Bank making a deposit in its employees and customers
Chuck Ripka is the Senior Vice President of Riverview Community Bank in Otsego, Minnesota, USA. Eighteen years ago, the Lord led Chuck to pray for a customer for the first time. After the customer received prayer, he made a purchase from Chuck. The Lord encouraged him, "See, you can do ministry and prosper in the marketplace at the same time."
We opened the doors of the mortgage division of Riverview Community Bank on March 3rd, 2003. Since that day we have had 39 salvations (7 employees and 3 of their husbands), 25 healings (2 employees), and 4 recommitments to Christ.
I have been able to pray with many of the spouses and children
of these employees. The employees have not only gotten saved but their lives are changing. They are regular attendees at weekend church services, midweek services, and have joined Bible studies as well. Some have also stopped smoking and drinking. They also are beginning to pray with and bless customers as they come into the bank. I personally have been able to pray with more customers because I sense a freedom that I haven't felt before in the workplace.
There is openness and a desire for prayer. Prayer is a daily, regular occurrence with the employees and the customers. We handle our problems with prayer. Each Monday at 7:00 a.m., we meet with some of the staff to pray for one another and our customers.
The healings that have taken place at the bank are very significant
because each of the ailments had bleak prognoses by the doctors, which included severe back pain, neck and arm pain, and a knee that had been operated on.
The attitude of management is that if a customer is struggling to make their payments on time, we are not going to send out the collectors, but we will call them to ask how we can pray for their situation. This may sound like what should happen in a church, but I want to remind you, THIS IS A BANK WHERE GOD IS AT WORK!
Our goal was to have $3 1/2 million in deposits by our first quarterly meeting. We far surpassed that; in fact, we made it to $20 million, which surpassed our goal for the year by $4 million. In six months of business we have surpassed our two-year goal and reached $32 million in deposits. I am also excited to report that the bank is growing daily and business is very strong.
Many are finding Jesus at our bank. Recently a young Realtor came into the bank to drop off a copy of a purchase agreement. When he walked in, I sensed he was very afraid and anxious. I went to meet him and asked him to come into my office. I shared, "I've prayed with many business people in the community and I'd like to pray with you." He agreed and I prayed about the fear and anxiety I believed he and his wife were facing. When I finished he said, "Chuck, you hit a lot of things on the head." I then said to him, "Many people have knowledge of Christ but not a relationship with Christ. Can I pray with you to have a personal relationship with Christ?" He replied, "Just this week I was crying out to the Lord, 'Do I even exist to you, God?' Now you tell me this and you've also prayed with me." So we prayed together and he accepted Christ. Later he came back and asked if I would do all of the loans for his business. It is true that you can minister and prosper in business at the same time. The Lord regularly has me stepping outside my comfort zone. The Lord told me a few years ago, "Just get used to it." I am finally getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
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