Real Life Stories from the Christian Business Front.

A WHIRLWIND THREE YEARS

Steve came to visit a C12 Group meeting in his area with a lot on his heart and mind.

He had purchased the business which he previously served as CFO when the prior owner, a major European company, had ‘a change in strategy’ and decided to liquidate the business. Steve took out a loan to buy the assets and keep the business running, thereby enabling 150 folks, including himself, to keep their jobs. In the year following the purchase, Steve had (1) become the owner/operator of a highly leveraged and limping manufacturing business, (2) seen the prior owner’s captive demand unexpectedly disappear (creating even more financial pressure), (3) begun incurring substantial operating losses which threatened his solvency, and (4) was diagnosed with cancer and had been undergoing several weeks of chemotherapy. Needless to say, he came to his first C12 meeting with a number of threatening challenges on his plate.
During the group’s Open Table time, Steve shared a few of his seemingly intractable challenges. They involved his organization, overhead expenses, the need for major new accounts, and a confession that he had begun to harbor fear and anxiousness which seemed incompatible with what he knew about his eternal security in the Lord. The group spoke frankly with Steve and offered many ideas, much encouragement and a season of targeted prayer.

Steve became a C12 member the next week and came to the following month’s C12 meeting with an exciting report of progress from implementing suggestions he had received from his peers the month before. Things seemed to be looking up, and although several more difficult months lay ahead, Steve was able to persevere in the Lord, aided by the continuing encouragement of his fellow C12 members and his wife.

A year later, the business had achieved modest profitability, Steve’s cancer had been in remission for several months, and a strategic buyer ‘came knocking’ to discuss the possibility of acquiring the company and keeping it running for the long-term as a regional production site.

Ultimately, Steve sold the business and continues to follow the factory’s fortunes and generate income by being its landlord. With his available time, he has begun overseeing a local Bible-teaching ministry and has become a C12 Area Chair in the region adjacent to the one where he was first introduced to C12 just a few years ago. God is good!

THIS ONE REQUIRES PRAYER AND FASTING!

Tim joined C12 after several years of running a high-end retail establishment in partnership with a man to whom he seemed to be increasingly unequally-yoked and in fundamental disagreement regarding operating philosophy and future strategy. The resulting lack of cohesive leadership brought about a steady decline in the company’s financial performance, even as it continued to expand geographically and grow its indebtedness.

Tim’s biggest problem was tied to an inability to steer the ship as it was taking on water, coupled with the fact that he had considerable personal assets pledged against the company’s primary debt. This loan was callable at calendar year-end, and there seemed to be no way for Tim to avert a personal financial catastrophe unless they reached quick consensus on a radical new approach to organization, ownership and financing. Unfortunately, the partner had very little to lose in the current situation and was not motivated to change anything! Further, he had a cadre of advisers (including a ‘silent investor’) who seemed to be angling for outcomes counter to Tim’s best interest.

Tim had become quite convicted about his years of ignoring the danger signs and living with compromise regarding the ‘business side’ of his life. His year as a C12 member had helped him to see several prior decisions he might have made differently, but his immediate issue was avoiding business liquidation and financial hardship for his family. For months, his C12 peer group had provided brainstorming ideas and specific approaches Tim might discuss with his partner. Nothing he tried, however, was met with any interest. Many seemingly good recommendations, aimed at avoiding the looming crisis, had failed.

Tim’s C12 group met for its final calendar year meeting just 10 days before the bank’s cut-off date. After much discussion and prayer, it was clear that no new idea had surfaced which held promise to avert him 'hitting the wall’. It was at this point that a C12 member offered the Scriptural advice that, having come to the end of their ability to impact Tim’s situation through their own means, the group should consider ‘fasting and prayer’. Following a discussion of the Biblical practice of fasting (Jesus said “when you fast…” not if), the group agreed to all fast and pray over the next 24-36 hours. Many of the older children of individual C12 members watched expectantly (some skeptically) as their mom or dad fasted for the first time that night.

The later report of how God moved that very night is a testimony of God’s ability to act at times when our flesh is unable. Tim’s partner came to him that evening, along with the previously contrary ‘silent partner’, and offered a solution to the dilemma which seemed inconceivable, as they had previously rejected it out of hand. Within a few days, Tim and his previous partner reorganized the business into two ‘affiliated’ companies, with separate ownership/organizational structures and a way to leverage combined overhead in key operating areas. Tim averted losing his previously pledged assets, and is now at the helm of his own business with sharply reduced debt exposure. Most importantly, dozens of folks in C12 families and in Tim’s business saw the Lord’s hand in an unforgettable way. God is sovereign!

UNLESS A KERNEL OF WHEAT FALLS TO THE GROUND…

Mark had become the President of a $50 million industrial value-added distributor with roughly 150 employees. As someone with a financial background, he knew that his primary asset as company leader wouldn’t be technical prowess, but he felt that servant leadership, solid teamwork and caring for his associates would carry the day. Realizing that many employees are ‘conditioned’ not to totally trust the boss, he engaged the services of a Corporate Chaplain (see C12 Strategic Affiliates) in order to provide an extra level of care and a tangible expression of Christ’s love for all of his team.

One day a tough and gruff long-time employee (we’ll call him Ramon) died unexpectedly. Amazingly, Ramon had surprised everyone by coming to Christ through the Chaplain’s ministry just a couple of weeks before he sat down next to his garage and had a fatal heart attack. Ramon’s family had very little means to fund a formal funeral service, and Mark realized that his entire workforce would dearly love to pay their respects. Rather than help to fund a remote funeral which would necessitate his employees either missing a significant amount of work time or being unable to attend the service, Mark decided to have their Corporate Chaplain conduct a memorial service at the factory, which everyone could attend during a two-hour shutdown. This would maximize everyone’s ability to attend and would spare the family the expense of making other arrangements.

Turnout for the memorial service was impressive. The fact that Ramon had accepted Christ very recently, and was now in Heaven, was a powerful message for all in attendance. Even more impressive was the way in which many employees and family members responded to the Chaplain’s message regarding their passing of their unsaved associate and the message of eternal life through the Gospel of Christ. 50 people came to the Lord during this brief time! This was overwhelming to Mark, and also to a guest that day who was one of Mark’s key customers.

Within the next month, Mark noticed a newspaper article describing a boating incident in which four employees of his customer’s company had drowned. Mark contacted him to describe the impact of the memorial service they had hosted for Ramon and offered the services of his Chaplain. The customer accepted Mark’s offer to come and see him to discuss this possibility. Mark drove the Chaplain to the customer’s business expecting just to chat about planning a memorial service. Instead, the customer had assembled his entire workforce (half Hispanic) and a memorial service was held right then, with a supervisor translating the Chaplains words into Spanish. Again, the Lord used this faithfulness, mightily, as roughly another 50 people accepted Christ as Lord and Savior!

The Lord was pleased, in his amazing grace and sovereign plan, to use Ramon’s passing and the faithfulness of a Christian CEO and his Chaplain to draw nearly 100 people to Himself during this brief period. This represents more salvations than all but a handful of mega-churches can claim in a year and is a testimony to the fields being ‘white for the harvest’ when we respond to His command to be witnesses and make disciples.

WHO DEFINES "WHEN IT AIN'T BROKE"?

Ken owned a landscaping business which primarily employed Hispanic workers. As a C12 member, Ken had become increasingly convicted over the number his employees who were actually illegal aliens, as this was an obvious violation of the law of the land even though it seemed common in his industry.

Ken’s asked his C12 Group for counsel on this longstanding situation. He had never had trouble over it and ‘everyone’ in his field was doing it. In fact, he would likely lose many of his very best employees if he acted. Through the counsel of his C12 Group, and much prayer, Ken was led to (1) pay for the workers to return to Mexico, (2) wait for them to re-enter the U.S. legally, and (3) hold their jobs open for them if they returned.

When 12 of them were able to return, legally, to work for Ken, he held a welcome celebration and invited a Spanish-speaking pastor to interpret for him as he spoke to them. He told them that the basis for his care and concern for them was the love of Jesus Christ, and he offered them the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior. All 12 of them took this life-changing step!

Years later, most of these workers still work for Ken. He learned that although it may appear risky to obey God and conscience, even the temporal rewards are often far in excess of the cost. Ken, like many C12 members, learned that applying Scripture to daily business decisions will often be counter-cultural!

JUST IN TIME

When Marty attended his first C12 Group meeting he had a huge issue to put before his peers during Open Table discussion. He said, “My one question, and the sole reason for me being here today, was to ask you guys if I should continue my business or fold it up.”

Marty’s business was struggling with cash flow problems exacerbated by high debt. He had followed his father as head of the business, and though he had spent several years with the firm, he really lacked a sound grasp on financial management and basic business practices. The business owned its property and buildings, but had an unattractive loan with a very high interest rate. The firm’s near term growth prospects seemed solid, based on a planned new market entry with a high potential new product, but the core business was rather unremarkable.

When he presented his two-month-old financial reports to his C12 Group that day, he began to receive feedback from a few of the more mature business leaders around the table. Looking at the asset value of the company’s property and the prospective cash flow of the business, they counseled him that it would be unwise to close the business and that he had options that he hadn’t yet identified. One member recommended that Marty consider a new banking relationship and arranged to have him meet his own banker. He also helped Marty to bring his financial reporting current and to get a better handle on operating cash flow.

Within a short time Marty had a new loan with far more attractive terms (helping to free-up valuable working capital) and began a solid relationship with a helpful banker who has subsequently become a valued long-term partner. Marty has been in business for 13 years since his first C12 meeting. While the business has had its share of ‘ups and downs’, it has remained profitable and growing. Scores of people have come to know the Lord, been encouraged to grow in their faith, or been helped through gifts given in Jesus’ name. Marty is now in the process of rolling out another new exciting product line.

Looking back, Marty’s case study reveals the tremendous power available in peer counsel. In this case, the experience and encouragement of other members not only saved Marty from declaring business and personal bankruptcy, but has led to the business being used by God in countless ways!

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO MUCH FRUIT

Jay is the Owner and CEO of a firm which designs and builds high-end homes. In its metro area, Jay’s firm is well-known as a proven major player which does quality work. This resulted in a tempting offer to partner with a satisfied client who had significant resources and desired to jointly develop a prime piece of property which was just perfect for Jay’s market niche.

The potential partner offered to front all the cash needed and proposed to be a 50/50 partner with Jay’s firm doing all the design and build work. Jay was faced with the enviable opportunity to be an equal partner, offering his core product and services in a project right in his firm’s ‘sweet spot’, without any upfront cash requirement. There was, however, one fly in the ointment…the client was not a Christian. To do the deal as proposed Jay would be ‘unequally yoked’.

There was a lively discussion within Jay’s C12 Group with members coming down on both sides of the issue, and many suggestions being offered. The group’s ultimate consensus was to (1) meet with the client and use the situation as an opportunity to witness to him in a loving way, (2) thank him for his trust, but (3) explain that in order to obey a Biblical principle Jay could not be ‘yoked’ to him as a partner. The group prayed with Jay for the right words to say, and for the heart of the client who Jay described as a ‘really good guy’.

At the next month’s meeting, Jay reported that the client had responded very well in two ways. First, he said that he would hire Jay’s company as a consultant and pay him for services provided, also splitting the profits with him as though he were a partner. Second, and more importantly, he told Jay that he wanted to know more about a God who meant that much to him. The end of this great story is that the client, his wife, and his children all eventually came to the Lord! In addition to ‘being a great guy’ he is today a great witness for Christ!

Jay and his entire C12 Group learned much from this experience. Often situations that seem to be too good to turn down from a pragmatic business perspective, but require us to violate Scriptural principle, are given to test us and provide an opportunity to share the reality of our commitment in Christ with others. God always rewards obedience to His Word, not always in dollars, but in eternal fruit. Jay and his client will enjoy the fruit of Jay’s obedience together for a long, long time. A lesson learned here might be: always look for the potential for God to work in any troublesome situation. Often He has hidden a golden nugget in a tough nut!