Second of a three-part series

MARYSVILLE – Norm Miller makes batteries and Bryant Amberlang tomatoes.

But one thing they have in common is they encompass their faith at work and have seen great results, both personally and professionally.

Miller became a Christian in 1974 and uses that faith at work as CEO of Interstate Batteries every day.

“Money’s important, but so is caring for employees. They go hand and hand,” he said as part of the recent Work as Worship conference in Dallas. About 20 people locally participated via the internet at the Marysville Free Methodist Church.

Miller said his business isn’t afraid to show that it’s faith-based. “Don’t fear something if what you fear is something you should do,” he said.

He said you can’t be afraid of losing employees or customers. He said people can look at their website and know what Interstate Batteries is all about. If they don’t like it, they can decide not to shop or work there.

He said when people are first hired, they are given a bible, a book Miller wrote and a film about Jesus. They don’t force it on anyone, but it’s all around them. “We try not to offend people, but as the great prophet said, “Just do it.”

When Amberland, CEO of Naturesweet, first started growing tomatoes in Mexico, there were only women workers. The men would go to the U.S. and send money back to family. But by starting his company there, men were able to return and make a good living and be with their families. “We transformed the lives of ag” workers, he said. “We unleashed the power of people.”

The workers became a part of the business. They found if they worked hard and the business flourished, they would see raises. Amberland said turnover and absenteeism dropped. “The more you put in the more you get out,” he said, adding his business has grown to six greenhouse facilities in Mexico and one in Arizona.

Amerland said his workers have been oppressed for 500 years, but now they see a way out. “Those circumstances don’t matter,” he said. “You never fail due to a lack of resources. You fail do to a lack of intention.”

Patrick Lencioni, best-selling author of Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and Kelly Shackelford, CEO of First Liberty Institute, also spoke during the conference.

Lencioni said people have core values that endure universal appeal. They are:

•Be humble. Pride is the root of all sin, he said. Other-centered people are more attractive to be around.

•Be hungry. People who work hard are liked.

•Be smart. They can emotionally affect others.

He said he likes to hire people like that, and develop himself and others to be that way.

Shackelford talked about some of the court cases he handles in defense of faith and work.

He mentioned some cases where people weren’t allowed to pray in public – like a football coach, a 5-year-old at lunch or seniors who couldn’t do it because the food was from a federal program. He said faith in the workplace is protected by federal and state law. But it has to be freedom of choice.

“The enemy will always be there if he can have an impact,” Shackelford said of attempt to thwart faith and business.

He said many businesses wonder how they can be more productive and successful.

“Pray,” he said. “You’re only limited by your own creativity.”

Shackelford said people shouldn’t take their rights for granted. Votes in the Supreme Court are too close for comfort.

“We might lose them at any time,” he said.