Curtis Ratzlaff
I have worked at Joe Gibbs Racing for 15 years as a software developer. I originally connected with the chaplains at JGR in the early days of my time at JGR. I first got involved by being invited to their weekly, large group Bible Study. I really enjoyed these weekly, large group meetings and they were an encouragement to me. The chaplains at the time invited me to go deeper and more personal by becoming a part of a small group that met weekly. Being a part of groups like this throughout my time at Joe Gibbs Racing has played a great role in my spiritual growth. From a workplace culture standpoint, it has benefited me greatly to be able to talk with co-workers going through similar things in life about spiritual things and how to live out our faith in the workplace. I have really benefited from these regular built-in times during my workweek to remember who God is, what is important and what God is doing in and around me.
Lately, I have been helping lead one of our small groups with one of our chaplains. I have loved the chance to get involved in other guys’ lives and share the good news of Christ and what He has personally done in my life. The chaplaincy ministry is unique from other ministries that I have done in the church. We get a chance to love people with the Gospel in a work environment. It brings me so much joy to have the opportunity to share Jesus with people that I work with. I love that I get to share with others the grace of God that would rescue a sinner like myself. I get to hear other peoples’ stories and about their lives and struggles and lovingly encourage them with God’s truth. Best of all, I get to point them to the goodness and never-ending love of God. I am so thankful for the opportunities that the chaplaincy ministry has provided for me to be able to do this in our work environment.
I think chaplaincy is a much-needed resource because it first points people to the meaning of life, Jesus, and to the basis of truth in life, God’s word. It serves a unique purpose because it is in a secular setting that has great opportunity to reach out and serve many different types of people. It also creates a culture of caring for one another and caring for the whole person (including their relational and spiritual needs). It is one key aspect that makes working at JGR very desirable.
