Steve Green, president of arts-and-crafts retail chain Hobby Lobby since 2004, will be the featured speaker at the 2021 Summit West, September 16-18 in Phoenix. Green is a consummate executive, helping to grow Hobby Lobby’s business to more than 900 stores in 47 states and 43,000 employees. The family-owned business was begun by Green’s father, David Green, in Oklahoma City in 1972.
Hobby Lobby has always had a strong Christian character. Their stores close on Sundays to allow employees to attend worship services and spend time with families. During holidays such as Christmas and Easter, their stores play Christian music; shoppers can purchase not only Santa Clauses and Easter bunnies, but also Nativity scenes and Christian crosses. The company’s website notes that its core values include “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating in a manner consistent with biblical principles.”
Hobby Lobby has also made news for its stance on Christian principles. In a high-profile 2014 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Hobby Lobby declaring that the company did not have to provide its employees with health coverage that violated the Green family’s religious beliefs (in this case, following the contraceptive mandate of the Obama administration’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
Steve Green is married to wife Jackie, is active in his church and many charities and ministries, and is an author of four Christian books.
What will be the topic of your speech at Legatus Summit West?
I’ll be discussing my work as chairman of the board of the Museum of the Bible. It’s located three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. I joined with some like-minded friends to launch the museum at a cost of $500 million in 2017. It features exhibits in 430,000 square feet of space and is dedicated to a scholarly and engaging presentation of the Bible’s impact, history, and narrative. I plan on sharing what we’re doing at the museum, how we got to the point where we are, and where we plan to go in the future.
I hope those who attend will not only be inspired to visit the museum the next time they are in Washington, but also about the Bible in general such that they become more proactive in reading it.
Why did you pick Washington, D.C., as the site for the museum?
Our board considered sites in 10 different metro areas. We narrowed it down to three that had a steady stream of tourist traffic and then selected Washington. We have been delighted with the results. It’s been an exciting journey building this museum, and we’re grateful to all who have supported us financially and with their prayers.
What are your goals for the museum?
It is not our purpose to promote hard-sell Christian evangelism. Instead, we present the Bible in a factual way so that people can decide for themselves. We have received many positive comments from visitors, including one atheist who told us, “I love this place.”
How has the pandemic affected you?
Unfortunately, it closed us down twice, the first time for 98 days. We were able to reopen for the second time in January, and the crowds are returning.
You have a Pentecostal and Baptist background. How do you feel about talking to a group of Roman Catholics?
I’m looking forward to it. My time with the museum has exposed me to many outside the evangelical Christian tradition, including Catholics. I’ve certainly learned a lot, and I enjoy hearing different perspectives.