MINDING GOD'S BUSINESS
'Church at work' is the vision behind the Jesus Fellowship's businesses. Åse Johannessen looks at one of them: Goodness Foods Wholesale, and talks to some of its employees
Goodness Foods is a wholesale business with around 60 employees, which deals mainly with wholefoods and soft drinks, but also includes manufacturing, trading and packing departments. The business is run along co-operative lines by members of the Jesus Fellowship Church, who are all part owners and have the same wages and work opportunities.
Working at Goodness Foods has carried therapeutic value for some of the staff who would have found difficulty holding down a job elsewhere, largely because of their disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to gaining self-respect by being able to earn a living, they find a lot of restoration through the brotherhood relationships, working as a team and self discipline. Managers have needed to develop good people skills, as well as spiritual wisdom and discernment.
A work day at Goodness Foods starts at about 5am, when the lorry drivers go out to many parts of the country to take deliveries to the customers. Most of the drivers are agency but have a basic respect for the Christian values of the business. Some become good friends with the staff because they feel there is a bond of care and trust.
Meanwhile, the transport manager is planning next day's deliveries; the sales staff take orders which the pickers select; other staff check stock, correct stock errors and book in deliveries. Also, managers and staff hold various meetings.
Because people feel accepted and respected, regardless of background and needs, they feel free to find themselves. There is much laughter and many tears, at times heated discussions with sparks flying. Strong bonds of friendship are forged, even leading to marriage - like when a certain picker fell in love with the voice of the receptionist over the tannoy!
Goodness Foods contributes to the outreach of the church, both financially by giving a share of the profits to the central church fund and by allowing staff time off to be involved with evangelism.
It's not always easy! Running a business based on Christian values involves a different spirit and approach. At the same time, the business has got to make a profit and cannot afford to let people walk over it or abuse resources which are meant to be used for the benefit of God's work.
Basically, it is 'church at work' - that is at the heart of the whole business operation.
 Kim Holland, Cakery assistant: I came from Zimbabwe a year ago. In normal jobs you work for the money you can get out of it to take home at the end of the day. Here, you are interested in taking the company further ahead. The whole staff situation is based more on team effort.
Gail Hugo, Accounts department: We're all here with the same vision. People are interested in you as a person - not just your work skills. It's a place of discipleship training. For example: I've never liked using the telephone but in our office it's been put to ring on my desk first. I'm always getting motivated and challenged to do things I wouldn't normally have the courage to do.
 Pete Wood, Supervisor of checking and picking: I've worked here four years and found that the main advantage of the warehouse is that it builds close friendships. People who have come off the street are brought into something new - a real family.
Brian Britten, Transport Manager: I'm responsible for seven vehicles on the fleet. I seem to thrive on the pressure. You get all sorts of challenges thrown at you out of the blue - like the driver who came back with no roof on his lorry (an argument with a low bridge!) Drivers off sick at the last minute. Trolleys left at one of the drops. Break-ins and vandalism to vehicles. You name it - I have to sort it.
FACT BOX
 Goodness Foods Wholesale is part of House of Goodness Ltd. and was formed in 1976. House of Goodness is a group of companies owned by Jesus Fellowship Community Trust.
Warehouse capacity of 50,000sq. ft in Daventry.
A range of 5000 lines with 190 own label prepack lines, including a major range of organic products. Also a good selection of frozen and chilled products is available.
Total staff of 60
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HISTORY
The first retall shop opened in Northampton in 1976. The wholesale division was formed in 1981 and has since expanded from cash and carry to national delivery; whole food commodity trading; contract packing; Goodness Foods Chunky Jacks and, in recent years, to electronic ordering facility over the Intemet.
 Contact: Lesley Cutts
Email:
Tel: 01327 706611
Fax: 01327 300436
Web: www.goodness.co.uk and www.goodnessdirect.co.uk
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God's Business
