From Head to Heart: Laying All on the Line for God with Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy, a serial author and entrepreneur, shares a profound journey from a faithless upbringing to a life deeply rooted in Christ, impacting both his personal and professional spheres. His story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, even when it means laying everything on the line.

McCarthy's early life was marked by entrepreneurial spirit but lacked a spiritual foundation. Born on Christmas Day, he humorously notes, "I've always said that that was sort of God's way of reminding me that I'm number two." His intellectual curiosity led him to self-help literature, a path that would later converge with his spiritual awakening. The pivotal moment arrived when his wife expressed a desire for a Christian marriage, leading him from the tennis court to the church pew. What began as an intellectual pursuit of wisdom found in the Bible, eventually transformed into a deeply personal encounter with Jesus during an "Episcopal Cursillo" – a three-day training in Christianity.

He describes this experience as a "bath in love," where the genuine service and affection from men of diverse backgrounds profoundly impacted him. This shift from an intellectual understanding of faith to a heartfelt connection was crucial, especially as he faced a significant personal and professional crisis.

Faith Tested in the Marketplace

Simultaneously, Kevin was navigating a tumultuous "business divorce" from a real estate development partnership. Despite having projects worth millions in today's dollars, he made the difficult decision to walk away from his title, income, and equity, prioritizing his reputation over financial gain. "My reputation is more important to me than the money or the equity or the years of my life that I've invested in this," he asserts. This period of immense personal and financial upheaval was made navigable by his nascent faith. "Had I not had the faith component, I don't really know how I would have gotten through the other part, even though it was a really young immature faith. But I just knew that my identity was no longer in my work. My identity was now in Christ."

This experience became the bedrock of his "On-Purpose" methodology, which he developed long before the concept of “purpose” became mainstream. For McCarthy, purpose is not merely a business strategy but an existential and spiritual question: "Why are we here?" He defines purpose for a Christian audience as "your identity in Christ," encapsulated in a two-word purpose statement beginning with "to the glory of God, I exist to serve by..." This framework allows him to connect with individuals from all walks of life, using "living water language" to meet people where they are, much like Jesus did with the Samaritan woman at the well.

Maintaining a Fresh Faith

Maintaining a fresh faith involves daily disciplines, such as reading Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" and engaging in regular prayer. His work itself, with a logo subtly incorporating a cross, serves as a constant reminder of his identity in Christ. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's identity with Christ, especially when facing ethical dilemmas in the marketplace. He warns against the "death by a thousand cuts" of small compromises that can lead to significant moral erosion, advocating for decisive action to cut free from unethical paths, even if it means leaving a job.

Kevin's journey highlights the importance of choosing mentors wisely and the power of confession and forgiveness. He candidly shares his own past mistakes, emphasizing that "no matter what your standards are, you're going to mess up. And if forgiveness isn't built into your heart both in terms of giving and receiving it and asking for it, you're now going to create a facade that will take on a life of its own." He critiques the "gold-plated version of yourself" that often masks inner struggles, aiming to help successful individuals reorder their lives to align with their true purpose.

Faith, Purpose, and Marketplace Influence

His ultimate message for those navigating faith in the marketplace is rooted in scripture: "For what does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?" He counters this with his own gospel according to ”Kevin," "Blessed are the profit makers, for they shall enrich the planet." This means adding value to others' lives, not just accumulating wealth. For McCarthy, being "awesome in the marketplace" and "awesome in your faith" is the winning combination.

Kevin McCarthy's story is a powerful illustration of how a deep, personal faith can transform every aspect of life, enabling individuals to navigate challenges with integrity, purpose, and a profound sense of calling. His work at on-purpose.com continues to guide others in discovering and living out their God-given purpose.