CCO Campus Ministry

Home / Transformed Lives / John Bairen

John Bairen

bairen_john.jpg“On my résumé, I include my personal mission statement, which is ‘To be excellent in everything I do by exemplifying integrity and respect, challenging myself, and encouraging those around me,’” says John Bairen. “This is how I try to be a dad, a husband, an employee, a neighbor and a friend. After working for one year at Dick’s Sporting Goods, my boss recommended me for a promotion. In her recommendation, she quoted my personal mission statement and then said, ‘and I think he means it.’”

John’s mission statement, based on the Scripture verses 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23, was developed as a direct result of his involvement in the CCO’s ministry during his undergraduate years at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I became a Christian in 1991 through the CCO ministry at Bellefield Church,” John says. “That is where I started my walk with Christ. The CCO’s ministry grounded me with a strong foundation built on the idea that ‘all of life is redeemed.’”

During his years at Pitt, John became a member of the student ministry team, a small group Bible study leader, and he played guitar for fellowship meetings. After graduating in 1994, he worked for the CCO for four years, ministering to students at Robert Morris University and Butler County Community College.

Today, John and his wife, Tammie, whom he met through the CCO’s ministry at Pitt, live in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, with their three children. John works as Senior Quality Assurance Analyst for Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Bairens are actively involved in their church, South Hills Bible Chapel. “We are launching a Life Group Bible Study in our home next month,” John says. “In the past, we have been involved in kids ministry, youth ministry, vacation Bible school, small group leadership and, my personal favorite, the traveling improv comedy team.”

John credits his involvement with the CCO, as a student and a staff person, for shaping the way he continues to live his life today. “I attended the Jubilee conference for many years, and it has helped me remember that my work is my vocation, my calling—especially on days when I question what I am doing testing software for a sporting goods retailer. The greatest take-away for me from being involved with the CCO is that it gave me leadership experience and the confidence that I can lead. Now, as the lead QA Analyst for the Point of Sale application, I can put those leadership skills to work with the rest of the team members.”

“We have a Christ-centered home,” John adds. “All three of our kids accepted Christ at a young age. We read the Bible together, pray together and minister together. A few years ago, after moving into a new neighborhood, we had a family over for dinner. As we shared with the parents about our faith in Christ, our kids were in the play room sharing Christ with their kids. We didn’t even tell them to do it.

“If it weren’t for the CCO’s ministry, I may not have become a Christian—at least not 19 years ago. And I may not have met Tammie. My life would be very different.”