7 Christian Companies That Inspire Us Now

A Barna Group survey found that 43% of American adults say they would be open to buying from a particular brand if the company was run based on Christian principles. 

This significant amount of support is backed by Don Barefoot of the Christian business network C12, who believes that people tend to support Christian companies because they’re trustworthy. In addition to being trustworthy, Christian companies often have inspiring stories of applying Biblical values in their business. 

What does a successful Christian company look like, and how do they inspire people? We’ve compiled a list of Christian companies that use their faith to benefit and empower those around them. Keep reading to learn from their inspiring stories.

What Makes a Christian Company?

The commitment to living faith through work is what makes a Christian company. 

Some companies brand themselves as Christian companies by printing inspirational Bible verses on their product packaging or playing Christian music in their stores, but others don’t look overtly Christian. In either case, the core of a Christian company is integrating your convictions and principles with your work.

Running a Christian company means avoiding unethical and self-centered tactics just to turn a profit. Instead, Christian entrepreneurs focus on serving others and supporting faith-led causes. 

Inspiring Christian Companies

How do Christian companies demonstrate their faith? Here’s our list of Christian companies that inspire us to keep Jesus at the center:

1. Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, known for its many chicken products, has a chaplaincy program that’s been around for over 20 years. Founded by Alan Tyson in 2000, Tyson’s Chaplain Services has over 100 chaplains providing pastoral care to Tyson Foods employees and their families in over 22 states.

Tyson’s chaplaincy program supports the company's employees, no matter their beliefs or religious affiliation. In addition to prayer services, the chaplains help team members through other means, like providing transportation and housing to those in need.

Due to the chaplains’ role in supporting employees through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Tyson Foods was named the second-best Fortune 100 company on the Corporate Religious Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Index.

Tyson Foods also founded the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the University of Arkansas. This organization aims to help business leaders create faith-friendly workplaces through training and networking opportunities.

2. Chick-fil-A

Chicken sandwich chain Chick-fil-A is widely known for its strong Christian beliefs. Its founder, Truett Cathy, based his business on hard work and Biblical principles. One of the ways Chick-fil-A adhered to those principles is by closing on Sundays, without exception.

Chick-fil-A’s website states that the practice started in 1946 when Truett Cathy opened his first Chick-fil-A. Cathy wanted to set one day aside for rest and worship for himself and his employees, which is why Chick-fil-A doesn’t open on Sundays. Chick-fil-A also closes every Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Another way Chick-fil-A practices Christian values is by offering limited-time fish-based sandwiches around Lent. The company does this to honor those who practice Friday fast and abstain from consuming meat during the season.

While closing on Sundays has been a decades-long tradition, Chick-fil-A did open on Sunday twice for good reasons. The first time it opened on Sunday was to feed stranded passengers during a power outage at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in December 2017. The second time Chick-fil-A opened on Sunday was to honor the birthday wish of a boy with special needs in January 2019.

3. Forever 21

Some companies choose subtler ways to show their faith, like what clothing store Forever 21 did. The Chang family, Forever 21’s founders, prints “John 3:16” under every shopping bag it gives customers. The Changs do this to get their customers to learn about God’s love by inviting them to look up and read the Bible verse.

Forever 21 also sells religious items like a T-shirt line with messages like “Jesus Loves You” and cross-shaped jewelry.

4. In-N-Out Burger

Like Forever 21, popular California burger chain In-N-Out prints various Bible verses under its paper packaging. Every piece of packaging bears different verses – for instance, its milkshake cups have Proverbs 3:5, while the cheeseburger wrappers have Revelation 3:20.

Former president Rich Snyder, a born-again Christian, started the practice in 1987. Current CEO Lynsi Snyder is also a devout Christian who continued this tradition and added new verses to other pieces of packaging like the chain’s fry boats.

5. Hobby Lobby

Similar to Chick-fil-A, crafts store Hobby Lobby closes on Sundays to give its employees time to worship and be with family. A statement on its website by founder David Green also says that Hobby Lobby honors God by operating the company according to Biblical principles.

Hobby Lobby is also known for its full-page Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day newspaper ads. David Green started placing these full-page ads in 1997 to encourage newspaper readers to discover God and go to church.

7. George Foreman Cooking

Former boxer George Foreman has been an ordained minister and preacher since 1980. His personal integrity and religious background also extended to his company, George Foreman Cooking. 

Foreman said he adheres to his values by avoiding business deals with brands or companies promoting alcohol consumption.

7. Herman Miller

Furniture company Herman Miller is famous for its Aeron office chair. It’s also known for its founder’s Christian faith. The American National Business Hall of Fame noted that Herman Miller, under D.J. De Pree, exemplifies how businesses can succeed on Biblical principles.

While Herman Miller doesn’t proclaim its faith overtly like other companies on this list, De Pree and his sons ran the company with principles rooted in their Christian faith. 

The Distinguishing Features of Christian Companies

Applying Bible verses about business is one aspect of being a Christian company. You may have noticed that the companies in our list express their Christian faith in different ways. There’s no one definite way to become a Christian business, but many of them have common characteristics.

Here are several characteristics that show a company embraces and promotes Christian values:

Promoting Integrity and Honesty

Integrity means doing what’s right, even under pressure and temptation. Christian companies do the right thing, even in the face of potential losses, as written in Proverbs 28:6: “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.”

Committing to Excellence

Christian companies are committed to serving their employees and customers as best as possible. They follow the principles outlined in 1 Corinthian 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

When companies treat employees fairly and respectfully, they can gain their loyalty. Meanwhile, serving customers to the best of their ability can gain their trust. With loyal employees and trusting customers, their business will thrive.

Willing to Learn and Improve

The importance of learning is outlined in Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Innovation and creativity help businesses thrive, ensuring the loyalty of existing customers and attracting new ones. If a business stays the same from year to year, it may lose customers.

Continuous learning and a drive to improve are essential values in Christian businesses. Entrepreneurs can improve their businesses by reading books, attending classes, and seeking expert advice.

Prioritizing Employee Well-Being

Prioritizing employee well-being and happiness is one of the pillars of running a Christian business. Companies show this in many ways, from Tyson’s chaplaincy program to Chick-fil-A’s tradition of closing every Sunday.

Supporting Faith-led Causes

Philanthropy and supporting worthy is a common thread among Christian entrepreneurs. A good example is how Tyson funded a center to develop faith-friendly businesses, helping future entrepreneurs create companies where employees can express their religious freedom.

Businesses can also show support in other ways, like sponsoring local church events or giving to churches and charities.

Caring for God’s Creations

Many Christian businesses employ sustainable business practices because we’re responsible for caring for the Earth. For these companies, sustainability isn’t just about following a fad or attracting customers – it’s a commitment to benefit the planet. 

Chick-fil-A has a good example of sustainable practices for Christian businesses. It makes uniform shirts from recycled plastic bottles to reduce waste.

Introducing Customers to God

Many businesses have hundreds or even thousands of customers every day. Some entrepreneurs see their companies as a platform to introduce people to God, like Forever 21 and In-N-Out Burger, who are known to place Bible verses on their product packaging.

Closing Thoughts

Christian companies are proof that work and faith can coexist. Many people prefer doing business with Christian companies because they focus on serving their customers–and serving God–instead of chasing profits at all costs. Business can be a powerful conduit of the Kingdom of God!