A Journey From Business to Chaplaincy
God has a unique way of moving a man into ministry. It often begins with a desire and then unfolds with several encouraging markers along the way.
Mike Bethel’s journey began as a mechanical engineer. Over time a desire to transition from business to ministry persisted. He can point to a Friday when he prayed in earnest that God would make it evident whether or not to pursue full-time ministry. Mike got his answer the following Monday…he was laid off.
Mike thought it would still be helpful to check out another company that called to ask him to come in to an interview with them. During the interview, he shared about his heart for ministry. In the process of answering several questions raised by that comment, Mike introduced the curious interviewer to Christ.
His search for a church position connected him with a pastor who served as the chaplain to the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers. Mike’s involvement in the church grew and the pastor invited him to share the chaplaincy to the Cavaliers.
In 2014, Mike had just completed a Master’s degree in ministry through Liberty University when he became familiar with Corporate Chaplains of America (CCA). The mission of CCA is “to build caring relationships with the hope of gaining permission to share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ in a non-threatening manner.” This was a ministry that places chaplains to serve the employees of several companies.
Mike had everything that CCA required: 7 years of business experience, 7 years of ministry experience and his Master’s degree. After a week-long interview at the CCA headquarters in Wake Forest, he began initial training under a seasoned chaplain. Mike shortly encountered his first crisis situation when he was called on to help a family deal with a fatal car accident. God used that crisis to confirm that chaplaincy within the business world was a good fit.
He interacts with a spiritually diverse audience. Many have come from a negative church experience. About 35-40% are unchurched, but half of those are willing to accept Christ. Because employees present issues from broken marriages to depression to suicide, CCA is committed to extensive ongoing training for all their chaplains from evangelism to crisis management.
Mike currently ministers in ten business facilities in NE Ohio, six of them with Coca-Cola, representing about 900 employees. His interactions with men and women throughout the facilities and with their families at company functions lead to frequent questions about life and faith. Gaining their permission to share the Gospel, he sees many come to faith in Christ. And that leads to many becoming involved in ministry within a local church.
Corporate Chaplains of America is made up of 300 chaplains serving in 48 states. More information about CCA is available at http://www.chaplain.org.