Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Faith-Based Aid in Louisiana; $70K Minimum Wage; The Boxer
8/18/2016 | 25m 52sVideo has Closed Captions
Faith-Based Relief in Louisiana Flooding; $70K Minimum Wage CEO; The Boxer
Faith-Based Relief in Louisiana Flooding; $70K Minimum Wage CEO; The Boxer
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Faith-Based Aid in Louisiana; $70K Minimum Wage; The Boxer
8/18/2016 | 25m 52sVideo has Closed Captions
Faith-Based Relief in Louisiana Flooding; $70K Minimum Wage CEO; The Boxer
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ >>> COMING UP, KIM LAWTON REPORTS FROM BATON ROUGE ON HOW FAITH-BASED GROUPS ARE HELPING VICTIMS OF THE HISTORIC SOUTH LOUISIANA FLOODING.
>>> AND ONE COMPANY THAT'S TAKEN THE MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE, AT LEAST ITS MINIMUM WAGE, TO NEW HEIGHTS.
>>> AND AS BALTIMORE CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH ITS RACIAL TENSIONS, A CHURCH THAT DRAWS YOUNG PEOPLE TO ITS MINISTRY THROUGH BOXING.
♪ RETIREMENT COMPANY.
>> WELCOME, I'M FRED DE SAM LAZARO, SITTING IN FOR BOB ABERNETHY.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
THE MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THE RECENT DEATH OF AN IMAM AND HIS ASSOCIATE IN NEW YORK APPEARED IN COURT THIS WEEK AND DENIED HE HAD KILLED THE TWO MEN.
SUSPECT OSCAR MOREL ADMITTED, HOWEVER, THAT SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWED HIM AT THE SCENE OF THE KILLINGS.
THE SHOOTINGS OCCURRED NEAR A MOSQUE IN QUEENS ON SUNDAY.
AUTHORITIES ARE OFFERING NO MOTIVE YET FOR THE MURDERS BUT SAY A HATE CRIME IS NOT BEING RULED OUT.
ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE GATHERED ON MONDAY IN A MUNICIPAL PARKING FOR -- LOT FOR A SERVICE FOR THE SLAIN MEN.
>>> FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE MET WITH POPE FRANCIS AT THE VATICAN TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT IN THE WAKE OF RECENT ATTACKS BY ISLAMIST MILITANTS.
THE TWO ALSO DISCUSSED THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN EUROPE.
THIS WEEK FRANCIS ALSO NAMED BISHOP KEVIN FARRELL OF DALLAS TO HEAD A MAJOR NEW VATICAN OFFICE.
ONE OF FARRELL'S FIRST TASKS WILL BE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE PONTIFF'S CONTROVERSIAL "THE JOY OF LOVE" DOCUMENT THAT SPARKED INTENSE DEBATES ABOUT THE ROLE OF DIVORCED AND REMARRIED CATHOLICS IN THE CHURCH.
AND LAST WEEK, FRANCIS MADE A SURPRISE VISIT TO A CATHOLIC RUN CENTER FOR WOMEN RESCUED FROM SEXUAL SLAVERY.
>>> DISASTER OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING THAT HAS DEVASTATED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH LOUISIANA OVER THE PAST WEEK.
FAITH-BASED GROUPS ARE AMONG THOSE ACTIVE IN THE RESCUE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS.
KIM LAWTON WAS ON THE SCENE IN BATON ROUGE FOR THIS SPECIAL REPORT.
>> Reporter: THE RAIN STARTED FALLING A WEEK AGO THURSDAY AND IT KEPT FALLING FOR DAYS, GENERATING WHAT EXPERTS ARE CALLING THE WORST NATURAL DISASTER SINCE SUPERSTORM SANDY IN 2012.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.
STATE OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 40,000 HOMES HAVE BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.
THE FULL MAGNITUDE OF THE DEVASTATION IS NOT YET KNOWN.
MORE THAN A WEEK LATER, SOME AREAS ARE STILL INACCESSIBLE.
AS THE CRISIS BEGAN TO UNFOLD, LOCAL CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS MOBILIZED TO HELP.
MEMBERS OF BETHANY CHURCH, A NONDENOMINATIONAL MEGACHURCH IN BATON ROUGE, WERE AMONG THOSE OUT ON BOATS RESCUING STRANDED PEOPLE AND DELIVERING SUPPLIES.
JARED STOCKSTILL IS THE CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR.
>> A LOT OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES HAD FIVE FEET OF WATER AND WERE STRANDED IN THEIR HOUSES.
WE ASSUMED THAT EVERYONE HAD LEFT AND WE STARTED FINDING OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY, MANY PEOPLE STILL IN THEIR HOMES, SO WE JUST BEGAN RIDING MY BOAT UP THE STREET THAT I GREW UP ON AND WERE PULLING UP TO PEOPLE'S FRONT DOOR IN A BOAT, PICKING THEM UP, HELPING THEM INTO THE BOAT.
>> Reporter: BETHANY ITSELF HAS SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE.
THE CHURCH'S CAMPUS NORTH OF BATON ROUGE WITH A 6,000-SEAT SANCTUARY AND SCHOOL WAS ENGULFED BY FLOOD WATERS.
THE CHURCH DIDN'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.
>> OUR WATER LINE WAS ABOUT UP TO HERE, ABOUT TWO AND A HALF FEET.
WE'VE NEVER HAD WATER IN THIS BUILDING BEFORE.
WATER HAS NEVER EVEN COME CLOSE.
WE'VE HAD MANY FLOODS BEFORE BUT THE WATER WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE BUILDING.
THIS TIME IT JUST AMAZED EVERYBODY.
THE WATER JUST RAN IN, NOBODY THOUGHT IT WAS EVEN THINKABLE, THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN.
>> Reporter: BETHANY'S SOUTH BATON ROUGE CAMPUS WAS NOT DAMAGED.
IT HAS BECOME A KEY LOCAL RELIEF POINT, WHERE VICTIMS ARE RECEIVING FOOD, CLOTHING, TOILETRIES AND OTHER DESPERATELY-NEEDED SUPPLIES.
LEAD PASTOR JONATHAN STOCKSTILL, WHO IS JARED'S BROTHER, SAYS THE WORK IS AN EXPRESSION OF THEIR FAITH.
>> WE ARE SHOWING PEOPLE THAT GOD LOVES THEM BY JUST BEING A SOURCE OF FOOD AND HELP AND SOME PEOPLE, JUST A PRAYER.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SEE HAPPEN IS FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THAT GOD LOVES THEM BY SEEING HIS CHURCH MOVE LIKE WE ARE MOVING.
>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL FAITH-BASED GROUP MERCY CHEFS HAS ALREADY SET UP AT BETHANY.
ITS PROFESSIONAL CHEF-VOLUNTEERS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN PREPARING ABOUT 9,000 MEALS EVERY DAY.
THEIR MOBILE KITCHEN ALLOWED THEM TO BE ON THE GROUND IN THE FIRST DAYS OF THE CRISIS.
>> WE GOT HERE JUST AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD GET THROUGH THE BARRICADES AND THE ROADBLOCKS AND THE HIGH WATER AND STARTED SERVING FOOD IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL.
>> Reporter: LOCAL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS ARE DELIVERING THE MEALS BY TRUCKS AND BOATS TO EVACUEES IN SHELTERS AND MOTELS, AS WELL AS TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SOME RECIPIENTS SAID THEY HADN'T HAD A HOT MEAL IN DAYS.
MERCY CHEFS FOUNDER GARY LEBLANC SAYS HIS GROUP SEES THE WORK AS A MINISTRY.
>> WE DO IT AS FAMILY, WE DO IT AS FRIENDS.
BUT TO COME TO A DISASTER AREA, FOLKS THAT HAVE LOST EVERYTHING, AND SHARE A MEAL WITH THEM BRINGS SOME SEMBLANCE OF HOPE.
AND YOU SHOULD DO THAT OVER A GOOD MEAL, THE BEST MEAL YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE, NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU OPENED UP AND HEATED AND SLOPPED OUT.
>> Reporter: MANY CHURCHES IN THE REGION HAVE BEEN COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR THE VICTIMS.
ONE OF THEM IS ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN METAIRIE, JUST OUTSIDE NEW ORLEANS, WHICH WAS HARD HIT BY HURRICANE KATRINA.
>> BECAUSE OF THE LOSS THAT WE TOOK FROM KATRINA, I FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO REACH BACK OUT TO OTHER COMMUNITIES AND HELP THEM IN THE SAME THING THAT WE WENT THROUGH HERE IN NEW ORLEANS AND METAIRIE.
>> Reporter: STAR HILL CHURCH IN BATON ROUGE IS ALSO DISTRIBUTING DONATED SUPPLIES.
CHURCH FINANCE SECRETARY CAROL PARKER IS HELPING WITH THE EFFORT EVEN AS SHE IS DEALING WITH HER OWN CRISIS.
THE HOME SHE'S OWNED FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS FLOODED.
>> ABOUT 7:00 SATURDAY MORNING, THAT'S WHEN THE WATER STARTED RISING UP.
SO MY HUSBAND WOKE ME UP AND TOLD ME, IT'S TIME TO GET OUT, IT'S TIME TO GET OUT.
>> Reporter: FOR NOW, PARKER, HER HUSBAND AND SON ARE LIVING WITH HER SISTER.
LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER RESIDENTS HERE, THEY ARE WAITING FOR ASSESSMENTS FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND FEMA ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND HOW MUCH HELP THEY MAY RECEIVE.
>> ALL THE MATERIAL STUFF MIGHT BE GONE, BUT MY FAITH IS NOT GONE.
JUST LIKE MY PASTOR JETSON ALWAYS SAID, NO, WE DIDN'T LOSE EVERYTHING.
WE GOT FAMILY AND WE GOT GOD.
SO DO NOT SAY WE LOST EVERYTHING.
>> Reporter: MANY HERE SAY THE FLOODING CRISIS HAS ACTUALLY HELPED TO BRING SOME HEALING TO THEIR COMMUNITY WHICH HAS BEEN ROILED IN RECENT WEEKS BY THE POLICE SHOOTING OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN, ALTON STERLING, AND THE SUBSEQUENT SHOOTING OF THREE POLICE OFFICERS.
>> IT'S JUST AMAZING TO SEE HOW IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT RACE YOU ARE, ANYTHING LIKE THAT, IT'S JUST EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME NEEDS SO WE ALL PITCHED IN AND JUST STARTED HELPING OUT.
SO I JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY GONE A LONG WAYS TOWARD BRINGING US TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: ONGOING RAIN HAS BEEN HAMPERING RESCUE AND RELIEF EFFORTS IN MANY AREAS.
AS THAT WORK CONTINUES, EXPERTS ARE BEGINNING PLANS FOR THE NEXT PHASE -- LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND REBUILDING.
SEVERAL NATIONAL FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ASSESSMENT TEAMS ON THE GROUND AND ARE BRINGING IN EQUIPMENT AND OTHER RESOURCES, AS WELL AS ORGANIZING TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
ONE OF THE GROUPS, SOUTHERN BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF, IS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL CHURCHES SUCH AS WOODLAND PARK BAPTIST IN HAMMOND.
THEY SAY A TOP PRIORITY WILL BE HELPING DISPLACED RESIDENTS REPAIR THEIR HOMES SO PEOPLE CAN START LIVING THERE AGAIN.
AND AS VOLUNTEERS HERE CONTINUE WORKING TO MEET DAY TO DAY NEEDS, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.
I'M KIM LAWTON IN BATON ROUGE.
>>> DOZENS OF CIVILIANS IN YEMEN HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED THIS WEEK DUE TO INCREASED FIGHTING BETWEEN A COALITION LED BY SAUDI ARABIA AND HOUTHI MILITIAS, MEMBERS OF A SHIITE SECT WHO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE GOVERNMENT SINCE 2004.
AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE WERE KILLED ON MONDAY AFTER WARPLANES BOMBED A HOSPITAL SUPPORTED BY DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS.
THE WOUNDED INCLUDED THREE FOREIGN DOCTORS.
THREE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS HAD LIMBS AMPUTATED.
ON TUESDAY, 17 CIVILIANS WERE KILLED WHEN AN AIRSTRIKE HIT A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
SAUDI OFFICIALS INSIST THEY HAVE STRUCK ONLY AT MILITARY TARGETS AND ACCUSE HOUTHIS OF USING CIVILIAN FACILITIES TO CARRY OUT ATTACKS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
>>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LAUNCHED ITS FIRST EVER ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN ISRAEL TO TRY TO CONVINCE AMERICAN-ISRAELI DUAL CITIZENS TO CAST THEIR VOTES FOR DONALD TRUMP.
ABOUT 100,000 ISRAELIS VOTED IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WITH APPROXIMATELY 85 PERCENT VOTING REPUBLICAN.
GOP ACTIVISTS SAY THEY HOPE TO TAP INTO MANY MORE OF THE POTENTIAL 300,000 TO 400,000 VOTERS.
TRUMP HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL IN ISRAEL AND HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF FAILING TO DISAVOW THE ANTI-SEMITIC RHETORIC OF SOME OF HIS SUPPORTERS.
>>> MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S HEIRS HAVE AGREED TO END THEIR LEGAL FIGHT OVER WHO OWNS THE SLAIN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER'S 1964 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE MEDAL AND BIBLE.
KING'S TWO SONS HAD VOTED IN JANUARY 2014 TO SELL THE MEDAL AND A BIBLE THEIR FATHER CARRIED IN THE 1960S TO AN UNNAMED PRIVATE BUYER, ARGUING THE ESTATE NEEDED MONEY.
BERNICE KING, KING'S DAUGHTER, OBJECTED, CALLING THE HEIRLOOMS "SACRED TO THE FAMILY."
ACCORDING TO THE CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENT THAT FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER HELPED DRAFT, THE ITEMS WILL BE CONTROLLED BY MARTIN LUTHER KING III, WHO SERVES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ESTATE BOARD.
WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR IS WHETHER THE ITEMS WILL BE SOLD AT A LATER DATE.
>>> THE LARGEST LUTHERAN DENOMINATION IN THE U.S. APPROVED A DECLARATION RECOGNIZING "THERE ARE NO LONGER CHURCH-DIVIDING ISSUES" ON MANY POINTS WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THE "DECLARATION ON THE WAY" WAS APPROVED BY THE 2016 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY HELD LAST WEEK IN NEW ORLEANS.
THE DECLARATION COMES AS LUTHERAN AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES PREPARE TO MARK THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION.
THE ELCA ALSO VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY AT THE MEETING TO AVOID INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES THAT PROFIT FROM ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AND TO CALL ON T U.S. GOVERNMENT TO END ALL FINANCIAL AND MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL.
>>> IN WASHINGTON, CLERGY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM MORE THAN 15 STATES GATHERED TO CALL FOR AN END TO LOOPHOLES IN PAYDAY LENDING THAT THEY SAY CONTINUE TO HARM FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE BORROWERS.
THEY ARE SEEKING A FEDERAL INTEREST RATE CAP OF 36 PERCENT FOR PAYDAY LOANS.
>> PREDATORY BUSINESS MODEL OF THE PAYDAY LENDING INDUSTRY PUTS IT IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE BIBLE'S TEACHINGS.
SCRIPTURE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT GOD CONDEMNS ACTIVITY THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE POOR AND THE DESPERATE.
>>> NEXT, HE SAYS CHRISTIANITY IS IN HIS DNA, THE FOUNDATION OF HIS ACTIONS AND PHILOSOPHY IN BUSINESS.
HIS MOST PROMINENT CRITIC HAS CALLED IT UNADULTERATED SOCIALISM.
AT ISSUE IS THE YOUNG CEO OF A COMPANY THAT RECENTLY SET ITS MINIMUM WAGE AT $70,000 A YEAR.
THAT'S THREE TO FOUR TIMES THE LEGAL MINIMUM IN MOST STATES.
JOHN LARSON HAS THE STORY FROM SEATTLE.
>> RACHEL, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE MEETING?
>> Reporter: GRAVITY PAYMENTS CEO DAN PRICE ARRIVED FOR OUR SCHEDULED PHOTO SHOOT ON CRUTCHES, HE EXPLAINED HE'D TWISTED A KNEE PLAYING SOCCER.
BUT MORE THAN ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES HAD TO SMILE.
PRICE HAS A FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC.
>> HEY, NO PRODUCERS IN THE SHOT!
>> Reporter: 16 MONTHS AGO, PRICE SHOCKED THE BUSINESS WORLD WHEN HE MADE A DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WOULD RESHAPE THE NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON INCOME INEQUALITY.
>> EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY WE ARE GOING TO PUT A SCALED POLICY INTO PLACE, AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MINIMUM $70,000 PAY RATE FOR EVERYONE WHO WORKS HERE.
>> Reporter: THE PAY HIKES THEMSELVES WOULD BE PHASED IN.
A $50,000 A YEAR MINIMUM WAGE WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, BUT WOULD RISE TO $60,000 BY THE END OF 2016, $70,000 IN 2017.
AND THAT HE'D HELP PAY FOR THE INCREASES BY SLASHING HIS OWN COMPENSATION MORE THAN 90%, FROM MORE THAN $1 MILLION A YEAR DOWN TO $70,000.
>> I'M CURIOUS IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
>> Reporter: STORIES OF HIS ANNOUNCEMENT WENT VIRAL.
>> HE WANTS TO CONFRONT INCOME INEQUALITY.
>> ONE BOSS JUST CHANGED THE LIVES OF HIS EMPLOYEES.
>> EVERYONE IS GETTING A RAISE AT A SEATTLE-BASED COMPANY.
>> WE HEARD FROM NBC THAT IT WAS THE MOST VIRAL STORY IN THE HISTORY OF NBC NEWS.
>> Reporter: YET DESPITE THE MILLIONS OF CLICKS AND THOUSANDS OF NEWS STORIES, FEW EXPLORED WHY.
WHY HAD PRICE TAKEN SUCH A UNIQUE STAND ON INEQUALITY?
HIS ANSWER INVOLVED AN EMERGING BUSINESS ETHIC AND A CHANGING FAITH.
>> I REALLY THINK THAT MY PARENTS DENIED EVERY LABEL OUT THERE, AND IN PARTICULAR MY MOM.
IN THE '80s SHE WAS SORTING HER TRASH, COMPOSTING, RECYCLING, VEGETARIAN DIET, LISTENING TO RUSH LIMBAUGH, READING BIBLE OUT LOUD FOR ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY.
>> Reporter: ONE OF SIX KIDS HOMESCHOOLED IN AN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN IDAHO UNTIL HE WAS IN JUNIOR HIGH, PRICE WAS A FINALIST IN A NATIONAL BIBLE MEMORIZATION CONTEST.
HE WAS A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHRISTIAN ROCK BAND UNTIL HE WAS 16.
AND THAT'S WHEN, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM HIS DAD, HE HELPED A LOCAL COFFEE HOUSE OWNER WITH HER CREDIT CARD PROCESSING, THE FEES CHARGED BY BANKS AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES EACH TIME HER CUSTOMER USED A CARD.
>> I WAS ABLE TO GET HER COSTS LOWERED, AND IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR HER, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD A REFERENCE.
>> Reporter: PRICE PARLAYED THAT REFERENCE AND A PASSION FOR HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES INTO HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS AND THE CREATION OF HIS COMPANY, GRAVITY PAYMENTS.
BY HIS EARLY 20s HE WAS MAKING HEADLINES AND GETTING RICH.
HE WAS INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE, AND HIS IDEA OF FAITH WAS CHANGING.
>> I HEARD OF SOMETHING OF CALLED PASCAL'S WAGER WHEN I WAS A KID, WHICH BASICALLY SAYS YOU SHOULD BELIEVE IN YOUR FAITH WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ACTUALLY TRUE.
AND THAT SATISFIED ME AS A CHILD, BUT AS AN ADULT I REALIZED THAT FAITH COULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE, MAYBE, EXPANDED AND COULD BE A FOUNDATION FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF THOUGHTS AND PHILOSOPHY, DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTION.
>> Reporter: ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING AT A TIME WHEN THE COST OF LIVING HERE IN SEATTLE WAS SKYROCKETING.
THE COST OF HOUSING, ESPECIALLY RENT, WAS GOING UP SO FAST THAT MANY MEDIUM- AND LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES COULDN'T AFFORD IT.
>> IF I CAN JUST BE A SMALL PART OF A REVOLUTION IN BUSINESS WHERE IT CEASES TO BE JUST ABOUT MAKING MONEY BUT IT'S ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS AND SERVICE THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP MYSELF GOING.
>> Reporter: FOLLOWING HIS $70,000 MINIMUM WAGE ANNOUNCEMENT, ACCOLADES SHOWERED DOWN ON PRICE LIKE THE RAIN IN SIGHTEL IN FEBRUARY.
BEST BOSS IN AMERICA?
MANY THOUGHT SO.
BUT HE'D SOON FACE PERSONAL CRITICISM, EVEN A LAWSUIT.
CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST RUSH LIMBAUGH, WHO PRICE HAD BEEN FORCED TO LISTEN TO AS MUCH AS THREE HOURS A DAY AS A KID, PREDICTED PRICE'S DOWNFALL.
>> THIS IS PURE, UNADULTERATED SOCIALISM.
WHICH HAS NEVER WORKED.
THAT'S WHY I HOPE THIS COMPANY IS A STUDY IN AN MBA PROGRAM ON HOW SOCIALISM DOESN'T WORK, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO FAIL.
>> Reporter: TURNS OUT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL DID STUDY PRICE FOR CLASS DISCUSSION.
IT FOUND THE $70,000 MINIMUM WAGE ANNOUNCEMENT GENERATED NOT ONLY A FLOOD OF JOB APPLICANTS, BUT MANY NEW CLIENTS.
IN FACT, SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT GRAVITY NOW REPORTS ITS BUSINESS IS DOING BETTER THAN EVER, AND ITS EMPLOYEES ARE THRIVING.
THEY'VE USED THE RAISES TO PAY OFF DEBT, SAVE FOR RETIREMENT, AND NOW FEEL SECURE ENOUGH FINANCIALLY TO START FAMILIES.
>> HE'S DUE ON OCTOBER 12TH.
HE'S A MALE, A BOY.
YES!
>> Reporter: TYPICALLY, THE COMPANY HAS ONE OR TWO EMPLOYEE PREGNANCIES PER YEAR.
NOW?
SEVEN OR EIGHT.
>> OUR DAUGHTER LAYLEE ROSE, SHE'S 11 WEEKS OLD TODAY.
>> THANK YOU!
>> Reporter: WHICH MAY BE ONE REASON WHY PRICE'S EMPLOYEES AGREED TO BUY HIM A GIFT.
>> WE HAD TRIED TO THINK OF A WAY THAT WE COULD THANK DAN FOR WHAT HE HAS DONEse]!jJUáiP R(T&HáhP &HC& >> Reporter: A LITTLE PAYBACK?
>> LITTLE PAYBACK, YEAH.
>> ALYSSA O'NEAL, A SINGLE MOM WHOSE PAY HAD RISEN FROM $33,000 A YEAR TO $50,000, GOT THE IDEA ROLLING.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE GIFT FOR YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> IT'S OUTSIDE, THOUGH.
>> Reporter: O'NEAL HAD HELPED CONVINCE OTHER EMPLOYEES TO ALL CHIP IN AND BUY PRICE A NEW TESLA.
>> OH, MY GOD.
>> WHEN IT HAPPENED IT WAS LIKE IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
>> ARE YOU KIDDING?
>> NO.
>> I WAS REALLY SURPRISED BY HIS REACTION.
HE SAID, "I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE CAR.
I WANT TO SEE YOU GUYS."
AND HE TURNED AROUND AND HUGGED EVERYBODY AND MADE SURE HE HUGGED EVERYBODY FIRST BEFORE GETTING IN THE CAR AND TOUCHING IT.
>> Reporter: SO YOU HAD A CRUSH ON THIS CAR FOR A LONG TIME?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: AND NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D HAVE ONE?
>> IT WAS KIND OF ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE ONE ONE DAY, BUT YOU EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE GOALS WHERE YOU SAY ITS THREE YEARS OR TWO YEARS, BUT IT NEVER BECOMES ONE YEAR?
IT'S ALWAYS THREE YEARS, AND THREE YEARS GOES BY AND IT'S STILL THREE YEARS?
IT WAS KIND OF ONE OF THOSE DEALS.
>> Reporter: PRICE SAYS HIS FAITH IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IT USED TO BE, AND SOME WOULD CALL HIM AGNOSTIC.
YET HE STILL CONSIDERS HIMSELF CHRISTIAN BECAUSE IT'S IN HIS DNA.
IN OTHER WORDS IT INFORMS HIS ETHICS ABOUT SERVING OTHERS, OR RUNNING A COMPANY.
>> DO YOU KNOW THAT VERSE, "SEEK FIRST THIS KINGDOM AND ITS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU AS WELL"?
SO REGARDLESS OF MY FAITH OR ANYBODY'S ELSE FAITH, I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING ANALOGY FOR BUSINESS, BECAUSE THEY'VE PROVEN I THINK THROUGH STUDIES THAT BUSINESSES THAT PUT PURPOSE OVER PROFIT END UP MAKING MORE PROFIT.
>> Reporter: IN THE EARLY 1900S, IS BAPTIST PREACHER AND TEMPLE UNIVERSITY FOUNDER RUSSELL CONWELL GAVE A FAMOUS SERMON CALLED "ACRES OF DIAMONDS."
>> HE WOULD HAVE HAD ACRES OF DIAMONDS.
>> MANY SAID THAT SERMON POPULARIZED THE BLENDING OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY WITH AMERICAN CAPITALISM.
TO GET RICH IS OUR "CHRISTIAN AND GODLY DUTY," SAID CONWELL.
DAN PRICE BELIEVES THE SAME SERMON WAS MORE ABOUT FINDING SOMETHING DEEPER THAN MONEY, AMONG BOTH FAMILY AND COWORKERS.
>> A BUSINESS IS REALLY MISSING ITS POTENTIAL IF IT SEES ITS PURPOSE AS CREATING MONEY.
IT SHOULD HAVE SOME LARGER PURPOSE, AND THEN YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL ARE NOT SOME MONEY MAKING, MONEY SEEKING ROBOT.
>> Reporter: SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO DEFINE THE WORD, SO WHAT IS "WEALTHY"?
>> TO ME, TRUE WEALTH IS BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT, HAVING THE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT PRICE NOW THINKS IS RIGHT IS TO LIVE MODESTLY, GROW HIS COMPANY FOR HIS CLIENTS AND EMPLOYEES, AND SEE HOW MANY OTHER COMPANIES FOLLOW SUIT.
>> BUT THE TRUTH IS I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT.
>> Reporter: AND WE ARE SITTING INSIDE A TESLA.
>> AND WE ARE SITTING INSIDE A TESLA, AND I'M DOING MY BEST TO TRY TO DECONSTRUCT WHAT I THINK HERE AS A 32-YEAR-OLD GUY WHO HAS A LOT MORE TO LEARN.
>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M JOHN LARSON IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.
>>> BALTIMORE CONTINUES TO HEAL FROM VIOLENCE THAT FLARED LAST YEAR AFTER THE DEATH OF FREDDIE GRAY, A BLACK MAN IN POLICE CUSTODY.
WE VISITED THE "CREATED FOR SO MUCH MORE" WORSHIP CENTER IN THE CITY'S CHERRY HILL DISTRICT.
THE CHURCH DRAWS YOUNG PEOPLE TO ITS MINISTRY WITH A BOXING GYM, WHICH TEACHES DISCIPLINE, RESPECT, AND A SENSE OF PRIDE.
♪ OPEN THE EYES OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART ♪ >> MY NAME IS MIKE MOSLEY.
I'M THE HEAD COACH OF CROSS4CHRIST GYM HERE AT CREATED FOR SO MUCH MORE WORSHIP CENTER.
I WAS BORN IN BALTIMORE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES FROM THE GYM.
ALL RIGHT, SO YOU ALL GET IN THE LINE AND LOOK AT THIS MIRROR.
BEND AT YOUR KNEES.
GOOD.
THAT'S GOOD.
I ENJOY FIGHTING.
NEVER WAS A BULLY.
ALL RIGHT, LEFT FOOT.
SO, I WAS TALKING TO MY COUSIN ONE DAY.
HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY RECENTLY OPENED UP A BOXING GYM IN THE AREA.
BOOM.
PUT THIS FIST UP.
ALWAYS PROTECT HOME.
YOUR FACE IS HOME.
AND I SAID OH, WHERE?
AND HE SAID, IN THE CHURCH UP THE STREET.
AND I SAID, IN THE CHURCH?
AND THE FACT THAT THE GYM WAS IN A CHURCH, IT DIDN'T REALLY AFFECT ME EITHER WAY.
GOOD, GOOD, A.J.
THIS WAS A POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I WAS AS FAR FROM THE CHURCH AS I'VE BEEN IN MY LIFE.
GOOD.
STAY IN A GOOD STANCE.
LIVING ONLY FOR MYSELF, NOT REALIZING THAT THERE IS MORE OUT THERE.
AS FAR AS GOING TO CHURCH, PRAISING AND WORSHIPPING GOD, THAT WAS THE FURTHEST THING FROM MY MIND.
UH-HUH.
GOOD.
GOOD.
OH, OH, OH.
ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THAT I WAS GOING THROUGH SOME PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
JUST SOME THINGS THAT PUNCHING A BAG WASN'T DOING, IT WASN'T CUTTING IT.
I WENT TO THE SERVICE, AND IT WAS SO MOVING AND AMAZING, IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
♪ I WANT TO SEE YOU ♪♪ PASTOR WILLARD SAUNDERS, HE'S AN AMAZING PASTOR, AMAZING BISHOP.
HE'S CHANGED MY LIFE IN MORE WAYS THAN I CAN COUNT.
HALLELUJAH.
THANK YOU, JESUS.
>> HOW MANY OF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE GREAT AT SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE?
YOU GUYS THAT ARE BOXING, YOU WANT TO BE GREAT?
YOU KNOW WHAT THE PRICE OF GREATNESS IS?
NEVER SATISFIED.
SOMETIMES THE DISSATISFACTION COMES THROUGH TRAUMA AND PAIN.
>> THE BOXING PROGRAM HAS BECOME A MEDIUM THAT IS A PART OF OUR MINISTRY TO HELP CHILDREN, YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, TO BE ABLE TO REACH THEIR OWN POTENTIAL THROUGH AN ACTIVITY THAT CREATES DISCIPLINE.
>> HOW YOU ALL LATE AGAIN?
>> AND IT ALSO CREATES COMMITMENT.
>> 6:00.
6:00.
6:00.
>> AND IT REALLY HELPS US TO BE ABLE TO MINISTER TO THEM.
IT'S NOT EVEN SEPARATE FROM OUR MINISTRY.
IT IS OUR MINISTRY.
AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TO SEE THE GREAT SUCCESS IT HAS HAD, TO BE ABLE TO GET KIDS WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE IN SOME SORT OF WAY OUT ON THE STREET TO NOW COME TO THE BOXING GYM AND BE ABLE TO LEARN AND TO LEARN THE SKILL OF BOXING AND ALSO GET THE WORD OF GOD AT THE SAME TIME.
>> EVERY MINUTE THAT A KID IS IN THIS GYM, EVERY EVENING THAT A KID IS IN THIS GYM, THEY ARE IN A SAFE ZONE.
JAB YOUR WAY IN THERE.
THERE YOU GO.
THERE YOU GO.
>> THEY ARE PROTECTED.
>> I LIKE THAT.
>> BOXING ISN'T ABOUT ANGER OR VIOLENCE.
IT IS MORE ABOUT TECHNIQUE AND FLOW.
IT LETS ME REACH MYSELF.
>> MAKE HIM PAY FOR IT.
UH-HUH.
>> IT KEEPS ME OUT OF THE STREETS.
IT KEEPS ME BUSY.
>> BOXING IS NOT ABOUT AGGRESSION AT ALL.
IT MADE ME HUMBLE AS A YOUNG TEEN.
IT KIND OF TOOK ME AWAY FROM THE IMMATURITY AND OUTSIDE OF THE GYM.
WHEN I CAME IN HERE, LIKE I FELT LIKE I BELONGED HERE, LIKE I ACTUALLY BECAME A PART OF THIS FAMILY.
>> MY HOPE FOR THE KIDS IS JUST TO AWAKEN SOMETHING IN THEM THAT CAN'T BE PUT TO SLEEP.
IN LIFE THERE IS SO MUCH TEMPTATION.
THERE'S SO MUCH BAD OUT THERE THAT IT'S HARD TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
I KNOW 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I'M IN THE GYM IS THE RIGHT THING.
♪ TO SEE YOU HIGH AND LIFTED UP ♪♪ >>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.
I'M FRED DE SAM LAZARO.
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AS WE LEAVE YOU, SCENES FROM A BUDDHIST PAGEANT IN SRI LANKA.
♪ ♪ WNY.
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