November 2015 Event Recap – Dan Costenaro

“Does God Care about Software or Making Money with Technology?”

November produced one of the largest KIROS Monthly Breakfast events in Bellevue this year. The speaker for the month of November was Dan Costenaro, a Principal Program Manager in the Office Online group at Microsoft.

Dan stands roughly at 5 feet 9 inches, but his voice boomed through the room as if he was a 6’7” giant. Originally from Indiana, Dan moved to Seattle with his wife after graduating from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Microsoft, one of the largest producer of Software, has been good for Dan who started with the Office Outlook 2003 and 2007 group. With the amount of early success Dan experienced, he realized right away that each day needs to be started with a prayer. “Before opening any emails,” Dan joked “I ask the Lord to make me want what He wants.”

This is the second KIROS speaker that has advised to start the day with God. For Dan, who works with others that are driven to make as much money as possible, brings his faith with him to work and a mindset of fulfilling the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“Your coworkers are ‘all the nations’ and the nations are in front of you every day.” Dan said. His coworkers have even asked, “Do you faith on me at work?”

So what is work anyway? If you read Genesis carefully, you will find that work is intentional and declared good before anything was declared bad. Work came before the fall.

God designed us uniquely to do great work and by doing great work, in whatever role we are in, it reflects positively on Christ.

In a world that is always keeping score, Dan encouraged us to focus on making the best product or service we can – regardless of the score. God designed us to work. He has given each of us talents and giftings that others don’t have. Serving God through work that aligns with your gifting will give you complete fulfilment and joy. Remember – the joy of the Lord is our strength.