A question that became a movement.
It began with a simple question about following Jesus. Decades later, company leaders began asking what that could mean for the way they worked.
Long before there was a fellowship, there was a question carried from one generation to another.
Before the companies, a question.
In 1896, Charles M. Sheldon first published In His Steps. The book challenged its readers to pause before acting and ask what Jesus would do. That question would find its way into the life of an Atlanta businessman almost eighty years later.
“What would Jesus do?”The question at the heart of In His Steps
A book passed on. A question taken seriously.
Sheldon’s challenge did not end on the page. When Robert L. “Bobby” Mitchell encountered In His Steps, he began seeking to follow Jesus not only in his personal life, but in business.
Faith moved from the page to the workplace.
Bobby Mitchell began with his own work.
After reading Sheldon’s book, Atlanta businessman Robert L. “Bobby” Mitchell sought to follow Jesus in the way he led. A Bible study with Atlanta executives helped shape his thinking about faith and business.
Then Bert came to the table.
Bobby’s friend B.G. “Bert” Stumberg asked him about Applied Ceramics, Inc., which needed leadership. Bobby brought Bert to the Bible study. There, Bert renewed his commitment to Christ. Together, they committed to applying Biblical principles in their companies.
The vision came into focus.
Bobby and Bert’s search led them to a Leadership Dynamics meeting in Point Clear, Alabama. There, their vision of leading a company for Christ was clarified. At that meeting, Bill Leonard accepted Jesus as Savior; he joined Bobby and Bert in the journey. Larry Burkett joined as an instructor and friend.
Seven leaders. Two years of honest conversation.
They invited Christian business leaders from Georgia to hear the vision. Over the next two years, a group of seven wrestled together with questions of faith in life and business—much like what would become FCCI Business Leadership Groups.
- 01 / 07Bobby Mitchell
- 02 / 07Bert Stumberg
- 03 / 07Bill Leonard
- 04 / 07Larry Burkett
- 05 / 07Jim Moye
- 06 / 07Ben Lively
- 07 / 07Tom Harris
These seven men, together with Jim Pursell and Smith Lanier, formed the original FCCI Board of Directors.
The conversation kept growing.
What began with a few leaders searching for a way to run their companies for Christ grew into a globe-spanning fellowship of company stewards united by a common vision. The question remains practical and urgent: how can businesses positively impact the world for the Gospel?
What guides FCCI today
A longer walk through the story.
Robert L. Mitchell’s A Walk in the Market explores more than four decades of FCCI history.
The question is ours to answer now.
Every generation of leaders must decide what it looks like to follow Christ in the company they steward. Find friendship and wisdom for that work with others who are asking, too.