Encouragement for Life

Business Name: Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Cincinnati

Contact Name: Rocky Smith

Business Address:
P.O. Box 778
Mason, OH 45050

Website: http://www.cefcincy.org

Business Phone: 513-456-1675

Child Evangelism Fellowship® is a Bible-centered nonprofit organization of born-again believers.
Our mission is three-fold:

1. Evangelize boys and girls in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. “So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish,” Matthew 18:14.
2. Disciple them in their Christian lives through the Word of God so they “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 3:18.
3. Establish children and their families in a local Bible-believing church where they can continue to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

Prior to ministry work in Child Evangelism Fellowship, I was a cheerleading and tumbling coach for over 16 years.  I trained preschool through college-age athletes, cultivating a passion for building up and encouraging children, teens, and young adults.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I became a Christian at the age of 13 through our youth ministry at Ferry Church of Christ in 1997.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

I have realized that working in ministry causes me to place my full trust in the Lord.  I am quick to admit that as a young man, I had no interest or intention to be involved in ministry.  But the Lord called me and I committed to follow Him.  I rely on His strength and His wisdom to serve as the Local Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Cincinnati.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

My humble prayer is that the Lord uses Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Cincinnati to be a fruitful and effective ministry to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to children and teens throughout Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties.

Business Name: TAF Legal LLC

Contact Name: Todd Fichtenberg

Business Address:
TAF Legal LLC
1554 Polaris Parkway, Suite 325
Columbus, OH 43240

Website: https://www.trademarksarefun.com

Business Phone: 740-233-2883

I have been helping entrepreneurs with trademark needs for over a decade. I personally walk my clients through the application process, from beginning to end. I perform comprehensive trademark clearance searches and counsel clients on prosecution, brand strategy, and enforcement. Enforcement includes sending and responding to cease and desist letters. Although I focus my practice primarily on trademarks, I also have a wealth of experience in protecting creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, mediation, probate, estate planning, appeals, business litigation, and religious liberty.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

To help people. I know that seems cliche or simple, but it’s true. I initially wanted to do primarily religious liberty work, but there are a handful of specific law firms that do that work. As time went on, I realized my mission field were my colleagues, opposing counsel, clients, and other actors in the judicial system. I needed to do whatever work I had with excellence and help clients in their time of need. My niche is helping entrepreneurs with trademarks and it feels good to help people build businesses to better their lives, help their families, and give back.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was raised in a Christian home. There came a point in time where I had to make the decision for myself and not rely on my upbringing. I feel like my whole life has been about sanctification and growing to be closer to Christ and being more like Him. I have to deny myself daily and pick up my cross, and it’s not always easy.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

My faith impacts every aspect of my business. I try to live up to Proverbs 22:1, and at times, I have to discern whether the work I’m doing is edifying. I also think it’s important to treat everybody, even opposing counsel, with respect. In many places, this is viewed as weakness, but you can have a much more powerful impact on both the case and peoples’ lives when you pray for those who oppose you and return fire with kindness. I may not always be perfect in this area, but I strive to live this way!

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

I have two key pieces of Kingdom Work that I’m working on in conjunction with my business. We are planning to launch a Christian Legal Aid clinic in Delaware at the Dream Center to provide brief advice for those who can’t afford an attorney. I am also the part time Ohio Staff Attorney for Pacific Justice Institute, an organization that defends religious liberty and parental rights. It’s so awesome to see how God works as both of these areas of work were dreams while I was in law school and 12 years later, He has allowed me to do this work.

Business Name: Best Life Financial Group

Contact Name: Michael Perez

Business Address:
Best Life Financial Group
445 Hutchinson Ave. Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43235

Website: https://www.bestlifefg.com/

Business Phone: 614-505-0865

Our Approach at Best Life Financial Group focuses around “What Matters Most to You.,” and our team of financial advisors is dedicated to helping you live your Best Life.

At Best Life Financial Group, we are in the planning business focusing on your financial future. The “helping you have an impact business”. The “helping to make your dreams possible” business.

At Best Life Financial Group, we focus on serving a higher purpose while looking to do the right thing along the way.

From financial planning to investment advice.

From the joys of life to the challenges of life.

From figuring it all out to getting it all done.

We are Best Life Financial Group, and we are here to help you live your Best life.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

At the age of 30, I was desperate to find a career that was entrepreneurial and would allow me to use my personal strengths and skill set. I was also very passionate about wanting to help and serve people. Through a series of different connections, I was able to launch a career in the financial services industry in 1992.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

After believing in God, but not surrendering my life to Jesus Christ for 41+ years, I was baptized and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ on May 16, 2004.  It was a long journey, and this came on the back side of being spiritually mentored by a man named Chris Watkins. I wrote a letter to God letting Him know that I was ready to live my life in a different way.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

After 27 years in the financial services industry, I spun off from my business partners 4 years ago and started Best Life Financial Group, because I wanted to have a business that was all in for the Kingdom.  As Certified Kingdom Advisors, we have become a landing spot for people who want to live at the intersection of faith and finance.  We truly believe God owns our business, and it is a platform for us to minister to people and build up the Kingdom.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

My wife and I adopted our daughter, Lola, from Guatemala when she was a baby in 2003. To this day, we still support multiple children who live in the orphanage run by Forever Changed International. Last May, we even had the opportunity to visit the orphanage in Guatemala, and we were able to meet Lola’s birth mother for the first time as a family. It was truly an incredible experience.

Business Name: G7 Networking Inc

Contact Name: Bob Willbanks

Business Address:
7900 International Drive #300
Bloomington, MN 55425

Website: https://www.g7networking.com

Business Phone: 952-851-5550

Our Mission
We exist to drive referral business for our members while growing in all areas of life. Our vision is to enable commerce and connectivity with biblical principles by creating the largest Christian business network on earth.

Faith-Based Referral Solutions
G7 connects business professionals to share qualified leads while facilitating personal, professional, and spiritual growth. Through local chapters with a healthy mix of business categories, we provide spaces for driving referral business along biblical principles.

Effective, God-centered Networking
In G7, professionals develop relationships that matter. A shared faith foundation provides a context of trust and empowerment that fosters vulnerability and a space to exchange counsel in life and work.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

Most of my adult life was spent chasing the American Dream, not paying much attention to my faith.  I like the term “miserably saved” as an apt description of my spiritual position.  I identified as Christian, but there wasn’t much evidence of my belief in my day-to-day life.

When I finally committed myself to put God first via developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word – I found the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that only come through the gift of the Holy Spirit – and I wanted to share it with everyone I knew.

This lead me to found a marketplace ministry in the Twin Cities called Ambassadors for Business (AFB) which helped people in the marketplace connect their faith and their work.  As AFB grew, one of our most popular divisions became G7 Networking.  As G7 grew, we saw the need to separate from the nonprofit to fund national expansion, which we did in October of 2021.  We now have 34 active chapters in 6 States and we’re expanding rapidly.

I like to say that G7’s primary goal is focused on driving business for our members, but our primary purpose is to grow them spiritually via the relationships, interaction, and training within each chapter experience.

For me, it’s about lighting up the “miserably saved” of this world… helping them to grab that next rung on their spiritual growth ladder.  Reaching up to someone that’s a little bit in front of them while reaching back to those that are lagging a little behind.  It’s truly about iron sharpening iron.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I accepted Christ when I was 8 years old and was raised in a Christian household.  My faith began to suffer as I married early, had 3 sons by age 25, and focused on chasing the American Dream.  I worked constantly and when I wasn’t working, I was usually drinking.

This led to a lot of turbulence in my home life, which eventually ended in divorce in 1997.  I had to sell my payroll services company to facilitate the divorce, and also had three knee injuries that year.  I was literally relationally, professionally, and physically broken.  On top of it all, I blamed God for all my issues and decided to walk away from my faith.

The next year was very dark.  Fortunately, I met my 2nd wife, Barb which started my healing process – she literally made me want to be a better man.  I began re-engaging in my faith, going to church, and reading the Bible.  In 2002, I did my first “read the Bible in a year” program and I loved it – and repeated the process annually for 15 years.

In 2012 my drinking was escalating again, despite my spiritual growth.  I’d had some pretty bad episodes over a 30-day period which finally led me to complete despair.  I finally asked God to take it from me – and He did!  My life has never been the same since then.

God led me to start Ambassadors for Business in the Twin Cities four years later, which then spawned G7 Networking.  I’m driven by connecting with those that identify as Christian but aren’t really putting God first in their life – helping them lead a centered life focused on God vs. chasing the busyness and balance the world is selling.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

It is what drives me daily.  At G7, we have set our religious policies and statement of faith as the foundation for our work.  You can see those here: https://www.g7networking.com/religious-policies

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

As stated, we’re focused on connecting with Christians in the marketplace.  This includes Christians that are true followers, the “miserably saved” and everyone that is seeking answers to spiritual questions.  For that reason, we support marketplace ministries and businesses that are having a transformational impact on the cities we serve.  In Ohio, we’re supporting At Work on Purpose and Christian Blue via participation, sponsorships, and advertising.

Share a “God Story” of how the Lord moved through your life or work…

One of my recent stories centers on my friend, (let’s call him Jim), who is a very successful real estate broker/agent that owned a BBQ restaurant.  The restaurant was a passion project of his as he loves to BBQ various types of meat and play around with inventing new sauces and rubs.

All year long, our chapter was talking about hearing from God.  We had quite a few meaningful discussions on the topic during our monthly meetings and I could tell that Jim was digging deeply into his relationship with God.  As the year was coming to an end, Jim decided to close the restaurant as it was continuing to post negative earnings.  We had our monthly meeting three days after the closure and the members rallied around Jim with encouragement.

Jim had shared with me that upon closing the restaurant, he’d received numerous inquiries about buying it.  One of the inquiries was from a regular customer that wanted to keep it as it was, assuming all liabilities and allowing Jim to still be the spokesperson.

When we arrived at the “God” segment of our meeting, we asked for any recent God stories and Jim decided to share his story.  As he unpacked the potential buyer scenario, he broke into tears.  They weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy as he’d been seeking God’s voice regarding the restaurant for years.  It was only when he obeyed the still quiet voice of the Spirit by closing the restaurant, that he realized God had been speaking to him all along… nudging him to the right decision in His timing.

He thanked all of us for the discussions we’d had throughout the year and gave God the glory for the closure and pending sale.

Business Name: Sonrise Services & Sonrise Carpet Care

Contact Name: Jerry Robbins

Business Address:
219 S. Pioneer Blvd Ste B
Springboro, OH  45066

Website: https://www.soncleaned.com/

Business Phone: 937-436-4499

Sonrise Services cleans windows, gutters, chandeliers, and ceiling fans.  We also do power washing and sealing of concrete, and soft wash siding and roofs.

Sonrise Carpet Care cleans all floors and upholstery, including carpet, tile & grout, luxury vinyl plank, wood floors, vinyl floors, rugs, oriental rugs, Persian rugs, etc.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

I have a BA in Accounting from Cedarville College (now Cedarville University) and bounced around in the job market in accounting, credit management, and purchasing  & inventory control.  I decided to get back into farming and moved to Ohio to farm, and that didn’t work out for me either.  I then worked for a large janitorial contractor and ran their commercial window cleaning division, only to have it sold out from under me.  I’d had enough working for someone else.

I started Sonrise Window Cleaning in May 1992 and focused on cleaning residential windows.  Through the years, I learned that my customers needed additional services, so we added carpet cleaning ( and related services) in 2008, then added pressure washing in 2018.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was raised in a Christian home and went to church every Sunday morning and evening, attended VBS every summer, and as I grew older, went to church camp.  However, it was not until I was at church camp as a teenager that I realized that I knew about God, but had never realized I believed it myself.  That is when I made the decision to become a believer, to confess my sins, to believe in Jesus as my Savior, and to ask Him into my heart.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

Too often as followers of Jesus, we tend to compartmentalize our faith and work, viewing full-time Christian ministry as nobler than “secular” work.   However, our “secular” work is just as sacred as full-time Christian ministry, and frankly, that is where we can reach more people with the gospel of Jesus than any ministry can on Sundays.

That is where I come in:  I seek to serve my community by providing services that are wanted and/or needed, in return for payment that I share with my crew members here at work.  I believe, and my experience as a business owner for 30 years shows that if you take care of your customer, they will take care of you.  I am the visionary and the go-between for my customers and my crew members who have skills that my customers want/need.  We are not always perfect, and not all of my crew are believers, but if you have any issues with our work or practices, you can count on the fact that I will take care of you.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

TIFWE.org.  They are a great organization that helps all of us understand how we are all in the ministry of impacting our world for Christ through our work.

Business Name: Cleantec Ltd

Contact Name: Paul A Dickerson

Business Address:
217 E Eidson St
Eaton OH 45320

Website: https://www.cleantecsoftwash.com

Business Phone: 937-533-7735

Started in 2012, Cleantec is an Exterior Substrates cleaning company that cares about a Cleaner World, one house at a time.  From siding to concrete to shingles, gutters, and windows, we offer you solutions for the dirt and filth that grows on your beautiful home.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

My best friend’s family moved for church planting, and his Dad offered to sell Cleantec Ltd to me.  Two weeks later, with prayer and counsel, I bought the enterprise and became an entrepreneur!  I wasn’t looking for the opportunity, but when it was presented, I was inspired to learn (and be challenged) how to be a good steward of small business.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

My parents raised us children (all 13 of them) to fear the Lord and be obedient, along with studying and seeking God through Jesus Christ.  I sought after God fervently for several years before coming to grips with my selfish sin nature.  I finally submitted to Jesus Christ and His church at 19 years old, being baptized in His name, and being in fellowship with a church community.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

Our Christianity isn’t just a theory. It’s a way of life, day and night. I would say that the biggest impact in business because of my Faith in Jesus is the way we respond to others, especially our clients. When things go wrong, we make them right. When things go right, are we giving glory to God? When someone isn’t kind, we become peacemakers. Money isn’t our goal, but relationship is. Our Father God treats us this way, so that’s how we treat others.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

I champion the cause and ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, and so we join the community of His disciples and do as Jesus did.  Why??  Because we cannot sit idle until all humanity is reunited with the creator, who loves us, and gave His only begotten Son, not only so we wouldn’t die, but that we might see His face.

Business Name: stewardship digital

Contact Name: Jason Weed

Business Address:
Serving Greater Dayton, Greater Cincinnati, and more

Website: https://www.stewardshipdigital.com

Business Phone: 513-291-2091

We help you showcase your professionalism by creating useful and delightful websites to help your business grow.

We offer website services for every budget size. Choose from 1,750+ professionally designed layouts. When complete, we monitor your website for security, speed & reliability so you don’t have to worry.

Pricing starts at $149/year for basic services and up to $1,599/year for high availability and reliability.

Our values are:

Integrity
If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. We stick by our word.

Stability
You can rely on us, year after year, for projects big or small.

Stewardship
Because we are good stewards we can help in meaningful ways.

Quality
We love helping you communicate clearly to your customers on the web.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

I enjoy solving problems. I also enjoy expanding God’s kingdom. I had an aptitude for web services in my late teens and that has grown into what stewardship digital is today.

We love helping nonprofits, ministries, and small businesses showcase their professionalism for a very reasonable price.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I became a Christian around 7 years old. When my parents divorced when I was 10, that event became a core building block in my Christian life. When I was 17 I attended a Youth for Christ rally and from then on I knew God had a purpose and plan for my life, I just didn’t know what it was yet.

At 18, I took an internship at Youth for Christ which set me up to learn about web services. From there I attended a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission. After that training I took a full-time position at Youth for Christ.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

It may seem a bit awkward to mention verses about vengeance from Scripture, but that’s kind of where our journey started.

Hebrews 10:30, Romans 12:19, and Deuteronomy 32:35 all speak about not worrying about the person who has caused you harm or gone against their word. God will take care of them and you. It may not be right away, but we can be assured that God is just and He will protect his children.

It was from those principles that we chose our core values: integrity, stability, stewardship, and quality. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it and we stick by our word.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

I’ve been part of a number of Kingdom-building institutions over the years.

* Youth for Christ
* Youth With a Mission
* God’s Bible School & College

I’ve also attended many different denominational churches:

* Baptist
* Calvary Chapel
* Evangelical Free
* Presbyterian
* Non-denominational
* Bible Methodist

I’ve worshiped with fellow believers in:

* the USA
* Mexico
* Singapore
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Bangladesh
* Australia
* India

Because of my unique background I enjoy working with many cultures, denominations, nonprofits, and locations.

My calling is to help build God’s Kingdom, wherever that is, with whoever that is and for as long as God will allow.

Business Name: 1-Tom-Plumber

Contact Name: Sonny Boyce

Business Address:
24 Whitney Ave. Suite A
Milford, OH 45150

Website: www.1tomplumber.com/greatercincinnati

Business Phone: 513-286-2060

1 Tom Plumber Cincinnati is a service plumbing, drain cleaning, and water damage company. Our dedication to fulfilling the immediate needs of our customers, both commercial and residential, is at the heart of how we operate. We are available all day, every day (24/7/365). By fostering a culture of trust, responsibility, and high expectations, we will be a dependable resource while never compromising on quality or safety. We are committed to excellence in all that we do.

At 1-Tom-Plumber, our plumbers have the extensive training and experience you’ll need for a quick and effective fix to virtually all your urgent plumbing issues. We will solve your plumbing problems and alleviate your worries quickly and efficiently. We are available every hour of every day. We pride ourselves on our friendly, family atmosphere and take pride in our uniformed technicians that will always show up on time and with a smile!

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

God has blessed me with a love of people and the gift of gab. I love being able to help people solve their problems and especially in emergency situations. It is a rewarding line of work to be able to help people in an area where they struggle and be able to solve their issues in a time of crisis. It is always a crisis when water is flowing where you do not want it to flow.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was adopted into and raised by a Christian family. Christ was the center of our home and our lives. I came to Christ at a young age and have continued my Christian walk into adulthood. I am an active member of my local church and strive to be a light for Christ where ever I go.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

I enjoy being able to offer a service at a fair price and not sell people services that they do not need. I tell my technicians not to sell anything to our customers that they would not want someone to sell to their grandmothers. If you treat your customers like family, they will be your greatest advertisement. I have been blessed to have my son join me in the plumbing world and in helping us to grow 1 Tom Plumber Cincinnati for the next generation. Working with my son has been one of my greatest joys.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

I am a big supporter of foreign missions. I feel like we are very blessed in America and we do not even realize maybe how blessed until you visit a third world country. I have traveled extensively and feel like even my small part can help the extreme poverty that exists in some of these countries.

Business Name: Express Employment Professionals

Contact Name: Bud & Kristina Downing, Owners

Business Address:
2200 N. Limestone St. Suite 116
Springfield, OH 45503

Website: https://www.expresspros.com/springfieldoh/

Business Phone: 937-399-5323

Since our beginnings, Express has been guided by a simple vision: help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

The quality of the franchisees and of the Express organization as a whole. We know of no other $4B organization that starts its annual meeting with a prayer breakfast. On a local level, putting good people at good companies lifts the entire community. We view our work as our mission field.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

Unbeknownst to me (Bud), many people were praying for me. Reading Mere Christianity was a turning point God used to motivate me to seek a church. Hearing the word of Christ continues to be transformational.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

Our faith drives our business decisions, from planning to execution. We chose this business because we get to help people every day.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

The Pregnancy Resource Clinic of Clark County, The Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Junior Achievement, Agape International Missions, Young Life, and The Mercy Health Foundation.

These organizations work directly to John 10:10 “The thief comes not, except that he might steal and kill and destroy. I came so that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.”

Business Name: Teleos Health

Contact Name: Gail Wehrman

Business Address:
4030 Mt Carmel Tobasco Road
Cincinnati, OH 45255

Website: https://www.TeleosHealth.com

Business Phone: 513-549-1001

Teleos Health provides physical therapy services from a Christ-centered perspective. We focus on each client as a whole person, understanding that emotional and spiritual health are key to healing physical health. We work to develop an individualized plan and provide the tools for each individual client’s need to achieve wholeness.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

Both of my parents have a medical background, and I grew up interested in the field. However, I was unsure which direction to take until an event in high school. During my junior year, I had a serious sports injury that left me with limitations and pain. I was sent to physical therapy to aid in my recovery. The physical therapist, Mary Jo, helped me return to normal life and ignited a fire to do the same for others. She went a step further and took me under her wing after I completed my treatment. She pushed me to pursue my dream by mentoring me and giving me numerous opportunities.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I grew up in the church but didn’t really understand who God was until my teen years.  At a retreat, I was challenged to do something I knew I couldn’t do on my own.  It was beyond my ability as a teen, so I asked God to take over for me.  Even though that was when I turned toward God it wasn’t until later that I grasped what that meant.  In college, I finally understood what it truly meant to be a Christ follower and fully embrace the gift of reconciliation and redemption he offered.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

My faith is integral to our business model.  Although most people come for physical pain and limitations, we look at each person as a whole.  We talk about the influence of their mental, emotional and spiritual life on their physical pain and limitations.  We often pray with clients about their pain and the things in their lives that is affecting their pain.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

We actively encourage all our clients to pursue community through a church body.  We believe that doing life alone is not how God intended.  For we are designed for a relationship with Him, and his people and we need to sharpen each other to grow in those relationships. It is hard to shine Christ’s light in the darkness when we are not being fueled and engaged with his body.

Business Name: Gate of Heaven and Calvary Cemeteries – Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Contact Name: Thomas Jordan

Business Address:
11000 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45249

Website: https://gateofheaven.org/

Business Phone: 513-489-0300

Business Description:
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery is owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The ancient ministry of the Catholic cemetery reflects the Christian recognition of the sacredness of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit on Earth. This ministry, as with all ministries, seeks the same objectives regardless of external influences. That is, to serve the people whom God has entrusted to our care.

The first interment was in 1948 on these beautiful grounds. God’s beauty spreads across 140 acres as the final resting place for over 60,000 souls of our Christian brothers and sisters.  The ministry of the Catholic Cemetery, through the laying of our loved ones to rest on these consecrated grounds and the ongoing ministering to those who mourn them, provides both spiritual and corporal works of mercy, fulfilling our Christian walk with Christ and His Church.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

At a mid-point in my corporate career, I was looking for a more meaningful way to provide for my family and serve others.  Through an unsolicited referral by a priest friend, and perhaps some divine guidance, I was introduced to the opportunity to manage a cemetery in Florida.  After some hesitation, I pursued the opportunity and never looked back.  Having experienced the recent passing of my father and recognizing the beauty and joy associated with death following a life well-lived, despite the sadness of loss, I quickly embraced the ministry of the cemetery and the message of hope that it represents.  I saw God’s hand in preparing and directing me to this meaningful vocation.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was raised as a Catholic and have experienced repeated conversions and renewal of faith, throughout my life.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

I can no longer imagine conducting business without a strong foundation of faith and ministry.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

The admonition that, “we are in this world, but not of it” permeates every consideration and policy that we enact.  The opportunity to evangelize and minister to individuals at a very vulnerable time is a great privilege and a great responsibility.

Business Name: Manilla Orthodontics

Contact Name: Dr. Charles Manilla

Business Address:
6752 Cincinnati-Dayton Road         
Suite 102A
Liberty Twp, Ohio 45044

347 Park Ave.
Hamilton, Ohio 45013

Website: http://Manillaorthodontics.com

Business Phone: 513-737-6442

Manilla Orthodontics is a dual Trained Specialist in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. We primarily offer orthodontic diagnosis and treatment for a wide age range treating many aspects of growth and development, as well as orthognathic surgery for adult patients. We offer regular braces, clear braces and Invisalign, and other clear aligners as well. Early interceptive evaluation is highly recommended for our young patients as young as age 7. Treatment is customized for each patient to meet their needs and expectations. We work with your family dentist, other dental specialists, as well as your primary health doctor to insure we can best treat you and address your concerns.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

Dr. Manilla: I am the oldest child of five and have always been in and around very large families. I enjoyed growing up in my family and as my education increased, my interests were primarily toward sciences, specifically pre-professional sciences. My initial thought was to become a pediatrician. I always liked my family doctor as well as my dentist. So, I eventually elected to pursue dentistry, and eventually specialized in Pediatric Dentistry first, before specializing in Orthodontics as a second specialty.  My family dentist gave me the best picture and expectations of the home-work-life balance as compared to a career in medicine. The rest speaks for itself.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was raised in a family with Christian values. I remember walking down to breakfast in the morning to find my mother sitting at the kitchen table with her Bible. My mom was probably the first major influence in my life. As I grew up, faith was always a part of my life, but I would say it wasn’t until later that I developed a more personal relationship with Christ.

My wife Holly was very involved in our church doing bible studies and running vacation bible school. As she did these various things, I saw her faith grow. I realized that I wanted that same kind of relationship with God. I can’t say that there was one defining moment. My faith was something that grew over time.  And then my wife had a challenging health medical issue. I found myself leaning more and more into Christ and through that challenge deepened my relationship with Him.   And, as the years have gone on, my faith continues to grow as well.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

My wife and I have been Christian believers for many years. We start each workday with a Morning Huddle. We review the patients coming in to see us that day and highlight any potential concerns.  This is a brief, but very important meeting and all staff are present and are encouraged to participate.
At the end of this meeting, my wife or office manager, or I will say a prayer, asking for God’s protection for our patients and their families, our practice, and our staff. We want to treat our patients the same way we wish to be treated. We will pray for those in need.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

• Matthew 25: Ministries: My wife and I have been long-term supporters of this organization for many years. They have boots-on-the-ground support for so many people in need from all over the world.  They impact the lives of many, many people.
  
• Companions on a Journey: This organization helps those people who have suffered a loss of a loved one.
  
• Northstar Church in Loveland: our home church and a place filled with many great and caring people;
  
• Reach Out Lakota: Can’t say enough kind words for this group. They help in so many ways.
  
• City Gospel Mission: Feeding the hungry is a main tenet of Christ’s teaching. This group does it so well and brings many people to Christ as well. Thank you to all the above organizations for all that you do on your own time to help those in need when they need it the most.

Business Name: Tri-County Insurance Services LLC

Business Address: 272 West Main Street, Saint Paris, OH 43072

Website: http://www.tricountyins.com

Business Phone: 937-663-5891

Business Description:
As a local, family-owned business, we live & work in the same area that you do. We are conveniently located on US Highway 36 in St. Paris, but don’t feel like you MUST come to us – we enjoy meeting with you at your home/office/shop. We are eager to help, and our goal is to provide you with great service. Get to know our team a little better & you’ll see why we are the best choice for insurance in West Central, Ohio.

We’re an independent agency so we can quote your insurance options with more than one company. We have been working with clients all over Ohio since 1981, & we are ready to provide you with friendly, helpful service. We’ll take the time to do our very best job for you & to answer all your questions.

We are a local business that has been family-owned for 2 generations. To continue serving our clients with the best service, we stay focused on professional development. Our agents are community-centered & give back through a variety of volunteer and non-profit organizations.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
Even though my father started our agency, I never intended to work in the insurance industry, but that all changed after a great experience with the Professional Insurance Agents Association internship program. The internship program was divided into 2 basic parts where each participant spent 5 weeks with an insurance company and 5 weeks with an insurance agency. During my time at the insurance company, I spent time in each department – from sales and marketing to underwriting to claims and even time with the executive leadership. To finish out the summer, I spent time with a large commercial insurance agency and I worked with an agent who really opened my eyes to the potential of a career in insurance. That it was more than just sales and paperwork… I actually saw through the sales process and that the industry at its core is about 1 thing – helping people. Helping others is a principle my parents engrained in me at a young age and that was further developed during my time at Mount Vernon Nazarene University where the motto is “To Seek to Learn is to Seek to Serve.” After the internship ended, I finished my last year of college and joined the agency, working side-by-side with my parents slowing transitioning the business over to me.

How did you come to faith in Christ?
Faith has been an integral part of my life as I was blessed to grow up in a Christian household where faith was discussed at the supper table and we diligently attended and participated in church services and outreach functions. As a young person, I spent parts of my summers at church camp, local mission projects as well as One Heart Many Hands Projects in Indianapolis. Both sets of grandparents further cultivated my relationship with Jesus with their involvement in Gideons International and events at their churches.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?
The way our agency operates is based on 3 core values – Serving (helping those around us), education (earnest improvement of self and others) and transparency (open, honest, caring communication & action).

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
The Gathering of the Miami Valley is an organization focused on connecting men to men and men to God. They do this through one-on-one, small groups, and large events – helping them to develop a deeper relationship with Christ as well as cultivating better community leaders, brothers, friends, husbands, and fathers. To borrow a question from Stephen Mansfield’s “Building Your Band of Brothers”, do you have a friend whom you could call at 2AM if you needed him? Unfortunately, few men do…Today 27% of children grow up in fatherless homes, while 18-to-34-year-old men spend more time playing video games a day than 12-to-17-year-old boys. 1 in 10 men have a friend they could call if they needed help. The Gathering of the Miami Valley exists to change all of this by connecting men to men and men to God – because they believe that transformed men lead a transformed community.  To find out more, visit their website: https://gatheringmiamivalley.org/.

Contact Name: Joe Stewart

Business Name: Danco Transmission & Auto Care

Business Address:
5221 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, OH 45014

Website: http://go-Danco.com

Business Phone: 513-742-5200

Business Description: Danco Transmission & Auto Care provides Full Line Automotive Repair, offering repair and service for virtually every make and model, and specializing in Transmission and Air Conditioning work.  They have been serving the Cincinnati area since 1970!

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
Following in our father’s footsteps…our Dad, Dan Stewart started Danco together with our Mother Donna way back in 1970.  After I graduated high school, joining the family business was the last thing on my mind.  I joined the Navy, went to college, and had just about every job under the sun.  One day my older brother Jeff challenged me to join him in our family auto repair business, and I have never looked back.  I also got my younger brother Jason to join us and my nephew Mike as well.  We are truly a family business…

How did you come to faith in Christ?
At the very early age of 7, I accepted Christ into my life.  Through many trials and tribulations otherwise known as “life”, God has always richly blessed me and my family.  God has provided a way for us to serve others as well and we try to do just that each day!

How does your faith impact the way you do business?
In multiple ways.  It is the best day when I get to call and let someone know that what they thought was going to be a major expense is just a small repair and it can be done for little or no cost.  I don’t get to do that every day, but I often get that opportunity and it is really fun to see a customer’s reaction.  We always strive to guide our customers and give them choices – people really appreciate that.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
We proudly support our church’s food ministry and have serviced and repaired their delivery trucks at no cost for years.  They host a farmers market where folks in need can come and get some of the items they need on a weekly basis.  This program has fed thousands of people, and we are proud to be a big part of it.

Contact Name: Donna & David Toth

Business Name: The Toth Team

Business Address:
Keller Williams Living
32875 Solon Road
Suite 100
Solon, Ohio 44139

Website: http://www.TheTothTeam.com

Business Phone: 216-210-8684

Our team offers you over 50 years of combined real estate experience, the quality service, and the efficiency you deserve. Donna has attained the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation to provide you with outstanding marketing of your home. David has attained the Senior Real Estate Specialist and offers you his expertise during the buying process, including Inspections, Appraisals, and Closing.  Donna and David live in Geauga County and have raised their two children in the best county in the state. Call us so we may assist you in any and all phases of the home selling or buying process.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

Donna, originally a teacher, was a stay-at-home Mom working part-time in David’s medical office.   She was looking for a career that would coincide with her children’s schedules and stay involved in their everyday life. Real Estate seemed to fit that bill, and it did.   David retired from his Podiatry practice and decided to work with Donna in the business as they work well together and enjoy spending time together.  Having worked with his father growing up, who was a builder, David has the experience that is important in new construction and remodeling and determining cost versus value.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

Donna and David both grew up in Christian homes.  Donna’s parents were very involved in their Church and taught her why it is so important to serve the Lord.  We have continued in our faith journey, being in the His word daily, striving to grow stronger in our faith, by the grace of God. We continue to be involved in our Church, attending services, and participating in various boards, and bible studies.   David is an Elder and has been the Chairman of the Elders for the past 6 years, and is a Stephen Minister.  Donna assists with the overhead screens for the services, is involved in our Caring & Sharing committee, and is a Stephen Minister.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

We believe that the Lord brings people together for a reason and that the Lord has a plan for all of us,  so we consider every Client as part of our family in Christ.  We will guide you every step of the way, knowing what we do for you, what we do for Christ, and that whatever happens, it is in God’s hands.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

Donna’s ministry is Caring & Sharing, and a Stephen Minister.  She cares about people and has a knack for knowing when you need that extra special care.  David’s ministry is being an Elder and a Stephen Minister.  He is patient and thoughtful in all his decisions, with prayer and supplication.   If God is for us, who can be against us?

Contact Name: Chad Coe

Business Name: Brentwood Builders, Inc.

Business Address:
100 Parkview Lane
Cedarville, OH  45314

Website: http://www.BrentwoodBldrs.com

Business Phone: 937-766-5585

Business Description:
Brentwood is a full service residential and commercial contractor offering design-build and construction management services.  Our goal is to delight every client with the construction process as well as the finished product.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
I started working at Brentwood in 2007 because they needed help and I needed a job.  Three and a half years of on the job training led to me moving into a position of marketing and sales in 2011.  In short, I had no intention to get into this line of work, but the vision of my boss and the team atmosphere has compelled me to stay, learn, grow, and serve.

How did you come to faith in Christ?
I received Christ at 6th grade camp in Traverse City, Michigan.  I knew I was a sinner and could not please a Holy God with my good works.  I realized that the only way to have forgiveness of my sins and enjoy life with God is through Jesus Christ. 
Jesus, the Son of God, came voluntarily to this earth born of the Virgin Mary, lived a perfect sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and was raised to new life so that I could have my sins forgiven and enjoy a restored relationship with God.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?
Every day is an opportunity to grow in my trust/faith commitment in Jesus and love people the way He loves me.  He is honored when He is most glorified in my words, thoughts, and actions.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
I enjoy serving at One Bistro in Xenia and attend Grace Baptist in Cedarville.

Contact Name: Eric Stamps

Business Name: Stamps & Stamps Attorneys at Law

Business Address:
3814 Little York Road
Dayton, Ohio 45414

Website: https://www.stampslawoffices.com/

Business Phone: 937-898-9440

We are a Christian Law Firm consisting of a father and son, Dana Stamps and Eric Stamps. We provide legal services to those in need. We prepare wills and other documents so that the assets God entrusted to you go to those you love. We help people struggling with finances whether it be IRS debt, credit cards, back mortgage payments, etc.  We help all who are injured or lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions such as auto accidents, dog bites, prescription drugs, and products like roundup or mesh. Helping you is what we do.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
My father inspired me to want to be an attorney.  Also, I was given the gift of helping others and it is my passion to get people through difficult times so their futures are better. By the time I was six I knew that I was going to be an attorney and I never considered any other line of work.

How did you come to faith in Christ?
I grew up in church, and around my sixth birthday I began my walk with Christ.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?
Faith impacts every aspect of my life. Colossians 3:23 instructs us to do everything with our whole heart as if we were doing for Jesus. Jesus teaches us to help those in need and deal justly with others.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
Lottie Moon and other missionary organizations in order to spread The Gospel to all the world. “Go into all the world making disciples, baptizing them in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.”  Matthew 28:19

Contact Name: Rob O’Brien

Business Name: Shamrock Restoration, LLC

Business Address:
7539 Liberty Lane
Liberty Township, OH 45040

Website: http://www.shamrockrestorationllc.com

Business Phone: (513) 999-9015

Shamrock Restoration is a general contractor specializing in insurance claims (storm, water, fire, etc.).  We provide emergency services to clean up and restoration services to put back any items or materials that were damaged.  We take great pride in helping restore your property and your life by insuring you are fully indemnified for any loss you suffer.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

When I was working for larger restoration companies, I was frustrated with the size of the workload.  As a Project Manager, I was responsible for over eighty (80) clients.  I couldn’t keep up, and their projects suffered as a result.  When I opened Shamrock Restoration, LLC in May of 2017, I did it so I could give our customers the attention they need and deserve.  While we are not the largest company out there, we are the perfect size to treat each of our employees like family.  In turn, they are able to take care of your projects with the patience and care you deserve.  I am proud to run a company that respects its team members and provides great service to our community!

How did you come to faith in Christ?

Growing up with a grandfather who was a Methodist preacher, we often spent many hours in the church with family.  I remember bible camp in the summer and holding hands while saying our prayers around the dinner table.  To me, accepting Christ into my life at an early age reminds me of family.  I pray that we are able to pass those feelings onto my children as we raise them in a life led by the Lord.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

Just like in life, we lead our business with the “Golden Rule’ quoted by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  We do not try to sell our services, we attempt to educate and help our customers make the best decision possible for them.  Sometimes that means we don’t make the sale!  However, we feel that being honest and having goodwill towards those who we come into contact with will pay off down the line.  So far, this approach has helped us prosper as the Good Lord keeps providing!

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

We believe that accepting God’s love helps transform us from struggling beings into loving children of the Lord.  Anything that we can do to help spread the gospel and turn others into the light of the Lord is a cause worth championing!

Contact Name: Cindy Nicks

Business Name: Sunshine Clean Indy

Business Address: 5411 N Kenmore Rd. Indianapolis IN 46226

Website: http://sunshinecleanindy.com

Business Phone: 317-771-7874

Business Description:
We are a cleaning and organizing company that encourages you by making your home or office a cleaner and more organized place.  We have developed the best system with the best products to give you the best cleaning possible. Our cleaning techs are well vetted , insured and trained to serve our clients well. 
We treat others the way we want to be treated.

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
I was a stay at home mother of six children and I know the value of a clean and organized home.  When your home is clean and organized you have more time  to spend with family and friends.
 I was raised on a blueberry farm where I developed a strong work ethic that I now apply to my business.   I was inspired to start a cleaning business because of my passion to help people.

How did you come to faith in Christ?
My parents taught me by example and  from the Word of God.  We attended and were part of the ministry in our local church.  I was four years old when I realized I needed Jesus. My Dad prayed with me to ask Jesus to come into my heart.  My Mom sacrificed to send me to a Christian school, after high school  I attended Grand Rapids School of the Bible . I learned many truths from God’s Word that have been my guide over the years. The fact that God is sovereign has sustained me over the years and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?
I apply the Christian principles of honesty and hard work to show my clients that I care about them.
I strive to always treat others the way I want to be treated. The employees that I hire must have the same value system.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
I support several ministries with prayer and money.
Heart for Lebanon: A ministry that helps refugees.
KIDS International: A ministry that rescues Phillipino orphans from the streets.
Moody Radio: Bringing the gospel to people.
Cleaning for a Reason: Providing free cleaning to famlies suffering from cancer.
My prayer is that everyone I meet through my business will see the love of Jesus in all that I do.

Contact Name: Derek Tye

Business Name: The Tye Group – eXp Realty

Business Address:
11180 Reed Hartman Highway, Suite 110 Cincinnati, OH 45242

Website: http://www.TheTyeGroup.com

Business Phone: 513-549-7469

The Tye Group is a full-service Real Estate company based in Cincinnati Ohio serving residential and commercial clients.  We have sold over 1,500 properties and have 7 team members.  We are happy to help you buy, sell or invest in real estate!

What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?

My wife Jessica and I are really interested in real estate and have been since we bought our first home when I was 20 and she was 18.  Since then we have been buying, selling rehabbing, and renting homes to get to our current personal portfolio.  We used that same passion to help in over 1,500 sales.  Our team motto is “More Joy, Less Drama!”

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I was born at church!  I love God and spent 25 years in children’s ministry at 3 different churches.  But did not make it my own personal mission at work until I was in my late 20s.  I am now passionate about spreading the Gospel at home and at work.

How does your faith impact the way you do business?

After earning many prestigious awards, designations, and titles I learned that true contentment only comes when you are living your true purpose with God. I started studying Kingdom Entrepreneurs like Shae Bynes, Pedro Adeo, Myles Munroe, Jim Baker from Columbus, Amos Johnson Jr, Creflo Dollar, and many others.  I decided to write my first book in 2019 and it was published through Amazon.  As our team grew and continued to succeed I was able to delegate more and more of the everyday tasks of running the real estate team to qualified partners and was able to write a second book and start a Kingdom Entrepreneurs Podcast, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group and Coaching Program called Kingdom Real Estate Agents, helping other Realtors succeed in life and in business.  The Kingdom first message is really important to me in my life and business as well.

What ministry/cause do you champion and why?

We are all called to disciple the nations.  Do you know what your nation is? It is a people group you are passionate to serve.  I have many! My family, my real estate team, my real estate clients, our short-term vacation rental property guests, and Christian Real Estate Agents that are trying to live Kingdom first businesses.