Pastor Craig Rayment’s congregation is impressed with his enthusiasm and his stewardship, especially from a man who went from a leader in the financial industry to a leader of worship.

Age: 30

Position: Assistant Pastor over Life Stewardship at New Hope Wesleyan Church.

Family: Single. Father – Gary; Mother – Shelly

Hobbies: Golf, running and singing

Community Involvement: Co-coached girls golf at local school, motivational speaking to teenagers at two different schools in Trenton and Williston; lead 28 volunteers to paint and clean an elementary school as a part of Faith In Action thru New Hope; read to Head Start students; and play in community sports leagues.

Career Path: I started as an intern at Raymond James Financial in Flint, Mich., at the age of 17. I worked there for five years during the remaining years of High School and throughout college. I received a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing in 2001 and also passed my Series 7 Licensing exam while in college. During my last semester of college, I was offered a position with Edward Jones Investments, which involved running my own office in Knox, Ind. I was there two years and during that time my branch quickly became profitable. Because of the success, I was asked to travel the United States and handle offices that were in transition. During the third year of travel, I began to feel lead by God to a full-time position in Pastoral ministry.

When I ended up in Williston three years ago, God lead me to an assistant pastor position here at New Hope. I now organize and lead our small group ministry, co-lead Sunday morning worship, lead the Trustee Team to maintain the building and property, supervise the custodial staff and counsel individuals on personal financial issues (getting out of debt, budgeting, saving)

Mentors: Currently: Pastor Steve Norby; I have had several mentors over the years and I believe that it is absolutely essential that I look to older, wiser counsel for personal and professional advice.

Briefly, tell us about yourself: I love change. If I was to think through my biggest strength it would be that I thrive in environments where change is constant. I hate details and love the big picture. I am a little obsessive and while I can manage details well because of that, the details really drain me. I love people. I am direct. I have learned not to be too harsh in communicating with others, I get right to the heart of the matter.

What motivates you? Knowing that what I do will make a deep and lasting difference in peoples lives. Whether it was in the financial industry or Pastoral ministry, I need to believe that I can really help someone.

Challenges in your career path: I think that the biggest challenge that I face now is that in the church setting, almost everyone that I lead is a volunteer. In the business world the paycheck is a big motivator for people to follow, but when everyone is a volunteer you must cast the vision well, organize very well, and lead by example.

What challenges do you face as a young professional, particularly during difficult economic times? In a church setting, the economic problems that we face are very similar to those of any business. I think the biggest problem that we are facing right now is forecasting income for the next year. As a result we have a harder time budgeting and potentially moving forward on expansion.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? It’s a toss up between two. First, when I was 22 and just graduating college, I turned down a job offer to work for a top ten branch of Raymond James Financial to start my own branch for Edward Jones Investments. Second was three years ago, leaving a very rewarding position at Edward Jones and moving across the country to go into full-time ministry, which by the way, I had no formal training in.

Anything you’re particularly proud of? First and by far the most important, submitting my life to the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Everything else runs a distant second but is a record of what God has done through me. Running my own Edward Jones Investment office at the age of 22, being chosen to be a part of a team of Investment Advisers that handled offices in Transition for Edward Jones , organizing and leading the Small Group ministry here at New Hope, comprised of 26 group leaders and 225 attendees (which involves recruiting and training leaders), and on my 30th birthday I ran 30 miles.

What advice would you offer other young professionals? #1: Accept the forgiveness that God has offered through Jesus Christ and enter into a personal relationship with him. #2: Take on the nature of a servant. Serve people. Winning in any business means serving your customer better than the competition.