Raised in Los Angeles by Korean immigrant parents, Jean Park spent years chasing the markers of success her family valued, only to find herself empty in the process. When she encountered Christ, God redirected her ambitions toward the deeper work of healing and restoration. Leaving corporate America for the field of psychology, Jean discovered a calling that wove together her gifts, story, and faith into an integrated purpose rooted in generosity and grace.   Now a therapist, coach, and co-founder of the Abide Gathering, Jean helps others—especially within Asian communities—experience freedom from generational patterns that keep them striving instead of giving. Through her work, she shows how inner healing can open hearts to live generously, not from duty but from wholeness, and how alignment with God’s design brings peace, clarity, and joy in stewardship.   This conversation offers clear, hope-filled guidance for those seeking to live and give from a place of healed purpose and wholehearted trust.   Major Topics Include: Gaining perspective on your purpose Letting your life story speak to your calling Discerning when to persevere and when to pivot Jean’s healing journey Perspective through healing invisible wounds The gift of being triggered How generosity facilitates healing The long game of heart transformation Tips for discovering your integrated purpose QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, ‘You need to wake up!’” “God wastes nothing.” “Are you running from something or towards something?” “Oftentimes, our wounds are things we can’t see, and we don’t know how much they are hindering the flow of what God wants to do in and through us.” “If we are invited to face these wounds, I believe it’s a gift from God, pointing us to things that have been keeping us stuck.” “When we heal our wounds, then we are able to freely live into the flow and the way that God has created us to live.” “The thing about heart transformation is that God is in the long game. He is not in the ‘quick behavior transformation’ game, and that’s the beauty and kindness of who He is.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer Secure Coaching Abide Gathering Young Life Global Cities We Want More The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matt 6:19-21 | Lay Up Treasures in Heaven   “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Psalm 139 | Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Heather Larson, founder of the philanthropy advisory firm LiveGive, traces her calling to early encounters with need and two decades of church ministry where God used her to build compassion and justice work and steward significant generosity. Those years formed a simple conviction, real change grows when giving is personal, prayerful, and connected to faithful people on the ground. Today Heather comes alongside families, foundations, and ministries to clarify passion areas, align spouses and generations, and shape practical “giving dream” plans. Drawing on years of leadership with local and global initiatives, she helps givers move from scattered gifts to strategic portfolios, set gracious expectations with partners, and engage meaningfully beyond the check. We also explore where metrics help and where they can hinder, and how a clear plan can free a family to give thoughtfully together. This conversation offers steady, practical wisdom for anyone seeking to steward God’s resources with discernment and joy. Major Topics Include: Heather’s heart-wrenching stories from the mission field Helping families develop a giving dream plan Narrowing down a family’s passion areas Exploring a family’s values to help select organizations to give to The importance of spousal alignment  Diversity and growth in philanthropic conversations Navigating missed expectations with donors and organizations Encouraging meaningful engagement with passion points Considerations for impact metrics QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God, help my heart to always break for the needs in Your world and don’t let me get calloused.” “It’s the local church in a community that can really help meet long term needs and bring about transformation.” “Even for the most data-driven person, their deepest passions are almost always connected to story.” “Once you know a family’s causes and their values, then you can look for great organizations that line up with that criteria.” “It will never become a family legacy if it’s one person’s drive. If it’s going to be a family legacy, it’s going to be shaped by all the family members coming together and everyone having a voice.” “In our world, there is a need for crisis response and immediate relief services, and there is opportunity for long-term transformation.” “If you really want to see transformation and you want to engage well with organizations, it does take intentionality and hard work.” “Keep building your giving muscles!” LINKS FROM THE SHOW LiveGive American Red Cross The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group   WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Andrew Clark, founder of the Jeremiah Fund and co-creator of the Lion’s Den, felt drawn to both business and ministry from an early age and soon discovered he could faithfully merge the two. His path has spanned multiple industries as an entrepreneur and investor, where he learned the power of linking arms with other Christians in the marketplace. Through it all, one question has anchored his work: How do you steward influence and capital for eternal impact? That pursuit led to the Lion’s Den, a Shark Tank style forum that connects Christ-centered founders with values-aligned investors. More recently, he launched the Jeremiah Fund to venture differently, pairing capital with discipleship and Kingdom partnership. Andrew is a thoughtful builder with practical frameworks for viewing business, investing, and eternity. His insights will sharpen how you think about faithful stewardship in the marketplace.   Major Topics Include: The story of the Lion’s Den What God’s doing in impact investing Historical examples of Christian business networking  Considering impact as a Christin investor  Three axis of considering impact: the intensity of the mission, the amount of expected return, and the time of expected return Balancing “showing” and “telling” Finding alignment in faith-driven investing Spirit-led investing when you may not see the fruit Navigating Christian relationships through the ups and downs of business Encouraging and ministering to struggling founders through the Jeremiah Fund The difference between a driven person and a called person Encouragement for business leaders to be open about their faith QUOTES TO REMEMBER “All of life is ministry. So what are you going to do for ministry in the working world?” “How do we live out our faith in our work in a way that people want to be drawn into the place where we’re worshipping the Lord?” “Let’s try to create an environment where we can encourage collaboration and encourage growth.” “The best thing we did in the Lion’s Den was try to provide a place where people could fellowship and learn, and we weren’t prescribing actions, but we were describing what could be possible.” “There is beauty in the diversity of the Body of Christ, and the more we take stock of that and actually listen the more we see the beauty of the Lord and who He is.”  “The more you encourage the opportunity for the Lord to be present and to be shown, the more He will bless it, whether it’s successful or not.”  “Christian investing has three parts: charity, philanthropy, and reinvestment.” “Relationships are so important in encouraging Christians in an early stage of this journey.” “A called person realizes that it’s not ultimately their job alone, but God is with them. And it’s not about a performance, but about learning who God is and who they are.” “When you understand who you are and what God’s given you, you will understand more what you can do practically and for the Lord.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Lion’s Den Jeremiah Fund Regional Advantage by AnnaLee Saxenian Lead with Prayer by Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer, Cameron Doolittle The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 25:14-30 | Parable of the Talents WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Alan Barnhart grew up in Memphis, where his parents ran a small crane and rigging company. After college he sensed a call to missions just as his parents invited him and his brother to take over the family business. As he wrestled with the decision, God’s answer was clear; Alan’s full-time ministry was the business world. From day one, the brothers regarded the company as God’s. To guard against the spiritual risks of wealth, Alan set a “lifestyle finish line,” capping his personal income at the level of a ministry worker. They also committed to give 50% of annual profits to God’s Kingdom. Over the next 39 years, the once-small firm grew toward a billion-dollar enterprise and now channels millions each year into gospel work. Later, Alan and his brother formalized their conviction by transferring 100% of their ownership to a charitable trust, while continuing to lead the company. Alan’s example has inspired a generation of givers to steward their families, businesses, and resources with wisdom and courage. You won’t want to miss this story. Major Topics Include: Avoiding the dangers of wealth Finding freedom in a financial finish line How God led him to give away his company while still being it’s steward Thinking though what to do with profit Developing relationship with the recipients of your generosity  Generosity decisions as a group Responsive giving vs. strategic giving Differences between giving from business capital and giving from personal capital Making difficult decisions in generosity  Relational aspects of being as a business and generosity leader Managing a capped lifestyle with children Thinking through company succession Stewarding your generosity story QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God, I’ll go wherever you want me to go.” “My full time ministry was going to be in the business world.” “Jesus warned about money more than He warned about anything else.” “Contentment doesn’t come from stuff, it comes from enjoying what you already have.” “Holding things with an open hand has led to freedom.” “God isn’t trying to extract something from us. He doesn’t want our money, He wants us.” “Generosity breaks the power of greed.” “We say no to 99% of giving opportunities so we can give a big yes to the 1% we support.” “We want to be as strategic in our giving of money as we are in our making of money.” “What does God want us to do with His money?” “There is work to being a steward.” “What we’re doing is not crazy.” “We didn’t see the company as ours, so our kids never saw it as theirs.” “Be a steward of your story as much as you are a steward of your money, because your story may change someone else’s life.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Young Life Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Sider National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 19:23 | A Warning for the Rich   And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 6:24 | Choose Your Master   “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.   Matthew 6:19-20 | Treasures in Heaven   “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.   Luke 12:13-21 | The Parable of the Rich Fool   1 Timothy 6:6-7 | Godliness with Contentment   But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.   Luke 21:1-4 | The Widow’s Offering

Bruce Wydick is an economist, professor, and author of Shrewd Samaritan: Faith, Economics, and the Road to Loving Our Global Neighbor. As his faith deepened throughout his college career, Bruce developed an unexpected passion for economic development and the role of the Church. The more he researched, the more he realized a great need for Christian NGOs to be able to measure the impact they’re having on the people they’ve been called to help.   Bruce helped start the Collaborative for Econometrics and Integrated Development Studies (CEIDS), which has grown into a network of more than 100 development economists, public health experts, and other related fields from all around the world. Together, they work to support the relief and development arms of Christ’s global Church by helping Christian NGOs develop tools and built-in programs so that they and their donors can know where, how, and why they’re truly being effective.   Bruce brings a rare blend of heartfelt, Spirit-led generosity and a data-driven focus on high impact giving to help followers of Jesus love our neighbors with wisdom by investing resources in ways that truly change lives for the Kingdom. Bruce shares stories from his research and his own journey of faith, emphasizing that generosity isn’t just about good intentions but about stewarding God’s gifts so that they bear lasting fruit.   Major Topics Include: Blending faith and economic development  The Story of Mayan Partners in Guatemala The biblical picture of human flourishing The challenge of impact measurement for Christian NGOs Making informed, Spirit-led giving decisions Stages of a heart-progression on world problems: The Six i’s—ignorance, indifference, idealism, investigation, introspection, impact Developing an identity with those you’re called to serve Understanding poverty traps as a giver Measuring impact through randomized control trials and quasi-experimental designs How givers can use AI to research the most impactful interventions Examples of the most effective and ineffective interventions QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The Kingdom works the opposite of the way that economics says the world should work.” “We should not only be good Samaritans, but shrewd Samaritans, that we actively think about what we do, as well as we pray and feel led by the heart.” “The poor are important enough to Christ that we owe them an informed decision on how we give and not just a feeling-based decision.” “What is the role that God has placed me in?” “It’s not about one person saving the world. It’s about one person listening to God and His calling on our lives to serve where He wants us to serve.” “If we understand where there’s a need and then see where our gifting lines up with that need, God will bring about His biblically-based human flourishing in that intersection.” “Providing cash is almost always better than providing stuff.” “The earlier you intervene in a child’s life, the more impactful it is.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Shrewd Samaritan by Bruce Wydick Collaborative for Econometrics and Integrated Development Studies (CEIDS) Social Impact Analytics Course at University of San Francisco Compassion International Children of the Nations International Care Ministries Mayan Partners Hope Walks The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Mary Clayton Crow’s life has been marked by radical generosity from the very beginning. After coming to faith in the Jesus Movement of the 70s, Mary Clayton’s parents freely shared all they had while living in community with other Believers, regularly opening their home to missionaries, and eventually becoming missionaries themselves behind the Iron Curtain. This model of radical generosity set a strong foundation for Mary Clayton’s adult life as she lives to “give generously, expecting nothing in return.”   Mary Clayton has a rich passion for relational, spontaneous generosity, often giving away personal items admired by others as a way to express God’s love while resisting the trap of materialism. She is also passionate about collaborative giving, and takes part in several giving communities that invest in local ministries, not only with their finances, but with their time and talents as well.   Major Topics Include: Making generosity your own Being stretched and challenged in generosity Wrestling the “elder brother” mentality What does it really mean to expect nothing in return? A Lenten generosity challenge Resisting materialism with generosity  Modeling generosity to your family The power of community giving to local ministries  Guarding against generosity burnout Hearing from the Holy Spirit through other people Creating a visual reminder to give generously QUOTES TO REMEMBER “You can never outgive God. It’s going to come back to you 10-fold, 20-fold, 30-fold, 100-fold. And it may not be in dollars and cents, but it will be in joy.” “I love generosity because it makes sharing the gospel so easy.” “Expecting nothing in return means releasing the result and putting it in the Lord’s hand.” “We need to detach ourselves from things owning us so we can be stewards of the things God has given us.” “Generous tipping is one of the easiest ways to be an evangelist.” “I’m excited to chase God.” “I’m looking forward to God disrupting my life for new adventures.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Young Life One Hundred Shares The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 21:3-4 | The Widow’s Offering   And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”   John 3:16 | The Ultimate Giver   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   Luke 15:11-32 | The Prodigal Son   Matthew 20:1-16 | The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Taylor Standridge, production manager at FaithFi, is passionate about creating engaging content that makes an impact for the Kingdom of God. Taylor developed a love for radio in his early years which grew into a passion to see more Christian programming on radio and podcasting platforms. Today, Taylor has an extensive background in radio and media production, as well as a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary which combines to create and deliver deeply impactful content, particularly in the generosity space.   As production manager, Taylor walks through the Faith and Finance radio program and podcast from beginning to end, as well as their one-minute program on 1900 signals across the nation, to share the message of God as our ultimate treasure. He’s a frequent content creator for the FaithFi team and has much wisdom to share on many topics surrounding faith, generosity, and personal finance.   Major Topics Include: Taylor’s discoveries about wealth in the Scriptures Approaching investing through a theological lens  Viewing every dollar as an opportunity to be generous A biblical view of eternal reward The “my value is in my money” identity crisis Practical steps for aligning your finances with the Kingdom Knowing God through Scripture for Kingdom-aligned financial decisions QUOTES TO REMEMBER “When it comes to managing money God’s way, it’s not just attaching a Bible verse to a financial principle and calling it biblical. But it’s looking deeply at the story of the Bible and finding out what it has to say about money and how we relate to it.”  “I approach everything that comes through our accounts as belonging to the Lord and everything is an opportunity to be generous.” “We often think of eternal rewards as being merit based, but when we look at how God speaks about obedience in Scripture we realize that obedience is not our gift back to God, it’s actually God’s gift to us.” “It is God’s grace that enables us to obey Him.” “If our ultimate treasure is not God Himself and we’re more excited about what we’ll get from Him, I think we’re still fundamentally making the same mistake as worshiping money instead of Him.” “When we get to Heaven, I think we’ll find that we didn’t sacrifice at all, we simply let go of what was not eternal.” “God is our treasure. We utilize everything else as a tool to accomplish His purposes.” “Money promises us everything that God does, but doesn’t deliver on any of them.” “If we realize that our ultimate value is in God, we don’t see our money or assets as indicative of our value. But we recognize that we’re so valuable that God Himself died on a cross for us.” “God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to involve us in His work.” “I don’t think you can understand God’s heart for the world until you know God’s story.” “Debt obligates you to the past and prevents you from opportunity for the future.” “Peace-of-mind and security should never come from money.” “Financial security is a feeling because God knows my needs more intimately than I do. And if He can feed people with manna from Heaven, I think I’ll be fine.” “There’s currently 22 trillion dollars worth of assets managed by Christians in this country. Christians here have tremendous influence and opportunity to make God known.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW FaithFi FaithFi Podcast and Radio Program Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Insight for Living More than Money Podcast with Art Rainer Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Simple Money, Rich Life by Bob Lotich Undue Medical Debt The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 13:22a | A Lasting Inheritance   A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,   Malachi 3:10 | Put Me to the Test   Bring the full tithe into the

Madison Illges, Executive Director of Mite, was brought up in a large family that modeled a heart of generosity. Before Madison was even born, her father experienced a simple but life-changing moment of joy in giving—a spark that would one day grow into a vision for helping others celebrate generosity in community. That vision became reality in 2016 when Mite was launched with a mission to make giving better. Mite is a giving fund that helps donors connect with trusted global projects while removing the guesswork that so often makes giving complicated. Their team researches and vets development projects around the world—spanning education, health, child development, disaster relief, and more—so that givers can confidently support causes they’re passionate about. And as those projects are completed, Mite goes the extra mile to bring the stories home, showing donors how their generosity has impacted real people and communities in more than 25 countries. Madison stepped in as executive director at a young age and for nearly a decade she has seen God use technology, creativity, and faithful obedience to multiply impact and remind us that generosity is ultimately a celebration of what He is doing around the world. Major Topics Include: The Watermelon Party Story How advancing technology brings donors to the field  The impact of the widow’s mite story on Madison’s life A deep dive into the vetting and reporting process How Mite discovers healthy organizations to partner with  Analyzing an organization’s theory of change The beauty of community in generosity Celebrating God in generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity loosens greed, provides an opportunity to cultivate joy, and aligns us with God’s Kingdom values.” “Jesus made note of what the widow gave. And it had nothing to do with how much the widow was dropping in, but it had everything to do with where her heart was in her giving.” “There are thousands of fantastic organizations out there that just need financial backing and a cheerleader to come alongside them and help their mission succeed. So we didn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel.” “Project at Mite isn’t considered completed until it’s been filmed.” “People have different passion areas which may change with the season they’re in, so people can generally find a Mite project that interests them now and in the future when their interests shift.” “Mite is doing our best to build community within what we do, but I have also seen as I visit our donors that they are building little pockets of community on their own with what their doing, and Mite just happens to be one of the vehicles they’re using.” “Generosity is an opportunity to celebrate with God in the work He’s doing on Earth.” “We know that if you start being generous when you have little, you’re highly likely to be generous when you have much.” “What we are after is what Jesus was after with the widow—we’re after the heart in generosity, not the amount that they’re giving.” “Don’t wait to arrive. Give now and watch what God can do with your giving.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Mite The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer Impact Africa The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Simple Charity (see our interview with CEO Brian Grasso here) Gospel Patrons (see our interview with founder John Rinehart) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow’s Offering   Matthew 6:21 | Treasure from Your Heart   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   John 3:16 | God, The Ultimate Giver   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us

Mike Perez, a seasoned financial advisor and author of Faith and Finances, didn’t start his career thinking about generosity or Kingdom impact. He began in accounting, building a solid professional foundation, but deep down, something felt incomplete—both professionally and spiritually. A series of God-ordained encounters drew Mike into the world of financial advising and, more importantly, into a place of full surrender to Christ. From that point on, his question became: What would it look like to truly live out my faith through my finances?   Over the last 33 years, that question has shaped Mike’s entire career. Today, he carries a special passion for helping those in or near retirement “finish their race strong” by aligning their financial plans with their spiritual calling. In Faith and Finances, Mike distills decades of wisdom to help believers embrace biblical principles for financial success and radical generosity. Along the way, he offers profound insights on discovering your personal calling, setting a financial finish line that frees you to give boldly, stewarding your time and resources with eternal purpose, and building a legacy that outlives you and points others to Christ.   Major Topics Include: Mike’s journey through living out is faith in his finances Learning generosity and stewardship in community The importance of heart change on the stewardship journey  What does it mean to finish well? The five pillars of a faith-driven retirement Important conversations about legacy Advice for doing legacy well as a follower of Christ Estate mapping with families Tips for experiencing heart change Three steps of a Journey of Generosity experience Practical tips for setting a finish line Living out calling beyond the working years  Encouragement to keep growing and stretching in faith and generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Our industry is all about people getting the money thing right, and I think that’s fine and good. But I think what’s more important is getting the life thing right, especially in the second half of life.” “Ephesians 2:10 says that you were designed for good works, it doesn’t say that all bets are off once you’re retired. You’re meant to do good works until the end.” “We shouldn’t be asking God, ‘How much should I give?’ but rather ‘How much should I keep?’” “Does it take more faith to give while you’re here or after you’re gone?” “I don’t think the journey ever ends because God’s always working on our hearts.” “Giving breaks the power of money.” “Your best days can be ahead of you!” “Just take your next step with Jesus.” “Generosity is a muscle. The more you work it out, the stronger it becomes.” “God just wants to know that He can use you.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Faith and Finances by Michael Perez The ABC’s of Financial Freedom by Barry L. Cameron  National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Christian Franchise Advisor Network (CFAN) with Ameriprise Financial Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Decade By Decade by Bobb Biehl The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 27: 17 | Sharpened by Community    Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.   Psalm 24:1 | God Owns It All   The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,   Ephesians 2:10 | Created for Good Works   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   Matthew 6:20 | Treasure in Heaven   but lay up for yours

David Reeves once believed his role in missions was to give generously to the ministries he knew. But after a moment of full surrender as a young man, God redirected his path toward a life of hands-on impact that would ripple across missions, Bible translation, and church planting worldwide. Starting out with an electrical engineering degree, David first served in tech support for a missionary aviation organization—work that eventually led him to leadership as general manager and later president. Today, he serves as the President and CEO of unfoldingWord, where he is pioneering a church-centered approach to Bible translation. With more than 40 years of international leadership experience across cultures and sectors, David offers a rare perspective on how God weaves together innovation, missions, and radical generosity. Under his leadership, unfoldingWord is equipping local churches to translate Scripture into their own languages using open-source tools—shifting Bible translation from centralized projects to sustainable, grassroots movements led by the global Church. Major Topics Include: Using business as a means to access Scripture and the gospel in challenging places The providential story of Unfolding Word Making the local church the hero of the story The seven key ideas of the Church-centric Bible translation model Turbo-charging church planting movements with Bible translation Why having Scripture in someone’s heart language is important Unfolding Word’s impact on the Bible translation ecosystem The benefits of the Creative Commons licensing model  Increasing Scripture engagement  Difficult lessons in trusting God QUOTES TO REMEMBER “From Pentecost to Revelation, the entire narrative is about the church.” “How do we make the local church the hero of the story?” “If we ever hope to finish the Great Commission in our lifetime, we have to stand on the centrality of the Church.” “The Church operates in a healthy form as a complex network.” “Persecution often creates unity movements. People don’t care what your denomination or your background is. If you’re in the midst of persecution, you’re a loved and welcomed bother or sister in Christ.” “The most effective way to share the gospel is in the heart language.” “The heart language of a community is the language of weddings and funerals.” “Bible translation’s proper place belongs to the Church as a tool for discipleship and church planting.” “Our passion is to empower modern-day ‘Pauls’ and church planters to help them to complete the Great Commission.” “There is no Scripture engagement problem. It’s integral to church-centric Bible translation.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Unfolding Word Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) Loving the Church, Blessing the Nations by George Miley 2414 Network Biblica Open Bible Stories What Happens When Christians and Muslims Translate Scripture Side by Side (Christianity Today) Every Tribe, Every Nation and IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) Letting Go – UnfoldingWord’s publication on licensing The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Revelation 7:9 | A Great Multitude from Every Nation   After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,   2 Timothy 2:2 | Teaching Teachers   and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check

Tim Barker is the founder of ROI Ministry and author of BOOM: What To Do When Life Blows Up Around You. His journey into generosity began after rising from humble beginnings to great success—only to lose everything during a season of deep trial. In the middle of that valley, God answered a “dangerous” prayer Tim had prayed years earlier: that the Lord would do whatever it took to multiply his family’s kingdom impact. Out of that refining season came ROI Ministry, an organization that has since helped direct millions of dollars to high-impact ministries around the world. In time, God restored what Tim had lost and entrusted him with a voice of influence in the global generosity movement.     Through ROI Ministry, Tim and his team identify the Top 10 ministries producing the greatest measurable kingdom impact per dollar, helping givers steward their resources with confidence and purpose. In his book, BOOM, Tim shares his own story as a living testimony that God can bring blessings out of brokenness and truly work all things together for His glory and our good.    Tim was one of the very first guests on The Finish Line Podcast nearly four years ago, and much has changed since then—for ROI Ministry, for Tim, and for us here at Finish Line. In this conversation, Tim digs deeper into the heart of high-impact giving and reflects on what it looks like to trust God through both abundance and loss, offering wisdom for all who long to walk faithfully in the life of generosity.   Major Topics Include: Making a difference from where you are now The need to be honest with God in tough times Moving from failure to fruitfulness Blessing others by letting them help you Hearing the Spirit’s leading in the midst of trials Seeking God in times of silence Giving from your mind as well as your heart Embracing both Spirit-led giving and cost-effective generosity A call to invest more in the local church  What to look for in a high-impact organization  Thinking through measurable Kingdom impact per dollar QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God, what do you want me to do?” “My story is really about not giving up, because you don’t know what God is doing through times of refining and where He’s going to take you.” “It’s ok to want to give up as long as you’ve decided in advance that you’re not going to.” “Be honest with God.” “Ninety-seven percent of all Christian giving is going to nations that have already been evangelized, and less than one-third of one percent is actually making it to the billion lost, poorest people in the world who are 3,000 times more receptive to the gospel.” “I believe in testing God with the tithe.” “You will find joy, hope, and purpose in helping others in ways that make the greatest impact.” “If you have an opportunity to impact thousands of people rather than just a few, then impact the thousands.” “Eternity is going to be a long, long time, and the more people we impact here, the more we’ll meet over there. And not that we get the credit—God gets the glory. He just gives us the opportunity to be in the game.” “When you’ve been faithful, you know that you’re doing what God’s called you to do, and you’re doing it for the right reason, eventually you will see a harvest.” “As stewards of God’s wealth, are we encouraging others to do the same thing?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW See our first interview with Tim Barker here BOOM: What To Do When Life Blows Up Around You by Tim Barker EQUIP ROI Ministry National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Ronald Blue and Co. (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) Cru The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord   Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean

Michele Dudley is the founder of BraveWorks and Restoration Residences, where she has poured her heart into making a Kingdom impact among those who are often overlooked. After starting her career as a CPA, a life-changing mission trip to Burundi opened her eyes to the needs of the global church and set her on a new path of generosity and solidarity with those facing deep suffering. Michele is an avid learner and her deep curiosity has led her into many creative opportunities for giving. Through BraveWorks and Restoration Residences, Michele has impacted the lives of many trafficked, abused, and incarcerated women, as well as helped families in need transition out of homelessness. A self-identified connector and advocate, Michele is highly integrated in the generosity community and has a passion for helping others give well and invest with a generous heart.    Major Topics Include: Finding creative opportunities to give Stories of serving and empowering women through BraveWorks Being a generous connector Committing to community in the generosity space Approaching investing from a heart of generosity  Stewarding investment and philanthropy dollars Practical advice to get started in impact investing Navigating various levels of engagement and responsibility in generosity Encouragement for women to engage in the generosity community Trusting God in the messiness of generosity  Hearing from God in stewardship decision-making Quotes to Remember “I felt like I had basically lived my life ignoring the plight of the suffering.” “It’s so important for us to become proximate to people who have different lived experiences than we do.” “Whether it’s somewhere across the world or across town, we can have really transformative experiences, even in our own community, but we have to be willing to be uncomfortable and humble and put on a willingness to learn from others.”  “A lot of times, I had no intentions of starting anything. I just took the next step that the Lord showed me.” “There’s something that’s healing when you recognize the struggle people have been through.” “It’s really inspiring to be in these spaces where people do have resources but they’re taking the humble perspective of ‘I’ve been entrusted with this, I really want to honor God.’” “If I wasn’t in this space where I was continually being challenged, I think it would be easy to just fall into the culture and the ways of the world.” “Too often, we only focus on our philanthropy and we don’t think about what we’re doing with our investment dollars, and oftentimes, the investment dollars are undoing the very things that we’re trying to do with our philanthropy. God calls us to steward all of what He’s entrusted to us in a way that honors Him.” Links from the Show BraveWorks (formerly Fashion and Compassion) Restoration Residences Cru Compassion International ALARM – African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Faith Driven Entrepreneur  Faith Driven Investor Faith Driven Foundation Course Praxis Praxis Capital Fellowship The Gathering Stewards Not Owners by Dana and Bill Wichterman (see our past interview here) Impact Foundation (see our interview with Founder, Aimee Minnich) The Table (via Impact Foundation) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Infinite Giving The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group We Want to Hear from You! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Nathan LaGrange, Executive Director of Oasis Rest International, knows firsthand the vital importance of rest for pastors and ministry leaders. After many years in full-time ministry, a season of intense busyness began to take its toll. Nathan came to a sobering realization: before he could effectively care for others, he needed to care for himself and his family.   God then led Nathan through a series of transitions—from fast-paced ministry to the slower, more intentional shepherding of a congregation. Along the way, Nathan discovered the transformative power of doing life with God, not just for Him.   Out of that journey came a passion: to create a space where pastors and leaders could themselves be pastored, nurtured, and restored. Following a sabbatical year, Nathan connected with Oasis Rest International, a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe, restorative environments for pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders in need of renewal.   With over 25 years of experience in both pastoral ministry and business leadership, Nathan brings a deep understanding of the unique pressures leaders face—and the critical importance of sustainable rhythms in a life of service. His work sits at the intersection of soul care and generosity, and his commitment to investing in leaders’ longevity offers a unique and refreshing perspective on how to partner well with those in ministry.   Major Topics Include: Building daily margins to spend time with God Letting Jesus teach the practice of rest Creating daily and weekly finish lines for healthy rhythms Learning the difference between working for God and working with God Asking: How much of yourself is enough to give in ministry? Embracing the concept of slowing down to move faster Exploring how rest and generosity intersect in relationships Finding practical ways to care for your spiritual leaders Combining “space” and “face” to minister refreshment Sharing stories of transformation through rest QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If you’re not loving yourself or taking care of yourself and your immediate family, then how can you minister in any context?” “Leaders are really good at giving, but they don’t know how to receive.” “The presence of Jesus in that sacred space accompanied with a sacred face invited a holy moment that’s transformational.” “Once you’ve had the opportunity to be in a space, to unpack with a face, it’s like all these new Kingdom dreams start to come alive.” “There was a rhythm to Jesus that was so grace-filled and generous because he would often withdraw to lonely places.” “When I build time with God into my life, when I’ve rested in my own soul, suddenly I can engage with my family in a much more generous way.” “Working for God and working with God are totally different things.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Oasis Rest International The Overload Syndrome by Dr. Richard A. Swenson Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson (see our past interview here) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Peter 3:19-20 | God’s Patience   in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.   Isaiah 55:1 | An Invitation to Refreshing   “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.   Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace   “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”   Hebrews 13:17 | Care for Your Leaders   Obey your

Chris Gardner’s journey began in Mexico and Peru, where he was raised on the mission field as the son of a missionary. Those early years shaped his faith and calling—he began preaching at a young age and, by 18, was already pastoring and planting churches. His experiences in ministry gave him a deep understanding of stewardship, generosity, and the role money plays in Kingdom work.   Years later, Chris transitioned from leading a large ministry in Peru to a career in wealth management in the U.S., carrying with him a bold goal: to help deploy a billion dollars for Kingdom purposes in his lifetime. Today, he works with clients to view their wealth not as something to own, but something to steward.   Major Topics Include: Chris’s spiritual background and history on the mission field His broadened perspective on the world from life on the mission field  How he became a pastor at 18 Viewing generosity from both sides How fundraising with his family on the mission field still impacts his life today His story of transitioning back to the US and getting into financial advising The importance of a finish line for financial advisors Encouraging clients to set a finish line  A steward, not an owner A walk through his yearly finish line thought process Generosity lessons from a Peruvian Christmas The story of his book and what is covers Security comes from God, not money Influencing the Church to generous giving A call to surrender your assets to God daily QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity is not measured by how much we give away, but how tightly we hold on to what we keep.” “The idea of enough is a fallacy, and it will never be reached.” “My goal in life is to deploy one billion dollars for Kingdom impact.” “You don’t need to wait to be wealthy to live generously. You need to decide that generosity is your wealth.” “We’re always going to need more unless we have a finish line.” “Generosity is not found in an amount, it’s found in a mindset.” “Invest what you can for the impact of someone else.” “Impact is the true dividend of wealth. And generosity is how you compound it.” “Don’t wait to give your money away from a pine box.” “How much am I willing to charge the Owner to steward His wealth?”  “God doesn’t need your money, He desires your heart. And generosity is the clearest map to where your heart really is.” “Surrender is not a one-time decision, it’s a daily choice.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Arkos Global Advisors (see our interview with founder, Jeff Thomas) Life Ranch Check What You Are Chasing by Chris Gardner ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 2 Timothy 2:2 | Teaching Teachers   and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Dan Vogel, founder and CEO of Flourish Fund, has carried a lifelong passion for solving big social problems that are close to the heart of God. As a young boy, Dan was drawn to leadership that would make an improved difference in the systems that were meant to address those problems. From the White House to overseas to a consulting firm in Boston, Dan’s extensive professional background working in government, economic development, and nonprofit realms, all set the stage for the launch of Flourish Fund.   Flourish Fund is a giving fund that channels pooled capital from givers alongside extensive problem area research to bring about large, system level change. Flourish Fund’s unique effectiveness is found in their focus on collaborative giving and cooperation between organizations, both faith-based and secular, who offer various approaches toward the same goal. Their first fund called Flourish Children and Families is focused on reimagining the foster care system, and they’ve already made impressive progress.   Major Topics Include: Dan’s faith and career journey The story of Flourish Fund Traditional philanthropy vs Christian philanthropy  The need for growth in impact assessment in Christian giving spaces What Flourish Fund is about and how it works Tackling big social problems that matter to the heart of God Reimagining foster care in the US with Flourish Fund Building strategy and success evaluation into the fund structure The portfolio approach to collaborative giving Doing collaborative giving well Three strategic opportunities to move the needle in foster care Navigating collaboration between secular and faith-based organizations Knowing where to channel resources  Deciding where to focus next What to look for in a giving fund Tips or givers to engage with the problems that are on God’s heart QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I became convinced that there was room in the marketplace for a new kind of Kingdom problem-solving institution that was trying to connect capital differently with social innovators who were trying to do good work in the name of Jesus.” “What might it actually take to move the needle?” “No individual organization, even if they are crushing it, is capable of solving a systemic problem on their own.” “How might we think differently about what is possible for what we can do together?”  “Collaborative giving is the next frontier of effective stewardship”. “We want to enable people to have proximity to the problem rather than putting distance between the giver and the receiver.” “We want to enable and strengthen local ecosystems of care that are anchored by the Church, working in partnership with community organizations, government, and volunteers doing different sets of things to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs of vulnerable kids and families.” “When Christians have been at their best through the ages, we’ve tended to build big tents and work with odd bedfellows. We have unique things that we can bring to bear, but we can’t to it alone so we have to figure out how to work with a bunch of different people, and if we can do that well, it will point people back to Jesus.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Flourish Fund Flourish Children and Families Flourish Children and Families Blueprint Al Mueller, Founder and President of Excellence in Giving (see our past interview here) Simple Charity (see our interview with CEO Brian Grasso) EIG Insights (see our interview with cofounder Kate Williams-Whitley) Praxis IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) Project Belong The Contingent Solving the World’s Greatest Problems The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group   WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to en

Ron Anderson, CFP® and founder of Plan A Wealth Management, grew up in a farming family in Nebraska where seeds of financial wisdom and deep faith were planted early. After college, he launched into the world of financial advising—but it wasn’t until years later, after moving through several firms, that he stepped out to start his own practice, one grounded in biblical truth and eternal purpose.   A turning point in Ron’s life came at a Generous Giving Conference, where God stirred something new in him—a vision for radical generosity and bold obedience. Since then, Ron has committed his life and work to listening for God’s voice and faithfully following where He leads, no matter how uncertain the path. His story is marked by courageous leaps of faith, remarkable provision, and a deep trust in God’s economy.   Ron also shares his conviction that rest is a discipline, not a luxury—both for himself and those he serves. In this episode, he opens up about how cultivating rhythms of rest has helped him, his clients, and his community live more joyfully, generously, and purposefully.   Major Topics Include: Ron’s early life on a Nebraska farm and faith background How he viewed money and wealth in his early career His introduction to generosity and biblical money principles Tanking leaps of faith in generosity Growing trust through obedience in giving How God speaks to Ron about generosity Learning rest through learning trust in God Creating a structure for sabbath rest in his life His sabbath plan and rest retreat for generous givers What his family sabbath plan looks like each week How sabbath rest has changed his work rhythm  What he wishes more people understood about generosity and rest Ron’s passion for faith driven investing Advice for using a giving account QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If you’re listening and you’re following Him, He’s going to take care of you, give you unimaginable opportunities, and an adventure of a lifetime in the process.” “If you say ‘yes’ to God, He will take you on a journey that you will never regret going on.” “I asked everyone else how much to give, but I hadn’t thought about asking God.” “God was showing me He was in control of how much money I had.” “All I had to do was listen and obey, and He takes care of the rest.” “God takes us on a journey when we relinquish control.” “Generosity costs me a lot and gives me just as much in return.” “I think we’re supposed to give to what God cares about.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 127:2-3 | He Gives His Beloved Sleep   It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.   Hebrews 4:1 | The Promise of His Rest   Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.   The views and opinions presented here are for general illustrative and informational purposes only.They are not intended to be specific investment, tax or legal advice for any individual and should not be construed as such. Always consult a financial, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation. All information presented is believed to be from reliable sources, but we make no representations as to their completeness or accuracy. All economic and performan

Caleb Breakey, author and founder of Renown Publishing, has a passion for the transforming power of storytelling. Caleb has been a student of the story-writing craft from a young age, and after a successful career in sports journalism, felt called by God to shift into fiction and writing novels that could have a positive impact on the lives of the readers. Through a series of faith-steps, Caleb eventually founded Renown Publishing, a unique publishing company with a focus on empowering leaders and families to share their own stories.   Caleb and the Renown Publishing team have worked with many generous leaders and families to bring their generous stories to life. Caleb is adamant that everyone has an incredibly valuable story to share, and those stories are the most powerful way in which we speak into the lives of others.    Major topics include: His story of faith and pursuing God’s unique call Shifting from journalism to becoming a fiction author  The need for stories of generous givers Helping families pass down a legacy of wisdom and experiences through story The calling to start Renown Publishing Writing books that catalyze the Holy Spirit’s movement in someone’s life Teaching to share their story in a way that’s compelling and honest through workshops Lessons of generosity and faith from working with families Learning from storytelling in Scripture  Advice for people beginning to explore their own story Caleb’s 18-month process of helping authors create an engaging story from their memories Stewarding your story well Being generous with your story Tips to start writing your story QUOTES TO REMEMBER “A huge part of my life journey has been learning to see people the way God sees them.” “These people live as if Jesus is real.” “One of the most insidious things that enemy can do is to silence us to not share our story because that is where God gets the greatest glory.” “I want to get the right people with the right stories influencing society.” “Everyone else is looking for themselves in your story.” “When you go through the process of telling your story with great intentionality, it will do far more for you than what you think it will do for others.” “What your future generations need in great detail is how your values and wisdom were formed, because they need to get there on their own, and the way to do that is through story.” “We can learn more from our failures than our successes.” “You have never not had an incredibly important story.” “History informs, story transforms.” “We need to get to the point where we see our stories as God’s glory.” “Your story is someone else’s life raft.” “Legacy moves at the pace of relationship, relationship is tied to trust, and trust is tied to story.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Renown Publishing Impact Foundation (see our interview with Founder, Aimee Minnich) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Judges 6:1-8:35 | The Story of Gideon   2 Timothy 1:7 | A Spirit Not of Fear   for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Johan du Preez is a seasoned South African entrepreneur and investor, and the Founder of SAAD Investment Holdings and the Tree of Life Foundation. Johan began his career path as a pharmacist in his early twenties and spent many years managing pharmacies that needed major turnaround. He then became the CEO of a large healthcare organization before the Spirit led him to start his investment company with a focus on impacting the Kingdom of God.   Johan brings a unique perspective as a faith-driven leader who channels private equity investment returns into longterm, sustainable generosity through an investment firm contained within a charitable foundation. From leading major corporate turnarounds to pioneering innovative giving platforms in South Africa, Johan’s life and work exemplify the intersection of strategic investing and radical generosity.   Major topics include: Johan’s early life and faith background How becoming a pharmacist laid the foundations for what he does today Integrating faith into business and money management Strategically operating from the spirit realm in money and business Realizing that money can help build God’s kingdom The story of SAAD and the Tree of Life Foundation What it looks like to let God own your business Transitioning from health care insurance to financial services  The difference between working with God and letting God work through you Taking risks in Kingdom business Depending on God when you don’t know what you’re doing Investments that make an impact through business Weighing “return first” and “impact first” investing Using charitable capital through a donor advised fund The beauty of collective giving Thinking through investing versus giving How to leverage all that you have to be a part of what God’s doing QUOTES TO REMEMBER “There’s only one way to be strategic, that is to operate in the spiritual realm. Otherwise, you are just reactive and tactical.” “The eternal perspective is ultimately the one that saves you.” “For God to work through you, you have to be dead.” “When you involve God in your business and make it His business and say, ‘I’m just here to work for You,’ then you actually complicate it to a large extent because you had better make sure that you know what the Shareholder wants.” “God is more interested in the character of the individuals that are involved in the company than about the results at the end of the day.” “We are called to take risks for the Kingdom.” “The best decisions I’ve ever made were based on what I did not know.” “Collaboration is everyone exchanging their personal dreams for one larger dream.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW SAAD Investment Holdings Tree of Life Foundation National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Trustbridge Global (see our interview with Executive VP, Paul Bolte here) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group   WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Stan Reiff, CPA and nonprofit consultant at CapinCrouse, has seen the faithfulness of God in difficult circumstances firsthand. Stan was born on the mission field, and in his early twenties, he and his wife felt called to missions like the generations before him. But Stan soon realized that the life of ministry that he was called to would look nothing like the life he had imagined. After many years of traumatic and costly circumstances, Stan was led on a journey that would take him from missionary to teacher to CPA and from Alaska to Atlanta where God would use his missions experience and accounting background to serve many nonprofits.    At CapinCrouse, Stan helps faith-based nonprofits strengthen their governance, strategy, and operations, and his mission-field experience provides a deep personal understanding of ministry challenges to his consulting work. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Crown Financial Ministries and now draws on over 35 years of experience to help organizations thrive with integrity and purpose.    Stan is also passionate about leading his family in a legacy of generosity, Kingdom work, and entrepreneurship, and he is full of practical wisdom to guide people into doing the same in their own families.   Major topics include: Stan’s remarkable backstory of faith and missions work in Alaska Navigating traumatic events and a crisis of faith Pivoting into bivocational ministry  Becoming CPA through Alaska Game and Fish Volunteering as budget coaches and seminar instructors with Crown Became chief financial officer at Crown Financial after 20 years volunteering Establishing rhythms and protocols for executive sabbaticals  Helping CFM transition from radio to sharing principle world wide Story of coming to work for CapinCrouse  Personal takeaways from leaders in the generosity space Their family’s journey to a financial finish line Equipping kids and grandkids for generosity  Developing family core values Their “family legacy experiment” What to look for in an organization as a donor QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If I can’t be on the front lines of ministry in a remote setting, then I will be part of the supply chain, and I will do the best I possibly can to help those who can go and are willing to go to have the best administrative support possible.” “In many ways, I had to give up my passion to be a full time missionary and that was really difficult spiritually. But I came to understand that God had chosen to give us a child with disabilities, and that became my primary ministry.”  “I love that I get to continue to marry my passion for missions, for ministry, along with the accounting experiences that God’s given me, and I get to live the dream in an ongoing fashion.” “For me, the real learning came when I understood that God owns it all, not just the ten percent.” “Money really isn’t a big deal. You can lose all your money in a day, and you can get it all back in a day.” “Money is never the issue, it’s just an indicator of where the heart is.” “It’s one thing to have a legacy of faith that’s generations long, but it’s also exciting to be in that first or second generation. It comes back to our first guiding principle, that faith has to be personal and it has to be yours, not some family member’s that’s preceded you.” “Kingdom expands when you have more followers of Jesus who are committed to following Him in business, ministry or a combination. But it takes all of us working together to make sure the next generation is equally as passionate, committed, and engaged in Kingdom work.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW CapinCrouse Injoy Stewardship Solutions Crown Financial Ministries National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Philippians 4:12-13 | The Secret of Being Content I kn

Jennifer Holloran, President and CEO of the American Bible Society, is an avid lover of Scripture and an expert in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and innovation. Jennifer was raised in a Christian home with lots of exposure to the Word, but it was in college that she learned to approach Scripture as a source of grace instead of condemnation. Jennifer’s career took an unexpected turn after college when God led her to combine her professional skills and love for the Scriptures at Wycliffe Bible Translators. She spent over twenty years there, starting as a typist and eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer before taking over as CEO of the American Bible Society.   The American Bible Society has a rich history dating back to 1816, and is involved in nearly every aspect of Bible work, from translation to global distribution to engagement and advocacy. Jennifer has an amazing perspective on the power of God’s Word, how it is moving in the world today, and how the Church can help people everywhere be transformed as they get more engaged with the Scriptures.   Major Topics Include: Jennifer’s faith and career journey How she fell in love with Scripture Her surprise introduction to Bible translation through Wycliffe Leadership principles in unexpected Bible stories How God prepared her for work at American Bible Society An overview of American Bible Society’s 209 year history Helping people engage in the Scriptures  ABS’s framework of access, engagement, and advocacy Various aspects of Scripture access Their “end-to-end” process—a multimodal approach to Bible access and engagement The story and heart behind the ABS Trauma Healing Institute  Helping people overcome barriers to Scripture Finding solutions to inspire younger generations to engage with Scripture AI as a tool for Bible engagement How to move from Bible engagement to advocacy Creativity in Bible distribution in hard-to-reach places Effectiveness of a collective impact alliance in reaching Bible distribution goals QUOTES TO REMEMBER “It wasn’t long after I finished college that God brought me to Wycliffe Bible Translators, and that opened up a whole world of understanding Scripture in a completely new way.” “I found that the more that I began to dig into Scripture, the more there was to discover.” “We want to move people from that place of just having access to the Bible and have them step into engagement, and that starts with curiosity.” “Today, we at the American Bible Society still get to be involved in translation and distribution, but we’re looking at the whole Scripture engagement journey and how we can come alongside the Church to support the ministry of helping people to take the next step with Scripture.” “We need to understand where Gen Z and Gen Alpha are coming from and what speaks to them as unique groups with unique values, preferences, and barriers that might keep them from Scripture. Then we can work together with the Church to help co-create solutions to reach that generation.” “There’s something amazing about having the Bible as a foundation that we can come together and have conversation around and learn from one another across faith traditions.” “Our vision is ‘God’s Word transforming all people.’ That’s what I want to see happening, and I think the more we can get the Church engaged and we can work together on this, I believe that it’s possible.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) American Bible Society Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) The Digital Bible Library Audio Video Translation Tool Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) LUMO Project Films Faith Comes by Hearing (see our interview with VP Morgan Jackson) Talking Bibles International Trauma Healing Institute IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) ETEN Innovation Lab The Finish Li