The Impact of….Joe Green

By Shakira Arikah Nash Baly

That morning, I wasn’t expecting to come face-to-face with a true messenger of God.

As a matter of fact, I thought I had everything all together for my day, even though I was deeply thinking otherwise of my personal life. I had prepared several interview questions for the man whom I had really only heard about from the publisher of When Magazine, Doug Deneve. He said that Joe Green was an extraordinary man of God who is powerfully advancing the kingdom by teaching companies to operate on the Holy Principles for true success. Doug said that every company Mr. Green touched was blessed, so really, I didn’t know what to expect.

I scrambled all my things together to reach my appointment to his Brentwood office in a timely fashion. His assistant, Leigh Ann, met me in the waiting room and ushered me back to meet Mr. Green. My hands were getting a little sweaty at this time from nerves, and I had to say silent prayers just to gather myself. And then, enters Joe Green.

A very handsome man with bright, blue eyes and a reassuring smile, Mr. Green sat down and made light conversation with a side of humor. I supposed this was because he could sense my nerves. I set my tape recorder down and pressed the record button – only to find I forgot the batteries. It was at that time, Mr. Green turned the tables around and interviewed me.

I shared the basic information, but then he asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks – “What do you think is God’s vision for your life?”

I didn’t expect the question, or the big tears that came from my eyes. While I searched for the answer, he simply said, “Understand the perfect picture; God’s vision for me + me following that picture equals happiness.”

He allowed me to compose myself and start on my questions for him – which seemed menial in comparison to what had just happened.

Joe shared that it was his parents love and devotion for God, each other, and his siblings that compelled him to be the first out of his brothers and sisters to claim Christ as his Savior, which happened at the age of 12. From seeing his father’s integrity in handling business transactions with the family store to never once witnessing an argument between his parents, his convictions in Christ grew stronger and stronger. He didn’t consider any adversaries or “nay-sayers“, he only knew Christ and His Word.

Joe admits that although he held on to the faith and was aware God was prodding him in a certain direction, he heavily relied on the decorated successes he had achieved as a sign of happiness, yet though he was not truly happy. Sure he had a beautiful and loving wife, a growing family (six children), but something was missing. He found himself relying on prescription medication for hypertension until one day, he ended up in the emergency room for high blood pressure. Lying on that table, Joe heard God through the doctor saying that if he didn’t change his lifestyle, he will surely die.

It was at this time that Joe finally obeyed God’s call. Although he had no visible resources at the time of this obedience, God quickly showed his faithfulness by providing him with the contacts for finances, resources and a staff to begin to demonstrate that a major company (beginning in the medical field) can achieve success wholly by operating on God’s principles. The rest is history.

But what is his secret? How does he maintain consistency, even when times look bleak? Joe shares that he starts each morning exercising to maintain his physical strength, and a quiet time with God for everything else. He continually keeps himself proactive by seeking other searching professional souls, and asking them the question; “What is it that God may be saying to (you)?” Then gives several points to ponder:

1) Am I having people meet with (God)?
2) Am I operating my company as a mission?
3) He will provide funds, people, etc., and then adds to not try and move ahead of God.
4) Am I drawing people to (God)?
5) Am I running the company and not borrowing money?
6) If I think God’s not big enough – am I talking to Him?
7) Am I listening?
8) And the Big Question – If I knew what God’s vision was for me, what would I do and what am I doing to find out?

Is it any wonder why Joe Green is considered a powerful conduit? He doesn’t even stop there. He is so passionate about helping others achieve their personal Godly vision that he and his colleague, Leonard Isaacs have created a weekly CEO (Christian Executive Officers) Fellowship that meets every Friday morning in Brentwood for local professionals and entrepreneurs to grow their own company on Godly principles. Mr. Isaacs is the President.

When I asked him how he keeps unbiased in determining what is considered “godly principles,” Joe answered that “everything a person wants to know about godly principles, can be found in the Bible. That’s what we go by. Anyone can freely look up Scriptures for themselves, but the Bible doesn’t change at all. It is the written and primary authority for man’s life. Knowledge and wisdom are gained only through daily study.”

For more information about CEO Fellowship, contact them at 213 Overlook Circle, Suite A-2, Brentwood, TN 37027; 615.620.6150; or email Carla@ceofellowship.com, www.CEOFellowship.com .

Now I challenge you, the reader, are you living the picture God has for you? (You’ll know based on how truly happy you are in His vision for you.)

Thank You Joe ... for these inspiring words of wisdom.