ANDREW VIATOR MINISTRY IN THE MARKETPLACE

Andrew and Danielle with daughters Elliana and Jovana

Ministry can be performed in the church, at a nonprofit, overseas or simply in the community. For ANDREW VIATOR ’05, ministry is in the marketplace. After studying ministry at Southeastern and later working in a church, Andrew launched his construction business, Viator Design and Construction. One of his custom pieces now sits in Southeastern’s Welcome Center.

Andrew first learned about Southeastern from his pastor and mentor, MARK HADINGER ’08 (MAML). Florida’s sunny climate in contrast to chilly Ohio winters was a big draw, and after visiting friends who were students, he decided to enroll as a pastoral ministries major. During his first semester, Andrew met his wife, DANIELLE (RABER) ’05.

“An F-250 Super Duty diesel painted cherry red with a six-inch lift and knobby tires rolled onto campus, and this beautiful brunette stepped out. I had a crush, and she had a boyfriend. This is a story of persistence and pursuit. It took a couple of years, but as we got to know each other better, we were a good fit,” remembered Andrew.

A traditionalist, Andrew drove 12 hours to have breakfast with her parents and ask for her hand in marriage. He and Danielle got engaged in 2007, and were married in 2008.

After graduating, Andrew started a fulltime job as an admission counselor for Southeastern where he worked for two years, while Danielle worked for MakeA-Wish Foundation in Orlando.

“As Dr. Rutland often said, ‘A turtle on a fence post didn’t get there on his own.’ My story is full of great mentors and teachers, a huge testament to the value I hold for the faculty and staff at Southeastern,” said Andrew.

In 2007, Andrew accepted a staff position at Winston-Salem First Assembly of God, which brought him to North Carolina. For two years, he worked as a special projects manager helping to strategize community-focused events and programs.

After leaving his position at the church, Andrew launched Viator Design and Construction in 2009. “Ministry, for me, was in the marketplace,” said Andrew. The company mainly operates out of

North Carolina, but they have done work spanning from New York to Florida. He leads a team of enthusiastic workers. “We have a fun team and people want to be a part of it. I look for people with a good work ethic, character and intangibles. We will teach the rest if necessary,” explained Andrew.

Andrew had his first construction job in 2005 while he was working at Southeastern when Dr. Gordon Miller, now dean of the School of Honors, hired him to install wood floors and a tile patio at his house. “I credit him for the launch of my business and for my constant inclination to take on jobs I don’t know how to do, buy the tools and then figure it out,” said Andrew. He worked in construction as a side job while being employed at Southeastern. Viator Construction does both commercial and residential work. “If you can imagine it, we can bring it to life,” he said.

“We love building legacy furniture and production equipment, though business upfits are great too,” said Andrew.

Andrew grew up around construction learning from his dad, grandfather and uncles, who all taught and treated him like a son. “They showed me the importance of work ethic, which can be taught in theory, but is learned through experience,” said Andrew.

He has learned from mentors and family over the years, and his father-in-law helped him launch the metal fabrication portion of his company. “I still rely on his experience and wisdom to this day,” said Andrew.

“Life is about stewardship. Do well with what you have in your hands, and God will be faithful. Wake up, do your absolute best, and treat people well. Everything we build will one day be left to ruins. A relationship should always be the guiding light,” said Andrew.

Custom-built table in the SEU Welcome Center

“Life is about stewardship. Do well with what you have in your hands, and God will be faithful. Wake up, do your absolute best, and treat people well.”

Designs by Viator Design and Construction

Things came full circle when, in the fall of 2019, Andrew constructed a 20foot long by five-foot wide table for Southeastern’s new Welcome Center designed in collaboration with the executive leadership team. Andrew fashioned the table from walnut tree wood with the slabs laid out in a strategic way so that each end of the table can see the whole story of the tree.

“Working with solid slabs is tough as they like to move and twist. The custom base we welded in an effort to be minimal, allowing the top to float on air. We installed lights underneath for an accent glow and power for practical purposes,” explained Andrew.

Andrew remembers his time at Southeastern fondly both as a student and staff member. “Southeastern connected me to the world in a way other universities would not have worked for me. It taught me who I was, not because of what I do, but rather in spite of what I do. Southeastern challenged me to separate who I am from my failures and successes. I’ve had many people over the years comment, ‘You’re not using your degree.’ I always think, didn’t Jesus study theology and work as a tradesman?” Andrew said. Andrew and Danielle currently live in Winston-Salem, N.C., with their daughters Elliana and Jovana. Danielle works for Taylor Companies, a business development company.

On the weekends, their family loves exploring the mountains and going on adventures. “We all go to the local establishments we’ve helped to build and talk with our friends there. WinstonSalem is a great city. It tends to draw us to its center, which is why we call it home,” said Andrew.

“Southeastern connected me to the world in a way other universities would not have worked for me. It taught me who I was, not because of what I do, but rather in spite of what I do.”