Genevieve Ermeling, Chief Academic Officer at Orange Lutheran High School

"There are many surveys and tests that claim to give young people insight into their natural personality strengths and match those with possible vocational interests. Career Direct is one that lives up to that claim and actually exceeded my expectations. While the survey design is certainly a factor, the true value comes during the meeting between the consultant, student, and parent. The way Jim Sullivan approached each meeting with genuine care and obvious planning, truly helped students reflect and gain insight into their personality strengths as well as open their eyes to possible vocations. Before our students used this assessment, I personally went through the process and can attest to Jim's caring facilitation, asking questions to draw out nuances to more completely interpret the results. Career Direct reminded me of my natural strengths, confirmed my top area of interest (Education!), and allowed me to reflect on how I can leverage my strengths when making decisions." 

Bridgette, USC graduate, Los Angeles, CA

“I would greatly encourage anyone looking for confirmation or guidance in career choices to take this assessment with Career Direct and the review session with Jim Sullivan. The test results are incredibly thorough. The assessment delves into an array of important aspects of the individual's skills, interests, values etc. to show a composite of your career self. For me, it confirmed that where I had been and where I am planning on going is indeed in line with how God made me. What a blessing! Mr. Sullivan's review session afterwards really helps with breaking everything down and simplifying the results. This is due to Mr. Sullivan's professionalism and godly disposition which aids in understanding for the post-test process. He helps you go further in streamlining the results to a clearer version of your strengths and options for the future. Jeremiah 29:11! “

Jeremy, COO of Mariners Church Newport Beach, CA

“I was privileged to work with Jim Sullivan on the Career Direct Assessment in June 2013 as I was transitioning to a new career. I thought the survey was very well done and asked great questions. The real value though was sitting down with Jim after the survey was completed to review the results. Jim was prepared and had copies of the results for me to take home and review with my wife. He walked me through each page of the results explaining what everything meant. This survey really helped me understand how God has wired me and gave me tangible career fields to explore. I really enjoyed how it tied together my personality, skills/abilities, and vocational interests with my values. I came away with a laser focus as I'm exploring options for my next career.” 

Kimberly, OLHS High School Counselor

I am most excited to be a part of God's plan in helping students to begin to understand their unique design and that they are loved, have value, and have a purpose. I believe that this assessment will be invaluable to our students because they will have these insights prior to graduating high school and as they choose their next step. I love the relational aspect and it will provide an additional opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with my students and their families. It is exciting and a blessing to be a part of teenagers' lives during high school as it is a time of rapid growth and development.

Doug, OLHS High School Counselor

Western District Missionary Church

We want to provide our churches the training resources that will help them implement a successful stewardship ministry. It is our belief that as our churches include a comprehensive stewardship ministry in their discipleship process, their vision will be resourced and fulfilled, resulting in the expansion of God’s kingdom.

Ellen, OLHS High School Counselor

It is fun to see how with Career Direct we can take school counseling to a new and meaningful level. This tool will provide the structure and ability to delve into areas of focus for which students and their parents are always seeking guidance and direction. There is no pressure to define options in a typical way (career clusters) as the student alone will work through the process with guidance and input to see where God sees him/her - versus what the world is telling them is the definition of 'success'. Their God-given personality, skills, and interests will lead the way

Elizabeth, OLHS High School Counselor

Ultimately the Living by Design seminar has affirmed how I view work/career as a vocation that we are called to live out as followers of Jesus Christ. Whether that vocation is in the corporate sector, in the home, in the service industry, etc. we can all use our vocation to serve Jesus by working within our unique gifting and design by Christ. This allows us to excel at our work and glorify God through our work. I believe this may impact my future clients as I remember that God has created each individual uniquely and I am excited to help people discover their unique giftings/values/interests etc. and truly experience how powerful and impactful their career can be when they are living out their vocation which is so much more than just a job title. I truly believe people will be happier, healthier and more equipped to share Christ when they are working within their gifting/design.

Steve, OLHS High School Counselor

I like the way the detailed report is laid out and that more time is spent on the Personality section compared to others. I believe a more in-depth look at personality really sets the stage for the rest of the report and provides clarity for the clients that allows for a better perspective when reviewing interests, skills, and values. I'm also glad that there are direct links to O*Net online and other resources that help clients dive deeper with the information from the report. I think it will be important to share with families that, although we will cover a lot of detail during the consultation and there will likely be many "A-ha" moments during the consult, there is also more work for the client and family to do outside of the consultation in order to find the career or careers that may be best suited for them.

Elizabeth, OLHS High School Counselor

I am impressed by how each area informs the other areas. So, you cannot take a particular component (e.g. personality) and not evaluate it separate from interests, skills and values. This is what makes this assessment stand out among others available. It allows a much narrower match of careers that not only match gifting and interests, but also values. This is what I believe will allow people to find true meaning and joy in their work. The process of evaluating interests as vocations/hobbies/support or means is also helpful for people to start to understand why an interest area appeared. It allows greater self-reflection and helps further clarify potential careers.

Dick Towner

Former Vice President, Good Sense Ministry, Willow Creek Association

There is a tremendous need for churches today to educate and assist people with managing their resources in God-honoring ways…a stewardship ministry can be used by God to remove a major stumbling block to spiritual growth and development… If we have a biblical mandate to tend the flock, then we must step up to the challenge to teach and to train on biblical financial stewardship.

Dr. Mike Livingston

Former District Superintendent

Western District Missionary Church

We want to provide our churches the training resources that will help them implement a successful stewardship ministry. It is our belief that as our churches include a comprehensive stewardship ministry in their discipleship process, their vision will be resourced and fulfilled, resulting in the expansion of God’s kingdom.

The late Larry Burkett

Co-Founder of Crown Financial Ministries

Giving as a percentage of income (in the U.S.) has declined steadily for the last three decades and is lower now than at any time since the Great Depression…In order for Christians to better serve the Lord, they must become free from financial bondage. The road to freedom begins when God’s people apply His principles of handling money to their personal finances. The church needs to help them learn and apply these principles.

Dr. Stan DeKoven

President, Vision International

Stewardship is one of the most important parts of any ministry. ‘Time’, ‘Talent’, and ‘Treasure’ are something that every ministry needs. In my many years of ministry experience, in training and educating leaders around the world, the thing that I see in terms of the greatest lack is the proper resources to be able to fulfill the mission for which men and women have been called.

Dr. Bob Ricker

Former President, Baptist General Conference 

We do a great injustice to the people we serve when we do not allow stewardship to have a central position in our teaching and program."

The lack of biblical stewardship has reached a crisis level in America. At the root of this crisis is a lack of discipleship, which calls us to revisit the meaning of biblical stewardship. If we are to accomplish our God-given vision to be a ‘movement of Great Commission Christians who are glorifying God by building Christ’s Church worldwide’, we must relearn the scriptural principles that guide earning, spending, saving and giving.

Howard Dayton

Founder and Chairman of COMPASS Finances God's Way

Do you want your people to manage their resources God’s way, including living a generous life? Vision Resourcing Group can help you accomplish just that.