Bottled Integrity: Building a Business on Faith and Vision
Andy McCain
President and CEO of Hensley Beverage Company
Website: www.hensley.com
Andy McCain is the President and CEO of Hensley Beverage Company, a large beer (primarily Anheuser-Busch) and non-alcohol beverage distributor in Arizona and New Mexico. With a professional journey that spans decades, Andy has exemplified how faith in Christ can intersect powerfully with leadership, business acumen, and personal integrity. His story, told on the Anchoring Hope podcast, is a testimony of God's providence, the beauty of spiritual growth, and the importance of humility in positions of influence.
From Uncertainty to Divine Direction
Andy didn’t start his journey with a clear roadmap. After high school, he went to Vanderbilt without a firm plan, guided more by circumstances than strategy. Yet looking back, he sees the unmistakable hand of God directing each step. “I was just very fortunate...another example of God having a hand in my life,” Andy recalls.
This foundational truth—that our lives are authored by God—resonates with Psalm 139, which tells us every day is written in His book. Andy’s story reminds us that God often works behind the scenes, orchestrating outcomes that only make sense in hindsight.
Takeaway: You don’t need all the answers to start your journey. Trust God to lead you, even when the path is unclear.
The Unexpected Road to Leadership
Andy spent years in banking before transitioning into the beverage industry—a move prompted by an unexpected invitation from his estranged father. At first, Andy ignored it. But after the third nudge (there’s something about threes in Scripture!), he reached out and joined the family business. That act of obedience led to a 29-year (and counting) career, eventually culminating in his role as CEO.
His early contributions brought professional discipline to the company’s financial systems. Though initially resisted, his faith-led humility and consistency won people over.
Takeaway: Sometimes God uses uncomfortable change to lead you to your calling. What feels like disruption may be divine direction.
Faith as a Leadership Foundation
Andy’s relationship with Christ was not sparked by a single dramatic event but grew gradually through faithful presence. From being an acolyte in his youth to maturing through Bible study with his wife, Andy’s faith became the cornerstone of his leadership style.
He openly shares, “It’s been kind of a base of my bedrock… I am unashamed that I love the Lord.” For Andy, being a Christian in business isn’t a limitation—it’s a liberation. It allows him to lead with peace, love his team authentically, and remain accountable not just to shareholders, but to God.
Takeaway: True leadership flows from faith. The more you abide in Christ, the more your leadership reflects His character.
Ego, Identity, and the Humble Leader
Despite career success, Andy admits ego is a battle. “To this day my ego still has a tendency to rise... I’ve got to check it at the door.” His transparency mirrors the Christian walk—not one of perfection, but constant alignment with Christ.
He realized that identity and worth can’t be rooted in titles or achievements. Without Christ, work can become a treadmill chasing validation. But with Christ, work becomes worship.
Takeaway: Let Jesus define your worth. In leadership, humility is strength, and self-awareness is spiritual maturity.
Hope for the Journey Ahead
When asked what message he’d put on a billboard for the world to see, Andy said, “It’s not too late.” His words reflect the hope that Jesus offers—a hope that no mistake, no misstep, no missed opportunity is beyond redemption.
Andy’s life is proof: it’s never too late to follow God’s call, build something meaningful, and live for something eternal.
Takeaway: Your story isn’t finished. God’s grace is greater than your past, and His plans are still unfolding.
Andy McCain's story is one of redemption, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership. It’s a testimony to what happens when you let Christ lead your life—and your business. For every leader seeking meaning beyond the bottom line, Andy’s life proclaims this truth: With Christ, you can lead well, live well, and finish well.
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“If you don’t have peace with the Lord, I just think you’re always going to find pockets of times where you are not happy. True happiness doesn’t come from being your own boss or having security at a big company. It comes from Christ.”
