Why am I passionate about this?

Following several years of working for the Ohio State University and Marathon Oil, I co-founded and became CEO of Solomon Software, originally named TLB, Inc. (The Lord’s Business) headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. We grew to more than 400 employees and $60 million in revenue, servicing over 40,000 clients worldwide, and then sold our company to Great Plains Software and that combined business was sold to Microsoft six months later. I later established Solomon Cloud Solutions, a technology consulting service firm for Microsoft Independent Software Vendors and Microsoft Business Solutions Channel Partners. Now, I assist businesses and organizations with implementing leadership development systems that will help them grow with a company called LeadFirst.ai.


I wrote

Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others

By Gary Harpst,

Book cover of Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others

What is my book about?

Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others is written for leaders, but I believe that every…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

Gary Harpst Why did I love this book?

This book provides powerful illustrations of the challenges of society to sustain purpose over a long period of time – especially from generation to generation.

The book is written about organizations that have drifted from their original purpose and, in some cases, come full circle back to their origins as intended by the founder. It encourages you to think deeply about what purpose means to an organization and how to sustain it. Although we are fighting against human nature, practical guidance is provided to counter this tendency. 

This book shows the flaws in human nature and the deeper needs people have that can only be remedied with the gospel.

By Peter Greer, Chris Horst, Anna Haggard

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mission Drift as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner

Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission. It's that simple. It will happen.

Why do so many organizations wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is on course, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what…


Book cover of The Transformation Factor: Leading Your Company for Good, for God, and for Growth

Gary Harpst Why did I love this book?

This book shows us an example of a generational change of leadership and details a spiritual epiphany which leads to the transformation of an organization, now employing over 17,000 people.

And it all started with a young CEO who sensed that he did not have the same kind of attention and accountability to his purpose in Jesus Christ as he did to his stockholders from a return-on-investment point of view. 

I love how this story illustrates the power we have to impact the lives of people around us when we lead our businesses in a way that aligns with God’s purposes.

By J Frank Harrison III,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Transformation Factor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Culture Is Everything. A good leader builds and establishes a company culture people want to be a part of. A transformational leader elevates that, cultivating a culture in which everyone-from the top down-is empowered to use their talents to live and work at their best. As the chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, J. Frank Harrison III knows firsthand the importance of not only prioritizing culture but also living out and modeling the values that drive it. He believes every person in an organization matters and how they are led matters just…


Book cover of Faith Driven Entrepreneur: What It Takes to Step Into Your Purpose and Pursue Your God-Given Call to Create

Gary Harpst Why did I love this book?

The author explains what can happen when we get our thinking straight from the inside out.

Understanding who God is and who we are – our individual identity in Christ— is the bedrock upon which meaningful lives are built.

With an extensive background in applying faith to the fast-moving business and investment world, Henry Kaestner challenges the default mindset of ownership versus stewardship, urging leaders to think through what God-alignment to faith, family, and work looks like in practice.

By Henry Kaestner, J. D. Greear, Chip Ingram

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Faith Driven Entrepreneur as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“I’m excited about Faith Driven Entrepreneur. Anyone who is following the example of their creator God can find echoes of their work in this book.” ―Lecrae

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. But it doesn’t need to be. God has a purpose and a plan for all those entrepreneurial dreams and creative gifts he gave you.

The work you do today―the company you’ve built, the employees you work with, the customers you serve, the shareholders you report to, all of it―serves as an active part of what God wants to accomplish on earth.

You are not alone in this journey.…


Book cover of The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life

Gary Harpst Why did I love this book?

Os Guiness is my favorite author when it comes to thinking about the call of God and our most fundamental purpose in life.

He tears down the false dichotomy of the sacred versus the secular with regard to living in fullness. Whether baking bread, plowing the soil, or preaching a sermon, a life lived in and for Christ is holy.

We are all on a lifelong adventure to grow in the knowledge and relationship with our Creator. With this perspective, we can live through the difficult and the good times with equal joy.

By Os Guinness,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Call as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Call continues to stand as a classic, reflective work on life's purpose. Best-selling author Os Guinness goes beyond our surface understanding of God's call and addresses the fact that God has a specific calling for our individual lives.

Why am I here? What is God's call in my life? How do I fit God's call with my own individuality? How should God's calling affect my career, my plans for the future, my concepts of success? Guinness now helps the reader discover answers to these questions, and more, through a corresponding workbook - perfect for individual or group study.

According…


Book cover of Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently

Gary Harpst Why did I love this book?

This book unveils some of the mysteries of how our brains are designed and function.

Although not written from a biblical perspective, it unveils some of the reasons for the dual nature described in scripture—why we often hear two voices in our head and how we decide which one to follow. It also points out the challenges of group wisdom and convention versus thinking independently, thus avoiding the deception that creeps into group thinking.

As a Christian, I found this book unintentionally providing insight into biblical principles for decision-making and leadership. God is the owner and source of all truth, and we can see Him in everything.

By Gregory Berns,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Iconoclast as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

No organization can survive without iconoclasts innovators who single-handedly upturn conventional wisdom and manage to achieve what so many others deem impossible. Though indispensable, true iconoclasts are few and far between. In Iconoclast, neuroscientist Gregory Berns explains why. He explores the constraints the human brain places on innovative thinking, including fear of failure, the urge to conform, and the tendency to interpret sensory information in familiar ways.


Explore my book 😀

Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others

By Gary Harpst,

Book cover of Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others

What is my book about?

Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others is written for leaders, but I believe that every single person is a leader, either of themselves or others. The book is written for people who want to be clear about their purpose and figure out ways to pursue that purpose. In Genesis, God makes it clear that He has given us the ability to manage the earthly things He created, but we must multiply to do it. In other words, we can’t fulfill our purpose alone. If we want to have a family, we get married. If we want to build a company, we need other people to help us. Ultimately, the book is about what you need to know, do, and be to become an effective leader.

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Beacon of Truth

By Randy C. Dockens,

Book cover of Beacon of Truth

Randy C. Dockens Author Of T-H-B

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by science fiction and by Biblical Scripture. That may seem dichotomous to some, but not to me. I have a passion for science and for Scripture because both bring understanding about our world from the microcosm to the macrocosm. My writings are a mixture of science and mystery with a science fiction feel and a Christian perspective. I like stories that show how truth arises even from the dark, confusing, and ambiguity of life to help one discover something about God they may not have considered before, and at the same time enjoy a fun, fast-paced, and exciting journey as they read.

Randy's book list on mystery with a science fiction feel

What is my book about?

Killion is born several generations after the establishment of the Cities of Light which now sprinkle each continent of the world, places where God’s spirit produces a tangible presence felt by all who enter. Yet he is raised outside these cities, under the direction of Adar, who teaches his followers that such cities are dangerous, run by cult leaders, kill any who disagree with their teachings, and should be avoided at all costs.

But circumstances cause Killion to enter a City of Light, and this begins his journey of discovery. What he experiences here doesn’t match what he thought he…

Beacon of Truth

By Randy C. Dockens,

What is this book about?

What if the knowledge of God's glory covered the earth like the waters cover the sea?

Killion is born several generations after the establishment of the Cities of Light which now sprinkle each continent of the world, places where God’s spirit produces a tangible presence felt by all who enter. Yet he is raised outside these cities, under the direction of Adar, who teaches his followers that such cities are dangerous, run by cult leaders, kill any who disagree with their teachings, and should be avoided at all costs.

But circumstances cause Killion to enter a City of Light, and…


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