Innovation, Virtue, and Vocation: Faith’s Role in Social Impact

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner

How do personal agency, vocation, and faith intersect in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges—poverty, injustice, and human suffering? What does our faith call us to do?

My book, Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results, focuses on the how of social change. But just as important is the who. Talent, agency, and vocation are essential ingredients for transformation—yet too many potential changemakers hold back.

We all face obstacles: fear, workplace dysfunction, limited resources, or doubt in our ability to make a difference. Sometimes we hesitate, failing to see ourselves as innovators or leaders. But when we are not attuned to our true calling and unique gifts, the world suffers. Imagine if Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, or Fred Rogers had never stepped forward into their vocations.

Of course, discovering our own vocation—or encouraging others in our communities to do so—is easier said than done. It requires soul-searching, intentionality, introspection, and prayer. But when we align our purpose with God’s vision for justice and love, we begin to see the world’s needs more clearly—and we become equipped to respond.

Innovation and social entrepreneurship aren’t confined to Silicon Valley. Whether we work in government, business, or faith-based nonprofits, we are all called to create, build, and lead. Innovation begins with a mindset—one shaped by faith, hope, joy, agency, and a belief in the beloved community.

Faith has always been a catalyst for social movements. Through stories of faith-fueled social entrepreneurs and nonprofit powerhouses—like the Mayo Clinic, the American civil rights movement, and Fred Rogers’ nonprofit production company—we see how courageous leadership can create meaningful change. When we embrace the sacred work of innovation, we can move mountains.

In this talk, I’ll share real-world stories of faith-driven vocations and innovation, illustrating how we can bridge the gap between calling and action. Together, we can step more fully into our vocations and gifts to build a better, more just world.