For many Christians, the place with the most challenges and opportunities for sharing their faith is the workplace. While most evangelistic training, prayer and activity is church-focused, the reality is that believers spend the bulk of the time they spend with non-Christians, in offices, shops, factories, airports or campuses.
In 2025, thousands of Christians across the UK are considering how to be more faithful and visible for Jesus in councils, hospitals, universities, government departments, factories and businesses. Around 500 Christian Workplace Groups (CWGs) now bring believers together to strengthen their witness. CWGs operate alongside long-established professional groups such as the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship (LCF), and the Christian Police Association (CPA). The lesson is clear: whether in student CUs or workplace groups, Christians can make a far greater impact when they pray and stand together than when they work alone. Fellowship and prayer not only sustain believers but also embolden them to speak more courageously for Christ.
Thrive 25 was an initiative shared between Solas, Transform Work and The Business Connection, to grow workplace ministry in Scotland. Together with churches and workplace groups around the country, and with speakers from around the UK and from the States; we held conferences in five Scottish cities.
In Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, each event was packed full or sung worship, Bible teaching, testimonies, poetry, interviews with Christians in workplaces (A lawyer, doctor, teacher, artist, lecturer, scientist, Oil and gas managers, hairdresser, double-glazing manufacturer, cafe-owner, and more).
As a result some Christian workplace groups have been formed, Christians have been encouraged to step up and to see their work as part of God’s plans – and connections made which will lead to further growth. There is still a lot to do in Scotland though. At the end of each conference the delegates were comissioned to go back to their shops and offices to serve Christ there. Ken Janke – who has a long experience of workplace ministry used the Old Testament story of Nehemiah to encourage everyone to be bold for Christ at work. Just as Nehemiah did when he was Nebuchadnezzar’s cupbearer.
The driving force behind Thrive 25 was Martyn Link, who commented, ” We estimate around 300 people attended in person or our online prayer meetings each morning, with news of around a dozen new CWGs started or emerging. We have a WhatsApp group of nearly 200 people and
350 people following us on Eventbrite where we publish our monthly events. Between our various
databases of contacts, we have around 1000 people we are in contact with. This means that we have commissioned around a third of our target number, and a fifth of the new CWGs that we want to start. The infrastructure is now in place to support the growth!”
I had the joy of being able to travel with the Thrive25 crew around all five cities and contribute some Bible teaching to all the events. The fellowship on the road was delightful, the prayer-times remarkable, and the goal of growing the witness of God’s people in the ‘9-to-5’ exactly right.
At Solas, we work with many CWGs, in the UK and beyond. We look forward to the plans for Thrive 27, which is scheduled to take place in 18 months. Keep an eye out for more information here on the Solas website. For many Christians thew workplace is the very frotnline of their calling from God. So it’s great to able to do something to support and encourage them there.
