Navigating the Needle’s Eye: Forty Years of Ministry to Business and Professional People

“Many of us have heard the term ‘marketplace ministry’ but we do not understand its true meaning or the most effective approach in growing God’s kingdom within the stream of commerce. This book is a must-read for individuals interested in learning about marketplace ministry. It is the story of God’s faithfulness to one of God‘s faithful servants, Buddy Childress, who established a national model for marketplace ministry in the capital region of Virginia. His story will benefit those interested in learning the biblical principles to follow in order to establish a successful ministry that fulfills the Great Commission.”

—Barry E. DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce



“Whether you minister to the marketplace or simply work in it, you will be inspired by Buddy Childress’ forty-year journey with Needle’s Eye Ministries, so lovingly articulated in this delightful book.”

—Thomas E. Gottwald, Chairman, President, and CEO, NewMarket Corporation



“In an age when style often out-points substance and social media outlets afford everyone their fifteen minutes of fame, it’s nice to know that there are some people who shun the limelight and ‘just do it!’ Such is the case of Buddy Childress, founder and executive director of Needle’s Eye Ministries in Richmond, Virginia. For over 40 years he has faithfully served the local business community without the fuss and fanfare that so often accompany successful ventures, but now he tells his fascinating story with a refreshing blend of grace and alacrity, and it’s a story that needs to be told. Graduating from Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary in 1977, no doubt with a choice of ministries available to him, he had decided already to take a ‘road less traveled’ and dedicated his entire life to the fledgling and uncertain world of marketplace ministry. Modern denizens of the faith at work movement will no doubt recognize some of the programs and events that he employed in his mission to the business community, not even realizing that he was a genuine pioneer in their field. But pastors and Christians of all stripes will be inspired by his unrelenting faith in the Word of God, his devotion to prayer and his willingness to make difficult choices, trusting that God would provide for all of his needs. That said, this isn’t so much a book about a man’s faith in God, it’s more about God’s faith in a man, to do as he was directed and to give all the glory back to him. Richmond has been blessed by this ministry and readers will be equally blessed in the telling of the story.”

—Kenneth J. Barnes, FRSA, Mockler-Phillips Chair in Workplace Theology and Business Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary



“In Navigating the Needle’s Eye, Buddy Childress has written a powerful and inspirational book that lays out both the spiritual underpinnings and practical truths that led to 40 years of ministry in Richmond, Virginia, in what some have called a one-of-a-kind Christian marketplace ministry. The Great Commission, Childress writes, is God’s command that ‘we are all called by Christ’ to live and spread His word, and that businessmen and women have both the opportunity and responsibility to be His disciples; that their impact from Monday through Friday can be greater than that of a vocational minister or priest on Sunday. At times autobiographical and nostalgic, the book traces Childress’ life-changing conversion in 1973, to his rich experience in seminary which lead to four decades of leading a robust, Christ-centered marketplace ministry called Needle’s Eye.”

—Richard Cullen, Former Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia



“Few people have done more to bring the gospel to bear on the marketplace than my friend, Buddy Childress. As the founder of Needle’s Eye, a thriving marketplace ministry in Richmond, Virginia, Buddy has blazed a trail for forty years. I have preached that ‘your job is your pulpit’ and ‘your colleagues are your congregation,’ but Buddy has put it into practice. In Navigating the Needle’s Eye, Buddy unpacks the lessons he’s learned and provides a map for those called into the marketplace. This book will both challenge and encourage!”

—Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor, National Community Church, Washington D.C.



“Needle’s Eye has been a tremendous blessing in my life and in so many others’ lives. In less than one month, I met with three influential business leaders, who shared their testimony with me, all three of whom came to know Christ through Needle’s Eye. That made me want to get involved with Needle’s Eye, and I’m so glad that I did. Through my small group of Christian marketplace leaders and Buddy’s guidance, I view my workplace so much differently now. I view it as a ministry - one in which I can be a witness to people who will never attend church and who have their "BS radar” up regarding Christians and whether they’re really any different. So many times, I’m doing so out of my weaknesses, but I have a new found joy and sense of fulfillment for my work as I approach it as doing God’s work there. Navigating the Needle’s Eye is a must-read for anyone who wants to be a witness in their workplace and to find a higher calling for their work."

—Shawn Boyer, Founder of Snagajob, Owner and Founder of GoHappy