Neighbors of MN
Tom
Giving is rolled into our business plan. It is a thought out process that is essential to Bell’s business model…
“The mission of Bell Lumber & Pole is to radically love and influence lives. We got connected to Arrive Ministries because it meets a couple of our key metrics for giving. We like Arrive’s model of mobilizing volunteers and the local church to support refugees. They are doing a good job at stewardship; doing a lot with a little. Matthew 25 and Isaiah 58 set the key priorities for giving at Bell Lumber & Pole, and shape the company’s focus which is highly informed by faith and scripture. In Matthew 25, Jesus lists “being a stranger” as one of the least of these. I want to treat strangers with the same love that Jesus had for them. Isaiah 58 talks about “satisfying the needs of the oppressed” and it is evident that most refugees are facing oppression.
Giving is one way to allow others to taste and see that God is good!
[/pullquote]My company is not all believers, but whether the employees have a faith life or not, we believe giving helps all people in need. We are intentional about trying to do what we do, because it is a mission that everyone can support.
Our mission and the Biblical references to the “least of these” are essential to who we are as a company. It connects us to people in our community and even inside the business. It is so important to be actively organized around helping people and have a process for it. It is awesome to have our company as a whole truly live out its mission to radically influence lives.
I have been impacted by learning about refugees, meeting them and supporting them.
That is why I have a stewardship manager who helps shape the giving for the company. Giving is rolled into our business plan. It is a thought out process that is essential to Bell’s business model and structure. This is the why behind the work. In turn, being obedient to God’s call drives obedience in others, and moves people toward what God says is good. Giving is one way to allow others to taste and see that God is good! We work hard to have a rhythm and discipline to keep these things in check. We want to be excellent so we can help our employees, surrounding communities and international neighbors.
…visiting Syrian refugee camps opened my eyes to the drastic situation that so many refugees face.
I have been impacted by learning about refugees, meeting them and supporting them. I was able to travel to Lebanon a few years ago and visit Syrian refugee camps, this experience opened my eyes to the drastic situation that so many refugees face. I was also able to experience a little bit of what it’s like to help walk alongside a newly arrived family through Arrive’s Refugee Life Ministries program. I am primarily influenced, though, by my faith and His Word in the Bible. The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearns also shaped my understanding of how transformational living out the Gospel is, which in turn drives my desire to radically love and influence lives. Our company tithes out of obedience to what God calls us to do, generosity and sacrificial giving come later.
Bell doesn’t give to receive praise. We want people to see it and give credit only to God.
Bell doesn’t give to receive praise. We want people to see it and give credit only to God. One of my favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 3:7, neither the one who plants or the one who waters is anything but it is God who causes the growth. It is about the pursuit of obedience, it’s about the heart and how you do these things, and even more so it’s about the heart of the individuals, employees and owners.”
