It only took me a few moments at the conference table to discover CSRA Document Solutions in North Augusta was more like family than just people who share a work address. Don, Nicole, and Clay all made time to talk with me about the 30-year-old business and the impact faith has on their day-to-day operations.
Don started the company by himself in 1993 but is emphatic about the impact his co-workers have had on its direction and success.
“It’s only been through people that have come into the company that we took the direction of being a Christian-led honoring business,” Don explained.
One of the catalysts for the re-focused direction was a monthly leader’s luncheon at First Baptist Church of North Augusta called “Business by the Book.” Members of the staff would regularly attend. They enjoyed hearing the messages but hadn’t yet applied the concepts they heard about to their business.
The company found itself in a very challenging place when Don’s former business partner entered a midlife crisis. Clay Turner, a former church Youth Pastor and Vice President of CSRA Document Solutions, was there to help guide Don through the rough waters. During this time, he encouraged Don to take the business in a different direction by putting God first.
Eventually, the previous co-owner of the company was bought out and the company continued in its new direction.
One of the results of their commitment includes a Monday morning meeting for all employees. It sets the tone for the coming week and always includes a time of prayer for those who wish to participate.
So, what about marketing their business? “I can tell you far and above the best investment we ever made has been with WAFJ (88.3 FM). Because the station knows its audience and it’s done in such a passive way as being a business ministry sponsor and so, I can’t tell you how many times we have met with somebody and they’re like, I heard your ad on WAFJ. Thank you for supporting WAFJ. It’s the consistency of partnership and that has been a beautiful thing through the years,” said Don.
Clay is proud that their organization treats people well. Their leadership understands everyone encounters crisis moments in their lives.
Clay says, “Anyone can come to the leadership team at any time asking for prayer and find a caring and listening ear. I know that any one of our people here can come to us and say- Hey, can you pray for me about this, or this is what’s going on in my life, be praying. And they know it’s gonna happen, that we’re gonna do it and know that they all have somebody they can come to that has a relationship with God. I think the biggest thing we’ve been able to do is to show Christ-like grace in situations.”
Nicole Cain has served as Sales Manager for the past 4 and a half years. She shared how these principles personally impacted her own life when her oldest daughter battled serious health issues last year.
Nicole says, “The way they treated me and gave me all the things I need, I mean, you know, the Lord was good, and she’s great now and she had to have surgery, and I missed so much work. It was so troublesome for me, but for them, it wasn’t a big deal. And they prayed for me and prayed for my daughter. Every day, they let me know again that they had my back.”
Don received very hard news last fall. A large tumor was discovered during a routine colonoscopy nearly large enough to block his large intestine. Initially, his surgeon indicated routine surgery. However, following a CT scan, it was evident the situation was far more serious. Don was quick to point out that when he went in for the scan, he was comforted by the fact that the technician’s name was Grace.
The scan results were alarming. The doctor could clearly see numerous spots on Don’s liver and said he was 99% sure it was cancer. Don says receiving that news was “devastating.” The day before surgery, dozens of friends and family came to his home to pray for him. Don was very moved by this, especially when he heard his Father praying for him.
Following surgery, the news wasn’t any better. There was still near certainty that the spots were cancerous. A needle biopsy and MRI followed. When those test results were shared with Don on December 21st, the oncologist had very unexpected and much better news. The first good report told Don he was not a carrier of the gene that causes cancer.
While he was absorbing that great news, he was then told the biopsies and MRI were both negative, and the spots were NOT cancerous! Clearly, a Christmas miracle!
“It’s just been literally a re-birth of my spirit ‘cause I had been preparing for something much different,” said Don.
When asked if he had words of wisdom for other Christian business owners, Don was quick to say, “You either live in the Kingdom or you’re living with one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in the world and the Kingdom is a pretty cool place to be. Put both feet in there and be committed to God and go for it and he’ll work out the things you’re concerned about.”
As we concluded our conversation, the team told me they are currently looking for a couple more hardworking folks to join their sales team. Connect with them at 806-613-1774. To find out more about CSRA Document Solutions, visit CSRA Document Solutions.
