c. 1997 Religion News Service

ATMORE, Ala. _ When employees at Robby Jaye’s trucking and excavating business get to work in the mornings they assemble in the front office and turn off the telephones. But they’re not mapping out a strategy or planning to increase business.

They’re meeting to pray.

Clad in a white cowboy hat, a salmon-colored Ralph Lauren Polo shirt, jeans and dusty boots, the towering 34-year-old Jaye stands in a circle with about 10 employees, their hands clasped together. A CD plays Christian music in the background as the employees bow their heads and Jaye asks if anyone has a special need to pray about.

Then he prays aloud.

Starting the day with prayer at the office has been the first order of business for Jaye since he started Beulah Land Logistics and Beulah Land Excavations in December 1995.

A born-again Christian, Jaye founded the company after his parents sold a trucking business they started in 1940.

Beulah Land is located just north of the Florida state line, and from there, Jaye hopes his Christian business can spread the gospel across the country.

Each rig in his fleet of 58 trucks _ 18-wheel tractor-trailers that haul mostly paper products _ has a Bible verse printed on the side. The Scripture is Matthew 6:33, which reads:”But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The verse has become the slogan for his company and for himself.”It’s on everything I own,” Jaye said.”You’d be surprised how many people call here and tell us it makes them feel good to see someone has the boldness to put that on a company truck.”

Jaye selected the name Beulah Land after hearing a song with the same title. In the Old Testament, Beulah is the name to be given to Jerusalem after the Israelite exiles returned, signifying a change in character and behavior.

Sitting in his office, a Bible on a shelf close by, Jaye talked candidly about his life before he became a Christian in 1993. “I was a heathen. I wasn’t being the husband or daddy I needed to be,” he said.”You could have filled this room with Budweiser and I’d drink it all. I wasn’t drinking whiskey so I didn’t think I was an alcoholic.”

But that all changed one Sunday night in 1993 during a church service.”The music ministered to me. I couldn’t get to the altar fast enough,” said Jaye. He pauses.”You’ll have to excuse me,” he said after a moment, looking at the ground and wiping his eyes.”It’s hard to talk about because all I want to do is be in the Lord’s will. I was a bad person coming from a good family.”

Jaye changed his lifestyle after his Christian conversion. He no longer drinks, he goes to church regularly and spends more time at home with his wife and their four children.

But he took his faith one step further _ into the business world.

In addition to inscribing his trucks with the Scripture passage, Jaye also refuses to haul liquor, tobacco products and pornography. Since 90 percent of the liquor sold in Alabama was imported by his family’s former business, he knows the amount of money he is giving up by not trucking liquor.”We’re not here to make money. The purpose of this company is to give back what Jesus has given me,” he said.”When I was saved, I called the state of Alabama and told them I was not going to haul liquor anymore.”

To his surprise, the move generated business.

Mark Ozemba, transportation team coordinator for Champion International in Cantonment, Fla., said he continues to do business with Jaye because of his integrity.”I admire what he does and the fact he’s willing to make a bold statement out there on the highways,” Ozemba said.”People look at that (the trucks) and say, `There’s someone who is not afraid to do what he needs to do.”’

Employees said Jaye is sincere about his faith.”He’s a Christian in his walk, his family and his job,” said Patty Helton, an accountant with the company.”He’s a real good example to watch.”

She said her boss won’t allow profanity in the office _ from employees or customers.”If a driver comes in cursing, he’ll tell them that kind of language isn’t allowed at the business.”

Helton also appreciates the morning prayer sessions.”It just kind of sets the day,” she said.”If there’s something you’re burdened about, you can share it in that circle and pray about it.”

MJP END BUSBY