News / Business
LifeWay announces Store Manager of the Year
Longtime employee recognized for contribution to LifeWay Christian Store
DuBose began working at the Macon location 17 years ago as a high school student. His sister, then a LifeWay store employee, recommended him for the job.
DuBose’s mother, Helen, was a long-term LifeWay store employee. While Daren was managing a store in North Carolina, Helen served as store manager for the Macon location, retiring after two years. Even his wife Laura previously worked for a brief period of time as a store associate.
Employment history at the LifeWay store is common between family members, but DuBose’s service stands out, earning him the title of the 2007 LifeWay Christian Store Manager of the Year.
LifeWay Christian Stores – a division of LifeWay Christian Resources – selects the store manager of the year based on financial criteria, customer feedback, professional accomplishments and contributions to LifeWay as an organization. Regional director Zach Lang commended DuBose during a recent award ceremony.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person for this award than Daren DuBose,” Lang said. “When Daren applied for the management training program in 1996, he wrote: ‘I am confident that I have chosen the career God wants for me, and it is my personal vision to be the best Christian retail manager, surpassing company, customer and employee expectations.’ Daren, your personal vision has indeed become a reality.”
Ministry perspective
As Store Manager of the Year, DuBose is applauded for the success of his store. But his heart is for the ministry to customers.
“At LifeWay, our customer service sets us apart, as well as what we believe,” DuBose said. “We stand on what we believe and make no qualms about it.”
When interacting with customers, DuBose encourages store employees to keep an eternal perspective. “I always tell my staff, ‘you never know when you impact someone.’ For some, we are impacting their eternal security.”
DuBose sees more to his role than just being a store manager. “We at LifeWay are seed planters and sometimes we are like pastors, moving people to the next level of their faith,” he added, underscoring his commitment to provide a service of excellence and ministry to church pastors. “It’s important for us to have good reference materials because we have pastors come in, too, and they are the ones that need encouragement and resources because they are preaching and teaching others.”
DuBose said he hates the limelight and prefers to focus more on the ministry of the store. Store associate Lee Schurter appreciates that ministry focus.
“What most impresses me about Daren is that he remembers why we are here and he reminds us, too – we are here for the Lord and for His namesake,” Schurter said.
DuBose’s humility carries over into his management style, as well. “Never consider yourself top dog,” he said. “The award is not about me. I’m honored and humbled because my staff deserves this award more than I do. I may be the manager, but they are my face to the customers. I couldn’t do this without them. Your staff is what makes you.”
For up-to-date news and information regarding LifeWay Christian Resources, visit www.lifeway.com/news.
