Jerry Bellune February 11, 2014

February 10, 2014
By Jerry Bellune
February 11, 2014
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A business owner who lives his faith

We started our companies with a difference.
Our competitors were in it for the money.
We started with mission and purpose.
Sure, we knew we needed profits.
To do that, we had to offer greater value.
Value greater than our rivals offered.
Our little band was committed to the mission.
We worked some incredibly long hours.
We won hearts and community support.

That reminds me of what a friend has done.
Scott Middleton has a fascinating story.
He is dyslexic. Has trouble reading.
But he has an accounting degree.
Numbers make sense to him.
So do faith, love and caring.
Scott became a Methodist minister.
So is his wife Evelyn. They met at seminary.

Scott founded a multi-million dollar business.
Agapé  Senior provides services to mature adults.
Assisted living, nursing, hospice, medications.
Ambulance service, home sales, two restaurants.
It has become a statewide provider of senior care.
He travels around the state to their locations.
He is one of the busiest people I know.
But he also preaches on Sunday.
We used to call pastors like Scott “circuit riders.”
They went to churches that needed a pastor.
Scott lives his faith. He cares.

Scott’s people operate a faith-based company.
Their values reflect the nine fruits of the Spirit,
You can find these in Galatians 5:22-23:
The nine are love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness.
Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These values are instilled in the care they provide.
They guide how they help others.
Their work is an expression of who they are.
“Agapé ” is a Greek word for “love.”
Agapé’s logo is a“nine-pointed star.”
It symbolizes the nine fruits of the spirit.

My challenge to you is to ask yourself:
• Why am I in business?
• What is our mission and purpose?
• What are our values?
• Do all of my people appreciate this?

Want to learn more leadership secrets?
Our “Visionary Leadership” seminar may be for you.
It will be March 28 at the West Metro Chamber.
Email me for details at [email protected]

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