Lynsi Snyder, owner and heiress to the West Coast burger empire, In-N-Out, celebrated the biblical values that have animated her company ever since it was started by her grandparents in 1948.
Speaking with The Christian Post, Snyder talked about her own journey with Jesus Christ, which began after experiencing much pain and suffering following the untimely death of her father as a teenager and a bout with drug addiction.
“I finally found that the deep need in my heart can only be filled by Jesus and my identity in Him,” the heiress told the outlet.
Snyder said her three failed marriages, in one of which she endured alleged physical abuse, allowed her to gain insight into dealing with pain and subsequent healing.
“I have learned so much through my broken relationships along with the ups and downs that come through marriage. I’ve been the one to hurt, and I’ve been hurt. I have gained insight and growth through both sides of the coin,” she said. “Prior to the journey of marriage, it’s so important to seek time and healing with Jesus. Even if you are blessed to be healed of personal wounds and past relationship baggage, life will still bring hurdles and trials to overcome in your relationship.”
Biblical values have been a staple of In-N-Out ever since Lynsi’s uncle, Richard Snyder, famously began printing John 3:16 below the restaurant’s drink cups. Lynsi has since expanded that practice to include Proverbs 24:16 and Luke 6:35 on the fry containers and hot beverage cups.
“It was my uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and wrappers in the early ‘90s, just before he passed away,” she said. “He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand. It’s a family business and will always be, and that’s a family touch. In later years, I added verses to the fry boat, coffee, and hot cocoa cups.”
“My grandparents set the bar high and I only try to raise it,” she said, adding that she believes in servant leadership. “It was tough in the beginning, but now people see the benefits and feel the love,” she said. “All families have their issues and we aren’t perfect, but we try really hard and there are so many good-hearted people here. I love my job.”
Lynsi has since launched the ministry Army of Love, which stems from her desire to do God’s work while here on earth, even framing her mission in spiritual warfare terms.
“I knew that I would be a part of a ministry that would unify the body of Christ into soldiers who would reach out to one another and to the lost in the last days,” Snyder said. “Many people attend church, but the pool of discipleship is shallow, so I saw training modules online to disciple people and take them deeper than they may have gone attending church or Bible study. I envisioned this Army uniting various ministries and supporting churches and organizations.”
“The battle over souls is being waged in the heavenly,” she continued. “We want to be on the front lines of this battle to save the lost and bring fallen Christians back to their first love.”