We were lucky to catch up with Harry Neal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Harry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Having been in what full time ministry for the last 10 years of my life the Lord impressed on my heart to start a home church. This put me back in the secular workforce and the Lord opened an opportunity to do ministry as an entrepreneur. Not just me, but my family has a desire to see our community transformed by the power of Christ. We do that in our neighborhood, and I also get the opportunity to help small businesses thrive. The heart is to see those who are kingdom minded find success in the marketplace. It’s great we have places to worship together on the weekend but what about throughout the week? The mission is to provide support for business owners and leaders who have a desire to share Jesus in their business. I love seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ be shared by various business leaders in our community. In God’s economy and in His transactions, everyone is blessed one way or another. I really believe if we want to see a community transformed it happens by propelling Jesus Followers into the marketplace to influence and inspire where they spend a lot of their time each week.

Harry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

22 years ago, my story was much different than today. My life was headed for destruction. I was on the fast track to hell… BUT GOD! A main part of my story is seeing Jesus transform my heart from the inside, out! Literally from the inside, out as well as the Lord got ahold of my heart while in prison. In 2004 while in solitary confinement Jesus revealed Himself to me. Today, I am on the Board of Directors at the same prison where I was once incarcerated. Isn’t the Lord good?

This is where the Lord started birthing in my heart the desire to see others propelled into their individual mission. It’s heartbreaking to see families and individuals lose out because of poor decisions. But God can and will restore what the locust have destroyed. The Lord ministered to me in a prison cell and has continued to carry me into new endeavors. The Lord raised me up into ministry where pastoring, teaching, and leading others in ministry. He has blessed me with a beautiful wife inside and out, and 4 boys. Throughout the last 21 years walking with Jesus, he has strengthened me as a husband, father, shepherd, business leader, and business owner.

Today, I am CEO of Carolina Kitchen Repair, Vice President of The Struggle Bus, Lead Pastor of Living Stone Church, and I get the opportunity to come alongside other entrepreneurs to support them where they need it the most.

This is the journey the Lord has our family on. I used to think my family needed to follow me in my successes, but the Lord has revealed to me along this journey that the greatest success is seeing my family succeed alongside me!

I get up every day THANKFUL, even though at times there are pressures, I know with the help of each person and success of businesses I interact with the Gospel is being shared…. more than I will ever know!

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Dealing with The Struggle Bus Mobile Coffee Shop: I have known my business partner for years as we have been in ministry together in seasons of life. We reconnected in 2020. This was during the time my business partner, Zac Williams, was trying to figure out his next career move. Speaking with him about what he wanted to do with his life he mentioned desiring to start a coffee business. After seeing the Lord connect the dots we moved forward and within 60 days we were open for business. I cannot express my thanks for our early partners, Gary Cook & Shawn Wilson, who were essential in this while process. They continue today to be friends and support casts in The Struggle Bus journey. It’s funny how the Lord does things in our lives. Our logo itself is a picture of Zac looking hung over and struggling. A friend of his had drawn it while he confessed sin in his life. He kept the hand drawn picture that was on a napkin, and this inspired the logo and business name. Now, we get the opportunity to share our faith and love others with each coffee and pastry we sell each day.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

No matter what area of business you are in reputation is what will make or break you. Doing the right thing when no one is looking even if no one will ever find is a must. Ultimately, it’s Jesus who builds our reputation as business owners and individuals. As we pursue Christ in the marketplace His love and grace is evident for all to see. Maybe, your mission isn’t Jesus centered (maybe it should be:)), but no matter what being known for a person who does what they say without exception will go further than taking any shortcuts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thestrugglebus.coffee/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrugglebusws/