Q: You are President of Meguiar’s, Inc, the top selling brand of Car Wax in America and loved by Car Guys all over the world. Describe what it’s like to take your faith in God into the business world.
A: I can’t imagine doing it any other way! The stress of managing a rapidly changing and growing business without God’s help was unthinkable. He grew us from a $600,000 cottage business, selling car dealers and other services like body shops or Car key replacement Toronto, to a global mass marketer with 32 years of double-digit growth as I’ve followed God’s lead! Thanks also to this outsourced human resources for startups in the UK who are dedicated resource and helped me with the HR services needs for my business.
Right out of college, I became the third-generation leader of my family business. We’d had zero growth for the previous four years and the pressure was on me to grow the business. I immediately grabbed onto Proverbs 3:5, “Trust the Lord with your whole heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.”
For me that was easy . . . I had no understanding! I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, especially when I entered the consumer marketplace. I knew my only hope was placing my wholehearted trust in Him. For over 50 years, He’s honored my trust and directed my steps and I’ve given Him all the credit at every opportunity.
Q: As the son of a successful businessman, you grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age, but something was missing. How did God speak to your heart and set your faith on fire?
A: In spite of the fact that I was giving sacrificially of my time and resources, volunteering for everything at church and seeking His guidance in running my business, I had no joy and I wanted a life full of joy! So, I prayed for joy and God sat me beside a guy at a luncheon who was the most joy-filled person I had ever met.
For a solid hour, Herb Ellingwood told me story after story of his faith sharing experiences . . . with joy like I had never seen before. He had what I wanted! And because I wanted it so badly, I immediately began sharing my faith at every opportunity and joy came in like a flood and ignited my life forever.
Q: Every year Meguiar’s sponsors Car Shows around the globe. Explain why you consider every event an opportunity to share Christ?
A:All of us are in full-time ministry. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, everything we do and say is moving people closer or further away from God.
Whether we’re on the job, in the park, in a waiting room or restaurant, or on the phone with an operator, almost everyone we interact with is hurting and no one cares. That’s why Jesus said, “They will know you’re My disciple by your love.” No training required.
The only thing that will matter 100 years from now, is how many people are in Heaven or not going to Heaven because of your influence. For Christians, this is what life is all about! Our role is to move everyone, every day, closer to Jesus in every situation!
Q: Some estimates say as many as 70% of Car Guys don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ. How is God using your ministry to change that?
A: Our responsibility is to move everyone closer to Jesus, no matter where we are. As it happens, I spend lots of time with Car Guys (guys and gals) all over the world, and they’re all the same . . . generous, caring, and kind. Many compare themselves with “Christians” they know who are not as generous, caring and kind and see no reason to become one. That’s an indictment on the Church!
People don’t want what they see in most Christians. That’s why we’ve become a Post-Christian Society, with less than 20% of our population still going to church regularly. It’s critically important, for those of us who know the Lord, to let our light shine constantly . . . to let everyone see God through us and want what we have.
Q: After a near death experience, the Lord spoke to you to take your ministry to a new level by starting Revival Outside the Walls. Describe that moment and how this movement is transforming lives.
A: In the year 2000, God told me through a friend that He was going to expand my territory and give me a ministry apart from my business. I knew that meant helping lay-people understand the fun side of faith sharing and all the blessings that come with it.
In the next seven years, our 100-year-old family business doubled in size, along with my influence and opportunity to tell others about Him. But with the pressures of my exploding business, I failed to start a formal ministry. That’s when God put me on my back with a virus the doctors couldn’t diagnose that attacked every organ in my body. I was dying!
I didn’t have a near death experience, but at my weakest point God told me He put me there to get my attention and how to start the ministry, which is now Ignite Your Life/Revival Outside the Walls. All of our ministries are razor focused on igniting Christians to Ignite America with Revival, including Daily Radio Broadcasts on over 800 Christian Radio Stations in 47 states and our TV Show on Daystar.
Q: As host of “Ignite Your Life” on Daystar, a program that combines your passion for cars with your passion for reaching the lost, what can new viewers that tune it expect to hear?
A: While Christians generally know they should be sharing their faith, they have no idea how much fun it is. They picture people with signs and megaphones in crowded places and scenes of people praying with people on their knees . . . which most Christians will never do.
On Ignite Your Life TV, you’ll experience ignited Christians with different temperaments and all ages, ethnicities and walks of life explaining why sharing their faith is the most fun thing they do. Their stories will make you laugh and cry and want to get in on the fun. All this while cruisin’ in cool cars and walking through jaw-dropping car collections . . . outside the walls of the Church.
Q: How can believers take their everyday interests and turn them into a pulpit to preach the Gospel?
A: When Jesus touched people, it was always in the course of His normal activities for the day. On average, 90% of the people you interact with on a normal day are lost, and how are they going to know the truth unless someone tells them . . . unless you tell them?
You have an added advantage with people with whom you have credibility, shared interests, and regular contact. This allows them to see Jesus through you on a regular basis and want what you have. And if your walk with the Lord isn’t as consistent as it should be, it will be real fast when you make the salvation of those around you your highest priority. That’s huge!
The key is knowing how to move everyone, every day, closer to Jesus without raising eyebrows or offending. Jesus told us how to do that when He said just love on people. People are never offended when you love on them and tell them God loves them.
Q: What’s one common miss-conception most Christians have about unbelievers and their willingness to hear the life-changing message of Christ?
A: After sharing my faith on a daily basis for over 40 years, I can tell you it’s never been easier! A staggering 86% of the unchurched know the world is out of control, would like to believe there’s a God who can make sense out of the chaos, and are actually looking for someone to tell them.
Even better, 83% of the unchurched already have a Christian in their life that they trust. We have all the influence we need to turn America’s heart back to God. We’re simply not using it. God help us!
Q: In life and business, you’ve faced serious challenges to your faith. Give an example of how putting your trust in God’s Promises helped carry you through a difficult season.
A: I’ve had serious challenges to my life but never to my faith. James 1 tells us that when our faith wavers, we’re double-minded and can’t expect anything from Him. God is not obligated to help those who are praying and worrying. That’s being double-minded and the opposite of being His faithful servant.
The formula for effortless, unwavering faith is living for God’s purpose (Romans 8:28) to seek and save the lost . . . to move everyone, every day, closer to Jesus. My faith doesn’t waver because I know God is making everything in my life work for good . . . because I live every day for His purpose.
Even when I was about to be thrown out of my 100-year-old family business by my Venture Capital partner, I slept soundly because of Romans 8:28, and the next morning I witnessed the biggest miracle of my life!
Q: What advice would you give those who want to take their faith into the marketplace through business?
A: All of us are in full-time ministry, at all times, with everything we say and do, whether on or off the job. Simply living a Godly life in this day and age speaks volumes. Going the extra mile, turning the other cheek, and loving those who come against you is not natural. It’s supernatural, greatly noticed, and doesn’t violate company policies.
But a cup of cold water is just a cup of cold water unless it’s given in Jesus’ name. So, it’s important to let people know you’re a Christian, giving the glory to God and moving them closer to Jesus. Finding creative ways to do that is the fun part. Mentioning where you eat lunch after church, or repeating a story your pastor told, or referring to a friend you know from church let’s people know you’re a Christian without raising eyebrows.
Q: How can Christians remain steadfast in their beliefs when surrounded by those who disagree and even argue against a relationship with Christ?
A: Follow the nudge, live in the FOG! All of us know what the nudge is . . . when God is nudging you to reach out to someone or pray for someone outside of your comfort zone. It happens all the time, and without exception, we’re always thankful when we follow God’s nudge.
When you follow God’s nudge, you’re living your life for God’s purpose (Romans 8:28) and in His Promise to make everything in your life work for good. That’s when your living in the FOG (The Favor of God) with miracles happening in all parts of your life. This is what being a Christian is all about! When you live in the FOG, you’ll automatically have effortless, unwavering, whole-hearted faith, regardless of what the world around you says or does.
Q: What are some practical ways we can share our faith every day and impact eternity?
A: Tony Clark says to talk with God about people before talking to people about God. Start every day by praying for every person you’re going to be with that day. Then, love on everyone and be ready for God’s nudge.
When God orchestrates an opportunity, learn as much as you can before offering advice. You’ll be amazed how fast people will open up when you have genuine interest and concern for them.
Always expect God to use you to change lives. Listen intently to what they say! God will reveal their needs and give you the precise words, scriptures, and life experiences to speak to their needs. You’ll see it on their face and in their tears and know that you’re in the middle of a God-orchestrated encounter. There’s nothing like knowing God is using you at that very moment to move someone closer to Him.
Q: What’s next for you in life and ministry? Can you share what the Lord has placed on your heart concerning future projects and events?
A: I feel like my entire life has been preparation for what lies ahead. I’ve never been more excited over being part of reaching millions of people for the Lord before He returns.
What a privilege to represent Him at this critical moment in human history. Our best hope for exponential growth in soul winning, before the Lord returns, is the multiplication factor of igniting Christians to ignite America with Revival.
We have a host of programs to reach that goal. Stay tuned!