fall2015 Volume XXVIII THE BUSINESS LEADERS AND FRIENDS GATHERING Number Three AT THE COVE IN PICTURES chaplains caringmarketplace for workers Bringing in the Harvest in California’s Fertile Central Valley fall2015 A publication of Marketplace Ministries – Marketplace Chaplains USA contents Volume XXVIII marketplace Number Three chaplains caring for workers Marketplace is the magazine for Marketplace Ministries Inc., a non-profit, nondenominational Christian organization whose goal is to care for people in the workplace. Marketplace Ministries is able to operate because of the tax- deductible contributions made by people like you. In addition to letting you know how the ministry is progressing, Marketplace Ministries wants to thank you for enabling us to continue to care for people in the marketplace. Governing Board Foundation Board William R. Thomas, III Gil A. Stricklin Chairman Chairman, CEO & President Ed Bonneau Ed Bonneau Doug Fagerstrom Dan Farell Casey Gurganus Kyle Hearon Craig Hodges Mark Lovvorn 6 8 Neal Jeffrey, Jr. Calvin McKaig, MD Calvin McKaig, MD Ray Pace Andy Nace O.R. “Butch” Smith Phil Swatzell ——— Advisory Board ——— Tom Freet Ben March Chairman Nelson McKinney Jack Allen Phil McKinzie Pat Beckham Bob Osburn Carl Bolin Ray Pace Ted Raines Os Chrisman Louis Cole Del Rogers, Sr. Bill Crocker Bo Sexton Sam Forester Ann Sneed Gary Golden Ken Stohner, Jr. Ann Stricklin 2 10 Bruce Grantham Jerry Halcomb Charles Tandy, MD Patrick Hamner Greg Terrell Jim Harris James Williamson Jerry Wilson Steve Kerns HOW TO REACH US Bringing in the Harvest Headquarters 972-941-4400 2 Toll-Free 800-775-7657 Fax 972-578-5754 INTERNET ADDRESSES 6 North Carolina Chaplain Tony Wilson Awarded 2015 E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected] Marketplace Chaplain of the Year [email protected] WEB SITE www.mchapusa.com www.marketplaceministries.com www.seniorlivingchaplains.com Training and Education — The Heartbeat of Marketplace 7 MARKETPLACE CHAPLAINS USA REGION OFFICE INFORMATION Ministries Eastern Region – Atlanta Shane Satterfield – Vice President 4485 Tench Rd. Suite 220 Cliff Barrows Marketplace Ministries 2015 Integrity Award Honoree Suwanee, GA 30024 8 678-985-2582 Central Region – Dallas The Business Leaders and Friends Gathering at the Billy Graham Jim Tereschuk – Vice President 10 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3200 Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C. Plano, TX 75075 972-941-4400 Western Region – Denver Coy Wylie – Vice President THE FOUNDATION & FUNDRAISING REPORT 1001 16th St B180-61 15 Denver, CO 80265 303-558-1352 17 Mike and Joanna Peebles of Denver Establish a $100,000 MISSION STATEMENT Marketplace Ministries exists to share God’s love in the Endowment in the Marketplace Ministries Foundation workplace by providing an employee care service through Chaplain Teams. Marketplace Ministries’ Fundraising 2015-2016 Enters Final EDITORIAL STAFF 20 Executive Editor Art Stricklin Thrust of the First Year With Strong Donor Support Art Director Dennis Davidson ON THE COVER: Marketplace is a publication of Marketplace Ministries. Comments and questions are welcome. Direct inquiries to: Marketplace Ministries Client Company CEO Vern Peterson standing at his company headquarters of the Art Stricklin Vice President of Public Relations Peterson Family Enterprises. 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3200 Plano, TX 75075 972-941-4400 Picture taken by: Wayne Hutchison Grace and Peace—from the heart of our president Volume XXVIII Number Three Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3, NIV) Two days ago I was about to leave the of- dream, (Ephesians 3:20). I am eternally grate- fice to meet the moving van at our new house. ful for our founder Gil Stricklin’s resolve to Two staff members surprised me in the park- reach hurting people in the workplace. A self- ing lot and loaded the trunk of my car with sustaining model for ministry has proven itself bottles of water, iced tea, paper towels and healthy and fruitful with unlimited potential. I treats for the workers plus a Thanksgiving dream of the day when we will reach 1% of the pumpkin to decorate our front porch. Donna workforce in the US (currently we are reach- and I felt so blessed. Yesterday, there was a card ing .1%). While that is 10x growth, God is able. and gift certificate in our mail box for our first In this last week, our marketing team has con- “date night.” Yes, we feel loved. The list is long tracted one new business each day (including of staff members who ask how they can help… one in China) to secure chaplain care. I believe and they help each other. We are blessed. this blesses the heart of God, to redeem men Secondly, our chaplains are fulfilling the and women in the workplace where God has mission of MMI. I am overwhelmed by their called us to serve. exceptional employee care with the unbridled How does this happen? Just before com- extension of their lives to others. I hear stories ing to Dallas, my friend Steve Douglass (presi- arketplace Ministries (MMI) of transformed lives, every day! That is not an dent of Cru) challenged me, “Doug, pray like has always been blessed by exaggeration. Answered prayers are constant. you have never prayed before.” That means, God. While our blessings New life is evident. The gospel of love and seeking first God’s kingdom, his blessings … are many; it is the spiritual grace still works. nothing else should come before that. blessings noted in the verse Three weeks ago, I joined one of our To much that is given, is much required, Mabove that best mark our ministry as we experi- chaplains in Dallas as we visited three busi- (Luke 12:48). Leith Anderson, president of the ence the favor of God. We are in a blessed place. nesses where he provides care and compassion National Association of Evangelicals, para- God has done what we could never do on our every week. I will never forget Tom (a client phrased by saying, While God has placed us at own. Because of his goodness and grace, we employee, not his real name), who shared how the top of his list of blessings, he has also placed us must always pause and give praise to God. he was back together with his wife after a sepa- at the top of his list of expectations. We also have Recently a MMI Board member, asked, ration. He said, Thanks chaplain. What you en- a great responsibility to do our part to fulfill “Doug, what have been your first impressions couraged me to do was the right thing. We are the mission of God as we bring hope and help in your first month with Marketplace Minis- so happy. Another employee requested prayer to others. Would you join me and Donna as we tries?” It did not take me a moment to share for his mom in Cincinnati, Ohio, facing sur- pray like never before? three things. First of all, we are blessed with a gery in a few days. Our chaplain secured the Rejoicing, remarkable staff. From the two hour a week name of the hospital, date and time of surgery chaplain in Atlanta to our full time team mem- and promised, We will have a chaplain in Ohio bers across the nation, God’s men and women to visit your mom before she goes into surgery. spiritually and professionally serve from their I watched the factory worker’s eyes swell with Doug Fagerstrom hearts without watching the clock or being tears. Our chaplains are blessing others. Executive President and CEO concerned about personal rewards. Our staff is Finally, I have discovered that God has sacrificial. They generously give of their time placed us in a unique position to expand and and resources. They are godly. grow, far beyond what we could ever imagine or 1 feature story BRINGING IN THE HARVEST Employees at Abundant Harvest Organics in Kinsgburg, California, a Marketplace Chaplains client company, sort produce. 2 BRINGING IN THE HARVEST BY ART STRICKLIN KINGSBURG, CALIFORNIA — Peterson Family “The chaplain came into my home Abundant Harvest Organics in his three- Farm employee Norma Lopez has worked and listened to the different levels of pain building, five-acre headquarters with dozens for the company for six years and has been in my heart,” she said through a transla- of employees. in America for 15, but until Marketplace tor. “She helped me tell my children about “We already had a health care policy, chaplain Erma Martinez walked into her life their father, and she helped me when I had but spiritual health is just as important as this spring, she was ready to end it all by tak- thoughts of depression and suicide. physical health,” said Peterson, who works ing her own life. “Now I know the Lord is here with me with his son Erik and his daughter Heather, Her husband had returned to his and He is here in the company too.” on the family farm which has been at the Mexican homeland earlier this year and was Marketplace Chaplains was on-site as same location for more than a century in found dead in February. In the two months part of the first-ever partnership between California’s fertile Central Valley, south of before Marketplace Chaplains began serving America’s largest and original workplace Fresno. “It’s the most fruitful place in the in her company, Lopez still had not found chaplaincy organization and a working fam- fruited plain,” he said. the way to tell her three young children that ily farm. CEO Vernon Peterson oversees the He first learned about workplace their father would never return home.