Marketplace Chaplains: Celebrating 40 Years of Bringing God's Love to the Workplace

Lou Ann and I recently had the pleasure of attending the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Marketplace Chaplains in Plano, Texas. As someone who serves full-time as a Marketplace Chaplain, I can't stress enough how momentous this occasion was.

To provide some context, Marketplace Chaplains was an initiative started by Gil Stricklin. He identified a niche, a gap, where spiritual and emotional support was crucial but largely missing: the workplace. Beginning his mission in the greater Dallas area, Strickland’s vision was clear – to serve companies by offering them a unique benefit – chaplain services for their employees. Today, four decades later, the organization has blossomed beyond what might have been imagined in its early days.

Now, the statistics speak for themselves. With the blessings and hard work of everyone involved, Marketplace Chaplains currently serves over 1,500 companies. This equates to offering spiritual guidance and support to more than 380,000 employees. But it doesn’t end there. Recognizing the interconnectedness of our lives, the organization extends its services and benefits to the family members of these employees. This means that the ripple effect of their efforts touches nearly 1.45 million souls.

With an army of 2,199 chaplains, the organization operates at a staggering 5,996 locations. And while the term "states" might be commonly used, it's notable that Marketplace Chaplains has its presence in 62 states and provinces. This isn't just about numbers, though. It's about the countless lives touched, stories heard, and the solace provided.

Now, coming back to the 40th Anniversary Celebration, the event itself was a testament to the organization's impact. The highlight of this celebration was the presence of Chris Tomlin. For those unfamiliar, Tomlin isn’t just any artist. He's a celebrated Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader. The evening with him leading worship wasn't just about music; it was about worshipping our great God, about His grace and mercy, and about how God offers hope to us in the darkest moments of our lives.

The mission of Marketplace Chaplains is encapsulated in their mission statement: "Marketplace Chaplains exists to share God’s love in the workplace by providing an employee care service through Chaplain teams." In simpler terms, Chaplains bring comfort, guidance, and a listening ear to those who might need it during their workday. They understand that our jobs aren't separate from our lives and that challenges in one area can spill over into another. By being present, they offer a unique form of support that many might not even realize they need until they experience it.

If what you’ve read resonates with you, either as someone who'd like to serve or as a company leader looking to provide this unique benefit to your employees, I invite you to get in touch. Offering or receiving this service might just be the transformative experience you or your company needs.