Local Culver’s Owner Finds Solace in Religion
Justin Obriecht, who opened his first Culver's location in Tinley Park in 2001, shared his conversion from atheism to Christianity during a talk at an Orland Park church.
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Justin Obriecht thought he had it all.
"I had a good life,” said Obriecht recently at Hope Covenant Church. “I had enough money, I didn't have a lot of stress. Things were really good for me as an atheist."
Starting with his first restaurant opening in Tinley Park in 2001, Obriecht went on to open Culver’s locations in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Homewood and Matteson. But he later found something was missing.
Today, Obriecht is a member of Willow Creek Community Church. His talk at Hope Covenant Church in Orland Park was his second testimony.
“The nice thing about a testimony is it's a story about what happened in my life,” Obriecht said. “It's not about me shoving anything down anyone’s throat. A testimony is the quickest way to get to know somebody. I have put that out to all my employees. I have not received any negative reply about my relationship with Jesus Christ."
Obriecht came bearing Butterburgers, custard, a few of his employees and his testimony. More than 100 people came out to enjoy dollar Butterburgers and Culver's custard before listening to Obriecht’s story.
"I opened up a business when everyone thought the world was coming to an end," Obriecht said.
Days after the 9/11 attack, Justin was preparing to open his first Culver's restaurant in Tinley Park. Just 25, Obriecht was the youngest person to open up a Culvers restaurant. Three years later, the Tinley Park Culver's had $3 million in sales, more than any other Culver's.
Five years after he found the success in Tinley Park, Obriecht opened restaurants in the other four nearby towns.
"The south suburbs have supported us amazingly,” he said. “I give a lot of that credit to the people of the south suburbs."
Obriecht gave back along the way. He participated in cancer walks, fundraisers for area schools and other philanthropy.
"I was an atheist but I wasn't a bad person,” Obriecht said. “I wasn't cheating, I wasn't stealing but I swore a little too much. The only difference is when you have a belief in God and you know God, he expects you to be more disciplined.”
Obriecht was traveling when he stopped in Tennessee, and began meditating around 2 a.m. He suddenly felt a warmth and peace come over him. He said that Jesus came into his life at that moment.
Obriecht immediately called his mother, who had become a Christian a few years before. She had almost the same experience.
Rather than open more restaurants, Obriecht and his new wife Tara are working on helping others.
"As far as charity work, I started a program three weeks ago,” he said. “When I was saved I went around and told my testimony to all the homeless people that lived around me. One day one of the ladies named Carrie asked me to take her to church. A light bulb went off. Maybe there are others that would like this opportunity. I decided to set up a program where I hand out flyers throughout the week. Whoever shows up at the bus stop near my building, my wife and I pay for them to get on the bus. We go to church together. After church my wife and I buy them lunch and give them tickets to do laundry the following Saturday."
Follow Obriecht’s blog at Justinobriecht.com.
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In This article
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Hope Covenant Church
14401 West Ave, Orland Park, IL -
Culver's
18248 Sayre Ave, Tinley Park, IL -
Culver's
9130 W 159th St, Orland Park, IL -
Culver's
20592 S la Grange Rd, Frankfort, IL -
Culver's
850 183rd St, Homewood, IL
Tension Tester
11:22 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Fake. This conversion doesn't go this way.
Damian
12:54 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wow... not even a good attempt. Even if every person on the planet were a christian, would not make christianity true. No more so than if I were to convince everyone that there is an alien in my backyard, doesn't mean there's actually an alien back there
Dexter Cole
2:33 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Bullcrap. He already has all the money he needs. He has enouight money to get what every man wants. SEX. But sex can be expensive. His "conversion" is just a way to get all the women to trust and love him so he can fornicate with them. Wake up people - this happens every day. Poor woman loses something she loves and the preacher soothes her and usually gets rewarded with sex. I know this is true because I've witnessed this my entire life.
Ash Ketchum
7:53 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Religion used to be the means by which women controlled men. Now that they have feminist anti-men laws guaranteeing an income from a ex-husband, they no longer need the church, but can still use it to feel morally superior when they don't wanna deny that men should be in power.
Guest User
10:47 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Haha I'm sorry to break it to you, but this is not at all the case. I know this man personally and I can tell you that although he appears somewhat ludacris, his conversion is genuine and unrelated to sex. Also, he is faithfully married which only further emphasizes the fact that his religious beliefs have not been tailored as a means of obtaining sexual favors.
James McCully
9:14 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Such mistrusting people who made negative comments! Obvious, that you aren't Christian, or you would get it. I'm not trying to be condescending, but you don't understand being a Christian, because you aren't, and it must be a very depressing lonely life thinking that this is it, and not believing in anything. Also, faith, it is not something you can see, iand you can't prove it, but you know it's there! Good for him!
Nate B
1:29 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I would venture to say it's more depressing to know that someone is only following common ethics and morality to be 'rewarded' with some notion of the likes of heaven. How selfish is it to be doing these things not out of the goodness of your heart but merely for the implicit rewards. Growing up Catholic, so I understand being a part of a religion and it really makes you wonder what it takes to be 'saved' from what sounds like a pretty decent life, and why, myself, an atheist, can't be saved by your all-loving god?
Lewd Dobbs
9:32 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Why is it when one matures and evolves as a human and converts to an atheist, it never becomes news?
Philip Gray
9:13 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
This comment was left by a fake Christian trying to silence criticism of Christianity by claiming that atheists are negative of my bull for not understanding bull, telling them it's faith (which is acceptable because it's not like real stuff that can be proven) and that they have to believe in Christianity in order to believe in Christianity. I also call them atheists lonely and depressed in order to put them down for not believing in bull.
PlayingWithFire
5:44 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
He overcomes by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony. Love covers a multitude of sins. I am rejoicing with him. A changed life is proof of the power of the Good News of eternal life in the atonement of Jesus Christ, the only way to the Holy God, the only high God, the Creator.
Open Door
6:15 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
It is very sad to hear the anger of unbelievers against those who do believe. If you don't believe, that's your choice. But to hate others who do because you don't shows the devils work in you. God wants us to freely and willingly love Him back for loving us first. But if you can't, don't or won't, that's your free choice too. Just don't expect a reward for it because you won't get one. Those who reject Christ will suffer the same fate as 1/3 of the prideful angels that fell away. Very sad :(
Shari
8:15 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
nathan
11:18 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Philip Grey...uh what the hell are u talking about??? Lol
Valerie
12:58 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I would rather believe in God and die and find out there isn't a God-rather not believe in God then die and find out that there is a GOD!! What does it hurt to believe? I believe in GOD and all that He stands for: LOVE; JOY; PEACE; Patience; CHARITY; GOODNESS; Temperance; Self Discipline; HOPE again--what does it hurt to believe?!!!
Tony Jiang
10:15 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
pascal's wager a logical fallacy
Brian Nunez
12:04 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Let me present you atheists with a question. Tell me does cold exist? If you answered yes, your wrong. Cold is simply the absence of heat. Does darkness exist? If you answered yes, your wrong again. Darkness is simply the absence of light. When an individual says that there is no God, it is because Gods love is absent from their heart. "Albert Einstein". Everyone has the right to believe whatever they want, but that still does not change the fact that God does in fact exist, and every individual who has lived, will look into the face of their maker on the day of Judgement. If you have not been saved through the new birth experience described in the Book of John 3, and the book of Acts 2:38, we are in danger of hell fire. God loves you, even if you don't think he exists. God Bless.
Tony Jiang
10:18 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
if we are all in danger of hell fire why doesnt God just save us with out asking?
Will County Resident
12:23 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
It's spelled "You're", idiot.
Rick Sentlinger
8:45 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
What is it about Christianity that people object to? Is it the love your neighbor as yourself? Think of others as better than self? Is it the peace that defies an explanation?Joy unspeakable? Hope for eternal life? Unless you have beed made new from the calling out to GOD, you will continue to have a hardened heart (soul). If it is the prostiletizing I can sometimes agree, people continue to be prideful and arrogant as after their conversion, and I would agree that rejecting that would be understandable, but rejecting GOD's plan because of that is tragic!
Cunobelin
3:39 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Tony, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die as the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind sin. So the saving is waiting there. All you have to do is make a choice - believe in him/accept him or not. The story of life is the story of redemption and self-sacrifice. It isn't about good works or how moral you are but rather whether or not you are willing to die to self. The original sin was PRIDE. God is asking each of us at some point in our lives to leave pride aside and humble ourselves before him and ask him to come into our lives and direct our path. Atheism is more about man's pride than it is about disbelief.
Tony Jiang
3:43 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
nots not about my pride its about the bible not being God's word
Cunobelin
3:57 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Not sure I understand. Are you suggesting that the Bible was written by man and so it is proof that God does NOT exist.
Tony Jiang
4:12 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
you cant read my mind, its never about pride,but that the bible doesnt even proove Jesus to be messiah!
Cunobelin
7:37 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
And science can't prove evolution. And Albert Einstein couldn't prove the existence of black holes and on and on. It's about faith. Imagine for a moment that the Bible didn't exist. So what! God still would exist and my personal experience which was personal and real DID happen. It wasn't something I thought through logically - it was something that actually happened to me. That's when faith happened for me and I didn't need the Bible to confirm the existence of my experience. Keep searching for answers Tony and keep asking questions. And don't be surprised if someday in your life, you feel God's presence. At that moment, you might remember this conversation and accept what God has to offer you. I wish you the best on your life's journey. PS: At the very least, even if you don't believe - the Bible is a wonderful guide to how one should live a full and joyful life with less regret, drama, pain and suffering. As we believers say - God Bless!
Zagros Arxawan
4:56 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Intelligence design is a joke,99% of mammals that once walked this earth have now ceased to exist???!!