Chamber Insider Blog

Congratulations to Tree of Life Ministries, a finalist for Nonprofit Organization of the Year! View all SBA 2023 Finalists here.

Tell us the story of your business/nonprofit and how it’s evolved.

Tree of Life Ministries was established fifteen years ago in 2008 with a simple Purpose – ‘to reach out to the poor and needy in our community with the love of Jesus Christ’. Initially operating from Purcellville, we have seen expansive growth across Loudoun, particularly in the aftermath of the covid pandemic. Under a framework of 5 outreach Branches, Tree of Life now offers 40 ministries to the Loudoun community and 25,000 impacts are made annually within our 3 regions based in Purcellville, Leesburg and Sterling.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your team?

The team live out our core values each and every day – Jesus Christ is foremost, Prayer & The Word of God are foundational, Compassion is fundamental, Relationship is for all and Community is our front line. An army of 800+ volunteers go the extra mile to ensure that the needy across our community are served across all of our 40 ministries.

In what ways do you give back to the Loudoun community?

Our latest Annual Report describes the impact of our outreach programs to the needy across Loudoun during the past 12 months. Our Food Branch (43% increase) offers weekly home food deliveries and a weekly community meal. Our Lifeskills Branch (68% increase) offers English, Finance and Workforce assistance. Our Shelter Branch (43% increase) concentrates on providing affordable housing and clothing. Our Healthcare Branch (203% increase) provides practical wellbeing classes and dental/eye care thanks to a collaborative network of professionals. Our Relief Branch (53% increase) provides extensive financial relief annually and diverse relief programs particularly to seniors and individuals with special needs.

What would it mean to you and your business to win a Small Business Award?

The award would provide a wonderful way to recognize the tireless efforts of so many to assist those in need across Loudoun. Hopefully, the award would also profile the incredible gospel enterprise arm of Tree of Life which includes the Clothing Closet (Purcellville and Leesburg) and SimplyBe Coffee (Leesburg). Both enterprises provide employment and internship opportunities with SimplyBe Coffee exclusively employing individuals with special needs.

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

Spiritually, Jesus Christ. His words and actions shape my life and define who we are as an organization. Historically, William Wilberforce worked for 43 years in his pursuit of slavery abolition and engaged in 69 philanthropic endeavors along the way. His commitment to follow Jesus Christ in both word and action is best conveyed in a quote directed to him: “surely the principles and practices of Christianity lead not only to meditation but to action.

What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?

Either an airline pilot or a politician. Neither came to fruition – 20 years in banking and 15 years leading a Christian nonprofit. I wouldn’t change either decision!

If you’re not in the office, where can we find you/what is another passion you have?

Traveling with my wife is a favorite pastime. We switch off by exploring homes and gardens of historical significance.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5 years?

Our Vision is to: ‘plant the Tree of Life model in new communities to the glory of God.’ We currently define ‘new communities’ as new regions (expanding our 3 locations), new housing (expanding our 6 housing unit program) and new gospel enterprise (expanding our 3 business enterprises). Seeing all of these new communities expand over the next 5 years would enable Tree of Life to embed our Purpose wider and deeper and importantly, to reach out to [even more] poor and needy people across our community with the love of Jesus Christ.

Check out the Tree of Life Ministries website here!