Scripture does not shy away from the dignity of labor. From the very first pages of Genesis, God places Adam in the garden "to work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Paul picks up the same thread in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." And Proverbs 14:23 — the anchor of this edition — cuts straight to the heart of the matter: "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
That is the spirit of this Living Testimony News edition. We are not gathering here to romanticize struggle or to preach at people who already know the weight of the week. We are gathering here because the kingdom of God includes a paycheck — and because, in the Camden / Philadelphia corridor, there are real doors opening right now for people willing to walk through them with their résumés in hand and their integrity intact.
In today's edition, we will walk through the practical employment resources that are actively placing South Jersey and Philadelphia workers today: ACCU Staffing at 911 Kings Highway North in Cherry Hill; the Camden County One-Stop Career Center at 101 Woodcrest Rd #127 in Cherry Hill; PA CareerLink Philadelphia — North at 3535 Market Street; and four major temp agencies — AppleOne, Spherion, TrueBlue / Labor Ready, and Integrity Staffing — that consistently have work available for those who can show up on time and stay clean. We will frame each one inside the biblical theology of work, because the labor itself is sacred — but so is the wisdom to find it.
Part One: The Theology of Work
Before we name a single agency or share a single phone number, we have to settle something foundational: work is not a curse. It is not the residual sting of the Fall that God is waiting to release you from. Work is one of the original gifts God placed inside the human experience.
Genesis 2:15 says, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." That was before the Fall. Before sin. Before thorns. Before the breaking of relationships. God created human beings to work — to take what He had made, cultivate it, develop it, and bring order out of the raw material of creation. The fall did not invent labor; it made labor hard. There is a critical difference.
"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
— Proverbs 14:23 ESVThis is the verse that anchors the whole edition. Notice the contrast. Toil — the disciplined, often unglamorous, repetitive work of putting your hand to the task in front of you — produces profit. Not just money, although money is part of it. Profit in the Proverbs sense means increase, fruitfulness, multiplication. A man or woman who toils builds something: a reputation, a trade, a savings account, a body of work, a testimony.
But talk — the endless conversation about what you should be doing, who owes you what, why the system is rigged, why nobody will give you a chance — talk without corresponding action "tends only to poverty." The word tends is in the present continuous. Poverty is not a one-time event in this proverb. It is the slow drift that happens when work is talked about but not done.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 reinforces the same ethic in the New Testament: "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." Paul wrote that in the middle of a congregation that had begun waiting around for the Second Coming while refusing to provide for themselves. The early church was generous — but Paul was clear: the generosity of the community was not an excuse for personal laziness. The church's job was to support those who could not work; it was not to subsidize those who simply would not.
Work as Worship
Colossians 3:23 frames the entire ethic in one of the most quoted verses in the New Testament: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." That word heartily comes from the Greek psychē — the soul. Paul is saying: don't just show up with your body. Bring your soul to the work. The warehouse shift, the temp assignment, the office job, the construction site — every one of them can be an act of worship when done for the glory of God and the provision of your household.
This is especially important for our brothers and sisters coming home from incarceration, walking through recovery, or rebuilding after a season of disruption. There is a temptation to wait for the "right" opportunity — the one that pays well, matches your degree, looks good on LinkedIn. Proverbs 14:23 doesn't promise you the right opportunity. It promises you profit from the work you actually do. Begin with what's available. Be faithful in the small. The faithful-steward economy of God says: do not despise humble beginnings.
Part Two: South Jersey Doors — ACCU Staffing & Camden County One-Stop
Now we move from theology to practical application. The South Jersey corridor has two anchor institutions that anyone serious about finding work should know by name and visit in person.
ACCU Staffing Services — Cherry Hill, NJ
ACCU Staffing Services has been operating since 1979. That is over 45 years of placing South Jersey and Philadelphia-area workers into temporary and full-time roles across multiple industries. Their main office sits at 911 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. You can reach them at (856) 482-2222 or toll-free 1-800-437-ACCU (2228). Their website is accustaffing.com.
What makes ACCU distinctive is the combination of scale and personal touch. They have 15 regional offices across South Jersey and the Philadelphia metro, which means there is almost certainly a branch close to where you live. They describe themselves as combining "the reliability of a major corporation with the personal touch of a family business," and — for our community — the language they use matters: they "believe in giving everyone a chance to succeed." For someone with a non-traditional background — a gap on the résumé, a reentry record, a recovery journey — that posture can be the difference between a polite rejection and an actual interview.
If you walk into an ACCU office, dress clean, bring a current résumé (even a basic one — they can help you improve it), bring two forms of ID, and be ready to take a skills assessment. Same-day placement is common for warehouse and light industrial roles.
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
— Proverbs 21:5 ESVCamden County One-Stop Career Center — Cherry Hill, NJ
The Camden County One-Stop Career Center is the public-sector counterpart to private staffing agencies, and it is one of the most underused resources in the region. Their Cherry Hill office sits at 101 Woodcrest Road, Suite #127, Cherry Hill, NJ. The phone number is (856) 549-0600.
One-Stop Career Centers are funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and operated under the Camden County Workforce Development Board (ccwib.com). What they offer that a private agency typically does not:
- Free skills assessments — reading, math, digital literacy, and occupational aptitude.
- Free résumé and interview coaching — one-on-one with a career counselor.
- Free occupational training — in high-demand fields like HVAC, welding, CDL trucking, medical coding, and IT support, often with the cost fully covered by WIOA grants.
- Job search assistance — direct referrals to employer partners who specifically tell One-Stop they are hiring.
- Support services — help with transportation, work attire, childcare, and tools/equipment needed for training.
- Reentry-friendly referrals — the One-Stop works hand-in-hand with the Camden County Reentry program and the NJ Department of Labor.
For anyone reading this who has been told "nobody will hire you" — start at the One-Stop. Walk in. Sign in. Ask for a counselor. The system is designed to bring people in, not push them out.
Part Three: Philadelphia Doors — PA CareerLink
Cross the bridge into Philadelphia and the principal door is PA CareerLink. PA CareerLink is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's one-stop workforce system, and it operates centers in every county. For our community, the most relevant site is PA CareerLink Philadelphia — North (University City), located at 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA. The phone number is (215) 566-6920.
PA CareerLink centers offer the same comprehensive services as the Camden County One-Stop: free résumé help, free occupational training (often funded through WIOA and PA CareerLink grants), job search assistance, hiring-event referrals, and reentry-friendly employer partnerships. They also administer the PA Unemployment Compensation (UC) system — so if you have been laid off, this is also where you file your claim.
"The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor."
— Proverbs 12:24 ESVThe University City location (3535 Market) is particularly convenient for residents of West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and anyone taking SEPTA Regional Rail into the city. It is also walking distance from multiple bus and trolley lines.
For residents outside Philadelphia proper, PA CareerLink also operates centers in Delaware County, Berks County, Lehigh Valley, Allegheny County, and dozens of other counties across the state. The statewide job board at pacareerlink.pa.gov lets you search openings from any device, in any county, any time of day.
Part Four: The Four Temp Agencies Placing Workers Today
Beyond the public One-Stop / CareerLink system, four national temp agencies consistently have work available for South Jersey and Philadelphia-area workers. These agencies specialize in rapid placement and are often the fastest path from "I need a job this week" to "I have a paycheck this Friday."
| Agency | Specialties | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppleOne | Administrative, Accounting, IT, Light Industrial, Office Support | (609) 524-5000 | appleone.com |
| Spherion | Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing, Light Industrial, Hospitality, Administrative | (800) 363-9000 | spherion.com |
| TrueBlue / Labor Ready | Warehouse, Logistics, Distribution, Light Industrial, General Labor, Day Labor | (800) 333-1810 | trueblue.com |
| Integrity Staffing | Warehouse, Distribution, Logistics, General Labor, Forklift Operation, Material Handling | (877) 644-3700 | integritystaffing.com |
AppleOne
AppleOne is a full-service staffing and recruiting firm specializing in administrative, accounting, IT, and light industrial placements. They operate multiple South Jersey locations and offer temporary, temp-to-perm, and direct hire positions. If your background is office, accounting, customer service, or light clerical, AppleOne is one of the strongest first stops.
Spherion
Spherion is a national staffing company with local presence across Camden County and the region. They place across diverse industries — healthcare, IT, manufacturing, light industrial, hospitality, administrative — and are known for being responsive to walk-in candidates. If you want one agency that covers the broadest range of roles, Spherion is a strong choice.
TrueBlue / Labor Ready
TrueBlue (the parent company of Labor Ready) is the agency to call when you need work this week. They specialize in same-day and quick placement for warehouse, logistics, distribution, and light industrial work. Daily pay and weekly pay options are standard. If you have transportation and can pass a basic drug screen, Labor Ready will often put you on a job site the same day you register.
Integrity Staffing
Integrity Staffing focuses on warehouse and distribution center staffing — the kind of work that surrounds the I-295 / NJ Turnpike corridor and the Philadelphia industrial parks. They offer temporary, temp-to-permanent, and direct placement opportunities, often with competitive pay, and they are known for reliability and career development support.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
— Colossians 3:23 ESVPart Five: How to Walk Through the Door
Knowing the agency is half the work. Walking through the door is the other half. Here is what to do — practically — beginning this week.
Step One: Get Your Documents in Order
- Government-issued photo ID. Driver's license preferred; state-issued non-driver ID acceptable.
- Social Security card or proof of eligibility to work (passport, permanent resident card, EAD).
- A basic résumé. One page. Clean. Honest. If you do not have one, sit down at the public library and build one that evening — there are free templates at resume-now.com and dozens of free libraries.
- A list of three references — a former supervisor, a pastor, a mentor, a teacher. Anyone who can speak to your character.
Step Two: Walk Into Two Places This Week
- One private agency (ACCU, AppleOne, Spherion, TrueBlue, or Integrity Staffing).
- One public center (Camden County One-Stop at 101 Woodcrest Rd #127, Cherry Hill — (856) 549-0600 — or PA CareerLink Philadelphia — North at 3535 Market Street — (215) 566-6920).
Dress clean. Show up early. Bring your documents. Be honest about your history. If you have a record, a gap, or a struggle — own it and present what you have done since to change it. Recovery, certifications, volunteer work, church leadership — these are all evidence of change.
Step Three: Follow Up Like the Diligent
Proverbs 21:5 says, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance." Diligence does not end at the door. After your first visit:
- Call back in three days if you have not heard anything.
- Apply to at least two posted openings online within 24 hours of registering.
- Attend every hiring event the agency or career center advertises.
- Treat the placement process like a job itself — because the way you pursue the work is the way you will do the work.
Step Four: Hold the Work as Worship
Once the work comes — and it will — protect it. Show up on time. Stay clean. Build the reputation. Let Colossians 3:23 govern every shift. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." The supervisor you are tempted to impress is not the audience. God is. And the wage you earn is not just your provision — it is your offering to your household, your church, and your future.
Pastor's Corner
I have walked with men coming home from incarceration who could not get a single callback. I have walked with single mothers who were told they did not have the experience. I have walked with young people whose résumés read more like interruption than momentum. And I have watched, again and again, that the door opens when the person finally stops talking about working and starts working.
Proverbs 14:23 is not cruel. It is merciful. It tells you that the path out of poverty runs through the ordinary disciplines of showing up, dressing clean, being honest, and putting your hand to the task in front of you. The One-Stops are not judging you. The staffing agencies are not dismissing you. They are waiting for you to walk through the door. And once you do — once you register, once you interview, once you take the first shift — the trajectory of your life begins to bend in a different direction.
In the Western church, we sometimes talk about faith as if it were opposed to action. In the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the mezmur and the work are one — the believer who sings on Sunday is the same believer who labors on Monday. Both are acts of stewardship. Both are acts of worship. Both are answered by the same God who said, "In all toil there is profit."
Do not despise the temp assignment. Do not despise the warehouse shift. Do not despise the entry-level office role. The One who called you to Himself has also called you to the work in front of you. And He promises — He promises — that there is profit in the toil.
Pick up the phone. Walk through the door. Put your hand to the work.
— Deacon Benny Tiller Jr.
A Closing Prayer
Father, You are the God who works. From the very first chapter of Genesis, You have been at work — creating, sustaining, redeeming, restoring. And You have made us in Your image: people who work, who build, who steward what You have given.
I confess that I have, at times, talked about working more than I have actually worked. I have rehearsed my reasons and rehearsed my excuses. Forgive me. Forgive every hour spent complaining about the system instead of knocking on the door.
Open the doors that need to open. Give me the courage to walk through the ones You are opening right now. Give me diligence in the search and faithfulness on the job. Protect my reputation. Guard my integrity. Let the work I do be a testimony to the gospel — that I serve not just a supervisor but a Savior.
And Lord, for every brother and sister reading this who is hungry, discouraged, or shut out — make a way where there seems to be no way. Raise up advocates for them. Put them in front of the right employer at the right time. And let them know, beyond any doubt, that You see them and You have not forgotten them.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What has been holding you back from walking through the door? Is it fear, shame, lack of documents, lack of a plan — or simply a habit of talking about the problem instead of acting on a solution? What is one concrete step you can take this week?
- How does Proverbs 14:23 challenge the way you have thought about work? Have you been treating labor as beneath you — or as an opportunity to glorify God in the ordinary? What would it look like to do your next shift as worship?
- Which of the agencies or career centers in this edition are closest to you? Have you visited any of them in the past six months? If not, commit to walking into one this week — even if only to register and ask for a counselor.
- If you are already employed, how are you stewarding the work God has given you? Are you showing up on time, doing the job with excellence, and representing Christ in the workplace? Or have you been treating the wage as the ceiling rather than the foundation for greater stewardship?
- Who in your life needs to hear this edition? A brother coming home. A single mom. A young person who has given up. Forward this letter to them. Pray over them. Walk with them to the One-Stop.
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, and whoever is purposeful will be satisfied."
— Proverbs 21:5; 13:4 (paraphrased composite)S.A.A.L.T. Ministry
Walking in faith, accountability, and kingdom stewardship — together. If employment, recovery, or reentry is part of your story, S.A.A.L.T. walks beside you through every season.
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