A pastor and a tech guru provide a path to sustaining a soulful life
In an age when new ideas, trends, and innovations can alter the world overnight, a strong foundation in faith can be the guiding light. In fact, without that connection to a higher power, many not only feel a deep sense of unease about a soulless future, but also wonder: are there values and beliefs we should we be building our lives on? Are there ones we should be comfortable letting change?
A groundbreaking book that offers a unique antidote to the most urgent spiritual and cultural ailments of our time, The Faith Code is the product of nearly a decade of collaboration between a prominent pastor who resides in the heart of San Francisco Bay's technology hub, and a renowned Silicon Valley investor, leader, and philanthropist. By combining moral and ethical counsel with the pioneering tactics of entrepreneurship and community building, Terry Brisbane and Rusty Rueff have methodically distilled the essentials of what it takes to live a full life while simultaneously becoming citizens who contribute to the world around us. From important matters of career and vocation advancement to the pillars of fulfilling relationships both at home and in our social circles, this trailblazing guide will give any reader the tools necessary to apply the time-tested wisdom of the gospel to the contemporary struggles of today. What results is a transformative journey with three different pathways interwoven together: being faith-driven, pursing personal improvement, and doing good, meaningful work.
Terry Brisbane has been the lead pastor of CornerstoneSF for the past three decades, helping grow the church into a multi-generational congregation with over 1,000 attendees. Pastor Terry holds a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Seminary along with a Doctor of Ministry degree from The King’s University. He lives in San Francisco, CA.
Rusty Rueff is a well-known technology executive, startup advisor, and thought leader in the Bay Area. He has served on numerous corporate boards of directors, including as a founding board director of Glassdoor. He was the National Coordinating Co-Chair for Technology during Barack Obama's successful 2012 reelection campaign and was subsequently appointed to the President’s Advisory Board for the Arts for The Kennedy Center. He has been the leader of both the GRAMMY Foundation Board and The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Board. He is a benefactor of Purdue University’s Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Arts, and Performance. He is a co-founder and co-host of The Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast. The author of Talent Force: New Manifesto For The Human Side Of Business, Rueff lives in Burkingame, CA and Charlestown, RI.
“The Faith Code not only explores the integration of faith in our work, but in our routines, relationships, how we re-create, and how we care for ourselves in order to show up for others. It’s a book filled with sound principles and practical applications. A book for our times!”—SCOTT HARRISON, Founder and CEO of charity: water and New York Times bestselling author of Thirst
“This is a book the twenty-first century needs. We face greater challenges in technology and culture than ever before, but the answers of faith and doing good haven’t changed. We just need to understand them in new light––and The Faith Code is filled with new light on long-established wisdom and purpose.”—SANYIN SIANG, Professor at Duke University and CEO Coach and Advisor
“The Bay Area is known for its technological advancements, literally changing the world through innovation....Bridging the faith to work gap is critical if not the only way to present the love of Christ to the technical diaspora gathered in this dwelling place....Terry and Rusty have brought a unique perspective of this challenge with new insights and experiences to provide a foundation to bridge this gap.”—PAT GELSINGER, CEO of Intel
“We can either go with the flow into the shallows or find a new way forward into lives of greater significance and humanity. It’s up to us. If you want the latter of these two, then reading something like The Faith Code is a great way to begin a lifelong conversation about growth and loving the people and work that mean the most to us.”—JAMES CHAM, Venture Capitalist at Bloomberg Beta
“Our work is a primary place of discipleship, yet too often we fail to see it through that lens. This book readjusts our focus to see more clearly how the right perspective to our God-given work can change ourselves, our loved ones, and our world. The unique approach authored by a pastor and a Silicon Valley business leader sets it apart and our reading of it helped change some of our thinking. We hope and wish every church in The Bay Area and beyond will pick this up and become students of it.”—JOHN NANCY ORTBERG, author and CEO of Transforming the Bay with Christ
“An essential read for entrepreneurs like me who want an impactful and fulfilling life in such fast-changing times. Insightful. Authentic. Practical.”—NEIL AHLSTEN, Founder of Abide Meditation
“Putting our faith into action is what can distinguish each of us in the marketplace and within our churches. I highly recommend this book for any pastor or business leader.”—HAL SANTOS, Leader of "Minister-to-Minister" and Pastor of Grace Church, Fairview Heights, Illinois
