Businessman John Wieland, author of Uncommon Threads, talks with Wayne Shepherd about his story of faith and the lessons he's learned about faith, family, and business. (click for more)
You'll find the book Uncommon Threads here.
John Wieland Program Notes:
Background & Business
- CEO of MH Equipment (material handling/forklift company in Illinois).
- President of His First Foundation.
- Took over MH Equipment in 1994 when it was nearly bankrupt; no entrepreneurial or mechanical background.
- Business grew during a strong economy; attributes success to God’s grace, not personal ability.
- Rejects the idea of “self-made men” – too many factors are beyond human control.
Faith Journey
- Grew up in church in Jerseyville, Illinois, but not a believer; thought attending church was “doing God a favor.”
- Encountered Scripture in college (Matthew 7 – narrow vs. wide gate) and realized he was outside God’s kingdom.
- Surrendered to Christ as a sophomore in college, influenced by Navigators ministry (discipleship & scripture memorization).
Family Story
- Married to Julie.
- Together they adopted four children (three daughters, one son).
- Adoptions came through providential circumstances, often through a doctor friend.
- Son Josiah is biracial, blind in one eye, and struggled with asthma as a child. Became a standout athlete in soccer and basketball.
- Lesson: God’s blessings shouldn’t be limited by our fears or expectations.
Abortion Experience
- In high school, got a girl pregnant and encouraged an abortion.
- Years later, reconnected for his book Uncommon Threads.
- She recalled the trauma vividly: pain, emptiness, regret, counting the lost child as her oldest.
- Wieland was convicted of his selfishness.
- Story included in the book became a powerful pro-life testimony.
- Impact: one reader chose not to abort after reading his story; another reconciled with a former partner after decades.
Parenting Lessons
- Key principle: “Prepare the child for the road, don’t prepare the road for the child.”
- Don’t shield children from hardship; let challenges build character.
- Emphasize character over happiness (happiness = temporary “happenings”).
- When disciplining, do it for the child’s benefit, not as punishment or out of anger.
- His own failures as a youth made him more patient with his kids’ mistakes.
Book: Uncommon Threads
- Divided into themes of family, business, and faith.
- Transparent and vulnerable, sharing both failures and successes.
- Written to encourage reflection, movement, and growth in readers’ spiritual, family, and professional lives.
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