Inspire, Summer 2011

and Puerto Rico. Its success can be found in three simple core purposes: honor God, serve others, and enrich the lives of each person we touch. “If you love people, you will do well,” Andy said. He and Joan designed the business with specific people in mind — mothers with children at home who could earn needed income, single mothers who could support their families by working from home, and ministry professionals who could supplement a modest income. From the beginning, the plan was clear: communicate God’s love to everyone. Let them know they are valued, created in the image of God. This standard, not sales revenue, is the mark of success for the women hosting Premier Designs jewelry shows in homes. And the jewelers couldn’t be happier. A couple working together in the business wrote, “Now that we are expecting our first child, the prospect of working together from our home represents a tremendous blessing. God has used Premier Designs and the people of the company in a very special way to shape our lives. Our marriage relationship, our relationships with other people, and our relationship with the Lord have all been greatly enriched.” Serve Others Andy is grateful for his opportunity to learn sound business principles from some of America’s finest corporations. But he sensed a key element was missing. When it came his time to build a better business, he turned the traditional power structure on its head. “I’ve never heard of a seminary that will grant a degree in service,” he said, “but serving others is what God has called us to do. When our people answer the phone, they ask, ‘How may I serve you?’ Jesus said, ‘Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant’” (Matthew 20:26). He quotes the verse from memory — not only because it is so ingrained in his heart, but because macular degeneration has diminished his eyesight. But it has not diminished his vision. He recently returned from hosting a four-day rally for nine thousand Premier Designs jewelers who are without question the company’s number one asset. Enrich Lives Premier Designs takes good care of its people, and with the surplus — by God’s grace there is a surplus — it supports 42 ministries in 63 countries. Its philanthropy endeavors include clean water wells in Africa, Word of Life camps in South America, a prison ministry in Louisiana, and students right here at Cedarville. Andy can only give praise to God for doing far more than he could have asked or imagined. “People are coming to Christ. Their lives are being changed,” he said. “It’s unbelievable the way God allows us to be part of His work around the world.” One of his brothers became a preacher, and Andy hoped one day he might be called to missions. “I used to ask God, ‘Drop a star for me if You want me to go,’ but He never did.” Yet in his own way, Andy pursued missions through his business. And in God’s own way, He answered Andy’s prayer by calling Andy’s daughter to missions in Bolivia. Her work there introduced Andy to some of the first mission works that the company supported. Cultivate Joy As Andy looks to the future, his son, Tim, will take Premier Designs into its second generation. And like biblical heroes of the faith God used in mighty ways, Andy is determined to keep at the work until God calls him home. To be honest, home is on his mind these days. After 65 years of marriage, Joan passed away in December, and Andy talks to God about his desire to see her again. “I keep calling up there to heaven, but so far they’re not taking my calls,” he said. For now, he’s on hold. “God has a plan,” he said with certainty, “and it’s so exciting, I can’t even tell you. I still can’t believe God has allowed me to be part of His work, seeing lives changed and people coming to Christ all over the world. He prepared me to do this work, and He has given me more joy.” Andy Horner, together with his wife, Joan, founded Premier Designs, Inc., in 1985. In 2004 they were named Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst and Young, and they were inducted into the Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame in 2009. Learn more by visiting premierdesigns.com. Carol Lee ’96 is the senior communication specialist in marketing at Cedarville and managing editor for Torch and Inspire . You may contact her at carollee@cedarville.edu. advanc ing cedarv i l le Premier Designs, Inc., was founded with three core purposes: honor God, serve others, and enrich lives. Andy and Joan Horner, founders of Premier Designs, Inc., have included Cedarville in their corporate philanthropy since 2004. CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 27