In today’s fast-paced business world, many Christian professionals wrestle with how to authentically live out their faith in their daily work. Erin White Truter’s story offers a powerful, relatable example of what it looks like to weave faith seamlessly into vocational life: whether in a hospital office, a community college classroom, or supporting a family business.
Erin’s journey began over 20 years ago. Fresh from a short-term mission trip to Africa with Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), she stepped into her first major role at age 23: managing 27 women, most older than her, in a rural hospital’s health information management department. Overwhelmed and underprepared, she quickly realized her own limitations. In that moment of desperation, she turned to God: “Lord, I cannot do this. You are going to have to help me figure this out.”
That humble cry became the foundation for a lifelong commitment to integrate faith and work. What started as necessity grew into intentional ministry in the marketplace.
Today, as an adjunct faculty member at a local community college for the past 16 years, Erin serves nontraditional students: many returning to education amid life crises like job loss, family challenges, or personal loss. Her role often involves the students others find difficult, the ones who need extra grace and patience. She views each one through the lens of the Holy Spirit: “Who needs You, Lord, in this bunch?”
One powerful example stands out. A student in her late 30s suddenly stopped engaging in her online class. Behind the scenes was heartbreak: an unexpected pregnancy followed by miscarriage, her husband’s aggressive cancer diagnosis, and the death of her mother all in quick succession. When Erin learned the story, her immediate response was simple yet profound: “Can we pray about this? Can I pray for you right now?”
They prayed together over the phone. Erin then encouraged the student not to give up, offering to work together step-by-step to complete the course. The woman finished successfully and later shared how that support and the prayer gave her a much-needed victory, reminding her that God had not forgotten her in her darkest season.
Erin also balances her teaching role with life as a stay-at-home mom and helping her husband run a Chick-fil-A franchise often on short notice. Rather than seeing these domains as separate compartments, she stewards them all with faith at the center, demonstrating generous service across family, work, and ministry.
Her story reminds Christian businesspeople that ministry rarely requires a special program or church platform. It often looks like:
- Offering prayer in a moment of crisis
- Extending grace to those on the edge
- Stewarding time, talents, and influence for others’ good.
This is a different kind of stewardship, not just of finances, but of lives and opportunities God places before us.
If you’re seeking ways to let your faith shine more brightly in your professional life, take heart from Erin’s journey. Start where you are with humility, dependence on God, and a willingness to serve the person in front of you. In doing so, you may find yourself transformed, and through you, others may encounter the love of Christ in unexpected places.
What small step could you take this week to bring faith into your marketplace calling?