The world brings obstacles across our paths, but the way we choose to face these obstacles truly defines our character and heart. Richard Hayes, founder of Digital Lightbridge, beat the odds in business and in his health by staying faithful to God, despite difficulties along the way. His story is inspiring and reiterates God’s promises to those who put Him first. Richard’s journey has not been easy, but he is thankful to God for the precious blessings in his life.
Direction from the Lord
Richard started his first marketing business while attending college for a degree in architecture. One of his professors pointed out that he was already doing what he wanted to do and questioned why he was studying architecture. Richard took that to heart and when he graduated he decided to go into marketing full time. He worked for various advertising agencies and marketing firms until 2001. Richard had been in prayer every day asking God for direction in his life. One morning, God answered. He told Richard to start a ministry business and call it “Digital Lightbridge.” At first Richard thought he was crazy and wasn’t sure he really heard that from God. Later that evening he talked to his wife Lisa about it and she unexpectedly said, “That’s exactly what we need to do.”
In April of 2001 Richard took a leap of faith and started Digital Lightbridge. “The first day I really had no plan,” he said. “I had a computer, a cell phone, and a tiny little office.” Richard’s first project was for a friend in ministry that needed marketing materials for a banquet. The work was pro bono but he wasn’t worried. Then, later that day, a friend from church called. She worked for a large bank and had a job for him… that paid. “Every day for almost 10 years has been exactly like that,” Richard said. Today about one third of Digital Lightbridge’s projects are pro bono for ministries and churches. This is the formula that God gave Richard from the beginning and he has continued to be faithful to it.
Digital Lightbridge
Digital Lightbridge is a strategic marketing firm. “The big idea is helping our clients develop their brand, which is more than a logo. It’s starting with their values, helping them identify their mission and vision and then creating marketing materials to support that,” Richard explained. “We’ve had clients tell us that we help them see their business in a way that their customers see it and we’re able to sometimes change their culture, change the way they sell, and the way they deliver their services to their clients.” Digital Lightbridge provides a wide range of services to businesses, ministries, and churches, which includes strategic planning, content development, corporate branding design, consulting, social media marketing, sales materials, brochures, and much more. Some notable clients are the JOY FM, Life Impact Network, Trinity College, Family First, All Pro Dad, and iMom.
The vision and mission of Digital Lightbridge is simple, according to Richard. “The short answer is to glorify God [and] to utilize talents that He’s given me for churches, ministries, and businesses.” The amazing thing about this marketing firm is that they devote a significant amount of time and energy to help many nonprofit organizations. They put forth the same effort on a project whether the client is paying or not. God is honoring what they are doing at Digital Lightbridge and that is why they continue to grow and thrive in a down economy.
The business moved from downtown Tampa to New Port Richey four years ago. The new property had a large sign out in front of the building that wasn’t needed. Instead of tearing it down, Richard decided to make it a channel letter sign (similar to what churches use for messages). Richard wanted the ability to put up Scripture and other messages to people passing by. Today it says “Trust in the Lord Forever.” Richard commented, “A lot of homeless people around here think we’re a church because of the sign. They come in and ask to see the pastor.” Instead of turning these people away and explaining they are not a church, Digital Lightbridge bought backpacks and filled them with food, water, towels, toothbrushes, t-shirts, a Bible, and information on ministries that can help these individuals. Digital Lightbridge strives to be more than a business – they endeavor to use their gifts and resources to serve God.
Opportunities to Overcome
On March 10, 2010 Richard went into the hospital for a surgery to remove what his doctor believed was a small tumor in his parotid gland on the left side of his face. He was informed that there was a 98% chance that the tumor was not cancerous. When Richard’s doctor opened him up he found that the tumor was actually cancer, and it had spread beyond what they originally thought. The incision was very large and the doctor had to remove Richard’s facial nerve. On March 23rd Richard had to undergo a second surgery – a neck dissection – to remove 75 lymph nodes and an additional cancerous tumor. Due to his facial nerve being removed, Richard was unable to close his eyelid on his own. Less than a week later he had a third surgery to put a weight in his eyelid so it would close properly. A few weeks after the third surgery, he began radiation and chemotherapy which lasted about two months. Radiation was five days per week and chemo was one day per week. He was told he would be sick from the treatments and need a feeding tube. “That didn’t happen,” Richard said. “It was a miracle.”
On the day of the second surgery the Lord spoke to Richard and said, “I want you to tell people about what’s going on.” Richard was hesitant because he and his wife are very private people. However, he was obedient and asked a friend to help him set up a blog to chronicle what was happening during his treatment. You can find it at www.RichardWHayes.WordPress.com. He talked about his journey, details about the treatment, his walk with God throughout the whole process, and his diagnosis of Stage IV Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CxPA).
On May 17, 2010, Richard had another opportunity to overcome. An elderly man passed out behind the wheel of his car and hit the accelerator. He went across six lanes of traffic and ran directly into Digital Lightbridge’s office. When he crashed through the wall, he hit the couch which pushed through another wall into Robin (Digital Lightbridge’s Controller) while she was sitting at her desk working. Richard explained that she was directly in the path of the car. By God’s grace, she was not harmed. The Lord’s protection was over the building and the people in it. That same day, volunteers came to help clear the debris and temporary walls were constructed. The office was repaired within a few months, making the space beautiful and functional again.
God’s Divine Intervention
Throughout the process of his surgeries, treatments, and office reconstruction, Richard stayed strong in faith and believed that God was in control. Instead of worrying, Richard put his energy into seeking God more fervently during this difficult time. God showed up in a big way and Digital Lightbridge continued to prosper. “You see so many businesses every day closing their doors and barely getting by day to day. For six months I haven’t even been here and it’s growing with new projects all the time,” Richard shared. Some of his C-12 friends (a group of Christian business owners) came together and offered to form a board of directors to help Richard manage the business while he was in treatment. This helped Richard and Digital Lightbridge maintain their level of excellence and service to their clients.
In late August Richard went in for several tests: a PET scan, a CAT scan, and blood work to find out the effects of his treatments. Previously, Richard had learned that the type of cancer he was diagnosed with is very rare. “We started having conversations with my doctor, surgeon, and oncologist and they said, literally, no one has ever survived this type of stage IV cancer,” Richard explained. He started doing internet research about his cancer and everything said stage IV was terminal. He could not find any survival data. “Through the blog and all kinds of other means, we started getting people to pray for us,” he said. Richard also described his wife as “an incredible woman of prayer,” and explained that she has been an awesome discerner of things throughout their marriage. Lisa and his sons (Chandler, Mitchell, and Tristan) kept his spirits high.
Then on August 30, 2010 Richard and his wife went in for the test results. Richard shared that they had been waiting a little while when he heard the nurse put the chart on the door. He jumped up and grabbed it. “We started flipping through it and right there in front of it they had the report,” Richard said.” The report showed that every part of his body was clear. He put the report back and the doctor came in. His doctor read through the chart and said, “You’re not in remission; you’re just cancer-free.” God performed a miracle and healed Richard of a terminal cancer in less than six months. “God did it,” Richard said. “I’m absolutely positive that He did it.”
God-Centered
With all that Richard went through in 2010, we wanted him to share what Scriptures he continually stands on. He replied, “John 15, which is all about abiding. That has been the theme for this year – abiding in Christ.” He also mentioned Psalm 100, and specifically about thankfulness: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NKJV). When obstacles and trials come, the first thing we need to do is run to God with praise and thanks and He will see us through to the other side. Richard demonstrated this to those around him, and through his story, God’s mercy and goodness is magnified for all to see.
When asked what advice he would give to other Christian business owners and ministry leaders, Richard’s response came as no surprise. He suggested daily quiet time with the Lord to get the assignment for the day. Devotion and prayer time are very important in starting the day. He also mentioned that having a group of godly advisors is invaluable. These people can give you insight and direction even if they are not in the same type of business.
Ultimately, God needs to be the center of your life, business, and ministry. With God all things are possible. You can beat the odds in this world with God on your side. Seek Him first and He will bless you and everything you put your hand to. Press On!
