com/coachjohnharris
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Key Takeaways
- Firing someone with grace and dignity can turn a disgruntled ex-employee into your biggest advocate: John shares the remarkable story of an employee let go for mishandling inventory who later returned to credit the company for teaching him everything he needed to build his own successful business.
- Discipleship in business doesn’t need a formal Bible study: it happens in hallways, break rooms, and daily conversations — Thunderbird’s model of “contextual discipleship” is woven into the natural rhythms of the workday, from explaining stewardship principles to new hires to raising up long-term employees like their 40-year general manager, who started as a simple clerk.
- The highest calling isn’t the pulpit: God can use a jewelry company in the Navajo Nation just as powerfully as a seminary — John nearly chose seminary over business, but following God’s nudge led him to a 35-year journey of kingdom impact, serving Native American artisans and communities in ways no traditional ministry setting could have replicated.
Christian Business Leader is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God’s will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world, this show is for you.