Call Summary: Career Guidance, Ministry Philosophy, and Business Collaboration

Overview

Ida called to check on Gary after sensing he needed prayer, leading to a profound conversation about integrating ministry with marketplace work. The discussion covered Gary's career struggles, Ida's counseling business vision, potential collaboration on AI-enhanced therapy services, and deep theological guidance about following God's will in career decisions.

Key Topics Discussed

Maternal Care and Spiritual Adoption

• Opening Concern: "Morning. Just checking in... you were weighing on me. I prayed for you yesterday, and I didn't know what was going on, but I didn't want to be intrusive"
• Spiritual Relationship: "I've told everybody you're my spiritual son. I've adopted you"
• Gary acknowledged: "I think I do see you as a... spiritual mom already"
• First time Gary will visit their home for Thanksgiving, concern about animal allergies

Career Struggles and Ministry Calling

• Friend's Perspective: Gary shared that a friend said seeing him "in a 9 to 5 feel like that's putting an animal in a zoo cage"
• Gary's Dilemma: "I want to just do work for the kingdom and I'm really trying to get myself in a place where I have faith that some kind of career setup is aligned"
• Ida's Response: "You have been called to ministry... but the ministry you are going to live and live out is going to be so much bigger than just a church"
• Kingdom Tech Vision: Gary: "Kingdom tech, Kingdom business. It's scary... I feel like I have no blueprint for this"

The Relay Race Ministry Philosophy

• Ida's Vision: "I could only do my part in the race. Even the pastors, they can only do so much in the little time that they have"
• Divine Appointments: "I was carrying the baton and I would run with the baton as long as I had that appointment. It could be a day, it could be 30 days, it could be a year"
• Heart Preparation: "The fertilization you make help make their heart fertile... so when the next person who's part of the plan is able to give them that opportunity to receive Christ... their heart and their spirit and their mind are more ready"
• Carlos's Journey: Example of pastor praying over Carlos without permission at memorial service as preparation for Liberty Church deliverance

Workplace Ministry and Bold Witness

• Being the Church Everywhere: "When I go to HEB, I'm the church. I see someone, a couple and they're having a hard time. I'll talk to them"
• Tech Office Story: Forced tech guys to help her with student transcripts while playing Christian music: "I'm playing my Christian music. I hope it doesn't bother you, but I'm singing, too"
• Unapologetic Faith: "I'm not gonna not be myself wherever I go. I'm gonna be exactly who I am"
• Speaking Life: When people say something negative: "I refuse that I speak life"

The Red Jay Guidance and Counseling

• Business Creation: Website through Therapy Sites ($50/month) and Simple Practice for scheduling
• Name Origin Story: Carlos suggested the name, saying: "There's no such bird. They're either cardinals or blue jays, but they're not called red jays... I know there's no such thing. Just like you. There's no such thing. But God made you how you are"
• Carlos's Affirmation: "You tell people that there's no such thing as you. And you're so rare. And we need you to do what you were sent here to do"
• Marketing Dilemma: "I haven't marketed... I just think globally. I feel like I have to influence lots of people at a time"

Potential Business Collaboration

• Gary's Research: "I was looking at software for streamlining sales and marketing and AI automations... using YouTube to grow visits to... something like a counseling site"
• AI Integration Idea: "They could chat with an AI first just to make sure that they're the right fit... then they actually pay for some kind of consultation"
• Gary's Motivation: "I just know that you've changed so many lives and you will change so many more"
• Marketing Approach: Carlos and Jesus advised not advertising as explicitly Christian "because people will be turned away"

TED Automation Franchise Model

• Texas Care Opportunity: Interviewed for position at counseling franchise that handles all business operations
• Business Model: "Multi millionaire from Houston" created automated franchise system covering multiple industries
• Revenue Structure: Hiring unlicensed "Quality Mental Health Professionals" (QMPH) for $40-50K while billing $400K from their work
• Ida's Safety Concern: Refused home visits requirement: "It's dangerous... domestic violence and abusive partners... It's not safe"
• Gary's Potential: "You have all the software experience and leadership experience... you could do this asleep"

Ministry in the Digital Age

• Two Worlds Reality: "We are halfway in reality and halfway in cyberspace. Humans are. We live in two worlds now"
• Generational Mission: "We have kids that are more in cyberspace than in the real world. So how do we minister in this new world that's both at the same time"
• Gary's Unique Position: "Your career could be something that is like that. You touch down, you do what needs to be done there. But you're still you, you're still a minister"
• Urgency: "The world, especially in technology and that industry and cyberspace, seems to be folding in on itself. And we need to bring your love and your spirit into that space"

Divine Will and Decision-Making

• Struggle as Confirmation: "If there's a fight, you're on the right path... if you're struggling... there's something happening in the spiritual realm"
• God in Every Choice: "The choice you make, no matter what, God is going to be in it because he is in your story"
• No Wrong Choice: "Any choice you make is a God choice... whatever is meant for you will come to fruition"
• Oklahoma/Tulsa Protection: About the failed opportunity: "I think it was to protect you. God loves you"
• Divine Orchestration: "If he shuts the door, it's not gonna go through"

Powerful Prayer for Gary

Ida prayed comprehensively for:

• Seeking first the kingdom of God
• Revelation for Gary's next steps
• Recognition that nothing in Gary's life has been accidental
• Binding minds to Christ and loosening strongholds
• Ministering and warrior angels
• Canceling "every trick, every trap, every plot or scheme"
• Resources and connections: "He already has everything he needs... if he doesn't have them now... they will come and meet him"
• Career provision as "Jehovah Jireh"

Key Quotes

• Ida on Gary's calling: "You are helping to spark the generation of people who know that they're the church wherever they go and live it"
• On being different: "There's no such thing as you. And you're so rare. And we need you to do what you were sent here to do"
• Ministry perspective: "I'm teaching people how to be human"
• On choices: "Any choice I make, whether I choose the charter school or the public school or the clinic... wherever I have gone, it has been impactful"
• Kingdom advancement: "We don't want to do anything that doesn't have to do with advancing your kingdom"
• Victory declaration: "The victory is ours, Gary. We win"

Action Items / Next Steps

• Gary to review TED Automation franchise model links Ida will send
• Explore collaboration on AI-enhanced counseling business
• Consider how to market counseling services without explicitly Christian branding
• Gary to take allergy medication before Thanksgiving visit
• Continue developing "digital first" counseling business concept
• Prayer focus on seeking kingdom first, trusting all else will be added

Ministry Philosophy Framework

The conversation revealed Ida's mature understanding of marketplace ministry where believers function as "the church" in every environment. Her relay race metaphor provides a framework for understanding one's role in God's larger plan - carrying the baton for your appointed time, preparing hearts for the next person in the chain. This perspective releases pressure to "complete" every spiritual transaction while maintaining urgency about kingdom impact.

Relationship Dynamics

The maternal care Ida shows for Gary is profound - checking on him when spiritually prompted, offering practical advice, and providing theological grounding. Her affirmation that he's "so rare" and needed for this technological age provides crucial encouragement. The mutual respect is evident: Gary sees her as a spiritual mother whose life-changing work deserves broader reach, while she sees him as uniquely positioned to bring kingdom influence to the tech world. Their potential business collaboration represents a merging of spiritual wisdom with technological capability.