In 1990 I was on an oil rig in the South China Sea off the coast of Brunei where I saw Ian McCormick’s video “A Glimpse of Eternity“. After watching Ian’s story I gave my heart to Jesus.

[ For more info on Ian McCormick see: www.aglimpseofeternity.org - ed.]

After traveling between Perth and Brunei for eight years I found myself redundant in 1995. I then enrolled into a TAFE college to commence studies for the Certificate 1V of Business. There was no particular reason for this other than I always wanted to own my own business.

Mid way through the course I was contacted by a friend who was working for a medium to large oil company that had a vacancy. As the studies were taking a toll

on our finances I was very grateful for a position of night shift Drilling Supervisor. However it soon dawned on me that I didn’t have the academic knowledge required for the position. For the next 14 months I got on my knees before God every day and told him I couldn’t do this job if he didn’t come to work with me. God always saw me through and even gave me some amazing situations that touched others. I always gave the Glory to God.

In 1996 I went to NZ as a Drilling Supervisor in charge of an exploration well off the east coast of NZ. As I didn’t have a night supervisor as an assistant, the Holy Spirit gave me strength to work 17 days straight with only 2 hours sleep per day. He helped keep me keep alert during that period.

When I returned to Perth I wanted to have a break. That lasted seven months because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find employment. After this a friend mentioned that a position was opening up with another oil company. I was soon on my way to Aberdeen in Scotland for a three week induction course.

In July 1997 I returned from Aberdeen to replace another person who had to go back to the UK. In November 1999 the company made a proposal that if I opened an office in Perth they would work through me. So in January 2000 Pathfinder Resources Australia Pty Ltd opened it’s doors. I founded the business on the following scriptures:

• “But you shall earnestly remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut 8:18 Amplified Bible).

• 1 Chron 29:10-13.

At this time I had no business acumen and only several completed units of the TAFE business course. Through my lack God wanted to teach me his principles, as I daily sought Him more and more. He taught me principles that resulted in financially blessing as I applied them and conversely I noticed that the rewards failed when I didn’t implement his ways. I learnt to seek wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit and to apply his way of doing things.

Here are some of the principles I have learnt to apply in my business:

1. Before I start my car in the driveway I ask God to come to work with me. I ask for His love, peace, patience and kindness to flow through me throughout the day. I ask the Holy Spirit for godly wisdom and knowledge in everything I do and say. I ask him to stand guard over my mouth and give him permission to jerk me into line if I say or do something offensive to Him. When I arrive at work I remain in the car for a few minutes and pray for the other businesses in the same building.

2. Prior to calling a potential client I ask God to give me favour with the person and soften his/her heart. I do the same when the phone rings. I remember to thank God for favour with the caller.

3. One of the most important principles I have learnt is to keep free of debt. From my very first day with the UK company grant of $20,000 to help me get started, I would pay every debt and invoice on the day it was received. I would not wait the normal 7 or 30 days to pay as I believe that what you sow you reap. I also contacted all the financial controllers I had to deal with and explained that I was starting up and needed payment as soon as possible. The funds started coming in well before the 30 day provision. Within months Pathfinder’s bank balance grew. One of the reason’s Pathfinder Resources has remained debt free is by implementing the principle of not withholding another company’s prosperity by delay in paying invoices.

4. Prayer is vital. I believe I have received insight into God’s ways of multiplication through prayer. I felt God asked me to form a business group in the church I attend. The group soon grew to 40 as people from other churches joined us. The idea was for everyone to pray for the other 39 businesses for 5 minutes every morning. In this way every business involved would have 195 minutes of prayer for their business and employees before they start work. Christian employees in turn were encouraged to pray for 5 minutes every morning for their supervisors, managers, and business owners.

5. God answers prayer much quicker when we pray for others. As he knows our needs, we put others first.

6. The prayer of agreement (Matt 18: 18-20). We agree in prayer for the needs of our business with our spouse first, and then with our business partners (if they are Christian). We do not hold onto strife or grudges and are very quick to forgive others whether we are right or wrong. We remember that a house divided cannot stand.

7. Blessings of obedience (Deut 10:12 and Deut 28: 1-14) Debt is one of the greatest causes of stress among Christians, especially Christian business people. The enemy attacks 24 hrs per day and wants Christian Business people to give up on God and loose their faith in the word of God. We realise that if people blame God for their troubles they will become ineffectual. So we keep out of debt an thank God in all circumstances.

8. Pray for favour. Our future is not thrust upon us without our consent. We impact our future every day by either giving God first place in our lives - or by putting the things of this world first. We realise we have a choice: plant the seeds of God’s word in our hearts each day, or entertain the doubts and fears of the world.

9. Breakthrough time. The scripture says of God that he: ”calls things that are not as though they were” (Rom 4:17). If after all the above we still don’t see changes for good we know that the enemy has fired his best shot and this is the time to stand firm (Eph 6:13-14). It seems that around 8 out of 10 Christian business people give up on prayer when the going gets tough and don't receive what God wants them to have.

10. Every morning before getting out of bed I declare: “I am blessed to be a blessing, blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out, I have favour everywhere I go”. My covenant in God’s promises does not truck with fear.

God’s blessing to you,

John Grullis
Director
Pathfinder Resources
Click here for email.