The challenge of sharing Jesus in the workplace

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.

A friend of mine once went on a short-term medical mission to Africa. Many Christians promised to pray for her trip. Her reply was striking: “Thank you. But please also pray for me the rest of the year too, because being a Christian in NHS Scotland is harder than in Africa!” At a recent Christian conference, almost every hand went up when delegates were asked if they felt unequipped by their church for the challenges of workplace discipleship. Yet this remains the frontline where the church meets the world.

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. Of course, these groups face challenges, as colleagues often come from very different church traditions. But just as students work across denominations in Christian Unions to reach campuses, the same cooperation can continue in professional life.

Recently, a man felt called to start a CWG. He approached his HR department’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) officer. To his surprise, the officer replied, “I am a Christian, and I have been praying someone would ask me to do this! I’ve set up groups for every other minority here.” This will not happen in every workplace, but the charity Transform Work helps Christians engage positively with EDI networks. They provide experience in navigating workplace structures and using the Equalities Act, which protects “Religion and Belief”, to establish Christian 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.

The way groups operate varies widely. Some meet quietly to pray and look for conversational opportunities. Others run carol services, host evangelistic courses, or share resources on company intranets. www. transformwork.net/ is a great place to start in learning from the wisdom and experience of Christians who are already doing great work.

According to Transform Work, there are now almost 500 CWGs in the UK—more than double the number of university CUs. They are most well-established in London and currently smaller in Scotland and Wales. It is estimated that CWGs and sector groups linked to Transform Work involve about 40,000 Christians.

Abraham Kuyper once said: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” We readily apply this to the church, and sometimes to creation care, but many Christians are now wrestling with what it means for God’s will to be done in the workplace as it is in heaven.