Created to Work: An Interview with Vangi Mitchell

An Introduction

It is often difficult to understand how our specific tasks and daily to-dos are connected to God. At Faith Co-Op, we believe that our work in this world matters because it is one of the main ways we are able to commune with God, joining in the work of bringing flourishing to this world and pointing others to the redemption found in Jesus. But what does that mean in the context of sending emails, cleaning spaces, and meeting with clients?

This past year, the Faith Co-Op team gathered stories of faithful men and women living out their Christian identity in the workplace. In every conversation, we sought to uncover how their faith informs their daily work. From counseling and crawl space cleaning to nonprofits and tech, we talked with Christians in a variety of jobs in Chattanooga who are seeking what it means to honor God with their work.

Our prayer with these stories is that you will be encouraged by the ways the Lord is working through others in the city, inspired by authentic and practical advice for connecting your work with God’s, and refreshed by a deeper understanding of why your work matters.

Continuing this series of faithfulness in the workplace, we reached out to Vangi Mitchell, Marketing and Operations Manager at AlloHire, to get her perspective on faith, work, and success. Below are her responses.

The Interview

Faith Co-Op (FC): What drew you to the work you do? What do you love about it and what are some of the challenges?

Vangi Mitchell (VM): I was initially drawn to the work at AlloHire because it’s all about building and nurturing relationships. Working here has allowed me to engage with people from various backgrounds across the country, learning about their daily lives and the diverse array of jobs they perform. In my nearly two years with AlloHire, my horizons have significantly expanded. I’ve been exposed to job roles I didn’t even know existed, and I’ve had the privilege to connect with people I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet without the support of the AlloHire team.

I love that our work, when it comes down to it, is about serving and connecting people. I serve as a bridge both in the recruiting arena as well as in the marketing space as I work to bridge the gap between potential clients and their understanding of the work we do.

As a small company and as someone supporting an entrepreneur, prioritizing tasks and deciding where to focus our efforts for sustainable growth can be challenging, but it also offers room for creativity and adaptability. This environment forces us to think on our feet, make quick decisions, and find innovative solutions, which can be both exciting and demanding.

FC: Are there daily rhythms you practice or words you read that help orient your mind for the workplace?

VM: Growing up, my family watched Chariots of Fire, the movie that tells the story of Eric Liddell, so many times that the script became a part of my vocabulary. As much as I used to dread yet another viewing of the movie, it has profoundly influenced my daily life. In one memorable scene, Eric Liddell says, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” I’ve recently started to reflect on this quote every morning as I prepare for work. I believe that God created me to work and that He has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to excel in my role at AlloHire. I find pleasure and fulfillment in doing good work, and this consistent reflection reorients my thoughts. It reminds me that work is a gift, and I’ve been blessed with the ability to use my skills and knowledge in service. The work I do becomes an act of worship to our Lord.

“I believe that God created me to work and that He has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to excel in my role at AlloHire. I find pleasure and fulfillment in doing good work, and this consistent reflection reorients my thoughts.”

FC: What verse or book has greatly impacted the way you work? In what way?

VM: Lamentations has always been and still is a great encouragement to me. Jeremiah does not hold back when writing this book. He is grieving. He is broken. He is discouraged. And yet, he has hope. Sometimes work can be frustrating and discouraging. The world can feel like it is falling apart. But we can have hope because our Lord is good and He has not left us alone. And so, we can keep moving forward knowing that He is for us and will provide for us even when we feel alone and disheartened.

FC: What are some of the challenges you face or have faced with living out your faith through your work?

VM: Navigating the intersection of ambition, success, and personal faith is challenging. Striking a balance between competition and avoiding stagnation in the workplace is difficult. While I aim to uphold my faith at work, resisting the pressure to prioritize work above all is an ongoing struggle. The key is integrating work into life rather than strictly balancing them. My faith shapes how I work and my pursuit of excellence. However, I recognize the need to draw lines, refusing to sacrifice my commitment to biblical values for career success. This has led to tough decisions, particularly as I have chosen certain career options over others. I’ve had to weigh the pursuit of a faith-filled career against sacrificing aspects of my faith for the sake of potentially more prestigious roles.

“While I aim to uphold my faith at work, resisting the pressure to prioritize it above all is an ongoing struggle. The key is integrating work into life rather than strictly balancing them. My faith shapes how I work and my pursuit of excellence.”

Read the previous story in the series of faithfulness here.