Memphis Commercial Appeal

By Lesley Youg

When Lyn  McWhorter graduated, his church approached him about working as a corporate pastor for Marketplace Ministries, a Texas-based corporate chaplain company that employs nearly 2,500 part-time and full-time chaplains in 44 states and five foreign countries.

“I prayed about it, and then said, ‘Yes,” he said.

McWhorter visits five businesses in the Mid-South area each week. He makes his way through each building, stopping by to say hello. If anyone needs to speak with him, he is available. He’s available after hours and gives out his cellphone number.

“We all have needs and issues in life. Not everybody goes to church, but most everybody works,” McWhorter says.”It’s voluntary and confidential. The employer does not know what we are talking about, and they don’t have to talk to me. I build a relationship with them over time with trust and friendship.”

McWhorter, one of six Memphis chaplains employed by the company, also makes himself available for family members. He has made hospital visits and officiated at weddings or Funerals.

One of the local companies McWherter visits each week is Barnhart Crane and Rigging. Barnhart contracts chaplains for each of its 23 branches across the country.

“We get thank-you notes all the time because a chaplain has ministered to them when they were in need,” said Joye Allen, executive assistant to the company’s CEO, Alan Barnhart.

“We are thankful we found out about them. They are a big part of our company.”