Called to Create
A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk
About
The work you do today matters for eternity.
We were created by an infinitely creative God to reflect his love and character to the world. One way we do that is by continuing his creative work. In this energizing book, serial entrepreneur and bestselling author Jordan Raynor helps artists, entrepreneurs, writers, and other creatives reimagine our work as service to God and others, addressing such penetrating questions as
· Is my work as a creative really as important as that of a pastor or missionary?
· What does it look like to create not to make a name for myself but to glorify God and serve others?
· How can I use my work to fulfill Jesus's command to create disciples?
· Will what I make today matter in eternity?
Includes compelling stories from an eclectic group of 40+ Christian entrepreneurs, including the founders of TOMS Shoes, Charity: Water, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, Guinness, HTC, and Sevenly as well as nontraditional entrepreneurs such as C. S. Lewis, Johann Sebastian Bach, and J. R. R. Tolkien.
"Creating a purpose-driven business or a nonprofit can be one of the significant ways to live out the gospel and serve others around you. This book will inspire and challenge you to action and change."--Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of Charity: Water
"Creativity is the natural and supernatural byproduct of a Spirit-filled life. I'm so thankful Jordan wrote this book to challenge the church to embrace creativity and entrepreneurship as a means of glorifying God and loving others!"--Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church
Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author who currently serves as the CEO of the venture-backed tech startup Threshold 360. He is also a cofounder of Citizinvestor, the world's largest crowdfunding platform for government projects. Author of Startup Stories, Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in the Bush White House in 2006. He lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and their two young daughters.
Endorsements
"Entrepreneurship provides an blank canvas for Christians to put their belief into action, and in Called to Create Jordan gives us a strong theology and a great imagination for what this might look like in the world. This is key reading for both the aspiring entrepreneur and the active founder alike."
Dave Blanchard, CEO and cofounder of Praxis
"Creativity isn't optional, not if we're serious about conforming to the image of Christ. Creativity is the natural and supernatural byproduct of a Spirit-filled life. I'm so thankful Jordan wrote this book to challenge the church to embrace creativity and entrepreneurship as a means of glorifying God and loving others!"
Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church
"Creating a purpose-driven business or a nonprofit can be one of the significant ways to live out the gospel and serve others around you. This book will inspire and challenge you to action and change."
Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of Charity: Water
"I have had the privilege of starting several businesses, both secular and faith-based, but have never written about my experiences. I would hope that, had I done so, my book would have been the one that Jordan Raynor has written. He has captured the essence of being entrepreneurial and--better yet--being an entrepreneur following the call of God. At my age and stage of life I am looking back with fulfillment and gratitude that when God calls, he also equips. May thousands of new entrepreneurs read this book and follows God's call to create for the glory of the Great Creator."
Ron Blue, founding director of Kingdom Advisors
"Millions of Jesus followers live in suspended animation, missing their true destiny in Christ and vocation. Called to Create is a tomahawk missile on course to set these captives free and invite them into a wild adventure of honoring God in the marketplace, reimagining calling, purpose, and vocation while embracing whole-life discipleship. It is a bold work that will inevitably change lives . . . perhaps yours!"
Mike Sharrow, president and CEO of The C12 Group
"Called to Create is a book that will warm your soul and light a fire in your heart. In this book, Jordan has brought to light an aspect of God's character that is both beautiful and compelling. His words will inspire you to look at your creative work--whatever it may be--as an act of worship and a reflection of God himself. Called to Create gives validation to the creative work you do and challenges you to continue that work as a service to the world around you. You will be motivated to go create something beautiful and live out the calling on your heart. Called to Create is the book that will give you the confidence to say, 'My work is valuable.' This is a must-read book for all Christian creatives, whether you've started your work or are still dreaming about it."
Krystal Whitten, creator of The Lettering Prayer Journal
"Whether you're a business owner, an entrepreneurial employee, a student looking to make something of the world, the founder of a nonprofit, a mompreneur, a photographer, a painter, a musician, an author, or a chef, Called to Create will help you see how your creative work can be an act of worship to God. There is no hierarchy of callings, whereby "ministers" or "missionaries" are the only ones doing the work of the Lord. God has called us all, and in Called to Create, Jordan debunks this bad theology and offers Christian creators an inspiring, biblically based invitation to embrace creativity as a means of serving God and others."
Mark Russell, PhD, founder of Elevate Publishing and author of Our Souls at Work, Work as Worship, and The Missional Entrepreneur
The Author
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Jordan Raynor
Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author who leads a growing community of Christians following God's call to create. He currently serves as the CEO of the venture-backed tech startup, Threshold 360. He is also a cofounder of Citizinvestor,...
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