Dec 12, 2023
In today’s tumultuous economic situation, Christians can struggle to navigate financial complexities and challenges. The prevailing global obstacles, ranging from shifts in politics to economic instability and social unrest, are impossible to ignore.
Uncertainty seems to loom everywhere. Many Christians are seeking solutions, to stay true to their values in a culture that contradicts their deeply held beliefs. Many want to use their dollars and invest their dollars in a biblically-responsible way.
While many organizations advise and manage money for Christians, nearly all have conflicting cultures and values and happily do business with organizations that are in direct conflict with the Kingdom. In addition, they sponsor and donate to nonprofit entities that are antithetical to Jesus’ teachings.
When it comes to selecting an investment consultant, there are many choices, but one firm that stands out is Innovest Portfolio Solutions. Founded 27 years ago, by two devout Christians, Innovest is guided by Christian values still today. Innovest has a deep understanding and expertise in working with Christian organizations including nonprofits and retirement plans. Innovest also offers services for individuals, families, and family offices that want to invest in a biblically-responsible way.
Let us explore this unique company and discover the power of kingdom investing with values backed by the Christian faith!
After gaining years of Wall Street experience, co-founders, Richard Todd, and Wendy Dominguez, established Innovest as one of the first fee-only investment consulting firms in their region. Their goal? To eliminate conflicts of interest and create investment solutions that serve the best interests of their clients.
Innovest is truly one of a kind thanks to their mission of stewardship. Innovest strives to serve, not be served. Innovest honors God in everything they do, and they are dedicated to the Kingdom.
But what truly sets Innovest apart is their skill and expertise in constructing portfolios that are congruent with Christian beliefs.
Kingdom investing is very important to our clients like you! That is why we are so confident about Innovest’s approach. Their mission is a true example of a Christian-based business changing the industry and people’s lives in the process. Their dedication to custom portfolio solutions, fiduciary guidance, and uncommon service is unparalleled in the industry.
While the world seems to crumble around us, Innovest remains a beacon of faith that clients can return to over and over, just like a trusted friend. For those investors, like you, who want to promote their faith, and not the world, Innovest may be just the perfect solution.
We sat down with CEO and Principal Rich Todd to talk about this amazing organization. We think you will be impressed by what he had to say!
Mark: It is wonderful to meet with you today, Rich. It is truly amazing what your organization has been able to accomplish since its inception. Can you tell us why you exist and share a little about why you began this company?
Rich: Thanks for having me, Mark. My co-founder, Wendy Dominguez and I started Innovest 27 years ago because we were tired of the conflicts of interest on Wall Street. It got to a point where we were told to look out for shareholder interests over client interests and we did not think that was right for the client. We started Innovest, an investment consulting firm, with 25 clients and a mission of stewardship, putting our clients’ interests first. Today we consult to more than 300 clients and advise on close to $50 billion, including a large number of faith based organizations.
Mark: Rich, what a great story. It seems God has really inspired you. So, with that being said, what sectors do you invest in? Or if it is easier to describe, what sectors does your firm avoid?
Rich: We help our faith-based clients build biblically-responsible portfolios using products, managers, and strategies. We recognize there is a spectrum when screening out sin stocks, and different Christian organizations may have different goals. Some may want to eliminate all funds that invest in abortion, pornography, or alcohol, and some may just want to focus on earning the highest return possible and not screen at all. We help our clients identify where they fall on the spectrum.
Once we understand a client’s goals, Innovest utilizes our vast experience in finding and monitoring managers that invest in publicly traded companies according to preferred biblical criteria. We help fiduciaries assess and carefully implement a biblically-responsible investment agenda to ensure that any investing they initiate or contemplate does not violate their governing regulations or their fiduciary responsibilities. Christians are challenged to build biblically-responsible portfolios while maintaining prudent diversification and high-quality managers. In fact, Innovest goes a step further and monitors the fund manager’s adherence to biblically-responsible investing. We have reached out to all our fund managers and have included their responses specific to Christian based biblically-responsible investment policies in our manager database.
It was through our extensive due diligence, asking values alignment questions, that we uncovered a fund manager was taking Christian client fees and donating them to Planned Parenthood. We asked them why they work with so many Christian organizations, and they said that Christians are backwards and through their work with those in the church, they hope to influence them.
Mark: We noticed while researching your organization that you have been able to grow in a relatively short period of time. Our readers are nationwide – primarily Christians in the marketplace, higher education, and those in pastoral or ministry careers. Can you share with them how you have been able to expand so quickly? What would you say is the key to your success?
Rich: Our culture is our key to our success. Peter Drucker said, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Our culture is our secret sauce. We have a Christian culture at Innovest. We are stewards to our employees, clients, and community, including the Kingdom of God. We strive to serve, not to be served, and as a result, our people flourish. Our professionals see their work as a vocation where there are no boundaries between Sundays and Mondays, allowing for an integrated life. They understand that they represent Innovest at all times. While this may sound onerous, Innovest has won “Best Places to Work” nearly every year. While we care about intellect, education, and experience, none of those trump character. We thoroughly evaluate the character of each potential Innovest candidate.
At Innovest, we “give back” to our community monetarily and actively with our time. Each month, we volunteer for the less fortunate. Our team members have invested in the community by feeding the poor, painting houses for the elderly, giving comfort to those on the street, and donating school supplies, among others. We tithe 1% of our Innovest revenue.
Faith-based organizations seek us out because of our values, our reputation as a character-first firm, our expertise at building biblically-responsible portfolios, our thorough due diligence, not only of investment strategies, but also of fund providers, and our “fee-only” approach. We work as a team, implementing a consistent process for all clients to deliver nothing short of our best.
Mark: Rich, if an employer like a Christian primary school wanted to use your firm in managing its 401(k) plan, is that something your firm could do directly? Or would they need to choose a broker to work with?
Rich: Yes. We can help any Christian organization with managing their 401(k) and/or 403(b) plans. For instance, we currently work with Focus on the Family and other organizations such as colleges and universities, churches, and dioceses.
There is no need for an organization to work with a broker, they are conflicted, and they are not fiduciaries – meaning they are not legally bound to act solely in the best interests of their clients. We are a consultant and a co-fiduciary; we will act in the best interest of the organization. We will ensure the organization is offering a quality retirement plan for their participants. As part of our retirement plan services, we will analyze the goals and objectives of the plan, design a thoughtful participant friendly menu, and assist in creating an education strategy. In addition, we will mitigate fiduciary risk to the plan sponsor.
Mark: Are there any sectors your firm invests in that the average investor is unaware of but should know about?
Rich: Yes. Alternative investments can be a great way to further diversify a portfolio, especially for long term assets. Examples of alternative investments include private debt, private equity, and real assets. Alternative investments have a lower correlation than equities and bonds; therefore, they can help portfolios withstand volatility in the markets. In 2022 when equity and bond markets were down, Innovest had reduced exposure to fixed income and increased exposure to real assets like timberland, farmland, and infrastructure. These all work well with a biblically aligned portfolio.
Mark: What advice would you give to smaller employers? We have many smaller organizations with 10-40 employees that are looking for retirement plan help and investing help.
Rich: Offering a retirement plan can be a challenge for smaller employers. We are in conversations with a Christian membership association about creating a MEP, a multiple employer plan. A MEP allows multiple businesses to participate in a qualified retirement plan. They benefit from economies of scale in pricing and minimize their fiduciary liability. Furthermore, a MEP removes the administration burden so employers can focus on running their organization. We recently implemented a MEP with Catholic Benefits Association, and we are exploring the same solution with an association that serves evangelical organizations. A MEP can be a great resource for smaller organizations. We welcome any opportunity to speak with smaller organizations to help them find a retirement plan solution.
Mark: Do you have a specific success story to share with readers? Perhaps an individual or organization that used your firm and achieved kingdom-minded results while also achieving financial success?
Rich: We recently started working with a Christian university. The reason that they chose to work with us is because of our Christian values alignment, great reputation, and 27 years of experience. Their previous consultant did not share the same values as the university. They told them that their portfolio was aligned with their Christian values, but as we started analyzing the portfolio, we recognized that their portfolio wasn’t what they were promised. We started to implement high quality Christian products, managers, and strategies into their portfolio.
Mark: What is the best way to have an interested person contact you for kingdom investment services for their employees?
Rich: They can reach out to me at rtodd@innovestinc.com or my colleague, Sarah Newman, Vice President, at snewman@innovestinc.com and we can set up a call. My cell is 720-586-6353.
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Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.
Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.
Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter
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Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources
Nov 13, 2023
Now more than ever, employees are struggling.
A recent Gallup poll found that a staggering 85 percent aren’t actively engaged at work. Stresses outside the workplace like marital issues and financial burdens often weigh heavily on people’s minds, causing them to become distracted and disinterested in their jobs. This, obviously, is a problem for any employer considering how the greatest hurdle to reaching organizational success is maintaining happy, mentally healthy employees.
It’s a double problem for any Christian employer since Christians are called to love one another. And a reflection of that love is taking care of others’ needs when and where appropriate. So where do we begin to find the resources to make the most impact?
One great place to start is with a workplace chaplain. When you think of chaplains, you may think of the suited guy in a hospital who prays with people when loved ones are dying or in dire health. And that can be the case, though it only captures a small fragment of reality.
Workplace chaplains are also quite common in the armed services, hospitals, fire departments, police agencies, prisons, and educational institutions. So why not in the business world too?
What if businesses have missed a significant component in their environment that can have a lasting impact on their strength, culture, and levels of commitment?
While workplace chaplains can’t preach or promote “religion” for non-discriminatory reasons, they can serve as counselors, coaches, and confidants. Chaplains can offer assistance to everyone regardless of religious affiliation, providing businesses and their employees with the structures and support they need to succeed.
When a chaplain is present on a regular basis, employees can address issues early on before they begin to have a more profound negative effect. Here are just a few specific benefits of using them:
Resolving Inter-Employee Disputes: Any workplace with numerous employees and personalities may encounter quarrels and feelings of annoyance. Often, these are minor disagreements that can be handled through discussion but aren’t brought to management due to fear of escalation. Having a chaplain to help discuss these matters can help employees resolve conflicts easily.
Promoting Safety: Carrying burdens can cause feelings of worry and anxiety that seep in like a dark cloud. Employees dealing with personal issues may become distracted and not react properly or quickly in certain workplace situations. For instance, an employee operating heavy equipment might lose his train of thought and cause an accident. Speaking with a chaplain can help clear up at least some of that fog, ultimately leading to a safer work environment for all.
Offering a Neutral Presence: Workplace chaplains aren’t biased or involved in day-to-day business operations. This often means staff are more comfortable trusting them with their concerns. In this way, employees can be open and honest without worrying it could damage their job or image.
Building a Harmonious Environment: Chaplains can be assigned based on a company’s specific requirements. They may come from a wide range of backgrounds with experience in various matters, spiritual or otherwise. Chaplains can assist employees in improving working relationships and help increase confidence and harmony in various scenarios.
They can also help employees who don’t normally interact on a regular basis become more connected and engaged. This will, in turn, help improve the overall attitude and morale in the workplace. And that then increases workplace productivity.
Offering Referrals: If employees or family members are struggling with any physical or mental issues such as drugs, alcohol, or depression, workplace chaplains can provide specialized referrals and treatment resources to help them through the process. They might also be able to connect them to the company’s resources.
And here’s another benefit: With a chaplain in place, management can let the full weight of those burdens go, allowing them to concentrate on increasing overall company performance.
Recently, we met with TFC Global, a U.S.-based national provider of chaplain resources primarily serving the trucking industry. During our interview, we learned a great deal about the history of this organization and the current services it provides.
We were thoroughly impressed!
TFC Global is an extensive network that seeks to reach truck drivers with the good news of Jesus Christ. The organization, formerly known as Transport for Christ, was started in 1951 by Canadian Reverend Jim Keyes, who wanted to bring the teachings of Jesus Christ to truck drivers on the road. As the mission grew, he modified a small step van into a place of worship to give truckers the opportunity to receive chaplaincy services along the Royal Canadian Highway in Ontario.
The organization had expanded dramatically by the early 1970s. Trucking companies were allowing TFC Global chaplains to conduct safety meetings in order to achieve better insurance rates. Keyes took this as an opportunity to grow the operation by modifying an 18-wheeler into a mobile chapel. It worked out so well that four mobile chapels were remodeled to spread the Word of God at rest stops and truck stops throughout the country.
By the 1980s, the organization had expanded south into the United States too. The first permanent chapel was set up at a truck stop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1986 – where, during that first year, 150 drivers professed their faith in Jesus.
In 2010, TFC Global launched “Exit 58 Project” to raise awareness about human trafficking. Based on the Bible verse Isaiah 58:6, the initiative offers chaplains training to spot victims transported for labor or sex.
Truck drivers can play a significant role in the prevention of human trafficking, and TFC chaplains have been involved in multiple rescues. From 2007 to 2016, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received 1,400 calls from truckers who identified 452 potential victims. The anti-human trafficking arm of TFC Global is now called “Gateway to Freedom,” led by Derek Thompson.
As more North American truck drivers became familiar with TFC, the demand for a Christian-centered magazine to the trucking community grew. So The Highway Evangelist was created. This newspaper-style publication has now evolved into a full-color, glossy magazine called Highway News. Today, 5,000 copies per month are distributed by chaplains and bulk distributors at trucking companies and truck stops around the country, and it’s also available free online.
Another resource is its podcast called Truckers Life. TFC Global President Ron Fraser hosts conversations there about trucking industry-related issues. It is available at truckerslife.truckerspodcasts.com and wherever you stream podcasts.
The trucking industry has changed drastically in the past decade, and those changes have created the need for chaplaincy ministries to change as well in order to meet affiliates’ needs. That’s why TFC Global has transitioned from sitting in one place waiting for people to come to it to “going to where the people are,” which is trucking companies.
Gone are the days when drivers will seek out a chaplain at a truck stop unless it’s very convenient. People don’t trust like they used to, and the chaplain monthly logs were revealing a sharp drop off in interactions. So while the mission has not changed, TFC Global’s model to reach people had to. Its new model of corporate trucking chaplaincy works to get chaplains into faith-based and non-faith-based companies alike.
TFC Global’s umbrella also includes areas of ministry such as:
- Corporate Chaplains: A nationwide chaplains network dedicated to deploying trained and experienced full-time chaplains to the trucking industry. Focused on CEO/owner desires for their companies, TFC Global customizes chaplaincy services to the company to help provide employee support, bringing care where it’s needed most.
- Casualty and Loss: This part of TFC Global helps reunite truck drivers with their families during times of loss of life or serious injury and trauma while away from home. It provides logistical support and chaplaincy services to the company and family of the deceased or injured.
- TFC International Ministries: This initiative extends the Word of God and chaplaincy services to truckers beyond the United States. There are currently TFC Global Affiliates in Africa, and more countries are in conversation to bring the program to their shores, though navigating foreign missions is becoming increasingly difficult.
- Gateway to Freedom Foundation: This organization focuses on preventing the demand for human trafficking and commercial sex consumption. Gateway combats the industry specifically through awareness and training events, and a three-day intensive workshop for men wanted to get free from unwanted sexual behavior. GTFF is one of the only ministries in this dark industry that works on prevention of the demand versus victim services.
As TFC Global approaches its 75th anniversary, we expect the organization to continue growing and spreading the good news of Jesus on the road. And what a mission to have! Truckers, after all, are the backbone of our economy, providing Americans with the goods that fuel our wellbeing. So they deserve the ultimate respect, support, and resources.
That’s why we were thrilled to sit down with Craig Maart, vice president of U.S. operations for TFC Global, and interview him about this amazing organization.
Mark: Craig, it’s wonderful to meet with you today. It’s amazing what TFC Global has accomplished in such a short period of time. Learning about the history of your ministry is inspiring.
My first question is focused on your Corporate Chaplains program. Is this offering only for organizations and companies involved in the trucking industry, or do you place chaplains in all types of businesses?
Craig: Our chaplaincy services focus mainly on the trucking industry. However, this is not exclusive to 18-wheelers. Anywhere there is a fleet of drivers, we want to provide chaplaincy services. For example, we have them at a variety of companies including a trash company, a roll-off dumpster company, and a port-o-potty company. They each have a fleet of drivers, so we’re glad to be there for them.
In addition to drivers, we make sure the rest of the employees are taken care of, from the CEO on down. So our specific target audience is the trucking industry, but we’re open to companies with a fleet of drivers of any size. We also make our services available to owner operators and drivers who aren’t part of a fleet.
Mark: Our readers are nationwide – primarily Christians in the marketplace, higher education, or pastoral or ministry careers. Can you tell them how you’ve been able to grow your organization so quickly? What would you say is the key to your success?
Craig: Three things come to mind right away. They may not be the hottest things in leadership right now, but they are our commitment and focus.
- The people involved: Without a doubt, the people here are dedicated to the work of God’s kingdom. Whether they be chaplains or office workers keeping the books, we have people who are passionate and called to serve God through chaplain services to the trucking community. This isn’t easy, so we’re fortunate to have people here dedicated to the mission no matter if the results are noticed or not. The right people make the difference.
- An uncompromising commitment to the absolute truth of God: God, His Word, and the message of the Gospel has not changed and will never change. Truth isn’t based on feelings, propaganda, popular vote, or anything other than what God put into place. We will not compromise this even as we see wokeness in churches and Christian organizations all around us.
We will courageously stand and, with endurance, continue what God started back in 1951. We trust God at His word that He will be pleased and bless our unwavering commitment to Him. We will try new methods and adjust to the changes in the trucking industry, but we will never compromise the mission.
- We care for what’s under the surface: We see the person behind the wheel of a truck, loading on the docks, processing invoices, etc. We work to focus on the people in front of us and respond to their needs as we guide them toward a transformed life through a healthy relationship with Jesus.
Each person represents a story, family, and someone who needs to be listened to and cared for. We aren’t in a hurry. The individual attention and follow-through is part of our chaplain’s secret sauce.
Mark: What are some of the issues you’ve seen that employees face in the workplace? And how has this changed over the past few years?
Craig: People are anxious, nervous, less secure, and tired of being lied to by the news, government, and the strategic divisiveness in our country and around the world. People are losing hope. There isn’t much of a “normal” anywhere.
A chaplain is a “neutral party” who’s present to listen and care for people in a company. Even if an employee doesn’t want spiritual guidance, just being able to talk to someone who will listen is a big deal.
Also, employee turnover is high. People don’t want to work. There is less loyalty than ever. This is a big problem, contributing to a negative work environment and effecting productivity.
These things cause distracted employees, make the workplace less safe, waste a lot of company time, and decrease morale.
People are going to talk about their issues with someone. If there isn’t a chaplain available, employees will take management or fellow employees’ time to vent their issues. A chaplain’s presence helps replace this problem.
That’s why we want to get into those spaces and help ownership and management get out of the counseling business and be free to focus on the company versus working in the company. This creates a healthier work environment and increases productivity. We get to be the calm in the chaos. A chaplain’s presence brings comfort and is seen as an overall benefit to employees.
I wouldn’t say these issues are new, but they have increased exponentially over the last three years. And companies are suffering because of it.
Mark: Thanks for those examples, Craig. I’ve witnessed workplace chaplains impacting organizations in a variety of ways throughout my career. I recall suicides being prevented, drug addictions being remedied, marriages being healed, and relationships being renewed through forgiveness. The list goes on and on.
Do you have a few inspiring success stories of your own regarding healing and restoration you’d like to share?
Craig: My goodness, yes! This is the best part of leading a chaplaincy ministry.
Death on the road is all too common. We provide casualty and loss care in cases where there is a death for any reason while a trucker or associated individual is away from home. One of our guys was able to talk to the daughter of a man who died in a terrible accident. Her dad fell asleep at the wheel, and the truck ended up plowing through a construction area. Fortunately, it was at night and no one else was around, but it was a terrible and unexpected death.
Our chaplain was able to answer her questions about the fairness of God when her loving father was taken away from the family. He had conversations with her for the following weeks and months after the loss of her dad.
Another chaplain found out an employee at a company he serves had rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery on his infant daughter. Within a half hour of hearing about this, our chaplain was at the hospital too. The owner of the company was also there.
That man and his wife said they had never experienced people caring for them like that before. It made a huge impact.
Yet another chaplain was at an early morning company safety meeting. At the end of the meeting, he was given time to speak to the whole company. This happens a few times a year where he can present why he’s there and how to get a hold of him, and then pray for the day.
Before he prayed, he felt God nudge him to share about the Gateway to Freedom part of our ministry. He said, “If any of you are struggling with unhealthy and unwanted sexual behavior, please come and talk to me. No judgment; just conversation.” He wasn’t sure how that would fly early in the morning. But right after the meeting, a guy came up to him and shared how pornography had ruined his relationship with his girlfriend and he wanted help.
That chaplain, who serves at this company just one day a week, was able to follow up with this guy and continue helping him get rid of that destructive behavior.
The last story could have been a lot worse. A driver entered a truck stop late one night and asked the woman at the register to take his dog. She told him they cannot do that, and the night manager came out and affirmed this. So the driver stormed out and, 15 minutes later, came back in, placed a bullet on the counter, and told the woman, “This is for your manager if you don’t take my dog.”
He then threatened the manager directly, followed him back to his office, and shot him twice from close range. Fortunately, the bullets missed vital organs and didn’t kill him; and the police arrived to apprehend the driver. But our chaplain was able to care for the employees of that truck stop and stay in contact with the manager who was shot.
The people who worked there were so thankful for their chaplain at a time like that.
Mark: Do you have any suggestions for organizations that don’t have the finances to support hiring chaplains? What are some things they can do to help struggling employees?
Craig: The first thing I would say is it’s probably costing you more to be without a chaplain than to bring in one. The stability a chaplain’s presence brings and the increased ROI that comes after one’s been around will far exceed the cost. It is worth it, so I would say give it a try.
We do work with companies to find out what they’re looking for, make suggestions, and customize a plan. A company could start with an on-call and casualty and loss chaplaincy service and go from there. We offer a range of services all the way up to a full-time chaplain present there every day.
You already know what it’s like not having a chaplain. I say take the step to give it a try and see the difference one will make in your company. If anyone would like to talk to a company owner who uses our chaplaincy services – to hear how a chaplain’s presence makes a difference – let me know and I’ll connect you with one.
Mark: Where do you see TFC Global heading in the next few years? How do you expect it will expand?
Craig: The chaplaincy model from being in chapel trailers in truck stops to the corporate chaplaincy model in trucking companies is a recent change for us. Therefore, we see the number of chaplains who are well trained and placed in companies around the country expanding quickly.
With respect and honor to the past methods, we will keep adapting to the industry’s changes. We’re going where the people are and where we can have the highest potential for long-term spiritual impact. Right now, that is trucking companies.
Our Chaplain’s Training Program is growing, and we see that expanding even further still. We’ll train anyone interested in chaplaincy, even if they’re not looking to join TFC Global. People have taken this training to see if God is pulling them toward chaplaincy. Others have taken it as continuing education, and all TFC Global chaplain candidates go through it.
We offer our first-level, 20-hour, three-day intensive twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. Upon successful completion of the training, participants are credentialed through Chaplains International.
International Missions is another thing we see growing in the future. We have TFC Global affiliates in Africa and are in conversation with people in other countries who want to bring TFC Global to their country.
Mark: What is the best way to have an interested person contact you for chaplain services for their employees?
Craig: Feel free to use my email, craigm@tfcglobal.org, or call my cell directly at 717-297-0681. The main TFC Global office number is 717426-9977, or you can check us out at tfcglobal.org.
Mark: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today and provide encouragement for our readers. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Craig: Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you. As I was participating in the “Protect Your Mission” seminar a while back, I knew we needed to connect. You kept mentioning chaplaincy services as a way for a faith-based company to affirm its faith-based purpose. It was gratifying for an outside organization like In HIS Name HR to talk about the benefits of chaplains in the workplace. We benefited greatly from that seminar in addition to the unsolicited plug.
The last thing I want to say is that an organization like ours needs support. We want to expand our chaplaincy services. In order to do that, we need support.
Recent studies have shown that people want to give but are more cautious and check out the organizations first. I ask boldly and with faith in God’s provision for your financial support. Please check us out, as I’m confident you’ll see we’re wise stewards of all that is God’s.
Eternity hangs in the balance for everyone, and our target audience will most likely not attend a church. We want to serve as chaplains in non-faith-based companies also. We choose to go where the darkness is in order to shine the light of the Gospel. Therefore, please become a faith partner with TFC Global.
Mark: Thank you so much, Craig. May God continue to bless you, your family, and TFC Global.
As you can see, we were thoroughly impressed and inspired by TFC Global and its chaplain services. We hope you’ve been inspired as well to consider retaining a workplace chaplain for your organization.
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Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.
Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.
Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter
Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources
Nov 6, 2023
Employee Volunteerism: Spreading Hope in Schools
Featured Organization: Bible2School
We are living in tumultuous times. Political and socioeconomic unrest is at a record high. Depression, anxiety, physical ailments, and mental illness plague our society. It seems everywhere we turn, we face more bad news – a precarious economy, wars, division, rising crime, and strife, just to name a few.
With additional growing financial burdens at home, children often suffer the most, their physical and emotional needs taking a backseat as parents try to stay afloat. Young ones may struggle in school and face loneliness, abuse, or neglect. And social media often adds to the stress of it all.
But what if these children were given a hope and a future, just as Jeremiah 29:11 promises?
That’s just what Bible2School offers: Hope! Let’s journey together as I share with you the wonderful history and impact of this amazing organization led by my good friend CEO Kori Pennypacker. My desire is that, after hearing about her program, you’ll be inspired to support volunteerism through your employees so you too can impact your community for generations to come.
Bible2School was started in 1979 by a group of pastors in Pennsylvania known as the Manheim Ministerium. The group decided to utilize the then newly amended Section 1546 of the state school code, which allowed children to be released from school for training. In recognition of the demand for Bible study in public schools and the opportunity arising from the changes to the amendment, over 100 fifth-grade students were allowed to legally leave school during learning hours and attend Bible study.
This is through the concept of Released Time, which actually began in the early 1900s and has been upheld over the years by the Supreme Court as being protected by the Constitution. Released Time allows children attending public school to receive religious education of their choice during the school day. The only requirements are that it take place off school property, with parental permission, and it can’t be funded by tax-payer dollars. Students are then permitted to leave school grounds and spend school hours in Bible study classes.
Pretty amazing, right?
As the program grew, the Manheim Ministerium offered bus transportation to children who couldn’t walk to a participating church. This helped it become a major success and grow into a nationwide movement, delivering the word of God to communities across the state.
Forty years later, Bible2School has expanded nationwide, thanks to its subscription-based franchise model. Community members interested in offering a Bible2School program can work directly with the organization’s leadership team for access to resources and curriculum implementation. Bible2School has perfected the onboarding process using a proven four-step system. Community leaders are offered a Christ-centered curriculum, over 450 tools and resources, a customizable website, ongoing training, coaching, and live support to get involved.
As we know, public schools have been under attack ever since in-class prayer was removed; and spreading Christian teachings has become an uphill battle. Moreover, Christianity as a whole has seen significant declines. Fifty years ago, 90 percent of Americans self-identified as Christians; today, that number has sadly dropped to 64 percent and continues to fall. At this rate, the Christian majority is at risk of disappearing by 2070.
These rates are reflected in the classroom, where children are often subjected to inappropriate curriculum and messages. But this is where Bible2School comes in, filling the significant void in the public school system. The organization recognizes that there is an urgency to introduce children to Biblical truth at a young age when the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain is developed. This usually occurs between 2nd and 4th grade.
During this short time, from ages seven to 11, logical reasoning begins to take shape, providing the foundation for morals and values. This could explain why 63 percent of Christians accept the Lord between the ages of 4 and 14. In other words, we have a small window of time to make a critical, lasting impact on children and change their lives forever!
Bible2School’s impact has yet to reach every community. However, it is spreading and already offers incredible resources for parents who don’t have in-person access to it. This includes a weekly podcast that provides parents with essential information centered around ways to share God’s word in everyday life. Teachings like “Discovering the Lord’s Hebrew Calendar in Real Time ” and “Two Things Kids Need to Know About Intruder Alert Drills” are just two examples of powerful episodes.
Bible2School also offers a regularly updated blog filled with relevant articles. And the Bible2School website features dozens of craft ideas like a family prayer-request box, pretzel sticks, and God’s promises project boxes. Though it’s the CBA Cross that’s been deemed the most popular resource for children to share the gospel. A CBA – which stands for confess, believe, and ask – gives children the opportunity to engage with Jesus through a free cross project, complemented by an easy how-to video.
What an amazing tool!
Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch with CEO Kori Pennypacker. Though we’ve known each other for over a decade, we hadn’t had a chance to catch up for years. Since our last meeting, both of our organizations in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have spread nationwide. (Never limit God!) Kori is a continued inspiration to me, as I hope she will be to you!
Mark: Kori, great meeting with you today! I’m excited to share with readers what you’re doing. My first request is simple: Describe in your own words what exactly your organization does.
Kori: Bible2School is a public-school ministry that equips passionate moms, dads, grandparents, and communities to teach the Bible to children attending public elementary school DURING their school day: DURING school hours – typically over lunch and recess. And it’s legal. About 60% of the children who come to Bible2School have no church home, so kids are being taught about our amazing Savior, Jesus, for the very first time.
Mark: Thank you for speaking to us from your heart. It’s always good to have your narrative down so succinctly. My next question has to do with impact. What impact have you seen in the lives of the children your teams have been working with? Do you have any especially meaningful stories to share?
Kori: We have seen many transformed lives for Christ! The biggest question children ask regularly is, “Who’s God? I’ve never heard of him.” In this post-Christian world, this is sadly common. We’ve seen such relief in children’s faces when we tell them that God made them, God loves them, God has a plan and purpose for their life, and Jesus Christ died for their sins so they can believe in Him and be in heaven with Him someday. This is such a burden off their shoulders.
One little blue-eyed, curly blond-haired boy named Gabriel, who lived with his grandmother, really sticks out to me. He didn’t know anything about God, and he was so eager to learn every week. He ended up accepting Christ as his Savior during a large group lesson, which was incredible, and skipped back to my table.
When I asked him to tell me more about it, he had an unforgettable answer that brought me to tears. He said, “I’ve always wanted to know how to get to heaven, but no one ever told me.” These kids live near our homes and near our businesses, and we need to tell those like Gabriel who God is. Bible2School makes it easy to do that.
Mark: We work with employers all over the country. Many are looking for programs to help their employees engage the community. Do you think this approach would help not only advance your organization but also give employers an opportunity to support it through their employees?
Kori: Yes, it would help the employees and their organizations, and the children and their families. We take a community approach and, honestly, our programs can’t do this without the support of Christian businesses. And we want to support our local businesses. Our Business Partnership Program – that I encourage all employers to consider whether you’re working with Bible2School or another great non-profit – makes a lot of sense. Henry Blackaby said in his best-selling book Experiencing God that we need to “find where God is working and join Him there.”
We love to cultivate relationships with businesses that have a passion for spreading the Gospel to children and who want to help impact the next generation in their community. Our business partners inspire their employees through:
- Volunteering – Some employers offer flexible hours or PTO time so their employees can be small-group leaders for our Bible classes. That is a huge help for our children to have positive role models from these Christian businesses.
- Matching – Some employers also come alongside employees to encourage generosity by offering to match the employees’ donations to Bible2School. A lot of times, this is an awareness thing. Employees want to be generous but they don’t know where to give.
- Giving Back – Employers can discount their service/product programs tithing a percentage of the profit that goes to Bible2School. We have an electric company that offers a special program where a percentage of the proceeds go to our Bible2School kids.
- Introducing Someone – This is so valuable to us! Business leaders know other business leaders, so we ask that they introduce us to ONE other business leader who we can start building a relationship with. We’ve even given presentations at company events as a way of inviting people into our mission!
Just like any partnership, we want it to be mutually beneficial. Ministry is a team sport! So our Business Partnership Program has the ability to unlock company culture excellence and unite your community. In fact, 89% of businesses believe that partnering leverages their ability to improve their communities. And the employees love it! We spotlight our partner businesses in our monthly e-newsletter, on social media, our website, and at events. And we in turn share all the impact stories on a regular basis so we can all celebrate what God is doing through the employees and Bible2School. It’s a win-win!
Mark: Our readers, like our employers, are national. Are they still able to use your materials and process? How does that work?
Kori: Yes, our Bible2School program can equip leaders in any state to reach their local public school with the Word of God on a weekly basis. We don’t want anyone to reinvent the wheel. So we’ve developed a subscription-based franchise model with a small cost that provides all the proven Christ-centered curriculum, over 450 online tools, expert coaching, a robust website, team-building, and sustaining support that’s needed to make it as easy as possible.
Mark: We have readers from Christian higher education institutions. Any suggestions on how they might engage students or expose this program to faculty?
Kori: Students lookin
g for volunteer hours can use our website to find a program in their area to offer their volunteer services. Bible2School is an excellent example of community ministry, and we’re happy to be a resource for Christian colleges looking to enhance their curriculum in this area. Having experience working with children out in the community with a topnotch Bible program is a great addition to a student’s resume.
Mark: If someone is interested in learning more about your program, what is the best way for them to reach you?
Kori: The best way to reach us is through our website, Bible2School.com.
Mark: How has Bible2School impacted your own personal and spiritual life?
Kori: I see God working here in our public schools through this program. What a gift to join Him! People tell me that God was taken out of public schools, and I tell them they’re wrong. God is being brought to the children through Bible2School – I see it every week! And children, like adults, are hungry for the truth. That’s how we recognize counterfeit: We study His Truth.
As a leader, I just keep taking one step forward and He makes things happen. Things only He can do. So He gets the glory. Whether it be funding or volunteers, both of which we need this year, He provides. It’s not about me. It’s a humbling, challenging, and joy-filled leadership journey.
Mark: Thank you so much for your time today, Kori. Do you have any final thoughts you want to share with readers?
Kori: There are 64,000 public elementary schools in America, and there Bible programs available in less than 10%. Wouldn’t it be great to reach the one near your business?
We had a public-school teacher share with us that her school was in lockdown for an active shooter. And as far as they knew, it wasn’t a drill. The children were so scared, crowded against a wall, crying and writing goodbye notes to their parents.
She said she looked up and heard them before she saw them: three little Bible2School girls praying out loud for their class, their school, and their teacher. It calmed the class and gave her the courage to do her job to protect these precious children.
These girls didn’t know about God before coming to Bible2School. Thankfully, this was a drill and the children were safe. But the teacher said that these girls’ pure faith inspired her and their class.
Who do you know who would be passionate about reaching the public-school children in your community for Jesus? I would love to be introduced and start a conversation. One introduction can make an eternal difference.
I appreciate this opportunity to share today!
Mark: Thank you, and God bless you and Bible2School!
Programs like Bible2School are wonderful ways to get involved in your community and make a lasting impact. If you’re looking to boost volunteerism among your employees, consider taking that next step! For more on Bible2School, visit Bible2School.com
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Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.
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Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter
Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources
Aug 28, 2023
Divorce remains one of the most prominent issues in our society. While rates have technically declined since 2000, roughly one in two marriages still end in divorce. Second marriages stand an even slimmer chance, with a 63% failure rate; and third marriages have the worst chance of success at 73%.
Take an inventory of your closest friends and family, and chances are that you know several couples who have divorced. Many issues contribute to this problem, with lack of communication cited as the number one culprit behind it. Infidelity comes in second, with 60% citing it as their reason for splitting. And domestic abuse is next, with 24% claiming it ended their marriage. 
Many demographics play a part as well. For instance, those living below the poverty line have a higher chance of divorce versus college-educated couples, who are more likely to stay married. With that said, while divorce can impact anyone at any age, recent studies show the average age is mid-40s, the time when most people are at the peak of their career. And when you look at religious communities, there isn’t a single one that’s immune, though evangelical Protestants factor most prominently into these unfortunate statistics.
With so many effected by divorce, it’s crucial to understand how it can impact the workplace. Recent data confirms that divorce-related stress costs employers $300 billion per year. For example, the average employee loses 168 hours of worktime in the first year following a failed marriage. And it only makes sense that those going through the process are prone to being distracted, unfocused, and unmotivated, resulting in diminished productivity.
In one recent study, nearly 44% of those going through a divorce admitted that it had negatively impacted their work. Think about it. They can make more mistakes on the job. They can cause issues with colleagues and be prone to being more sensitive than normal. They can also take multiple sick and personal days to attend court custody cases and meetings with lawyers. In short, things can quickly go downhill for employees ending their marriages, and the result can be catastrophic financially, personally, and professionally.
As leaders, we know the converse is just as true: When our people are happy with their lives outside the workplace, they do better on the job, contributing at a higher level, prospering their organization, and impacting their communities in a positive manner. Yet we can only impact our corporate environment, not anyone’s individual homelife.
So what is the solution? Can we do anything to support those employees headed for divorce?
My research says yes.
Most organizations already provide health benefits for employees. High-performing employers offer their workers not only health but wellness benefits, which can be related to fitness, smoking cessation, diet coaching, and more. They also maintain Employee Assistance Plans (EAPs), which typically offer therapy for employees and family members concerning relationship issues or ailments connected to depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. Some may include couples therapy as well, but some do not.
Offering great employee assistance programs can yield lower turnover rates, higher levels of job satisfaction, decreased absenteeism, and an overall happier and healthier work environment.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with good friends Dean Brior and Jeff Kime. Dean is a successful CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur who has successfully led hundreds of employees. As such, he has witnessed the toll divorce takes on people, not just at home but in the workplace.
Currently, Jeff is the Executive Director and Dean is director of development for The Marriage Hub.
Founded in 2004 by Dr. Bruce McCracken, The Marriage Hub seeks to provide biblically based marriage-building experiences for couples of all ages and stages. Their bold vision is to see divorce eradicated from our society by helping couples repair broken relationships so they can lead happy and fulfilled lives both inside and outside the workplace.
Mark: Jeff, it’s great meeting with you today, brother. I am excited to share with our readers what you’re doing. My first question is simple. How does divorce affect the workplace, and why should human resource professionals sound the alarm bells?
Jeff: Rosemary Frank, a certified divorce financial analyst, reported that divorce impacts the entire workplace in four major areas. The first is a loss of concentration when the employee is going through the divorce personally. This hits 40% in the first year, and slowly drops to 10% all the way in year four following the divorce.
The second is disrupted coworkers. We’re all social creatures, so if someone is hurting, we listen to their story [and] try to console them, resulting in those employees suffering a drop in productivity. It peaks at 4% in the first year, which continues for up to five years.
The third is that the employee going through the divorce misses workdays. Those days can be due to child custody hearings, meetings with attorneys, having to deal with childcare that was typically shared with a spouse – you name it. The average employee misses 9% of their workdays when going through a divorce.
The final area is an increase in usage of health benefits, which as we all know, ends up costing the employer in the long run. Added stress – needing to add kids to health plans, etc. – typically increases health-related expenditures by 10.4% while going through a divorce.
Adding all of these factors together, Rosemary Frank concluded the average business owner ends up paying an additional $85,934 in lost revenue for a business when one of their employees goes through a divorce. And if the person is in management, it could go even higher!
Mark: There are many great counseling programs out there, yet many couples never take advantage of them. What do you think makes The Marriage Hub unique and so successful?
Jeff: Mark, the typical couple going through marital challenges looks at counseling or their church as their first line of response. The challenge is that while both of those are potentially helpful options for a couple, it’s not the most effective option for a couple going through marital crisis. They need more than a one-hour session every other week with a counselor; they need more than the training a pastor has received in handling these specialized situations. And that’s where The Marriage Hub comes in.
We offer 20+ hours in a three-day Marriage Intensive Retreat for these couples in crisis. We then offer a 15-week follow-up course after the intensive. The national success rate of counselors working with a couple in crisis is only 25%, and the average couple flames out after two and a half sessions. It’s not enough, whereas here at The Marriage Hub, we’ve maintained an 85% success rate working with couples in crisis by giving them the time and personal care they need to navigate these challenging times – all performed by one of our highly trained coaches.
Mark: Dean, What have you personally witnessed in your years of experience as a leader in the workplace? Any specific examples regarding employees and the toll that divorce has taken on productivity, etc.?
Dean: Unfortunately, what Rosemary says rings true. I’ve seen this countless times: someone who was a business rockstar loses their mojo during a divorce. It’s not that the person is bad; it’s just the emotional landslide a divorce creates. That causes them to lose their focus and fail to perform at the same level they normally did.
Mark: Why do you believe The Marriage Hub can become a critical component of organizations’ human resources department?
Dean: When the HR department hears about challenges going on in an employee’s life, when they start to notice things going sideways and sit down to chat about job performance or any other concerning issues they see at work, they often learn that it’s challenges at home that are causing these work difficulties. Here at The Marriage Hub, we can become a resource to help those struggling employees. As the employee’s marriage is transformed, so is their entire countenance and ability to perform their job the way God intended for them.
Mark: How have you seen, firsthand, The Marriage Hub make a lasting impact on employees’ workplace efforts and personal relationships outside the workplace?
Dean: One example is a couple who had come to our program when on the brink of divorce. The lady was a key employee at a local business, and her employer had heard about our program. He called us up and said he wanted to pay for the entire program for her and her husband. Over the course of the weekend, the transformation was not only profound in their marriage, but for eternity as well! The wife came to saving faith in Jesus Christ, and their family is now stronger than ever.
Mark: What might you say to an HR professional who is skeptical about the program and does not see a need for such a thing in the workplace?
Dean: I’d encourage them to reach out to other HR friends to see whether the data I shared earlier plays out in the real world. I think they’ll quickly realize that taking care of the whole person – including their marriage – is one of the greatest ways to build their business. Business is run by people, and people in a good place emotionally, socially, and spiritually make the best businesses and communities.
Mark: Lastly, what inspired you to get involved with The Marriage Hub? Can you share any personal stories with us?
Dean: Nancy and I have been married for 46 years. Our first six years were tough, as we were married in college and had to grow up together. We would have benefited from a ministry such as The Marriage Hub back then. We have celebrated many marriages through the years and seen our share of divorces happen. Most of those divorces did not have a resource like The Marriage Hub. Our mission is to see the ministry grow to the point where any couple in need can call us and get help.
Mark: Thank you, Dean. My hope and prayer are that more organizations will see the need for programs such as The Marriage Hub, and that, ultimately, marriages will be restored. In the words of Oswald Chambers when discussing the Sermon on the Mount, “The knowledge of our own poverty is what brings us to the proper place where Jesus Christ accomplishes His work.” When we recognize our shortcomings and surrender to Christ, great things can take place. The workplace should be joyful. The joy and passion we bring to the workplace should be a reflection of what we experience in our personal lives, an ultimate reflection of our lives, as well as a great setting to share the gospel with others. I am grateful to you, Dean, for your work and pray that we see miraculous things in the days ahead.
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Concerned about the HR programs at your organization? The benefits of having a trusted partner to guide you and your team to excellence are invaluable. Contact us today. You—and your employees—will be glad you did.
Rise with us by implementing our high-performance remote human-resource programs to help find great people! E-mail us here.
Mark A. Griffin is president and founder of In HIS Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter
Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources
