For more than 25 years, Chris Lema has worked with, led, hired, mentored, consulted with, and coached high-performers and high-performing teams to drive remarkable results and achieve outcomes others deemed impossible. As a seasoned executive and CEO of Motivations AI, he brings deep expertise in product strategy for SaaS, eCommerce, courseware, and membership and subscription platforms. Beyond his leadership, he is a well-respected business coach who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the WordPress and open-source ecosystems.
An accomplished sales trainer, Paul first made a name for himself as The Cold Call Coach. Cold calling? You mean the sales practice that everyone dreads? Yes indeed. Paul actually likes cold calling, has been very successful at it, and teaches others how to do so fruitfully. His book, “The Secrets to Cold Call Success,” is an Amazon best-seller.
A free thinker and truth seeker, Paul spearheaded the creation of Young Guns, a movement that encourages entrepreneurs and professionals to speak up, be real, and share the most authentic version of themselves. The world is a fast-moving place. They’re changing how business gets done.
In between, Paul lives in Colgate, Wis., with his wife, Tanya, and their three children. The most important part of his unconventional life is the most conventional of all. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
A few years ago, Paul nearly worked himself to death. He was a mess, stressed out and alienated from those who meant the most to him. God stepped in. Paul let Him take charge. Paul’s career took off, and he was soon speaking to audiences in the tens of thousands, inspiring and empowering people to use their unique qualities for success and fulfillment.
A slightly unconventional path? Maybe so. For Paul, it’s the only one to follow.
Matt Granados is an accomplished entrepreneur, sought-after speaker, and author whose work seamlessly intertwines business excellence with Christian purpose. As the founder and president of Life Pulse Inc., he has crafted a proprietary methodology that fuses intentional structure with motivational mindset—helping organizations like Twitter, Google, and even the U.S. Air Force overcome performance gaps and achieve sustainable growth. Matt built his first million-dollar venture by age 24 and later scaled a $40 million sales organization staffed by nontraditional hires, proving that intentional leadership can unlock extraordinary results. His two international bestsellers, Motivate the Unmotivated and The Intentional Week, have amplified his influence as a movement builder in purposeful productivity.
Together with his wife, Maria, Matt co-founded the Take Part Foundation, inspired by their daughter’s battle with a rare condition. The foundation advances research into pediatric rare diseases and supports families who are often denied access to essential genetic testing—a powerful testament to faith in action.
As a devoted Christian leader, Matt’s faith anchors all he does—informing his strategic vision at Life Pulse, his philanthropic pursuits through Take Part, and his role as a men’s ministry director within his local church. He embodies servant leadership, helping others align their calling with their capacity to create meaningful, Kingdom-centered impact.
Let me take you behind the curtain for a moment—because what happened with the release of our “Can a Christian Be a Democrat?” podcast episode was one of the most surprising, convicting, and spiritually clarifying experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Here’s the truth: I recorded that episode months ago… and then refused to release it.
It sat on the shelf collecting dust while I wrestled internally.
Now, I’m not a man who shies away from controversy. I don’t back down from tough conversations. I don’t tremble when culture pushes back. But this one? This topic? This episode?
It gave me pause.
Not because it wasn’t Biblical. It was.
Not because it wasn’t truthful. It was.
Not because it wasn’t needed. It absolutely was.
I hesitated because I wanted to be absolutely certain: “Lord… is this the right time? Is this the right moment? Is this the right fight?”
I battled with timing. With tone. With stewardship. With responsibility. I knew this episode could light a fire—and I needed to know if God wanted that fire lit now or later.
So I did something rare: I asked my LinkedIn audience. No build-up. No explanation. Just the question: “Should I release this?”
And what came back shocked me.
I braced for split responses. I braced for caution. I braced for the predictable “don’t mix faith and politics.”
Instead, I was bombarded—hundreds of comments and messages. Thoughtful. Passionate. Overwhelmingly positive.
It was as if believers across the country collectively said: “Paul, we need this. We’re tired of silence. We’re tired of leaders dodging truth. Release it.”
So after prayer, discernment, and quiet time with God…
We released it.
And what happened next stunned even me.
The Most Successful Episode in C-Suite for Christ History
This episode didn’t just perform well. It dominated.
It blew past our typical numbers. Not two times. Not five times.
Nearly fifteen times our usual audience.
My inbox overflowed. Emails. DMs. Text messages. Voice notes.
People thanking me. People praising God for it. People telling me it challenged them, opened their eyes, strengthened their conviction, or helped them stand firm in their faith.
And over and over again, the same theme emerged: “Thank you for saying what others are too afraid to say.”
So the big question is: Why? Why did this episode resonate the way it did? Why did it explode like that? Why did it strike such a nerve?
1. Because People Are Desperate for Biblical Truth
Not opinions. Not platitudes. Not politically safe sermons that tiptoe around sin.
People want Scripture—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic.
As Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
But you cannot be set free by a truth nobody is willing to speak.
2. Because Christians Are Ready for Tough Conversations
The world says, “Never talk about politics or religion.” God says the opposite.
If culture is confused, Christians must bring clarity. If sin is celebrated, Christians must call it out. If politics intersect with morality, Christians must speak boldly.
This episode proved that believers aren’t afraid of difficult questions—they’re afraid no one will have the courage to ask them out loud.
3. Because Objectivity Is Refreshing
I didn’t approach the topic emotionally. I didn’t approach it politically. I approached it Biblically.
I held one simple standard: If a party platform contradicts Scripture, Christians must acknowledge that contradiction.
People found that refreshing. Direct. Clear. Unbiased. Biblically grounded.
In a world drowning in opinion, objectivity is oxygen.
4. Because Calling Out Sin Is Not Hatred—It’s Love
You cannot love someone and ignore the things that harm them spiritually. You cannot honor God and avoid naming sin because it’s uncomfortable. You cannot claim obedience while refusing to shine light in dark places.
This episode held nothing back—and people thanked me for it.
Why? Because deep down, they know truth spoken in love isn’t condemnation. It’s compassion. It’s courage. It’s obedience.
5. Because God Blesses Bold Obedience
When I finally released the episode—after hesitation, after discernment, after prayer—God made one thing abundantly clear: Obedience activates blessing. Boldness unlocks impact. Truth attracts hungry hearts.
This wasn’t a political success. This was a spiritual success.
What I Learned
More than anything, this experience taught me this:
Stick to Biblical truth. Always.
Have the tough conversations. Don’t run from them.
Ask the pointed questions. Scripture does.
Stay objective. Let God’s Word—not political tribes—set the standard.
Call out sin courageously. Silence is not compassion—it’s disobedience.
And above all…
Never hesitate to speak the truth God has entrusted you to proclaim.
This movement—C-Suite for Christ—will always be bold. We will always be unapologetic. We will always stand on the Word of God, even when it costs us something. Especially when it costs us something.
After graduating from the Harvard of the Midwest (University of Wisconsin Whitewater) Jacob decided not to use his degree in teaching, but instead God opened the door to go on the road touring full time as a Magician/Evangelist. Performing in front of crowds up to 4,000, shows would lead to an opportunity to share the gospel through Scripture. Performing primarily on College Campuses, doing magic was fun, but seeing students lives changed through the power of God’s word and our testimony is something he will always cherish!
There are a lot of organizations today that claim to follow Christ. They use Christian language, they post Bible verses on social media, and they sound faithful on the surface. But once you start peeling back the layers, you realize something’s off. They’re lukewarm. They’ve diluted the message to keep people comfortable. They’ve traded conviction for convenience and truth for tolerance.
At C-Suite for Christ, that’s not who we are. That’s not who we’ll ever be. The single most important, non-negotiable truth that drives everything we do is this: we operate with a 100% Biblical worldview. Not 90%. Not 99%. 100%.
That means everything we say, everything we do, and every partnership we form must be anchored in the Word of God. The Bible is not a prop for us — it’s the foundation. It’s not something we quote for optics — it’s the standard that governs our mission.
Because anything less than full obedience to God’s Word is disobedience. Anything less than full truth is compromise. And compromise is where corruption begins.
The Meaning of a 100% Biblical Worldview
A Biblical worldview means we see the world through Scripture — not through politics, not through culture, and not through comfort. It means we interpret reality through the lens of God’s Word rather than trying to interpret God’s Word through the lens of our feelings.
This isn’t popular in a society that worships self-expression, moral relativism, and the idol of “being nice.” But a Biblical worldview doesn’t care what’s trendy; it cares what’s true.
When we say “100% Biblical,” we mean the Bible is the final authority — not our emotions, not the media, not the government, not the majority, not even church traditions. If the Bible says something is right, it’s right. If the Bible says something is wrong, it’s wrong. Period.
It means that in our movement, we don’t twist Scripture to fit the times — we conform our lives to fit Scripture. We don’t water down truth to make sinners comfortable — we preach truth so sinners can be set free. We don’t skip the parts of the Bible that might offend — we proclaim the whole counsel of God because the truth that offends the flesh is the same truth that saves the soul.
As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 says:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Why This Matters More Than Ever
We live in a world that has rejected absolute truth. Culture has declared war on the very idea of a Biblical worldview. Society says all lifestyles are valid, all beliefs are equal, and all truth is relative. The result is chaos — moral confusion, cultural decay, and spiritual blindness.
That’s why holding a 100% Biblical worldview isn’t just important — it’s essential. It’s the only compass that still points north in a world spinning out of control. It’s the only foundation that won’t crack under the pressure of political correctness.
Sadly, many churches and ministries have caved. They want crowds, not conviction. They want applause, not accountability. They’ve replaced the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the gospel of self-help, therapy, and entertainment. They speak of “love,” but never repentance. They talk about “acceptance,” but never obedience.
That’s why our movement exists — to be a voice of truth in a world drowning in deception. To be a remnant of believers who will not sell out the Gospel for the sake of being liked. To be the light on a hill that refuses to be dimmed.
We fear God, not man. We obey Scripture, not culture. We stand on truth, not trends.
The Difference It Makes
When leaders operate from a Biblical worldview, everything changes. Decisions become eternal, not temporary. Ethics become absolute, not situational. Leadership becomes stewardship, not self-promotion.
When you lead with the Bible as your compass, you don’t cut corners. You don’t justify sin. You don’t rationalize dishonesty. You don’t separate your faith from your work because your work is your faith on display.
And when enough leaders start living this way — with courage, conviction, and Christ at the center — it doesn’t just change boardrooms. It changes families. It changes cities. It changes nations.
That’s what we’re building: a global army of business leaders who refuse to separate Sunday from Monday. Leaders who live for the approval of Heaven, not the applause of man. Leaders who are willing to lose everything for the sake of standing firm on truth.
Romans 12:2 puts it perfectly:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
A Biblical worldview transforms how you think, how you lead, how you live. It doesn’t make you “nicer.” It makes you holy. And holiness still matters.
Why Few Movements Like Ours Exist
The sad truth is that movements like C-Suite for Christ are rare because conviction comes at a cost. Preaching truth means losing popularity. Standing on Scripture means losing sponsorships. Refusing to compromise means losing comfort.
But that’s the price of discipleship. Jesus said it Himself in Matthew 16:24:
“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
We have no interest in being a feel-good, middle-of-the-road movement that preaches a message the world already agrees with. We’re not trying to fit in. We’re trying to stand out.
We will not dilute the Gospel to make sinners feel better about their sin. We will not apologize for calling sin what it is. We will not replace the Cross with comfort or the truth with tolerance.
Because when you strip the Gospel of its offense, you strip it of its power.
A Personal Word
I’ve been told countless times, “Paul, you should tone it down.” I’ve been advised to be more diplomatic, more inclusive, more careful with my words. But every time I’ve considered softening the message, the Holy Spirit reminds me that the same crowd that applauded Jesus on Sunday crucified Him on Friday.
The goal is not to be liked — it’s to be faithful. The goal is not to blend in — it’s to stand apart. The goal is not to fill a room — it’s to fill Heaven.
And every time we’ve stood firm on Scripture, even when it cost us something, God has honored it. He has opened doors we couldn’t open ourselves. He has brought people into this movement who are hungry for truth. He has poured out His favor because He blesses faithfulness — not compromise.
That’s why we will continue to build this movement on the rock-solid foundation of Scripture. That’s why we will continue to preach truth with boldness, love with conviction, and grace with power.
The Call to Stand Firm
If you’re tired of weak, watered-down Christianity… if you’re done watching churches bow to culture… if you’re ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders who refuse to compromise… now is the time.
Join us. Lock arms with us. Stand with us.
Because together, under the authority of God’s Word, we can — and we will — cover the world in Christ.
Cathi Williams is a seasoned Life and Leadership Coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience in the wellness space and 10 years of mindset coaching. Cathi has had the privilege of empowering countless individuals and businesses, including coaching companies such as Best Buy and Wells Fargo, and speaking for organizations like Hyatt Hotels.
We Christians are good at praying. We bow our heads, close our eyes, and pour our hearts out to God. We pray for blessings, breakthroughs, healing, opportunities, open doors, reconciled relationships, financial provision, and revival in our nation. And praise God for that! Prayer is essential. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of us pray far more than we prepare.
We say, “Lord, send me a spouse,” but we don’t prepare our hearts to love sacrificially. We pray, “Lord, bless me financially,” but we can’t even manage the little resources He’s already entrusted to us. We plead, “Lord, expand my influence,” but we refuse to discipline our character, our integrity, and our daily walk with Him.
This is why James 2:17 cuts so deep: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Prayer without preparation is dead faith. And dead faith doesn’t move mountains—it just sounds religious.
Why Would God Answer?
Let’s get real for a second. Why would God bless us with what we’re praying for if we haven’t made ourselves ready to receive it? Why would He pour out blessings if those blessings would crush us under the weight of our own unpreparedness?
Think about it:
If you’re asking God for financial freedom, but you keep overspending and ignoring biblical stewardship, wouldn’t more money just accelerate your problems?
If you’re asking God to restore your marriage, but you’re still clinging to pride, bitterness, or unconfessed sin, how could true reconciliation take root?
If you’re asking God for a bigger platform, but you haven’t cultivated humility and obedience, wouldn’t that platform become an idol and eventually destroy you?
This may sound controversial, but here’s the truth: If you’re not preparing, maybe you don’t really believe God is going to do what you’re asking. Because true faith doesn’t just pray—it prepares.
Preparation as Worship
Preparation is not just practical; it’s deeply spiritual. It’s an act of worship. It’s saying to God, “I believe You are who You say You are, and I believe You will do what You’ve promised, so I’m getting ready now.”
When Noah built the ark, it had never rained. People thought he was insane. But building that ark was an act of worship—it was faith in motion. When David picked up those five smooth stones, that was preparation. He didn’t just walk into the valley empty-handed and expect God to magically do the rest. He acted in expectation of God’s power.
Our preparation is proof that we actually believe what we’re praying for. If you’re praying for God to use you in ministry, start studying the Word with greater depth. If you’re praying for business opportunities, start sharpening your leadership and integrity. If you’re praying for revival, start fasting, gathering believers, and interceding with urgency.
Preparation reveals the size of your faith. Small preparation equals small faith. Bold preparation equals bold faith.
A Personal Conviction
Let me get vulnerable here: I’ve been guilty of praying without preparing. I’ve prayed for God to expand the reach of C-Suite for Christ, to grow our chapters, to touch lives across the globe. But then I’ve had to ask myself: Am I truly ready to carry that expansion?
Am I personally in the Word daily? Am I guarding my family and my marriage so that growth doesn’t become an idol? Am I surrounding myself with the right leaders who can carry the load alongside me?
God convicted me. Expansion isn’t just about more people, more influence, or more recognition. Expansion is about more responsibility, more temptation, more spiritual warfare. If I pray for it, I must prepare for it. Otherwise, I’m asking God to hand me something that could crush me.
Faith in Action
So here’s the challenge: Don’t just pray—prepare. Don’t just ask—act. Don’t just hope—hustle in obedience. Every prayer should be followed by a step of preparation:
Praying for God to use you more powerfully? Then dig deeper into His Word today.
Praying for financial blessing? Create a budget and live within it.
Praying for stronger relationships? Start by humbling yourself and asking forgiveness.
Praying for revival? Get on your knees daily and invite others to join you.
Prayer is the spark, but preparation is the woodpile. Without both, the fire won’t burn.
The Controversial Truth
Let me leave you with this bold, perhaps controversial, statement: If you’re not preparing for what you’re praying for, you might not actually believe God will answer. Preparation is the proof of faith. Without it, our prayers are little more than wishful thinking.
May we be people of both prayer and preparation. People of faith and works. People who not only cry out to God but also live in expectation of His mighty hand.
And may we all pray this dangerous but beautiful prayer: “Lord, prepare me for what I’m praying for. Shape me. Refine me. Stretch me. And when You move—and I know You will—may I be found ready.”
From an early age, Bill has been a sports enthusiast. His love for all sports led him to play an active role on all sides, from being a fan, father, former player, coach, and even a registered official over the years. Through these numerous experiences, Bill has experienced many good things, and has also seen first-hand the trend of increased pressure, translating into skyrocketing instances of abuse and violence surrounding the games. In fact, never before has the youth sports world needed Christian values, dignity, integrity and sportsmanship like today. Through TeamScore, Bill’s mission is to inspire exceptional sportsmanship in youth sports by helping parents, coaches, officials, athletes and fans to learn Godly respect and encouragement while providing a fun and developmental experience for kids and lifelong memories for all. Therefore, now is the time to bring back the educational benefits of sports and allow kids to learn skills and express themselves in a safe environment. Spanning 10 years, Bill wrote almost 500 sportsmanship columns for Gannett Wisconsin, reaching over 250,000 households on a weekly basis. As an avid writer and teacher on this subject, and leadership in general, Bill brings his experience and passion to educating all parties involved. Check out his book SCORE: A Guide to Supporting and Instilling Exceptional Sportsmanship and discover how we can make an impact together by joining the mission. Also, visit teamscoreinc.org to see how we can make youth sports fun, friendly again, and that kids will want to come back tomorrow! Bill resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin with his wife Debbie where they are proud parents of five grown boys.
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” — Acts 5:29 (ESV)
In a culture that increasingly celebrates sin and punishes conviction, one man’s quiet stand in the world of professional sports reminds us all that God is still on the move—and He’s using bold believers to shine His light in dark places.
This month’s story comes from the heart of Major League Baseball. We are highlighting the powerful and courageous act of Clayton Kershaw, the legendary pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. At a time when nearly every professional sports league is bending the knee to secular ideologies, Kershaw made a bold yet respectful stand for Christ—right in the midst of Pride Night.
In June, the Dodgers announced they would honor the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence”—a group that openly mocks Jesus Christ, nuns, and the Catholic faith—as community heroes during their Pride Night celebration. This announcement triggered nationwide backlash, especially from the faith community.
But Kershaw, a devout Christian and the face of the Dodgers franchise for over a decade, didn’t just voice concern. He took action. Instead of publicly railing against the organization, Kershaw worked behind the scenes. He advocated for the reinstatement and expansion of the Dodgers’ Christian Faith and Family Day, a longtime tradition that had quietly disappeared from the calendar.
Then, in a stunning visual seen by millions, Kershaw took the field during Pride Night wearing a custom hat featuring a Bible verse—Genesis 9:12-16:
“12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
This act may have seemed small to some. But in today’s cultural climate—where even whispering a traditional Christian viewpoint can lead to cancellation—it was a massive act of faith-fueled resistance. Kershaw didn’t cave. He didn’t go silent. He used his influence not to glorify himself, but to glorify God. And he did it with conviction, humility, and integrity.
In this era of compromised values, cultural pressure, and corporate cowardice, we need more leaders like Clayton Kershaw. As Christian executives and professionals, we often face similar moments—perhaps not on a nationally televised stage, but in boardrooms, hiring decisions, marketing campaigns, or HR policies. The choice to remain silent or speak up is ever-present.
Kershaw’s stand is a shining example that you can honor Christ boldly without being obnoxious, you can live your convictions publicly without burning bridges, and you can turn cultural compromise into spiritual opportunity—if you’re willing to act.
He didn’t boycott the team. He didn’t blast management. He didn’t spew hate. He redirected the conversation to Jesus and led by example. Kershaw’s courage aligns perfectly with what we stand for.
At C-Suite for Christ, our mission is clear: Cover the world in Christ. That means we don’t just believe privately—we lead publicly. We don’t just attend church on Sundays—we bring Jesus into the workplace Monday through Friday. We don’t just talk about God—we honor Him in action, even when it costs us something.
Like Kershaw, we’re in positions of influence. Like Kershaw, our choices affect others. Like Kershaw, our witness matters. In this story, God is not only on the move through a faithful man—He’s also on the move in a very dark and secular arena.
When you see headlines dominated by division, sin, and anti-Christian sentiment, remember: God is not silent. He’s raising up Daniels in Babylon. He’s empowering Esthers in the palace. He’s placing Josephs in Pharaoh’s court.
And He’s calling you to stand, too.
We must stop compartmentalizing our faith. We must stop bowing to fear. We must stop apologizing for the Gospel. The story of Clayton Kershaw should challenge all of us to ask: Where is God calling me to take a stand?
Here’s what we’re asking you to do as a member of the C-Suite for Christ movement:
Wear Your Faith – Literally and figuratively. Whether it’s gear from our SWAG Store, a Bible on your desk, or a Scripture on your LinkedIn profile—let people know whose you are.
Speak Boldly – When your company promotes something unbiblical, speak the truth in love. Offer alternatives. Share your convictions. Redirect the conversation toward Christ, like Kershaw did.
Lead with Integrity – Make decisions that honor God, even if they cost you. It’s not about popularity. It’s about obedience.
Share This Story – Talk about what Kershaw did. Share this article. Use it as a springboard for conversation with your team, your peers, your family. Let it stir hearts and open doors.
Pray for Courage – None of this is easy. But through Christ, we have the strength. Ask God to embolden you to live out Acts 5:29 in your daily life.
Yes, God is on the move. But He’s not just moving through celebrities and athletes.
He’s moving through you. So, as you head into your meetings, your emails, your conference calls this week, remember the hat Kershaw wore.
Remember this verse:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
