Ministry Today commends a different group of kingdom-minded people or organizations each year in our MT21 issue. In 2014, when we launched MT21, we honored churches and ministries that were influencing the 21st-century church.
In 2015, we highlighted 21 congregations that were "culturally diverse on purpose." This year, however, we're taking a different approach and naming 21 businesses whose leaders are a witness for Christ in some way through their professional platforms. From cupcake makers to insurance agency owners to roofers, we have covered a wide range of businesses in this year's MT21 feature.
Today, we are highlighting Snyder Manufacturing Corp. (snydermanufacturing.com)
Not only is Long Beach, California-based Snyder Manufacturing Corp. a family business, but the company also treats its employees like family.
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"Being a small company, it's fairly easy to have personal relationships with employees/team members," says Eric Snyder, company president. "As those personal relationships deepen, opportunities arise to help children and spouses of employees, addressing personal needs."
For 65 years, the company has specialized in custom chemical research and development, formulation, blending and packaging under the brand names Simco Chemical Products and EuroSpa Aromatics, as well as under private labels. Serving customer needs gives Snyder the opportunity to exemplify Christian values by providing "quality products competitively priced, with unusually good service," he says. "These simple things are somewhat unusual in the marketplace and often elicit comments such as, 'You are the only company since I started business that hasn't lied to me.' Great opportunity to then explain why we haven't lied to them!"
Snyder also includes a tract in the company's branded products.
"We make a lot of cleaners, and the tract explains how the product should do the work so you don't have to," he says. "But there is a stain that dirties every human heart that only Jesus can clean. It closes with my signature and phone number and an invitation for a free Bible and study guide."
Snyder Manufacturing employees benefit from weekly visits of Marketplace Chaplains (MChap), who act as "sounding boards" for employees who may be having personal problems that impact their home and work life.
"Over the years, we've had so many opportunities to serve employees and their families through personal crises," says Snyder, who tells the story of an employee's son thanking him for hiring his dad. "Because of SMC (Snyder Manufacturing Corp.), his mother was able to stay home and be involved in his and his brother's and sister's school activities and lives."
The company supports The Master's College and a Christian business owners' organization, Fellowship of Companies for Christ International, but Snyder's heart lies in the ministry opportunity he has as a business owner.
"I have learned that God is faithful to provide," he says. "I once thought you needed attorneys, bankers, sales staff, etc., to be successful. Now I see that God's provision is all you need. True success is hearing, immediately after your last heartbeat, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
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