Get to know Jesse Cottonham, NBCC’s Redwood City Campus Pastor, and how his personal values positively shaped his professional environments.
At New Beginnings Community Church (NBCC), the heartbeat of our community resonates through each member’s unique contributions. In this second installment of the "NBCC Voices" series, we turn our spotlight on Jesse Cottonham, NBCC’s Redwood City Campus Pastor. His approach to leadership provides insightful lessons for both business professionals and faith communities.
Before joining New Beginnings Community Church, Jesse had a distinguished 34-year career at PG&E, where he held various roles, from lineman and first responder to human performance specialist. His unique blend of experiences in both corporate and ministry work has shaped his leadership style, reflecting a deep commitment to both his professional and personal values.
Navigating Faith in Corporate Settings
In the corporate world, where personal beliefs and business operations don’t often mix, Jesse navigated the delicate balance of staying true to his personal faith while handing professional responsibilities. In this challenge, Jesse found a way to authentically integrate his values into his leadership approach. He respected the boundaries of the corporate environment while still remaining true to his faith.
“In corporate America, you have to separate your faith from the business,” Jesse said.
“You're not allowed to invoke your beliefs on people. But what I learned in being a supervisor, I was honest with all my crews. I would tell them, ‘Hey you guys, I'm a praying man. I'm a man of God. So, is it okay if I pray for us before you guys go out to work? Because I don't want anybody to get hurt. I don't want any fatalities or incidents or anything of that nature.’ Not one time did I ever have an employee tell me no, and what that developed was trust.”
Earning Respect and Building Successful Teams
Jesse’s success in building trust within his team was rooted in his transparent and respectful approach to faith. In emergency settings, where stress and tension were high, he would openly communicate his desire to pray for the safety and well-being of his team members. This openness did not result in pushback but instead garnered respect and acceptance from his colleagues. His willingness to integrate his faith in a non-intrusive manner demonstrated his genuine concern for his team’s welfare.
“What they respected was that I walked the walk and talked the talk,” Jesse said. “I would tell them, ‘Hey guys, I'm not going to thump you upside the head with a Bible. You're not going to hear me quote Bible scriptures and all that, but
you're going to see me display what Scripture looks like by how I reach you, how I interact with you, how I love you and how I care about you.’”
After demonstrating, even in small ways, his faith at work, Jesse went on to lead one of the most successful and cohesive teams at PG&E. His ability to handle conflicts, improve team dynamics, and maintain a strong safety record spoke volumes about his leadership skills.
“I always focus on what’s most important,” Jesse said. “I'm going to always make sure that you're okay and that your family is okay. Eventually, I had guys who would ask to be on my crew. We all worked safely, I had one of the best safety records of all the supervisors. What was important was that we all got along.”
Applying Lessons Learned in Ministry
Today, Jesse applies the lessons he learned at PG&E to his ministry as a pastor. His experience in honing the ability to listen, remaining calm under pressure, and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit has profoundly influenced his pastoral approach. Just as he did in the corporate world, Jesse continues to build trust and connect with people through genuine care and faith-driven actions.
“Every single skill that I have learned, I'm using in ministry,” Jesse said. “It's incredible. I always tell people,
God doesn't waste anything – nothing. It's like every season of your life is building up to the next season, it’s all about how you’re going to use it.”
The story of Jesse’s career journey exemplifies how personal values can positively shape professional environments, creating a space of trust, respect, and success.
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