Posted: 9/5/03
This chaplain keeps ministry on tap
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
BEAUMONT–What is a ninth-generation Baptist doing in a beer distribution center?
Ministry, according to Brenda Warren, a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate serving as a part-time chaplain at the Del Papa Distributing Co.
She spends about three hours a week getting to know the workers and trying to meet needs where she can. In some cases, she makes hospital visits and performs weddings and funerals.
Employees have shared personal and family issues with her, and she has shared the gospel when possible.
| "If we walk into a grocery store, walk into any business, we need to be the presence of Christ." —Chaplain Brenda Warren |
“It's very purposeful to visit with people of different denominations and those who don't go to church,” Warren said. “I really love meeting the people. I love listening to their life stories.”
The chaplain makes it clear she is on call around the clock all year long and employees should not hesitate to contact her when needed. If she can be there for them, Warren said, she hopes they may want to embrace Christianity.
Chaplains who serve through Marketplace Ministries, a non-denominational venture that supplies chaplains to a variety of businesses, have impacted the company positively, said Michelle Christopher, a human resources specialist at Del Papa.
Their ministry prevented employees from leaving the company when personal issues arose and the only option seemed to be a change of location, Christopher said.
The chaplains also represent a consistent reminder that the company cares for its employees in a more personal manner than a hotline, she added. Chaplains visit with workers when they see them around the city, and workers have responded.
Warren believes her work puts her faith into practice.
Christians should act the same whether they are in church or a business, she emphasized. “If we walk into a grocery store, walk into any business, we need to be the presence of Christ.”
Above all, never put anything out of the realm of possibility when dealing God, Warren said, noting God can lead obedient believers to minister anywhere.
“It always surprises me how the Lord works,” she said with a laugh. “I never thought a ninth generation Baptist would end up in a beer distribution center.”
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