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Richard Daugherty

daugherty_rich.jpg“Because of CCO and Ted, I regularly meet with mentors at work, not to discuss work per se, but to discuss the challenges we may face in a corporate environment as Christians,” says Richard Daugherty, who works in marketing at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. “I see corporate America as a mission field. I take every moment I can to talk to people about their lives, about Christ and offer a different view.

“Corporate America needs the love, integrity, fellowship, and accountability that Christianity delivers. While there is certainly a time for sharing one’s faith verbally, the greatest testimony is our actions. I challenge myself to draw people to Christ through my attitude, heart and actions. Especially as we face tough economic times, everyone is looking for the love, support and reassurance that Christ offers.”

Rich first came into contact with the CCO’s ministry when he was an undergraduate at Kent State University. “I met [CCO staff worker] Ted Schumacher at a Fellowship of Christian athletes meeting,” he remembers. “Shortly after, we began meeting on a weekly basis to study the Bible together as well as discuss what it means to live life as a Christian. This was truly a crucial time in my life as I was veering off the path that Christ had intended for me. Because of Ted’s teaching and fellowship, I recommitted my life to Christ in 1998.”

Even though Rich was a believer when he showed up at Kent, his faith had very little impact on the way he was living his life. “I was searching all areas of life for meaning and coming up very empty,” he says. “I can’t imagine what I would be like today without Christ as the center of my life. My wife and I met at Kent, married and have two beautiful children. We continue to increase our involvement with our church and see God constantly challenging us to mature, learn and grow as a family. If my trajectory were not reshaped thanks to Christ and Ted, I wouldn’t want to imagine what the picture would look like today.”

Rich and his wife, Dawn, are active members of Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel, Indiana. “We have joined a tremendous small group which has truly taught us the power and need of fellowship. We also feel responsible to introduce our children to the Lord at an early age and model, as best as we can, a life centered on Christ.”

A decade after graduating from Kent State, Rich continues to be grateful for the impact Ted Schumacher had on his life. “Ted took me from a border-line lukewarm Christian to someone who was truly in love with Christ, he says. “He also introduced me to the concept of loving accountability. I would challenge this was the greatest lesson that I gained during my collegiate years.

“If I hadn’t met Ted, I really think I would still be chasing the things of this world. Faith is the cornerstone of every decision that I have made, personally and professionally. As I continued to meet with Ted, the call to ‘all in’ Christianity was too pressing to turn down. I certainly fail at times, but try to keep Christ at the center of every aspect of my life and certainly our family. While the events of today seem so important, our days are numbered and you only get to live them once. For me this means prioritizing my family and our pursuit of Christ!”