Devotional Days Bring Team Together
It was a busy lunch hour at the offices of Baker Printing. Unlike most days, upon entering there were signs pointing to the large gathering in the back of the building. Wednesdays are devotion days, and most employees as well as special guests are starting to gather in anticipation of this weekly ritual. This week’s guest speaker was Pastor Butch LaBauve, Senior Pastor of Rivers Ministries International.
Located in the heart of Baker, Baker Printing (known as The Printing People), has been having a positive impact on the city since 1962. It was founded by Jack and Martha Bishop and has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious commercial printers in the state of Louisiana.
The list of political dignitaries who have made personal visits to the offices is almost as impressive as the long list of awards. The company has been recognized for various kinds of professional excellence. Among them are:
- In 2002, they were honored with the Douglas Manship Torch Award for Business Ethics
- In 2003, the Better Business Bureau awarded them the International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
- The company received the James C. Dobson Award from Focus on the Family for communicating the positive message of family.
- The Eagle Award (one of their most treasured) was presented by Liberty Cards. This award is normally given to a division within their own company, rather than an outside vendor.
The team at Baker Printing is also known for civic and humanitarian accomplishments. Representatives have served in leadership roles in various community organizations such as the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Printing Industry of America South, Ad Federation of Baton Rouge, Rotary Club of Baker, Baker Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors, Louisiana Family Forum, Sales and Marketing Executives (SME), Cancer Relay for Life and the Better Business Bureau 2004 judges panel for the International Business Ethics Award in Virginia.
Their facility is one of the largest and most modern in the state with more than 21,500 square feet of working space and an additional 8,500 in offsite warehouse space. In-house they have pre-press, press, bindery, business mail processing, signage, digital printing, letterpress departments, and offices for management and sales associates.
The team is most proud of the strong roots they’ve built in the community. Their goal is to keep challenging themselves to stay on the leading edge of technology so they will be we ready to meet all of their clients’ needs.
Kevin Carbohas been attending the Bible studies for 26 years, and says it has made a huge impact on his life.
“I’ve learned that I didn’t know what I thought I knew about God. It wasn’t until much later that I found that man’s laws are not necessarily God’s laws. Follow the Bible, follow God. Don’t call yourself Catholic, Baptist or Methodist. Call yourself a Christian, a believer. Over the years, I’ve grown tremendously. I’m getting old and I try not to be grumpy or short tempered, but when I am, I try to slap myself in the face and say, ‘hey wait a minute!’ Then and I go and apologize if I’ve offended someone. But it’s all good and it’s all because of God.”
Breyana Wheeler was all smiles after the recent devotion. She recently moved from Ohio and has worked for Baker Printing since December. She was quick to offer kind words about the warm environment.
“I worked at a Chick-Fil-A before I moved here, so the Christian environment has definitely been amazing! My future father-in-law works here and that is how I learned about this job. I started working part-time during the holidays, but I loved the environment and they loved me too. Thankfully they gave me a full time position. This was an answer to prayer because I was came here with no Louisiana experience at all. Since then, I’ve been getting closer to everyone.”
Catalina Wilkinsonhas worked at Baker Printing for 29 years.
“This is like my second family. I came here after I got divorced, and it was the best move I ever made. I’m from Baker, and it’s like coming home.”
I worked at Baker Printing back in the 1980s and absolutely loved the devotional times there. I have great respect for the Bishop family and was very honored to work there.