Influence: You have dedicated your passion, time and talent to reach people for Christ. What would you say to others who are struggling to break the boundaries in proclaiming their faith in Christ?

Harold Lee: I think it’s part perception and part guilt. When we tell people we are a Christian, there is an expectation we are to be Christlike. That is a hard act to follow.

I got over my guilt by admitting I’m not perfect. I am a sinner and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross took my sins away. We need to tell people exactly that. We are not perfect, and we sin, but God still loves us and forgives us when we truly confess our sins. I’m not saying go ahead and sin because the Father will forgive us. Though He will, we should never take advantage of His grace and mercy toward us. This is one aspect people forget when they testify to others — God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. How can we not share that! 

You are touching countless lives for the gospel with your work in the performing arts and media. How are you doing this?   

Promise Ministries International, pastored by Nam Soo Kim, has multiple missions initiatives. I am part of the media/performance team leading the musical “His Life” and Promise Treasures, a hip/hop, praise and worship team. The musical is part of PMI’s mission for the 4/14 Movement, a global movement to reach children for Christ between the ages of 4 and 14.

I got over my guilt by admitting I’m not perfect.

You work on a trading desk of a major firm on Wall Street. How are you reflecting Christ in a secular environment?  

Most people on the trading desk know I am Christian. One day someone called me “Padre” as a joke, but it stuck and became my nickname. Because of that, I am able to be more vocal about my faith.

There is an intercom system, called the “hoot,” that is heard throughout the trading desk. If I heard someone using the Lord’s name in vain, I’d say over the hoot, “Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain.” It is now something people expect me to say, so rarely do we hear anyone using the Lord’s name in vain.

I also started Gospel Fridays. It started when I played Christian music during slow times. There are “silent” Christians around the trading desk, so when I play a song they like, they ask me to turn up the volume. Friday is Christian music day where we openly share our faith and support one another in prayer. Corny as it sounds, it only takes a spark to get a fire going. What started out as a nickname turned into a giant spark. 

Share a word of encouragement to our readers who feel challenged in expanding their influence in the world.

First and foremost, I’m not a leader; I’m a follower. I might hold a leadership title, but my actions are always to support leadership.

At times Pastor Kim will say to me, “Harold I have this idea I want you to execute.” It is never an “if” or “maybe,” but a “yes sir.” Admittedly, I think to myself “Are you crazy? There is no way I can do that!” But I found that I can accomplish what I thought was impossible. Anything is possible through Christ. 

We need to set aside “worldly” expectations and expect miracles from His hands working through us. Am I a leader? No! I am a follower of Christ who guides me, and it’s my trust in Him that allows me to do all that I do.

This article was originally printed in the October/November issue of Influence. To subscribe, click here.