The Finish Line Podcast

John Hanger, founder of BiblioNexus, is a serial entrepreneur and a passionate giver who found himself deeply called into Bible translation. After supporting the movement for several years, John felt the need to get his hands dirty with what he knows best—launching a tech start-up. BiblioNexus is a nonprofit tech company with the culture of a Silicon Valley start-up that is making waves in the Bible Translation space. BiblioNexus is a company of software experts in partnership with Bible translation experts working to build innovative solutions and try to move the needle in Bible translation. Major Topics Include: John's story of God's relentless pursuit John's introduction to the world of Bible translation Amplifying your generosity by choosing a focus area and investing relationship Using donor advised funds to help kids explore generosity An innovative tech approach to Bible translation AI's role in Bible translation The goal to have Scripture in all heart languages by 2033 The need for more Bible translation software apps for mobile phones Quotes to Remember “We felt the weight of the blessings we had received.” “We settled on the theme of ‘evangelism' for our giving plan.” “There are 7,000 plus heart languages in the world and less than half of them have a Bible.” “I knew the Bible was the most translated book in the history of the world, but I had no idea that there was still Bible poverty.” “At the end of the day, the flywheel of discipleship and translation is study the Bible, understand the Bible, and then articulate it. That methodology is called FIA: familiarize, internalize, and articulate.” “God's moving people to release their content into an openly licensed environment knowing that the aquifer is now a mechanism through which that content can be used worldwide.” “We want to have at least some Scripture available in all 7,000 plus heart languages by 2033.” “Only 40% of the world's population lives near or has access to a power grid, but 96% of the world's population has access to a mobile phone. So the mobile phone is a key technology being used, but little to none of the Bible translation related software products work on a mobile phone today.” Links from the Show BiblioNexus National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Renew World Outreach (see our interview with founders, the Paluskys) IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) ETEN Innovation Lab Aquifer.Bible Community Review Opportunities Bible Well SIL International (see our interview with Executive Director, Michel Kenmogne) Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group Bible References from the Show Galatians 1:10 | Approval of Man or God? For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Luke 15:4-6 | The Lost Sheep “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Matthew 6:19-21 | 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. Matthew 28:19 | The Great Commission Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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.

Jesse and Krista Casler have a deep understanding of the currency exchange between earthly dollars and treasure in Heaven. Jesse is the Chief Operating Officer of Hope International, having served Hope over the last 20 years. Together, Jesse and Krista have allowed generosity to touch nearly every part of their lives. Their stories touch on many aspects of the generous life, from financial accountability to foster care and generosity of the home to donor advised funds and charitable bunching. But above all, their lives are marked by a deep joy in everything that they do.   Major Topics Include: Their unique foundations for faith and generosity How they met and began their careers The mission, programs, and story of Hope International  Stories of God using Hope to change lives Misconceptions about addressing poverty Four domains of generosity impact—personal, spiritual, social, and material Approaching financial discussions together as a joyful challenge Tips for starting a financial accountability group Generosity through foster care Thoughts for people in ministry who want to be givers Participating in the “year of Jubilee” principles in a modern context When to give from the perspective of a nonprofit How to scheme with God QUOTES TO REMEMBER Jesse: “Sometimes when we think about poverty, we think about material things like not having enough money. But for some people, poverty is also aloneness.” Jesse: “How can I save as much money as possible and put it to good use to create even more so that I can be generous with the world?” Krista: “Being raised in a pastor's household, we were very conscious of how our money was spent, but at the same time, living in generous ways.” Krista: “If a group of individuals living in great poverty, all of whom are blind or visually impaired, can talk about their capacity for saving and giving, how can I not also have some capacity for saving and giving?” Jesse: “There's a role for regular giving that keeps an organization moving, but it can be really impactful when a larger gift can be given to start something new or catalyze something in a much bigger direction.” Jesse: “No matter what your salary is, you can create distance between income and expense. And decisions you make about your expenses become your engine for saving, investing, and giving.” Jesse: “When we turn 50, what if we gave away 10% of our net worth, just our income in that year?” Krista: “There's joy and fun when you're being creative in giving. Even in a season when you don't have much money, you can ask God to help you use what you've got.” Krista: “There's joy in looking at a giving opportunity as a creative challenge to scheme with God.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer) Alisa Hoober, on Creating a Strong Family Culture of Generosity and Mission (see our past interview here) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Two Men with Money by Tim Keller 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.

Kate Williams-Whitley is the cofounder and Chief Impact Officer of EIG Insights. Early in her career, several pivotal experiences led Kate to realize the need for data in the nonprofit space to help leaders steward their decisions and finances well. Now through EIG Insights, Kate provides customized consulting services for nonprofits, helping them to identify their core theory of change and ensure that they are measuring the correct metrics to understand their physical and spiritual impacts.    Kate is brimming with helpful wisdom for nonprofits and givers alike on how to know they're making a tangible and lasting difference with their efforts and generosity.    Major Topics Include: Kate's faith and professional background How a family legacy of generosity and a trip to Malawi shaped her career The story of EIG Insights The complexity of impact evaluation Kate's process of helping nonprofits develop a theory of change Measuring spiritual development  The gift of impact data Thinking though impact as a giver Considering cost effectiveness in interventions Advice for givers on choosing the causes that matter most to them QUOTES TO REMEMBER “What do I do well, what does the world need, and how can I merge those in way that shows the Kingdom of God on Earth?” “When we try to implement a solution internationally that sounds smart from our Western ideal or outsider view, it generally doesn't go well.” “Something that works in one community isn't guaranteed to work in another community at the same time because people are complex. But there are many ways to study and see if it's working or not.” “I'm in this to help change lives and improve the overall human condition, and I think the most strategic way to do that is good data.”  “Anything that you can define well can be measured.” “I think impact data is the biggest gift you could give to a leadership team.” “For a nonprofit to work well, you need a fully aligned theory of change, a program model that makes sense, and data to know if it's actually happening the way that you think it is.” “We shouldn't be scared of measuring what God does.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW EIG Insights Excellence in Giving (see our interview with founder Al Mueller) Compassion International Accord Research Network All Access Podcast All Access International (see our interview with founder, Lane Kipp) Dovetail Impact Foundation 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.

Mike Kocolowski's early years were formed by scarcity as part of a large family with little income. But a call to ministry in his twenties led him to take radical steps on a faith journey to trusting God with his finances and tackling many of the most common barriers to generosity. As the Chief Stewardship Officer of Christian Financial Resources, Mike has been working with churches for decades to deepen their passion for generosity and to approach the topic of finances with a healthier, biblical perspective.    In his book Happily Generous, Mike invites people to connect with God as the Great Giver, addresses the major barriers to generosity, and provides a spiritual framework to help people understand the tangible joy that comes from a generous life.   Major Topics Include: Mike's background and calling to vocational ministry Recognizing seeds of generosity in the midst of scarcity The cumulative effect of small, generous acts How God set the stage for what Mike does today Backstory and current goals of Christian Financial Resources Advice for experiencing happiness in generosity Translating God's generosity into your daily life Growing in generosity while writing his book Tips to transition from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset Encouragement for pastors on the topic of generosity  An invitation to start each day with gratitude QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If you trust Me for your salvation, can you trust Me for your finances too?” “We all have room to grow in the area of generosity, it doesn't matter if you've been tithing since you were two years old or you've never given away a dime.”  “The road to happiness is paved with generosity.” “The manifestations of God's generosity are endless.” “If we accept the premise that God's the great giver and we're crafted in His image, we will realize that generosity resides in our DNA. We are genetically designed to give.” “The happiest people I know are the most generous. And the most generous people I know are the happiest.” “Love gives.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Christian Financial Resources Happily Generous by Mike Kocolowski The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Deuteronomy 8:18 | The Power to Get Wealth   You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.   Acts 20:35 | More Blessed to Give   In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”   James 1:17 | Every Good and Perfect Gift   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.   John 3:16 | He Gave His Only Son   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   Romans 12:2 | Renew Your Mind   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.   Psalm 23:1 | Lacking Nothing   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.   Matthew 6:26 | Fed by the Father   Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?   John 10:10 | Abundant Life   The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 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.

Karla Merrell was the first in her family to immigrate to the US from Panama to pursue the American dream. After years of success in the corporate world, Karla still struggled with the scarcity mindset that was passed down in her family's culture. But during the beginning of COVID, Karla faced a sequence of events that led her to step deeply into both faith and generosity. One memorable act of generosity set the stage for an exciting and adventurous life of faith in the years that followed.    Now, Karla is passionate about breaking generational cycles of scarcity and fostering a generous culture in her own home. She invites people to express generosity in multi-dimensional ways, and facilitates connection and spiritual growth in unexpected outreach avenues.   Major Topics Include: Karla's faith and cultural background How her generosity journey began with a single email Learning about the nature of God through her generosity awakening Comfort and hope in total dependence on Jesus A walk through the Women Doing Well process that revolutionized Karla's mindset A view of generosity and money in a Hispanic context Growing out of generational scarcity into a culture of generosity Discovering the power of constant prayer through running How starting a faith-based running group became an outreach opportunity  Generosity as more than money Practical ideas for exercising relational generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I didn't have a generous bone in my body.” “We are absolutely dependent on Jesus.” “There comes a point when you have to make a decision—do I want to return to the person I used to be, or am I courageous enough to change and become the person I didn't know I needed to be?” “You have to decide if you are going to be a consequence of your background or you want to create a new generational story.” “When you give spontaneously in response to the Spirit, you never miss that money.” “When I decided to stop holding on so tightly to all the things I thought I could control and I thought belonged to me, a whole new world opened.” “The dependence on God is what makes the whole thing exciting.” “Generosity is not just money. Money is a great way to express generosity, but there is so much sacrifice in other things too.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Fellowship of Christian Athletes The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 16:13 | God Or Mammon?   No servant 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.” 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 Helen Klingen began her career in accounting but transitioned to financial advising after a few years in the corporate world. Currently with Blue Trust, she regularly supports clients in embracing deeper generosity. As a single woman in a male-dominated field, Mary Helen has grappled with her singleness in relation to her faith, career, and purpose. This journey has inspired her to encourage other women in similar situations to find their voice in the space God has given them.    Mary Helen is passionate about empowering single women to integrate their faith and finances. She actively participates in the stewardship and singles ministries at her church and offers practical advice that you won't want to miss!    Major Topics Include: Mary Helen's faith background and career journey Integrating faith and finances in the unique culture of Blue Trust Being the only woman in the Houston office How her struggles led into ministry Common barriers to generosity for spenders and savers Viewing singleness as an asset in generosity  Navigating the search for purpose and contentment in the single season Mary Helen's experience setting a finish line as a saver The importance of talking about money in the Church QUOTES TO REMEMBER “We are called to generosity not because God needs our money, but because He wants to do something through us.” “The way you know you care about a mission is if you pass it on to someone else.” “In the moments when I feel different, I remember that at the end of the day, these men and I have Christ in common. We're all Believers, and that's the most important thing about us.” “Jesus asked more questions than He answered. So as financial advisors, we follow that model to get to the heart level.” “I had to learn contentment in the stage and season of singleness that God had for me before I could move into a more open-handed, generous space with my own finances.” “I didn't find the answer I was looking for, that marriage was guaranteed or promised to me, but what I did find was a good God who loves me and has provided for me.” “We get the opportunity in singleness to see the beauty of following Jesus and to have Him, and in having Him, to truly have all that we need.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) God and Money (see our interviews with coauthors Greg Baumer and John Cortines) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) 7 Myths About Singleness by Sam Allberry Compass Financial Ministries (see our interview with CEO, Brian Holtz) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Hebrews 10:39 | Don't Shrink Back   But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.   1 Timothy 6:17 | Set Your Hopes on God   As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.   Psalm 37:4 | Delight in the Lord   Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalm 34:10 | Seek the Lord   The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.   Psalm 23:1 | The Lord Provides   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.   1 Corinthians 7:6-8 | Better to be Single   Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.   Matthew 28:20b | I Am with You Always   And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.   1 John 1:7 | Fellowship in the Light   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 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.

Jeff Waldron, a gift planning attorney at the National Christian Foundation, began his career in corporate law before God got his attention in a powerful way. He later found his way to NCF and discovered that his love for the Lord, his desire for pastoral ministry, and his experience in tax law beautifully intersected to help givers amplify the impact of their generosity. Jeff acts as a guide to help givers navigate the more nuanced and complex non-cash gifts. He is overflowing with practical wisdom, powerful giving strategies, and a passion to help people become faithful stewards of what God has given them to manage. You don't want to miss all he has to share! Major Topics Include: Jeff's early career and coming to faith How Jeff connected to NCF Amplifying the effectiveness of generosity through non-cash gifts What makes a non-cash gift so powerful Examples of counseling someone through giving complex assets Thinking through when to give a large asset The nuances of giving a business Quotes to Remember “Whose likeness and inscription is on you?” “I feel like the Lord has given me the blessing of doing work that He's fitted me for.” “By giving the non-cash asset, you're really supercharging the impact you can have.” “Stewardship isn't just how much you give, it's also how you give. And if you can give in a certain way that has a 40% extra impact, then that's something to consider.” “We're not here to replace your advisor. We're more like a sherpa that's walked the mountain, and we can point out the best places to walk.” “I really don't care what kind if gift somebody makes. I want them to be informed so that they can be faithful with what they have.” “The big transactions don't excite me as much as the transforming ones.” Links from the Show 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 22:21b | You Belong to God Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Romans 8:28 | Work Together for Good And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. John 12:1-8 | Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany Ephesians 2:4-10 | By Grace through Faith 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.

Brian Holtz, CEO of Compass, spent his early years without clear intentionality for his finances. But when the recession hit in 2008, Brian found himself in a moment of crisis that forced him to depend fully on God. That season led him to dive into Scripture in search of financial wisdom. What he found not only transformed his family's financial life but set him on a course to help others do the same. Now, as the leader of Compass—an international ministry focused on equipping people to handle money God's way—Brian helps thousands of individuals and families embrace biblical financial principles. Through small group studies, resources, and one-on-one discipleship, Compass empowers givers to live in financial freedom and generosity, rooted in God's truth. Brian brings a wealth of practical insight for listeners at every stage of their giving journey. From inviting God to write your budget to teaching your kids about money, Brian's message is deeply rooted in Scripture and rich with wisdom. Major Topics Include: Brian's journey to financial faithfulness Asking God to write your budget Solutions in Scripture for every aspect of life God's five priorities for money What it really means to give your first fruits Growing in your reliance on God through generosity Financial discipleship Planning for retirement Advice for enjoying God's abundant blessings Helping couples get on the same page financially Sharing biblical financial principles with your kids QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If this is really something I believe, this is not something I can just do on the weekends.” “I wonder how God would write my budget.” “We forced our spending to match our values.” “God never asks for the leftovers.” “Even if generosity can't be the top item on our list today, that should be the long term goal.” “How can I grow in my reliance on God and push my generosity to a point that I have to trust Him?” “To accomplish what God has called me to do, how much do I need to keep?” “What is God's purpose in this financial decision?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Compass Financial Ministry Crown Ministries Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) No More Excuses by Tony Evans Financial Discipleship for Families by Brian Holtz The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 24:1 | The Earth Is the Lord's   The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,   1 Chronicles 29:28a NIV | David Enjoyed Long Life and Wealth   He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.   2 Kings 13:14-19 | Joash and Elisha   Psalm 139:23 | Search Me   Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 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.

Bethany Frymire is a Financial Advisor with Blue Trust whose passion for serving people began early in her life while working at her family's John Deere and Kubota dealership in northwest Florida. This early experience set her on a path toward financial stewardship, with a calling that was affirmed through a series of divine open doors and moments of clarity. Now a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Kingdom Advisor, she combines technical expertise with spiritual insight to help clients steward their financial resources in alignment with biblical principles.    At Blue Trust, Bethany empowers women to grow confident in their finances, identity, purpose, and passions through a holistic approach to financial planning that serves as a tool for personal growth and empowerment. In her leadership role within Blue Trust's women's initiative, she fosters a welcoming space for open dialogue about the integration of faith and finances, encouraging women to share their experiences and build meaningful connections that bridge practical wealth management with a purpose-driven, values-based life.   Major Topics Include: Bethany's backstory of her faith and calling Being a woman in leadership in a mostly male profession Open doors that led her from administrative assistant to financial advisor Integrating faith and finances as a couple Development of the Women's Initiative at Blue Trust Serving women well as an organization Advice for professionals wanting to start their own women's initiative Walking through biblical wisdom around finances with a client  Engaging women in financial conversations Her soon-coming book about faith, identity, and finances The “Giving Grid” concept QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God has gifted us all with unique skills and abilities, and if we don't walk in the path that He has laid out for us, we're going to miss out and others will too.” “God truly owns it all. He doesn't just own the part that I've carved out for the tithe, but He owns every bit of our lives.” “If women had someone to speak life or possibility into them, what could God do?” “There is power in women being invited in.” “God doesn't actually need our money, it's about our hearts and how He's working inside of us.” “It's important to get away from the transactional mentality to figure out how we can impactfully build a generous heart into our children in this culture.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Eternity Portfolio by Alan Gotthardt The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 16:9 | The Lord Establishes   The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.   1 Corinthians 16:2 | Save As You Prosper   On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 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.

Ruth McKeaney, the author of Hungry for Home and host of At Home with Ruth McKeaney, grew up in an environment marked by transitions. However, her strong family culture, centered around Christ, taught her that home is defined by family rather than a specific location. Carrying this lesson into her adult life, Ruth transitioned from a successful law career to flipping homes with her husband while raising five children.   Ruth is passionate about being generous with both home and family and looks for opportunities to practice hospitality for friends and loved ones. She is full of practical wisdom in hospitality, and through her book and TV show, Ruth shares how you can intentionally cultivate your home into a place of blessing and generosity for your family and all who come through your door.   Major Topics Include: Ruth's family legacy of evangelism and missions What defines a home? How God shifted her from law to house-flipping  Finding identity in Christ, not occupation Creating an intentional family culture Choosing your own family traditions Stories of how the Lord sustained them in difficult times Involving her children in hospitality  Practical tips to grow in hospitality  Pushing through when you don't feel like being hospitable  Finding purpose and identity after children leave home The miraculous story of Ruth's book and TV show QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The Lord has not wasted one thing that He grew in me.” “The building is not the home, the family is.” “Every person has a family culture, but will you be intentional in creating yours?” “It's not about performance or perfection, it's about loving people well.”  “You don't understand the blessing you receive in blessing others until you step into obedience.” “What are you 100% depending on the Lord for?” “Everyone's hungry for home.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Hungry for Home by Ruth McKeaney Watch At Home with Ruth McKeaney on Homeworthy Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 57:1 | Refuge In God   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 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.

Drew Formsma, CMO of I Like Giving and author of Everyday Generosity, is a prominent voice for generosity among Gen Z. Drew was raised in a home where the generous heart was encouraged and modeled. By his late teens, he had already become a seasoned speaker on generosity platforms.   Drew developed a passion to use his unique perspective on generosity to empower his generation to give freely and give with a purpose. As the CMO of I Like Giving, Drew is particularly involved in the more recent introductions of Generous Family and Generous Classroom, including the Generous Kids Book Club, fostering the next generation of givers through children's books and curriculum for Chirstian schools.   Major Topics Include: Drew's story of calling as a young teen Seven expressions of generosity Being aware of daily opportunities to be generous Generosity as evangelism The innovation and creativity of Gen Z The story of I Like Giving Reaching children with the heart of generosity  Advice for parents to cultivate a generous environment at home Inspiring stories of everyday generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity begins in the mind. It's choosing to think well of others, to assume the best, and focus on who we can be a blessing to.” “Words have the power to bring life and death, to build or to break. But I think if we can choose to uplift, encourage, and inspire others with our words, there could be something powerful at hand.” “You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.” “Generosity is the love language of Jesus.” “Generosity is love with boots on.” “Generous people trust God to provide.” “Live the kind of lifestyle that's focused on others.” “If you can experience the love of Jesus, you will overflow with generosity.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW I Like Giving Generous Classroom Generous Family IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Corinthians 13:3 | Nothing without Love    If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.   John 3:16 | God's Love   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   Ephesians 3:17-19 | Love Beyond Knowledge   so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.   Matthew 6:21 | Heart and Treasure   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be 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.

Courtney Markley is the co-founder of The Center for Financial Discipleship, an organization that trains pastors and financial advisors on how to engage in heartfelt conversations about money. She also hosts The Heart of Money Podcast, where she interviews a diverse range of guests on this important topic.   Courtney's path into the realm of stewardship began with her own stewardship journey. After working as a fashion designer for several years, she sought help to heal her relationship with money at a deeper level. This transformative experience led her to become a financial counselor, and she has since developed a thriving ministry that helps others align their financial decisions with God's values.   Major Topics Include: Courtney's background and stewardship story Gaining a heart perspective on money Helping people explore the emotional and spiritual side of money  Verses that have influences Courtney's view of wealth Encouraging local pastors and church leaders in financial discipleship  Common misconceptions about stewardship and wealth Navigating risk as a good steward Steps to living like Jesus with your finances Impactful stories from her podcast Tips for making generosity personal QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I find that as people journey with Jesus, they eventually find themselves back to how He initially designed them.” “Maybe all my money problems don't have anything to do with my income and have everything to do with me.” “You don't have to have millions to be generous, you just need something in your hand to give away.” “It's easy to have a gospel conversation if someone is willing to have a money conversation.” “Generosity is not a math equation.”  “Lord, I'm willing to be made willing.” “Is more money your end goal?” “Learning how to live like Jesus with your money takes a lifetime of living.” “We have to do the heart work to prepare us for the mission work.” “If you didn't make decisions based on money and only made decisions based on obedience to God, what would your life look like?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Center for Financial Discipleship The Heart of Money Podcast The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 24:1 | The Earth Is the Lord's   The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,    Matthew 13:1-23 | Parable of the Sower   Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow's Offering   John 6:1-14 | The Feeding of the 5000   Luke 3:1-14 | “What Then Shall We Do?”    Matt 6:24 | God and Money   “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. 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.

Christina Mangino, financial planner and Las Vegas native, has had two decades of experience in financial advising, and has worked with hundreds of families in that time. After navigating a complicated multigenerational wealth dynamic in her own family, Christina developed a passion for helping families manage the relational aspects of wealth more effectively. She founded Heart of Generosity to guide families through this process, focusing on the principles of joyful and liberating generosity.   Christina also started Miracle Hope Foundation, a nonprofit with a focus on helping veterans physically heal from service-related injuries. Her combined experience as a family estate trustee, financial planner, and founder of a nonprofit has allowed Christina a comprehensive view of all the aspects of stewardship and generosity.   Major Topics Include: Christina's story of faith and calling Story of how fundraising introduced her to the joy of generosity Thoughts on managing money in a family context Approaching generosity in lean times Family relational health in financial planning Generosity and love languages The story of Heart of Generosity Helping veterans heal through Miracle Hope Foundation Finding community as a single woman in the generosity space QUOTES TO REMEMBER “When a family's relational health is strong, the giving strategies can be so much better.” “If I can help families redirect just one percent to the Kingdom, that's a massive impact.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Heart of Generosity Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Bill High, Legacy Advisor and Founder of The Signatry (see our past interview here) Gospel Patrons (see our interview with founder John Rinehart) Miracle Hope Foundation 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.

Wendell Anderson was the first in his Michigan-based family to pursue a college degree. After graduating, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force before embarking on a long and successful career with General Motors. Along the way, countless seeds of faith were planted in his life, and in his early thirties, Wendell made the life-changing decision to follow Christ. From that moment on, he was all in.   Called to teach financial principles at his church, Wendell immersed himself in everything he could find on biblical stewardship. For decades, he has faithfully given and guided others in generosity—leading seminars, mentoring believers, and eventually pastoring a church. Overflowing with biblical wisdom, practical financial insights, and an inspiring passion for stewardship, Wendell equips and challenges others to embrace a life of radical generosity.   Major topics include: Wendell's journey of faith and career How God guided him to embrace and teach generosity Transformative financial principles that reshaped his life Applying the concept of a financial finish line Weighing the impact of giving now versus later Biblical wisdom on balancing discretion and openness in generosity Debunking common misconceptions about giving Encouragement to take the next step in your generosity journey QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I found out that tithing really was for my benefit to help me keep my life in order with God in first place.” “Whether we're talking about giving, earning, or debt, we're talking about handling God's resources.” “Steady plodding in giving compounds over time.” “Our treasure leads our heart. When we continue to live a life of generosity, our heart continues to be drawn closer and closer to the Lord.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) Money, Possessions, and Eternity (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) Christian Financial Concepts (later Crown Financial Ministries) Your Finances in Changing Times by Larry Burkett How to Manage Your Money by Larry Burkett The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Malachi 3:8-10 | Put Me to the Test   Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.   Deuteronomy 14:23 | Learn to Fear of the Lord   And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.   Deuteronomy 8:18 | The Power to Get Wealth   You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.   Matthew 6:3-4 | Give to the Needy in Secret   But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.   Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow's Offering   Acts 4:36-37 | An Open Offering   Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.   1 Chronicles 29:9 | Whole-Hearted Giving   Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.   Matthew 5:16 | Good Works Glorify God   In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.   Proverbs 21:5 | Diligence Brings Success   The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.   Matthew 6:21 | Your Treasure Leads Your Heart   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be 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.

Lauren France, founder of the Lydia Network, encountered the Gospel after graduating college and was immediately captivated by its transformative power. Her passion for sharing Christ and making disciples quickly took root, leading her to serve in various capacities where she honed her skills in organization and fundraising. As she grew in leadership, she recognized how these gifts could be leveraged for the advancement of God's Kingdom.   With a deep calling to empower global church leaders, Lauren now serves as Director of Development and Marketing with Equipping Leaders International, which provides theological training to indigenous pastors across 38 nations. Along this journey, she became increasingly aware of the vital role of women in fueling Kingdom work through generosity. This realization inspired the founding of the Lydia Network—a nationwide movement equipping and empowering women to step boldly into their God-given calling as givers. Today, the Lydia Network unites women from all backgrounds, mobilizing them as catalysts for the extraordinary work God is accomplishing around the world.   Major Topics Include: Lauren's inspiring backstory Gaining the pinhole-to-panoramic view of missions Why Lauren is so passionate about women givers The Lydia Network story The desperate need for theological resources and training for global church leaders The cost of training and equipping indigenous pastors Powerful stories of how God is moving in the nations  Encouraging women to help fulfill the Great Commission through giving Crossing denominational, racial, and generational lines to further the gospel Stories of women leveraging their passions and skill sets to enable generosity What's ahead for the Lydia Network QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Long before I ever knew God, God knew me.” “We get the privilege of living this adventurous, generous life with God. God has that for His daughters and He wants them to live whole-heartedly.” “About 95% of global church leaders have no theological training.” “If you transform a leader, you transform a church. If you transform a church, you transform a community.” “God is building the next movement of generosity in the Church.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Lydia Network Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Equipping Leaders International When Women Give by Kim King The Generosity Gap by The Barna Group Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Polished Network Women & Work by Courtney Moore The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 2 Timothy 2:2 | Making Disciples   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.”   2 Corinthians 9:8 | Sufficiency in All Things   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.   Matthew 18:20 | There I Am   For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. 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.

Speaker and author Brian Kluth has been deeply involved in the generosity space for decades and has thought deeply about how to effectively communicate the joy and adventure that is to be had in the generous life. For the last forty years, Brian has been teaching biblical financial principles and helping countless people discover the joy of living a generous life through international seminars, books, and other written materials.   Brian and his wife, Mary Ellen, have also begun many works as generosity mobilizers. In partnership with many other organizations, these works are helping to improve the lives of millions in Africa and around the world by providing solutions for basic needs and sharing the Gospel. Brian is overflowing with stories of generosity and risky faith that are sure to build faith and inspire.   Major Topics Include: Brian's transformative salvation story Seven simple, biblical keys to generosity Why to separate your giving money from your living money How he and he wife give according to God's blessings How living with a finish line prepared him for life with a pastor's salary The evolution of the modern generosity movement Becoming a “donkey for Christ” in Africa The magnifying impact of partnerships Tips for staying focused when you're growing tired QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity is God's crazy mathematics. when you honor God, you're inviting Him into your financial life.” “God helps you in ways you can't even imagine.” “You cannot buy your way to contentment. Contentment doesn't come from getting everything you want; it comes from being thankful for everything you already have and sharing it.” “I have one goal in life: to one day hear ‘Well done good and faithful servant.'” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Global Generosity Pledge 30-Day Devotional and 40-Day Devotional (Generosity Pledge) Gospel Lights Sandi House Healthy Charity National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Crown Financial Ministries Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Generosity Path Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Faith Driven Investor Faith Driven Entrepreneur Christian Economic Forum Compass Financial Ministries The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Ephesians 4:28 | A Thief No More   Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.   John 7:38 | Rivers of Living Water   Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”   1 Corinthians 16:2 | First-Fruits Giving   On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.   1 Timothy 6:6-7 | Contentment But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 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.

Alisa Hoober has been connected with Hope International since her elementary school years. During that time, her family and church began partnering with a sister church in Ukraine, which laid the groundwork for Hope's mission today. Through family trips abroad and a strong foundation of biblical values, Alisa was raised in a culture that emphasized stewardship, generosity, and contentment.   Alisa Hoober has been connected with Hope International since her elementary school years. During that time, her family and church began partnering with a sister church in Ukraine, which laid the groundwork for Hope's mission today. Through family trips abroad and a strong foundation of biblical values, Alisa was raised in a culture that emphasized stewardship, generosity, and contentment.   As an adult, Alisa spent 10 years on Hope International staff before transitioning to spend more time with her young children. Currently, Alisa serves on several boards, including that of Hope International, and is actively involved in the generosity community alongside her husband. She has valuable insights to share about finding one's calling, establishing priorities, raising generous children, and setting a financial finish line.   Major Topics Include: Learning and teaching the principles of “Earn, Save, and Give” Growing in generosity as a couple Intentionally raising children in a culture of generosity Balancing motherhood with other meaningful passions Practicing generosity through hospitality Practical tips for traveling to the nations with children How to know where God has you right now When to say yes to something new and the self-care of saying no The challenge of raising kids with a heart of contentment in a world of consumerism QUOTES TO REMEMBER “How can we be generous with our whole selves?” “Generosity can be huge and generosity can be really simple.” “When we can learn from each other and spur each other on in living generously and giving cheerfully, we all are better for that and grow from it.” “The best way to figure out how to be a good steward is to ask the Owner.” “It's a calling to love God, to love others, and to live generously.” “When we practice generosity, we see growth.” “The joy of giving is contagious.” “At the root is a heart of contentment.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer) Tomorrow Clubs Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) I Like Giving The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:19-21 | 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. 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.

Kurt Avery, founder of Sawyer Products, began his business career as a top MBA graduate and found himself working for two Fortune 500 companies. With a vision to reach success by making things that people need and solving world problems, Kurt branched out and founded Sawyer Products which manufactures outdoor products for enthusiasts and military applications.    In particular, Sawyer is the maker of the world's most advanced personal water filter which is now providing clean water access to some of the hardest to reach parts of the world. Sawyer produces and gives millions of filters annually around the world through partnerships with over 140 nonprofits, many of whom are equipped to share the gospel. Sawyer was also a forerunner in the research that led to the development of insect repellent mosquito nets which have saved thousands of people from malaria around the world.   Major Topics Include: Kurt's faith and professional journey The story of how Sawyer came to be Lessons from the first difficult decades of the company How Kurt got involved in repellants, mosquito nets, and sunscreen Four lesser-known ways to give from your business What makes Sawyer water filters unique The impact of pairing clean water access with the gospel A framework for aligning a for-profit company with life-changing impact QUOTES TO REMEMBER “With tithing, 10% isn't the limit, it's the starting point.” “God helped you build that business, now what are you gonna do with it?” “If you have a big God, you can do big things.” “Know your skill sets. If you're going to do something big, it's within your skill sets.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Sawyer The Bucket Ministry (see our interview with founder Christopher Beth) Mission Drift (see our interview with author Peter Greer) Filter Best Practices 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.

Davis Powell, CEO of Seed Company, was raised in a Christian home in North Carolina and at a young age, decided to become a medical missionary. However, in his junior year of medical school, he felt led by the Spirit to follow a different path. Through a series of providential events, Davis was exposed to the work of Bible translation and a passion was ignited within him.    Davis now serves as the CEO of Seed Company, a Bible translation company with two primary focuses—collaboration with other Great Commission organizations and impact acceleration with the help of indigenous community leaders and technology. Davis was full of stories about how fast the work of Bible translation is moving, with a particular emphasis on the brand new integration of AI into the process. You won't want to miss this one!   Major Topics Include: The history and heart behind Seed Company How Bible translation models have changed in recent years The challenge of engaging hard-to-reach language communities Empowering indigenous communities to work together toward full Bible translation Working with indigenous speakers to tailor the process for their community context A walk through of the cyclical, community-centric translation process Transformative stories from working with non-believing translators AI as a tool in Bible translation Collaboration with other translation agencies Exciting projections for Bible translation in the next decade QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Missionaries have to deal with borders, the Word of God doesn't. Missionaries have to figure out how to start the church; the Word of God gives the perfect blueprint for starting the church.” “When the Word of God is planted, it transforms everything.” “We can, in our generation, see the Word of God get to every language community. But may it not be said that we didn't let the Word of God be in our heart language.” “Scripture must be clear, accurate, natural, and acceptable.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Seed Company Young Life Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) Unto Operation Christmas Child International Mission Board (IMB) Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) Faith Comes by Hearing (see our interview with VP Morgan Jackson) Meta–No Language Left Behind IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) 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 on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.   Psalm 19:1 | Creation Declares His Glory   The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 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.

Russ Crosson is the former president and CEO, and current chief mission officer of the financial advising firm Blue Trust. For over 40 years, Russ has helped individuals and families to grow in generosity and wisely steward what God has entrusted to them. Ken Boa is a well-known author and theologian, and founder of Reflections Ministries. Ken has an inspiring personal testimony and powerful biblical insights on the generous life.  Together, they are coauthors of the book Leverage which is packed with practical wisdom and frameworks for understanding our calling and invitation into the generous life. In the book, Ken lays out many spiritual and foundational principles to help people think more deeply and biblically about generosity. Along with each concept, Russ outlines practical ways to put principles into practice. You don't want to miss out on all the wisdom they had to share.   Major Topics Include: The story of the book's inception How generosity breaks the power of money Six reasons for giving How to shift into a generosity mindset The concept of reverse compounding  Deciding where and how much to give Practical ways to give anonymously Giving from assets  Thinking through wealth transfer to the next generation QUOTES TO REMEMBER Russ: “Stewardship is the use of God-given resources to accomplish God-given goals.” Ken: “You can always be more generous than you think.” Ken: “[In the parables,] the ones who were condemned were the ones who failed to take a risk because obedience requires risk-taking.” Russ: “Do you want to hear ‘well done' or just ‘you may come in'?” Ken: “God never tells us to give up something without giving us something better.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain by Kenneth Boa and Russ Crosson Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) 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 Luke 16:1-13 | The Parable of the Unrighteous Steward   1 Timothy 6:17-19 | Be Rich in Good Works   As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.   Ephesians 2:8-9 | The Gift of God For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 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.

Rachel McDonough, an experienced financial advisor, was raised in a missionary family in Kenya. At a young age, Rachel had a deeply impactful encounter with poverty in Africa which led her into an unexpected calling as a financial advisor. Today, Rachel has a particular interest in impact investing and strives to help others align their hearts and finances in taking risks for Kingdom impact. Wes Lyons, General Partner at Eagle Venture Fund, was also raised in a missionary home and felt called into financial advising. While leading a military deployment, Wes saw firsthand the evils of human trafficking and the horrific treatment of children. He now leads the Eagle Freedom Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in companies that combat human trafficking and slavery through scalable business models. This groundbreaking model is shaking up the human trafficking global network by exposing the trafficking supply chain and placing heavy market pressure on the trafficking ecosystem.   Major Topics Include: Connecting financial planning with the work of the Kingdom The purpose of stewardship Blurring the lines between giving and investing with a head-and-heart approach Break the engines of the human trafficking machine through economic pressure Having both great impact and a great financial return An achievable goal to end human trafficking Viewing risk and return as a faithful steward QUOTES TO REMEMBER Rachel: “I started to realize that worship and investing could go hand-in-hand.” Wes: “I think sometimes when we're living in the American Church, the evil and the darkness can feel very far away, and I just got smacked in the face with it. So that started informing how we do our impact investing.” Rachel: “I did nothing to deserve the position I was born into.” Rachel: “There is both an opportunity and a responsibility to be a Christ follower who is stewarding resources that we know rightfully belong to the King, and to do it in a way that aligns with His values, and His heart is for the poor.” Rachel: “Human trafficking is too big of a problem to solve without business. Business needs to be part of the solution for it.” Rachel: “God created us as holistic beings with a head and a heart. We get better outcomes in our giving and our investing when we take a head-and-heart approach to both.” Wes: “Our dream is that within 10 years we would have our first day in anybody's lifetime when we didn't lose the fight. And that would be the day when human trafficking started to go down.” Rachel: “I'm going to choose to willingly embrace risk for the sake of love and for the sake of sons, daughters, and image bearers set free.” Wes: “Christians should be the ones who are ready to take risks on behalf of the vulnerable.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Eagle Venture Fund Money, Possessions, and Eternity (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) International Justice Mission (IJM) Brightlight Inspire Insight Talanton Sound of Freedom Movie (Angel Studios) Wealth Squared Donor Advised Fund: The Freedom & Justice Impact Fund The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Joel 3:10 | I Am A Warrior   Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”   Galatians 6:9 | Don't Give Up   And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 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.

David Hazell was raised in a religious home, but his relationship with Jesus truly began in the Jesus Revolution in the 1970s. With a mindset of radical obedience, David felt called into an adventure with God and moved his family to Siberia to help with Bible translation. During his time on the mission field, he was awakened to the power of business to fuel the work being done.   Since then, David has launched many successful businesses, generating millions to fuel gospel work around the world, all while continuing to live in a modest mobile home with his wife. David has much to share on obeying the voice of the Spirit, wisdom in stewarding God's money, and the importance of walking out your unique calling.   Major Topics Include: David's story of redemption and calling How he went from Bible translation into the business world A mindset of whole-life stewardship Practice obeying the Spirit's voice by responding to little nudges Spirit-led investing with God's money Stories from the mission field of using businesses to reach people with the gospel QUOTES TO REMEMBER “When we start to see God's mercy and His love, we want to be with Him every day.” “We set our lives up to give more than 50% away, even before we knew we could.” “When you give your life to Christ, you're giving Him all aspects of your life, and you become a steward of everything you have.” “Nothing we own, nothing we have, nothing that belongs to us doesn't belong to God.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Wild at Heart by John Eldridge Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) My Father's World The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Ephesians 2:10 | His Workmanship   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 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.

Ed Michaelson, founder of The 500k, was raised in the UK by parents who regaled him with adventurous tales of missionaries for his bedtime stories. As he grew in his relationship with Jesus, he became inspired to become a physician to serve on the mission field. But after a trip to India, Ed realized that his greatest capacity to move the gospel was to empower native missionaries who were already reaching the unreached in that region.   Ed founded the 500k as a pipeline to connect givers in the West with rapidly expanding indigenous church planting movements in India seeking to reach the remaining 500,000 villages that have never heard the name of Jesus. Now with thirteen Bible training centers, over 1,000 missionaries, evangelism training for new Believers, and collaboration with other ministries, this goal is closer than ever to becoming a reality.   Major Topic Include: Story of how 500K was born The necessity and effectiveness of indigenous missionaries The balance between earning to live and earning to give Stories from the mission field Training new Believers to share the gospel Collaborating with other ministries to further the gospel in India  Keys to effective giving in the mission space An exciting look at what can be achieved in fulfilling the Great Commission in the next few years The adventure of giving to the point of total dependence on God QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The thought that people aren't being sent to unreached villages because of a lack of money is crazy to me because that's a resource that we do have. And it's really encouraging because that's a problem I can easily help with.” “Forty percent of all the world's unreached people are in India.” “There is no treasure that compares to knowing Jesus Christ as Lord” “If you don't want Jesus, that's your choice, but everyone should have that choice.” “It puts the things that we call sacrifices into perspective when we see people putting their health, their lives, on the line to share the gospel.” “Everyday can be like Christmas when we're depending on the Lord.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW 500k Joshua Project (see our interview with Director, Dan Scribner) Mission India The Finishing Fund (see our interview with founder Doug Cobb) The Timothy Initiative (see our interview with CEO, Jared Nelms) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 34:8 | Taste and See    Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!   1 Peter 1:18-19 | Redeemed by the Blood   Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.   Matthew 18:6 | Guarding God's Little Ones   But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.   Luke 12:33 | Eternal Treasure   Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 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.

Cherise Vermeulen, Executive Director of Generous Generations, had several childhood experiences that radically impacted her faith and her understanding of generosity. At the age of six, she woke from a coma following a severe car accident, where she felt the healing touch of prayer. This life-altering event left her with visible scars, but it also prompted her to explore her identity in Christ and discover her intrinsic value. Later, as the recipient of an incredibly generous gift, Cherise came to recognize the immense impact of generosity in changing the course of someone's life.   Through these experiences and Cherise's background in children's educational television, God laid the foundations for Generous Generations, which now provides generosity programming, videos, and content for children and youth across 26 different countries. By collaborating with localized ministries and training local leaders, Generous Generations has reached millions of children with the message of generosity in a culturally contextualized way.    Major Topics Include: The amazing story of how Generous Generations was born Different strategies for teaching children to young adults about generosity Collaboration as a central strategy for sharing the program How Generous Generations is affecting families and communities The challenge of contextualizing stories and examples to share generosity concepts with different cultures Tips for families to incorporate generosity into the daily lives of their children QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Even in times of need, it's not about what you can get, it's about what you can give.” “I used to think you had to have a lot in order to give.” “Let's decide how much we want to give and let God work out the details.” “Generosity is transformational. Why do we wait until we're grownups before we learn about these beautiful values?” “Children learn quickly because they're not afraid to fail.” “Teenagers need to feel like they have a voice and a role to play in deciding how to give.” “We want children under the age of twelve to begin to understand that generosity is an adventure.” “With the great wealth transfer being underway, we have the opportunity to speak to children and youth now to instill these biblical values of generosity and stewardship into their lives so that by the time they reach adulthood, they will be able to make huge decisions about how money is spent.” “When a child discovers the joy of giving, it's not a duty to them or something that they have to do, it's something they get to do. And the joy is contagious!” “Generosity is a new way to spread the gospel because it's a universal language. It's a concept that's understood across cultures.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Generous Generations Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Scripture Union Global Children's Forum The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Philippians 4:8 | Think on These Things   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 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.

Scott Cheatham, CEO of e3 Partners and I Am Second, was raised in a Christian, entrepreneurial family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Scott started off in the business world as a successful entrepreneur living the American dream. But God got his attention in a powerful way, and led him to sell it all without knowing where God was taking him next. Through baby steps of radical obedience, God led his family to the nations to plant churches in one of the darkest places in the world.   Today, Scott's business expertise and church planting experience have come together as he leads e3's church planting network across over 100 countries. Scott is also closely involved with the Coalition of the Willing, a massive coordination effort among church planting organizations to see the gospel reach every person and village.    Major topics include: Scott's inspiring story of radical obedience to God Maturing a church plant into a healthy church Building accountability structures in church plants Tips for telling your story and sharing the gospel Collaboration between church planting organizations to advance the gospel QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The more obedient we were to Jesus, the more we were prompted to want to do more.” “We have a mission statement for our family and it's simply this: Lord, help us to leverage every give, talent, and resource You have given us for the full extent of Your glory.” “Our life with Jesus is just baby steps of incremental obedience.” “We should be asking, ‘Lord, open our minds and our hearts to the opportunities that we have in front of us to have spiritual conversations.'” “There's not power in your words. There's power in Jesus' words.” “God's the one who does the work.” “When we speak the truth in love, God does the work.” “All God is asking for us is the simplicity of obedience.” “God is setting the world's stage for hope in Jesus.” “Ask yourself, ‘Where am I investing in lostness?'” LINKS FROM THE SHOW E3 Partners I Am Second Coalition of the Willing The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Acts 2:43-47 | The New Testament Church And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 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.

Leigh Ann Horton grew up in a Christian home where open conversations about money and stewardship shaped her perspective on finances and faith. Her natural talent for numbers guided her career as a CPA and entrepreneur, while also influencing her early approach to generosity. Initially meticulous in tracking her giving, Leigh Ann's journey has since evolved into one of holding resources with open hands and following the Spirit's leading in both her businesses and giving. A turning point came when Leigh Ann and her husband connected with a community of like-minded givers, leading to a transformative shift toward heartfelt, Spirit-led generosity. Today, Leigh Ann is passionate about empowering women to engage in meaningful conversations about money and giving. Her inspiring stories radiate the joy and fulfillment that come from embracing a generous life. Major Topics Include: From “tickled-tithing” to joyful generosity The transformative power of community in generosity Finding freedom from comparison and cultivating joy Growing as a couple in Spirit-led giving Equipping and inspiring women in financial conversations Understanding and measuring impact investing Quotes to Remember “When I realized that I was being legalistic in my giving, I quit trying to measure everything and tried to become more freehanded in it.” “It doesn't matter what I have because it's not mine; I'm just a steward.” “As you know what your purpose is, then you can figure out where your passions align.” “Start where you are, even if you've only given a tiny bit before. You can start anytime to be generous with your time, your treasure, or your talent. It all matters.” “If you want to start being more generous, you have to start with acts of generosity.” Links from the Show J4 Leaders Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Talanton  Faith Driven Investor Solving the World's Greatest Problems Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) 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 Malachi 3:10 | “Test Me in This…” Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 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.

Barry and Linda Rowan, a corporate executive and a CPA, were both raised in environments that emphasized faith, family, and the pursuit of financial success. By their late 20s, they had each established successful careers; however, they found themselves in a crisis as they sought meaning in their work. In their quest for purpose, they were brought to a position of total spiritual surrender. Through a series of paradigm shifts, they learned from God how to integrate their faith, generosity, and professions, ultimately creating a harmonious blend of work and spirituality.   Barry has served as CEO and CFO of eight major companies over his career and sees business as an expression of faith when walking in step with God. Together Barry and Linda set a finish line early in their marriage which has guided their generosity since, and they are passionate about raising up the next generation of givers and Christ-following leaders to view all that they are, all that they do, and all they have to give as belonging fully to God.   Major topics include: Discovering what purpose and calling looked like in their faith journeys Developing a biblical view of money and stewardship in their early 20s Viewing money as a gift to be shared, not a goal to be achieved Amazing stories about seeing God triumph greatly through failure Investing in spiritual disciplines Powerful insights on prayer What businesses and ministries can learn from each other How to pass leadership and generosity on to the next generation QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I was trying to derive meaning from the work instead of bringing meaning to the work. It's really God's perspective of the work that infuses our work with meaning.” – Barry “If we haven't figured out how much is enough, we are by default lovers of money.” – Barry  “We stay in prayer until God unites our hearts in decisions.” – Linda “We've never made a major financial decision or contribution without coming to a consensus. And the process of talking through it is often as valuable as the end decision.” – Barry “Prayer is an anchor.” – Linda “If we give God the time to speak to us, then He will meet us right where we are. God is the Great I Am, and I must meet Him just as I am.” – Barry “We are made for the benefit of others.” – Barry “Nothing is wasted in God's hands when we offer it with open palms.” – Linda “God is inviting us to live an integrated life under Him, and as we do, our work is not something that stands in the way of faith, but rather an expression of faith.” – Barry “It starts with surrender.” – Barry “At this stage in our lives, we have nothing to prove, we have nothing to fear, and we view our lives as an act of total generosity.” – Barry LINKS FROM THE SHOW God and Money (see our interviews with coauthors Greg Baumer and John Cortines) The Spiritual Art of Business by Barry Rowan World Vision The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Colossians 1:27 | The Hope of Glory   To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.   Ecclesiastes 5:10 | The Love of Money   He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.   Ecclesiastes 5:19 | The Gift of Enjoying Wealth   Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.   Luke 12:48b | An Expected Return   Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.   Luke 14:33 | Full Surrender   So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.   Jeremiah 29:11 | Plans for Your Good   For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.   Mark 10:18 | Only the Father Is Good   And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.   Galatians 2:10 | Remember the Poor   Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.   Acts 28:31 | Teaching with Boldness   [Paul lived] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 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.

Dawn Hynes Esposito—entrepreneur, business owner, and author—always aspired to become a corporate executive, and her journey seemed to be right on track as she climbed the ranks within a Fortune 500 company. Yet, despite reaching the heights of her career dreams, Dawn realized she was missing a deeper sense of fulfillment. That's when God captured her attention. In a profound moment of transformation, Dawn fully rededicated her life to Christ, embracing the gospel with a renewed passion and a heart for bold witness. Since that time, she has devoted her time, talents, and resources to spreading the gospel as widely as possible, witnessing God's powerful work in the lives of others. Dawn brings valuable insights into integrating faith and profession, offering inspiration on being creatively generous with all that God has abundantly provided. Major topics include: Dawn's inspiring journey into a life of full surrender to God Growing in boldness with evangelism Generosity as a form of worship Following the Spirit into starting her businesses to build the Kingdom How she and her husband hear from the Holy Spirit to make decisions Dawn's faith journey in writing her book Leveraging your profession to build the Kingdom of God QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Evangelism is like building a muscle. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become speaking about faith with co-workers and friends. And then you start to get a supernatural boldness.” “Financial generosity is a natural outgrowth of understanding how Christ freely gave all. And there's nothing we can give in return except our lives, our heart, our talents, and our treasure. It's really just a form of worshiping the King.” “Whatever we give, God gives back to us in multiples.” “The Lord prompts us to do things that don't make sense to the natural mind, and as we submit to Him and follow His leading even though we don't know where He's going, He just blows our mind with the outcome.” “Our's is to act obediently; His is the outcome and the results.” “Through our minute generosity, God has demonstrated His great generosity in blessing us so that we can be a greater blessing.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW God of My Every Day by Dawn Hynes Esposito Campus Crusade (Cru) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Zechariah 4:6 | By My Spirit Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 58:10-11 | God Is Generous with Those Who Are Generous If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 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.

Micheline Ouedraogo, founder of Bridges to Burkina, grew up in a missionary family in West Africa with few resources. She learned from a young age what it looks like to completely depend on God for provision and guidance. While attending college in the US, she felt a call from the Holy Spirit to sponsor education for a handful of orphans in her home country, and despite her minimum-wage income, she stepped out in faith and obeyed. What began as a humble expression of generosity has bloomed into an amazing ministry. Micheline's inspiring dedication to live a life of submission and obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit led her from one divine connection to another, and Bridges to Burkina was born. Now, Bridges to Burkina works with rural villages in Burkina Faso, Africa, combating poverty by training locals to use agriculture and livestock to create sustainable businesses, as well as providing education for their children. Major topics include: Choosing to obey God when it doesn't make sense Listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit in life and generosity Breaking the poverty cycle through education and business training Balancing a full-time career with serving in the ministry Micheline's vision for growth in Bridges to Burkina QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I'd rather take a risk and obey God than stay put and try to protect myself.” “I don't want to just fix the today-problem and leave you with the tomorrow problem. What God has put on my heart is for transforming lives for today and the future.” “Everything we do has to be led by love. Then God will open the door for things to happen.” “I don't want to do what I want to do, I want to do what you want me to do.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Bridges to Burkina The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW The Book of Esther 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.

Actress Whitney Goin was raised in Orlando, Florida, immersed in a community, church, and family that modeled generosity as a way of life. Her father, a powerful influence, shaped her understanding of giving as a deeply relational commitment, leaving a profound legacy in his community through his wholehearted generosity. After his passing, Whitney felt compelled to pursue her own distinct path, discovering how to express generosity in a way that truly resonated with her. A meaningful connection with our guest co-host, Julie Wilson, led Whitney to find a welcoming community in Women Doing Well—a network of faith-driven, generous women. This supportive circle helped her reignite her sense of purpose in giving, as she uncovered God's unique design for her generosity journey. Now, Whitney uses her passion for acting and theater to inspire others, encouraging them to embrace their own distinctive calling to generosity in alignment with their purpose and passions. Major topics include: Her father's generosity legacy Learning how God designed you to give Following the voice of the Holy Spirit with joy The blessing and tension of freedom from comparison in generosity How to know and walk in your purpose Individuality and diversity within the Body of Christ Freedom in spontaneous generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God does not ask us to give of ourselves until He fills us to overflowing with what He's asking us to give.” “I started realizing just how unique and special and diverse we all are, not only with how we give and where we give, but in the way we were created uniquely to give.” “I'm now on fire with joy! It's truly an overflow rather than trying to scrap for a little energy to be generous.” “So much of our walk with the Lord is having the vulnerability to really get to know ourselves and let Him show us who we are. Stop trying to be who you think you're supposed to be so you can truly be the hands and feet He's created you to be.” “I pray everyday, ‘Compel me or constrain me according to Your will.'” “I don't need to be any bigger than the influence He's put right before me.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW 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) A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 11:30 | Easy and Light “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 | A Cheerful Giver Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Psalm 31:7-8 | A Broad Place I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.   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.

Bruce Hildenbrand, raised as a pastor's kid in rural Michigan, learned early on to rely on God for everything. So, when he faced uncertainty about his college major, he encountered the Holy Spirit in a powerful way, guiding him into the business world with one condition: that Bruce would dedicate all of it back to God. Since then, Bruce has become a serial entrepreneur with a 35-year passion for operating from a profound relationship with God. His journey is one of steadfast obedience, producing abundant fruit for the Kingdom. He fully dedicates his talents, resources, and business endeavors to glorify God. Bruce brings valuable insights into recognizing the voice of the Holy Spirit in business, practicing generosity, and investing in eternity. Major topics include: Bruce's supernatural encounter in the middle of a business lecture The necessity of a relationship with the Father as a businessperson God's view of wealth vs. the pharisaical view Focusing on EROI (Eternal Return on Investment) The heart posture of a generous giver Keys to hearing from the Holy Spirit How you can start serving your community today QUOTES TO REMEMBER “You can't do anything if you don't have a relationship with the Father.” “If you are going to exercise spiritual gifts, you need God's protection because you will be under spiritual attack.” “God, don't prosper my bank account before You prosper my soul.” “God wants all the credit. He wants you to say, ‘God, You get all the credit for everything I do.'” “Riches are not the divine approval for your life.” “You can fool man, but you can't fool God.” “Don't violate God's principles and expect Him to prosper your business.” “A relationship with God must be consistent, persistent, and tenacious.” “God's first definition of a generous giver was a poor widow.” “It's not about how much we give, it's about our heart condition.” “Write the check and get out of the way. Let the Holy Spirit to His work.” “As a businessman, if you really understood the Bible and you really understood where you're going to end up forever, you would be plowing every dime that you have into your eternal account.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Treasures in Heaven, Part 1 by John MacArthur (YouTube Video) Treasures in Heaven, Part 2 by John MacArthur (YouTube Video) YouVersion The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Deuteronomy 8:17-18 | God Gives Wealth   Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.   Isaiah 48:17 | God Teaches How to Profit   Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.   John 15:5 | Abide in the Vine   I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.   Proverbs 18:11 | Strong City, High Wall   A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.   Proverbs 23:4 | Don't Toil    Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.   Proverbs 10:22 | Riches with No Sorrow   The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.   Matthew 6:19-21 | Treasure in Heaven   “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow's Offering   Matt 6:3 | Giving in Secret   But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 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.

Zenet Maramara is the founder and president of Christian Stewards in the Philippines. After Zenet became a born-again Christian in her thirties, she enrolled at a seminary where she stepped into a fundraising role. Wanting to master the art of fundraising, Zenet attended Regent University and there experienced a “second conversion” into biblical stewardship, understanding the principles of managing God's money for His Kingdom purposes in a way that is transformational to the giver, not just transactional.    Zenet became passionate about advancing biblical stewardship education and has since built a multi-dimensional platform to empower the Filipino Church with generosity champions across the realms of business, ministry, and the local church. Christian Stewards has become a beacon of generosity in the Philippines and beyond, and Zenet had much wisdom to share.   Major topics include: How Christian Stewards began The difference between transactional and transformational fundraising Articulating your theology in fundraising and stewardship Intentional integration of generosity and discipleship training Empowering business owners to share the gospel by integrating business and faith Steward-leadership theology Core beliefs for a conversion as a biblical steward The blessing and challenge of collaboration QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Whose money are you fundraising? Isn't it all God's money?” “It's not just about money. It's about the heart.”  “Giving is a barometer for our spiritual condition, and money is a great way to test if we are fully surrendered to God.” “Fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, a prayer, or going on a mission because you're helping people understand who they are and how to relate with the resources that God has entrusted to them.” “My vision is that every one of the 92,000 evangelical churches in the Philippines would have at least one generosity champion who will coordinate the teaching of generosity in their church.” “Business is the new ‘Roman Road' for the Gospel because we're in the marketplace more than we're in the church on Sunday.” “The steward-leader theology and practice is an upside-down leadership. Most leaders have the power, but a steward-leader shares the power, shares privilege, and shares in the purpose of the organization or company.” “If we hold lightly the material things that God has entrusted to us, then it is easier for us to listen to God when He calls us to move that resource to where it is most needed.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Christian Stewards The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Stations of Generosity from the MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines) Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson) Faith Driven Entrepreneur Rooting for Rivals (see our interview with author Peter Greer) Lausanne Movement 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.

Helen Schmid was very young when her family immigrated from China to the US with their eyes set on the American dream. She strove to be the best that she could be in all that she did to earn her place in life. Coming to faith as a student at New York University, Helen began to understand that her salvation was based on faith, not works.    For over a decade, Helen led high-growth marketing teams at Walmart, Amazon, and L'Oreal. But in 2020, Helen and her husband felt dissatisfied with climbing the corporate ladder and were drawn to engage in purposeful, Kingdom-building work. They set a financial finish line and began to learn what generosity looked like, not only in finances, but with their skillsets and in all facets of their life.    Today, Helen is the founder of My Strategy Mentor, a successful marketing and growth consulting firm that works heavily with ministries and businesses to equip missional, faith-driven leaders so that they can grow their organizations confidently and strategically. She also serves as a board member for Women Doing Well with our special guest co-host, Julie Wilson. Helen has much to share about meaningful work, a holistic approach to generosity, and the joy of living a life surrendered to God.   Major topics include: Discovering a counter-cultural faith in her early twenties Her journey from financial generosity to whole life generosity Finding purposeful work beyond the corporate ladder Making generosity about glorifying God, not performance How she encourages her children in generosity Navigating when generosity feels difficult The impact of serving as a board member at Women Doing Well QUOTES TO REMEMBER “If God owns my whole life, as in my possessions, my time, and my treasure, I need to understand what that means in terms of what I have to give.” “What might God have for me beyond climbing the corporate ladder?” “Understanding biblical stewardship and generosity has given me a shift in mindset and values where success no longer looks like more.” “The more we surrender, the more we see the goodness and the faithfulness of God, and that allows us to then take more risks.” “We think of generosity as partnering with God to serve His Kingdom and make an outward impact.” “I don't really view myself as a generous person. That feels like an achievement or a trophy. I just feel like I'm learning the boundaries God has for me, and I'm learning to listen and trust in Him more.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW My Strategy Mentor Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here) Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (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) The Money Wise Adventures For Kids by Concepta Akinyi Otieno, Gabriela Awino Otieno, and Daniella Aloo Otieno 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.

An affluent family with multiple homes and a successful business, Bruce and Sue Osterink were living the American dream. But God used one trip to Russia in the early nineties to begin a cascade of events that would bring a dramatic shift in their lives. The Osterinks began to hear a calling to simplify their lives and belongings so that they could be available to love others and be generous with their money, their time, and their relationships.    Over the last thirty years, Bruce and Sue have taken some radical steps of faith and obedience that have led to some amazing stories. They are no stranger to suffering, and their journeys have impacted countless college students, young couples, and givers of many kinds. You won't want to miss all they had to share!   Major topics include: Setting a financial finish line Learning to be available to love others Living simply to give generously Important lessons from serving as house parents to college students Making big decisions in radical obedience to God The relationship between generosity and faith QUOTES TO REMEMBER Bruce: “What God needs is people who are available to love others.” Bruce: “Our generosity started with our money, but as we began to understand what God was calling us to more and more, we understood that it wasn't just our money. It was our time, it was our life. It wasn't only what we gave away, but what we did with what God allowed us to hold on to.” Bruce: “Unity isn't compromise, it's finding what God wants for us.” Bruce: “It's been interesting to be able to look back and see that had we made a plan, we would have had nothing in our plan of what was God's plan.” Sue: “Why say ‘no?' That's kind of our philosophy. We tend to say ‘yes,' very seldom say ‘no,' as long as we feel it's a good investment in the Kingdom. Bruce: “We would much rather give our money away than spend it.” Sue: “Pick your lifestyle before you make any money.” Bruce: “Pray about your lifestyle. And whatever lifestyle God calls you to, you don't change it because you get a raise. You change it when God tells you to.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) Young Life Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Acts 4:32 | Unity Among Brethren   Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 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.

Christopher Beth, founder of The Bucket Ministry, spent most of his life as a business consultant and thought he would retire from that line of work. But a radical encounter with God deep in the Amazon turned his life upside down and from that experience, The Bucket Ministry was born. The Bucket Ministry widely disperses water filters and the gospel all around the world using an advanced digital mapping platform to guide their work. The mission of The Bucket Ministry is to share God's love through the gift of safe, clean, drinking water. While The Bucket Ministry started out in the Brazilian Amazon, it is now actively evangelizing and providing water filters all over the globe. Christopher has an incredible story as well as lots of great advice on effective ministry and data tracking. You won't want to miss what he had to share! Major topics include: The impactful story of how The Bucket Ministry began Startling statistics about drinking water access throughout the world Water filtration as a vehicle to practically share the gospel Transitioning from business to ministry Navigating the tension between profession and calling Leveraging technology for ministry management and accountability Christopher's vision for scaling to reach more people faster in the next five years QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I had no idea that at the age of 56, I would think more about fishing for men than fishing for fish.” “The water in my toilet bowl is cleaner than 785 million people have access to around the world.” “Our focal points are Jesus, water, and discipleship. We don't do anything else.”   LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Bucket Ministry Joshua Project (see our interview with Director, Dan Scribner) Sawyer Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Acts 4:13 | God Uses Common Men Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 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.

Aimee Minnich, co-founder of the Impact Foundation, a donor-advised fund platform that enables givers to invest in world-changing companies with social, environmental, and spiritual impact. Aimee began her career in law followed by years of experience in the donor-advised fund space with the National Christian Foundation before eventually launching the Impact Foundation to enable streamlined impact investing with charitable dollars. Aimee has been a central pillar in the impact investing space as it has rapidly grown over the last decade. She has a solid foundation in the full scope of what is available today as well as where impact investing is headed in the next 10 years. You won't want to miss this one. Major topics include: A primer on impact investing The story of the Impact Foundation Differences between impact investing strategy and traditional investing Risk vs impact in the context of investing Measuring success in impact investing The interplay between inputs, outputs, and outcomes The future of impact investing QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The God of the universe is glorified when you and I are functioning at our best.” “God created us to be generous because He is generous.” “To be truly generous, you have to know God well.” “Business people can be used for more in the Kingdom of God than just giving money away.” “The currency of the kingdom of God is relationships.” “The right way to handle risk starts with ‘OK, God. What I have is yours. How would you lead us to steward this for your glory and the good of your people?' And then go from there.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Impact Foundation Get Started with Impact Foundation K Life When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert) God and Money (see our interviews with coauthors Greg Baumer and John Cortines) The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) Heaven by Randy Alcorn (see our past interview here) Bill High, Legacy Advisor and founder of The Signatry (see our past interview here) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Faith Driven Investor Faith Driven Entrepreneur Praxis Mutual Funds Eventide The Chosen Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer) Best Christian Workplaces Launch Capital Partners Faith at Work Movement In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW John 13:3-16 | Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet   Isaiah 30:21 | Step-By-Step Obedience    And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.   1 Corinthians 3:6 | Doing Your Part   I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 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.

JD Bauman is the Director of Effective Altruism for Christians (EACH) and founder of Christians for Impact. Born to missionary parents, JD was rooted in a Christian upbringing that emphasized the importance of generosity to see real change throughout the world for the Kingdom of God.  JD provides insightful perspectives on the principles of effective giving and the practical implications for believers who seek to harness their resources for maximum impact, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and how the ITN (Importance, Tractability, Neglectedness) framework can help individuals prioritize their charitable efforts, guiding them to tackle the most pressing issues in society effectively. Major topics include: Understanding effective altruism Christian perspectives on altruism Core frameworks for effective giving Balancing physical and spiritual needs Practical steps for giving effectively The role of spontaneous giving Considering the local church, global Church, and future Church in effective giving Thinking about global problems with the ITN framework (importance, tractability, and neglectedness) Recommended charity evaluators Influencing others through generosity Helping people pursue meaningful careers through Christian for Impact QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I didn't love economics, but I studied economics because I thought I could earn more money with an economics degree and give more money away.” “Effective Altruism is this idea: Use evidence and reason to find the best ways to do good, and then to take action on the basis.” “I want to love those God loves and I think God loves everyone, and when we're more effective, we can help more people made in God's image.” “Outcomes matter, good intentions aren't enough.” “Jesus cares about the body and the soul. And we should too.” “I think we have really good reasons for thinking that a dollar goes a lot further globally. And if people gathering in Jesus' name in West Bengal is just as important as them gathering in North Bethesda, then I think we should honor those faith communities equally. And I think we can, on average, promote a lot more growth in church communities globally than locally for the same dollar.” “All problems can be categorized by Importance, tractability, and neglectedness.” “If we want our charity to make a real impact in the real world, we need to be giving in ways that create a world that's better than it otherwise would have been, that bring the kingdom of God into this world where otherwise it might have been broken.” “Let's make it a new normal in the Church to give radically and effectively.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Effective Altruism for Christians Christians for Impact Operation Mobilization Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) Society of Christian Philosophers BlessBig.org (see our interview with founder Jay Dykstra) When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert) GiveWell Happier Lives Institutes Animal Charity Evaluators Charity Navigator ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker) All Access International (see our interview with founder, Lane Kipp) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:28-30 | God Will Take Care of You   And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?   Matthew 25:14-30 | Parable of the Talents   Matthew 13:23 | Bearing Fruit   As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.  John 10:10 | Abundant Life   The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 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.

Dana and Bill Wichterman have a long history of generosity. From the onset of their marriage, Dana and Bill have practiced financial stewardship, always living below their means. Even in a one bedroom apartment with no vehicle to drive, they budgeted a specific amount they could use for spontaneous generosity, and trained their children in Spirit-led giving.   Their collective backgrounds in missions, politics, and poverty alleviation have given them a passion for impact investing, allowing God to use their money to see real change in the world. Recently the Wichtermans reached their net worth finish line, recognizing that they need nothing else for themselves. Yet the joy of giving drives them to continue in their careers simply to have more to fuel God's Kingdom. Dana is a senior advisor to the Impact Foundation, and she and Bill had some amazing insights to share about giving, stewardship, investing, and the importance of Christian community in the generosity space.   Major topics include: Their unique backgrounds and stories of coming to faith How they learned financial stewardship Thinking through an accumulation finish line vs. an income finish line A long term view of maximized generosity Budgeting in view of their callings together and individual What is impact investing and how they got involved  How to look for impact an returns in your portfolio Strategically praying for your investments to change the world and bless people The blessing of community among Christians stewarding finances The importance of hearing other people's stories QUOTES TO REMEMBER Bill: “The more you understand the nature of the Gospel and its implications for your life, the more you get the implications of generosity.” Dana: “Once we set a finish line, I entered into an abundance mindset.” Dana: “Now that we've reached our finish line, it makes our work that much more joyful. Now it's like why would we ever want to retire? We want to keep generating this amount so that we can give.” Bill: “It's so fun to help change the world with your money!” Dana: “You have your Holy Spirit radar up for needs that you couldn't possibly anticipate, but you know you have to cash to give to that when it comes.” Dana: “We can't meet every need around us, but there are certain needs that have our name on it. And when our name's on it and then God provides, there's such a joy with that.” Bill: “Most of the time, you possibility for world change is greater with for-profits, especially in poverty alleviation.” Dana: “I believe that God made us all in His image to be creators. We're either builders or backers, founders or funders. So if we're all doing what God calls us to, the success of it isn't so much on us. It's the faithfulness that's important.” Dana: “It's to God's glory that He's transforming us from selfish, self-absorbed individuals into more of the Family likeness which is more and more generous.” Bill: “What do we have to boast about? We're only giving what we've already been given.” Dana: “Sacrificial giving can actually become very joyful over time because it has become part of your DNA as God is transforming you, and then it doesn't feel sacrificial anymore. His burden becomes light, but only over time.” Dana: “One person's generosity doesn't have to look like another person's.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Impact Foundation Crown Financial Ministries Noble Story Co. Sunshine Nut Co. Scatter by Andrew Scott Operation Mobilization The Steward Investor Masterclass The Gathering National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) 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    2 Corinthians 9:7 | A Cheerful Giver   Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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.

Bill High was brought up in a low-income family in rural Missouri and came to know Jesus at a young age. His generosity journey began as a teenager, faithfully tithing on everything he earned. Bill started the first half of his career in law before leaving to launch what would later become The Signatry, a donor-advised fund platform that connects “donors with doers” tackling some of the world's biggest problems.  Through his work with The Signatry, Bill developed a passion for seeing individual families united by a clear and driving mission and vision that reflects God's particular calling for them. In recent years, Bill has focused much of his efforts on consulting for and guiding families stewarding wealth through some of these considerations, and he had many practical considerations to share. Major topics include: His personal and faith background Bill's professional path from practicing law to funding urban ministry How God started planting seeds of generosity in his heart as a child What he learned about encouraging generosity in individuals and families Looking biblically and practically at dealing with wealth transfers and family legacies The importance of defining your vision, mission, and values as a family Guidance for families looking for a cause that aligns with their values QUOTES TO REMEMBER “We wanted to write the last check to reach the last missionary group to take the gospel to the last unreached people group.” “Generosity was just a part of the conversation.” “Family is meant to be a multi-generational endeavor.” “Family generosity is the easiest way to live our vision, mission, and values.” “Sometimes I equate this finish line idea with ‘who's the owner, you or God?” “The number one thing that changed people's generosity, typically, is when they understood the generosity of God along with the idea that God was the owner and they were not.” “If you don't teach generational values, you get generational drift. ” “The biggest wealth transfer issue is to not transfer wealth consumption, but to transfer wealth creation.”   LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Signatry (see our interview with CEO, Steve French) Bill High's Website Legacy Stone The Generosity Bet by Bill High National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Ten Second Rule by Clare De Graaf Young Americans Bank Contact Bill High at bhigh@legacystone.com The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 24:3-4 | Wisdom Builds a House   By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.   Genesis 15:5 | Like the Stars in Heaven   And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”   Matthew 6:3 | Humility in Giving   But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,   Psalm 78:5-7 | Generational Faith   He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; 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.

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, and a New York Times best-selling author. Mark grew up in the Midwest in a home that fostered faith and faithfulness in giving. His generosity journey started at a young age with some significant acts of faith, and some of those decisions have rippled through the rest of his life in ministry. National Community Church is overflowing with stories of generosity and radical steps of faith that have enabled them to support a wide array of other ministries and churches.   Mark highlights the importance of celebrating generosity and pushing the envelope to increase levels of giving, both personally and as a church community. He shares personal stories of the impact of small acts of generosity, encourages flipping blessings for others, and emphasizes living with holy anticipation. Mark discusses managing blessings wisely and finding joy and purpose through generosity.   Major topics include: Mark's personal and faith background How a failed church plant prepared him for 28 years of pastoring in DC The role generosity has played in his personal life and in the church Fostering a church culture of generosity The need for business-as-mission to fund Kingdom causes The amazing story of Ebenezers CoffeeHouse, a business-as-mission coffee house on Capitol Hill Learning to “Flip the Blessing” QUOTES TO REMEMBER “We make a few major decisions and we spend the rest of our life managing those decisions.” “In our hearts, we plan our course, but God orders our footsteps.” “If you do little things like they're big things, God will do big things like they're little things.” “I'm a big fan of long obedience in the same direction.” “If you stay humble and stay hungry, there is nothing God can't do in and through you.” “If you aren't faithful with the little things, you won't be faithful with the big things.” “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He owns the hills, so we have this mindset that It's all from God and it's all for God.” “Every business is owned by somebody who has a worldview or a faith matrix of some sort. So for us, we're going to allow our faith to inform how we show hospitality, how we create a business model.” “As long as we're caring for the poor and giving to missions, I'm never worried about our bottom line. If you're doing what is near and dear to the heart of God, I think God's got your back.” “We're going to inch our way to greater and greater levels of generosity.” “It's kind of fun living life in a place where you save and you give and you give and you save and you save and you give, but you do it in a way that's generous. And I think the Lord has a way of honoring that.” “God doesn't raise our income to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.” “Your generosity is someone else's miracle.” “Flip the blessing.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Mark Batterson's Website National Community Church Double Blessing by Mark Batterson Ebenezers CoffeeHouse The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 50:10 | God Owns It All   For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.   Jeremiah 29 | Bless the City   7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.   Matthew 10:16 | Pure and Wise   Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.   2 Corinthians 9:16 | The Cheerful Giver The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 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.

WHAT WE'LL COVER Jim Rasmussen was raised as a pastor's kid in a Lutheran church in Georgia, and his faith solidified in college as he involved himself in ministries that affected transformational change in many lives. After graduating with an accounting degree, Jim was led to a job with Chick-fil-A, first in accounting and later advising franchise owners on how to run their businesses more efficiently.   Today, Jim is a financial advisor and the co-founder of Pandowealth, an advising firm that provides personal finance guidance to franchise owners and other Chick-fil-A staff to empower them to more purposeful living and giving. Jim is a passionate teacher with powerful insights on financial stewardship, Kingdom-building generosity, and trusting God with big steps of faith.    Major topics include: His personal and faith background His 20-year experience working for Chick-fil-A How God led him from accounting to financial planning Trusting God with crazy steps of faith Dealing with common barriers to generosity Copying others vs. doing what you're called to do with your resources Deciding how much is enough Tools and framework to develop a written generosity plan QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I'm not somebody who can sit behind a desk all day just doing debits and credits. I got the accounting degree so I could learn how numbers work and how I could move up and have more impact and influence in the world with the things that God's given me.” “If you look around, all the people that have joy are generous.” “How do I remove the obstacles to my generosity? If I can remove those, then I can be generous and experience more joy.” “The company is about, ‘We grow wealth to empower purposeful living and giving.' What's better than that?” “What have you been given gifts for that God wants you to accomplish? If you can look at your life plan, then you can develop a financial plan that helps you to accomplish that.” “Don't just look through the lens of the financial, I want you to look through the lens of the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual as well. Sometimes, it's ok to give up a little bit of the financial stewardship to improve your personhood of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual stability.” “Our goal is for 80% of our clients to have a written generosity plan.” “I'm now working to give, not working to live.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Ronald Blue and Co. (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) Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki The Eternity Portfolio by Alan Gotthardt Charityvest (see our interview with CEO Stephen Kump) Money, Possessions, and Eternity (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Switchboard The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 12:16-21 | The Bigger Barns Parable   20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”   1 Peter 4:10 | Stewarding God's Gifts   As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 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.

In this special 100th episode, the shoe is on the other foot as Kealan and Cody are interviewed by Todd Harper, co-founder of Generous Giving, and David Wills, President Emeritus of the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Together, Kealan and Cody share about their family and faith backgrounds, how they got started on their journeys of generosity, and some of the amazing things they've learned along the way.   The interviews conducted over the last 99 episodes have been life-changing for the Hobelmann brothers in many ways by providing opportunities for “spiritual templating,” implementing what they've learned from others into their own generosity strategies, and by facilitating connection between like-minded Believers.    Major topics include: What life looks like now for Cody and Kealan The inspiration for the Finish Line Pledge How setting Financial Finish Lines has changed both of their lives  The evolution of the Finish Line Podcast Making the Finish Line Pledge relational Most memorable podcast moments The many ways they have seen God work through the podcast   QUOTES TO REMEMBER Cody: It kinda felt like I was walking up a staircase that I could not see the end of. It just continued up into the clouds. But when I set a financial finish line, suddenly I could see the top of the staircase, and I realized I was most of the way up it in terms of the course of my career.   Kealan: I appreciate so much more now the true breadth and diversity of expressions of generosity.    Cody: We realized that God's up to something that we didn't even notice. We had no idea. It really humbled me and helped me to understand that even though it's a lot to ask of our guests and our wives to carve out this time once a week, once every other week, and do the editing and all that kind of stuff. It is such an honor to be able to do this and we hope to be able to do this for a very long time.   Kealan: At this point, I don't ever say for myself or for anybody else, “this is how generosity has to be expressed,” or “this way is how God intends it.” There is too much range of expression that God gives us for anybody to say “it has to be this way.”   Cody: I've learned that giving is a lot of fun and it's a relational thing. As a financial planner and as someone who was not giving or living generously, it seemed like a transactional thing. But I'm starting to understand that it's far more complex than that and far mor joy-creating for everyone involved.   Cody: I'm learning that generosity and giving are not the same thing. Giving is an expression of generosity, but when done in community as a relational thing, there's nothing better and it's become my favorite use of money.   Kealan: I just want constant stories and relationships to help me grow as a Believer and not just in generosity. We've grown in prayer and community and so many other areas that are all interrelated to generosity. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Cody Hobelmann, Shifting to Eternal Kingdom Building (see our past interview here) Kealan Hobelmann, Answering “How Much Money Do I Really Need?” (see our past interview here) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Crazy Love by Francis Chan Compound Impact Doulos Partners (see our interview with CEO David Johnson) MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines) ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker) Jimmy Seibert, Pastor, On Sensing the Spirit through Spontaneous Generosity (see our past interview) Faith Comes by Hearing (see our interview with VP Morgan Jackson) Neverthirst (see our interview with CEO Matt Letourneau) Richard Baxter, DMD, On Leveraging His Entire Dental Practice to Bring the Gospel to Unreached People Groups (see our past interview here) Aaron and Miran Cho, Committing to Give More Than You Can Budget For (see our past interview here) Andy Dewitt on the Importance of Sharing Your Generosity Story (see our past interview here) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) The Finishing Fund (see our interview with founder Doug Cobb) IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Faith Driven Investor Podcast Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast Generosity Now Podcast Celebration Conference with Generous Giving The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Corinthians 12:6 | God Empowered Action   And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  Proverbs 11:24 MSG | Generosity and Abundance   The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.   Proverbs 30: 8b | Our Daily Bread     give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 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.

Jimmy Seibert is the founder and pastor of Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas. Jimmy didn't grow up in a Christian home, but his decision to follow Jesus in a radical way over a summer during his college years started him on a path of extreme generosity as an outflow of his relationship with God. Jimmy's passion for generosity has poured over into the church that he leads, which now has a thriving culture of generosity. His principles of living simply, working diligently, giving generously, and living for eternity have paved the way for a lifestyle of spontaneous and strategic generosity.   He has many miraculous stories of Spirit-led giving as well as practical advice for givers of all kinds. He shares how surrendering to Jesus and embracing obedience and generosity transformed his life, even in the face of financial challenges, and opened the door for living out the Great Commission.   Major Topics Include: His story of coming to faith and radically following the teachings of Jesus How God miraculously provided for him to go to the nations because of his obedience with his last dollar Learning to hear and obey the promptings of the Lord Spontaneous giving vs. strategic, long-term giving Creating and inviting people into a culture of generosity Incorporating generosity into a family culture Plus, many powerful stories of Spirit-led generosity   QUOTES TO REMEMBER “When you deal with money and possessions, you deal with everything in your heart.” “You asked me to show you that I'm real, and I have come.” “The moving of God is just the normal outworking of a surrender to Jesus.” “My commitment was that if anybody asks for anything, give it.” “Until you feel, taste, and touch the power of the gospel in peoples' lives, giving is too distant of an experience.” “When we live obedient lives of sacrifice, whether that's with our finances or going ourselves, it produces this incredible authority to see people find hope and help that they so desperately long for.” “I don't want to get identity out of what I do. I want to get identity from the Lord, and then I want to be fully obedient in whatever expression He's given me and do that with all me heart.” “I may not be as gifted as someone else, but I will do anything He says anytime, anywhere.” “Learning to hear the voice of God is learning to trust the heart and person of God. It's really about trust in the end.” “From years of meditating on who the Holy Spirit is in my life, and God the Father and the centrality of the beauty of Jesus, I've learned to take risks with confidence.” “The promptings of God are best learned through action.” “You are already right with God through the blood of Jesus alone. You can't earn anything in your standing with God by anything you do. You're good with God by the grace of God.” “We're not looking to outdo our neighbor in our giving, we're learning to build our relationship with God.” “When we open up everything of our resources to God, intimacy with Him is His end goal, not provision.” “It's not a percentage, it's a personal relationship with God.” “If you preach a surrendered message and then you live it out, it creates a catalyst for others. If you give, they'll give.” “God will constantly challenge me when I have little to see if I'm still in the game.” “Follow the money. If you give to something, get involved in what you give to.” “You'll only stay in a posture of generosity as long as it's connected to people's lives being transformed in a way that you can touch.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 6:35 | Give Freely   But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Matthew 13:23 | Reaping a Harvest   As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  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.   John 16:7, 12-13 | The Spirit of Truth Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 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.

Paul Bolte was brought up with a firm foundation in faith and generosity. A seventh-generation Christian born to a farming family in Australia, he learned the value of a good work ethic and the principles of giving as a small child. As an adult, Paul served in various leadership positions in Australia, New Zealand, and the US, and is a lifelong student of servant leadership.  Today, Paul is the Executive Vice President of TrustBridge Global. TrustBridge connects donor advised funds in countries all around the world to allow people to make tax deductible gifts to ministries in other countries, even if they don't have a 501c3 designation. TrustBridge acts as a powerful conduit for money to flow from Christians in countries with high concentrations of wealth to organizations working in other countries, impacting the Kingdom by getting financial resources to the “boots on the ground.” Major Topics Include: Paul's family and faith background which laid the groundwork for what he does now The background of TrustBridge Global How they choose partners in various countries Paul's view of how generosity is expressed uniquely in different cultures How TrustBridge has helped facilitate interconnectedness between Believers across the globe   QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I didn't realize that, ‘how can I help,' was the very first question in a concept called ‘servant leadership.' And I became a student of leadership; for my entire life, I've been a student of leadership.” “We're trying to mobilize the resources in the hands of Christians.” “Culturally, we are all very different. But we all have this one core value of our faith and what we're called to do. We're called to be generous with everything that we have and everything we are.” “There are many countries that have no tax benefits, yet they are still generous.” “When you send money directly to a charity overseas, the bang for your buck is significantly higher because they can stretch it further and it can get to more people.” “If you want the best return on your investment, you can do that by giving directly to a charity overseas.” “We look for a way to say ‘yes.'” “Generosity to me is not just about money, it's about time.” “When you're working in a Kingdom business and you know that God is behind what you're doing and you watch it grow and give all glory to Him, it's such a joy to watch it all happen.” “Whatever gifts or skills God has given you, take them and use them to serve others.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW TrustBridge Global Foundation National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) C12: Christian Business Leadership Coaching International Generosity Foundation Generosity Path Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving Global Trust Partners (see our interview with COO Trevor Lui) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Romans 5:8 | God's Love Demonstrated   But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   Ephesians 2:8-9 | The Gift of God   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 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.

Dr. Shane Enete is a professor at Biola University in Los Angeles and the author of the book “Whole Heart Finances.” In his early teens, Shane was driven to learn all that he could about investing, but leaning into the tension he felt between his faith and his passion for finances, he discovered a deep desire to be a bridge to help people learn about money in a way that draws them closer to Jesus instead of further from Him.    Shane spent many years in the finance world in a variety of roles, and throughout that time, God fostered a deep heart for generosity and stewardship. Shane now gets to spark that passion in college students, providing both a framework and purpose behind how they manage money. You won't want to miss the stories, helpful tools, and frameworks he had to share.   Major topics include: Shane's background and the inspiring story of encountering God in a hospital room How Shane began learning and teaching about finances at age 15 Reconciling the tension between faith and finances How he transitioned from his financial career and volunteering in the inner city into academia The story behind his book, Whole Heart Finances, and key points that will help give the average church goer a fresh, Christ-centered view of money as a pathway to worshiping God Advice for those in debt or in retirement who want to grow in generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I sensed the tension between faith and finances and leaned into it, hoping that one day God could use me to be a bridge to help create the curriculum where people could learn about money in a way that draws them nearer to Jesus and not further away.”   “I always love to find truth, and it's a fascinating exercise to look at stock valuation, which is so subjective, and see if you can find any objective truths to align to.”   “If you give with a little, you'll give with a lot. If you save with a little, you'll save with a lot.”   “The more I gave, the more I realized the centrality of giving in all money and financial behavior and how it unleashes God's glory in a way that no other financial behavior does.”   “How can I think about saving, investing, and spending in ways that help facilitate giving?”   “I build a financial planning model around the idea that God is being generous with His household, we experience that generosity and are transformed to have His generosity because we're in Christ. Then we become a resource in God's household that gets sent out in an economy of salvation towards the world.”   “As a steward, our main goal is to shine a light on our financial behavior on a regular basis.”  “The longer you go without giving, the harder it is to give.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Whole Heart Finances by Dr. Shane Enete Dr. Shane Enete on LinkedIn FaithfFi App YNAB App (You Need A Budget) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 16:1-13 | The Parable of the Dishonest Manager   2 Corinthians 8:7 | Encouragement to Give Generously   But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this grace of giving also.   Matthew 6:21 | Heart Treasure   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be 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.

Pat and Janel Hord are the owners of Hord Family Farms in Ohio. Pat and Janel each had generosity modeled for them in their early years and they developed a passion for it, but God has led them through increasing levels of thoughtfulness and complexity with regards to what exactly that looks like for them. They have navigated the challenges of running a large, generational farming enterprise across multiple states with the mindset that God owns it all. They have a passion for loving their team members well, loving their community well, and bringing the gospel to the rest of the world. Pat and Janel also have great insight concerning fostering growth in generosity and in their business through good stewardship, and passing on a legacy of wisdom, wealth, and a Kingdom culture to the next generation.   Major topics include: Their spiritual background and upbringing Their perspective on ministry and vocation Learning to steward their time, talent, and treasure over the years Being led into knowing what and where to give How they intentionally fostered generosity in their kids Flowing together in giving as a married couple with individual and shared passions How knowing your “why” helps you to grow in generosity and business Sharing stories about God using your giving for His Glory Transferring a legacy of wealth and wisdom to the next generation  Collaborating with people and organizations to serve the local community Fostering generosity within the team Making sure the team is taken care of first, then your community, and the nations QUOTES TO REMEMBER Pat – “I feel like God gives us the desires of our heart, He just wants us to surrender to Him.” Pat – “Everything we have comes from the hand of God.” Pat – “God owns everything. So how do we steward our time, talent, and treasure?” Janel – “Just get started on that first step in generosity.” Janel – “What we've been given we are responsible to give back.” Pat – “We're just trying to figure out how to follow Christ in the best way we know how.” Janel – “Our responsibility is to ask, ‘How is Christ honored through that organization?'” Janel – “It may be in our county, or it may be across the world. Nothing's off the table.” Pat – “God has knit our hearts together in the area of generosity.”  Janel – “How do we take what God has given us and make an impact in our community as well?” Pat – “We look at our business as a giving engine to do good.” Pat – “You have to know your ‘why.'” Janel – “Not all of us are called to go into Africa, but we are all called to give what we've been given.” Pat – “We don't want to transfer wealth without wisdom to the next generation.” Janel – “As a giving engine, how do we support organizations that are trying to make a difference in the community?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Giving is the Good Life by Randy Alcorn (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Gospel Patrons (see our interview with author John Rinehart) Neverthirst (see our interview with CEO Matt Letourneau) Lifesong for Orphans (see our interview with founder, Gary Ringger) Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) LifeWise Academy Halftime by Bob Buford Marketplace Chaplains Financial Peace University Relay for Life The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 37:4 | Delight in the Lord   Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Matthew 6:3 | Humble Generosity    But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,   Matthew 6:21 | Heart Treasure   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Matthew 5:16 | Your Light Glorifies God   In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 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.

Ron Bare is a financial advisor and the founder of Bare Wealth Advisors in Lancaster, PA. Raised on a fifth-generation dairy farm with a faith-filled family, Ron learned early in life the value of hard work, the biblical principles of stewardship, and the eternal impact of generosity. Those elements became the foundation of who he is and what he does as a financial advisor, or in his words, a “pastor of finance.”    In this episode, Ron shares personal stories and many helpful thoughts to show the power of intentional generosity as a conversation with God, and how giving of your finances, giftings, and time can change a life, a community, and even affect people across the globe.   Major topics include: How Ron's upbringing shaped who he is today The story of how Bare Wealth Advisors began How God prepared and called him to be a “pastor of finance” Implementing an intentional core value of generosity in his personal life and his business How Ron's passion for good stewardship in finances led to his family's financial and practical involvement in supporting young moms in their local community Advice for following the voice of God and your passions to know how to serve and where to give The value of tracking generosity and its impact Stewardship as a conversation with God The power of collaboration in giving QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Plan intentionally, give generously.” “We are pastors of finance.” “The biblical principle of stewardship isn't about how much we have. It's about being faithful with what's in our hands, even if it doesn't feel like a lot.” “The more that our works and our treasures are flowing together, the more our hearts will flow.” “The most important thing anyone decides with their finances is how they interact with generosity.” “Giving isn't something we have to do; it is something we are invited into with God.” “We always need to be growing in generosity.” “If we don't answer the question ‘what is enough,' it can limit the impact that we have.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Bare Wealth Advisors Ron Blue, Founder of Kingdom Advisors (see our past interview here) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Crown Financial Ministries Jim Wise, Financial Advisor (see our past interview here) John Rinehart, Author of Gospel Patrons (see our past interview here) Randy Alcorn (see our past interview here) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group   BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:21 | Treasure of the Heart   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.     1 Timothy 6:17-19 | Rich in Good Works   As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.     Luke 12:48b | Much Given, Much Required   Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.     2 Corinthians 9:6-8 | The Cheerful Giver   The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.    John 3:16 | For God So Loved the World   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   2 Corinthians 8:7 | The Grace to Give   But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace 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.

Ryan Skoog is the CEO of Venture, a non-profit that serves war refugees, trafficked people, oppressed children, and the unreached in the most difficult places in the world. Being raised as a “spiritual mutt” in a mission-minded and entrepreneurial household, Ryan began a company alongside Venture, funding the administration of the ministry with the profits, and freeing up the investments of givers to fund church planting and community development projects in unreached places across the globe. Cameron Doolittle is a veteran in the generosity space. He is senior advisor to the Maclellan Foundation, executive director of Practicing the Way, co-founder of Generosity Path, and a founding CEO of Jill's House, a ministry for kids with intellectual disabilities. With a background as a political advisor, Cameron now consults with organizations his family loves, including The Bible Project, Desiring God with John Piper, and many more.  Together with Peter Greer, Ryan and Cameron co-authored the newly released book, “Lead with Prayer” after years of studying how Christian leaders pray. They will share more about their personal stories, what God is doing in the nations through Venture, how “Lead with Prayer” came about, and many insightful keys to prayer and generosity as a great adventure with Christ. Major topics include: The difference between investing in the Kingdom and giving to the Kingdom How prayer is fueling the explosion of the global church Investing financially in prayer as an asset A look into the prayer lives of many church leaders around the world More leadership calls for more prayer time Friendship-first prayer Building prayer “bells” or triggers throughout your day How generosity and prayer work together QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The global church is exploding and it is a sight to behold! We get to live in some incredible times.” Ryan Skoog “What if we just said, this is enough!” Cameron Doolittle “There's something about the number 51. Once You've crossed that rubicon, you're giving more than you're keeping.” Ryan Skoog “There's three reasons people give – to look good, to feel good, or to actually do good, even when it doesn't look good or feel good.” Ryan Skoog quoting Jay Yacov, Economist “You give to feel good or look good, but you invest because you want to see a return on your investment. You want to do good, even if it doesn't look good or feel good.” Ryan Skoog “What if we stood at the feet of the global church and asked them to teach us how to pray?” Ryan Skoog “If prayer is the thing that's fueling what God's doing around the world, then how come we're not talking about it more?” Ryan Skoog “You can't create a culture of prayer without being a person of prayer.” Cameron Doolittle “When Jesus's ministry was the busiest, the scriptures say he withdrew more often, not less.” Ryan Skoog “Whenever you're being generous, you're going to say a lot of noes in order to say some big yeses.” Cameron Doolittle “Prayer develops gratitude. And gratitude is the foundation of generosity.” Ryan Skoog “Prayer is a key to having an adventure of generosity versus just an experience of giving.” Ryan Skoog “Learning to obey the Holy Spirit in your giving opens the opportunity to have an adventure with your Friend Jesus on giving.” Ryan Skoog LINKS FROM THE SHOW Lead with Prayer Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer) Venture MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines) Jill's House Praxis Generosity Path Practicing the Way Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson) International Justice Mission (IJM) Echo (prayer app, Echo+ for ministries) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:21 | Treasure of the Heart For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   2 Corinthians 10:4 | Spiritual Warfare For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.   Acts 3:1 | The Hour of Prayer Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.   John 15:5 | Abide in the Vine I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.   Luke 5:15-16 | Increased Ministry, Increased Prayer But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.   Psalm 100:4 | Thanksgiving and Praise Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!   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.

Dr. Rich Rudowske and Dr. Tilahun Mendedo are the CEO and Associate Executive Director of Lutheran Bible Translators. Rich's passion for the written Word of God took root when, as a small child, his parents gifted him an NIV Bible. Tilahun's life was changed at the age of 15 when a German missionary gave him the greatest treasure of all – a Bible in his own Ethiopian language.  They each have an extensive background in Bible translation and a great passion to see the Word of God printed in every person's mother tongue through the work of Lutheran Bible Translators and other translation organizations worldwide. LBT has some particularly unique strategies blending entrepreneurship with translation in projects that fund themselves. They will share their personal stories, how God led them into Bible Translation, and about some incredible momentum happening today.  Major topics include: Tilahun's gripping backstory of being surrounded by death and struggling for a will to live, but finding life and hope through meeting Christ in the Word Rich's inspiring journey from the world of finance into the call of God, bringing his wife and five children with him The history of LBT and how their unique approach to Bible Translation evolved What is a “ministry entrepreneur” and how do these self-funded missions work to expand the Kingdom and engage local communities in Bible translation? The profound spiritual impact of hearing the Word of God in your mother tongue How Bible translation and language development improves quality of life as a whole The story of how God miraculously provided for their pilot project, the Helge Center, to be built during the pandemic lockdowns  An update on the incredible leaps happening now in the Bible translation world and the great need that still exists  How you can get invested, financially and through prayer, in this eternal endeavor QUOTES TO REMEMBER Tilahun – “Bible translation isn't something that I talk about, it's something that I am because I am the result of Bible translation.” Tilahun – “What I need is just something that makes a difference. If I could be anything that would make a difference to millions, then here I am.” Rich – “As many different folks there are with that mission drive, there are as many different stories and details of how they go about getting it done. But the common denominator is the drive to know that there's a better future for their people or for the neighboring people around them and the drive to put pieces together to make to happen.” Tilahun – “When you see the Word of God in your mother tongue, it means God is speaking to you. God has come all the way down to your language and is talking to you!” Tilahun – “Bible translation is tough, hard, and full of struggles, but at the end of the day, it's worth dying for. It's a noble cause. There is nothing better than connecting the Incarnated Word to this generation and the generations to come.” Rich – “We're at an unprecedented level of understanding where those needs may be, and an unprecedented level of both collaboration and innovation in reaching out to those language communities.” Rich – “The number one strategy is prayer – lifting the need for Bible translation in hard to reach people groups before the Lord, asking him to give us wisdom collectively on how to move forward and be wise.” Rich – “Even now, data shows us that it's not possible to meet the goals that we have in the next nine years. But data also shows us that we've closed the gap by about 100 years in the last five years. The last bit of it is going to be more difficult, but what looks impossible to us is not impossible to God.” Tilahun – “It's every Christian's responsibility to make sure his fellow humankind, who was created in the image of God and for whom Christ Himself died, has Christ in written form.” Tilahun – “Every person who supports Bible translation through prayers, funding, or advocacy is impacting the whole person.” Tilahun – “Don't forget, we are here only for a time. Don't take for granted that this is the world for you. We are here for a purpose and that purpose is designed by God so that we can live out that purpose and deliver it for generations to come.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Lutheran Bible Translators Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut) SIL International (see our interview with Executive Director, Michel Kenmogne) IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Revelation 7:9 | Every Tribe, Nation, and Tongue 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, 1 Timothy 2:3-4 | God Desires All to be Saved This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 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.

Stephen Kump is the CEO and founder of Charityvest, a pioneering donor-advised fund platform merging technology and collaborative giving to make charitable giving accessible to all. Charityvest simplifies the donor-advised fund process and cuts down barriers to entry, inviting individuals from all walks of life to partake in the joy of giving with ease and impact.  Stephen shares numerous creative strategies that push the boundaries of donor-advised funds, fostering community giving and encouraging creative generosity. He addresses tangible tactics for givers, including orchestrating a personal giving strategy and embracing collective generosity.   Topics include: What inspired the launch of Charityvest? What experiences shaped Stephen's perspective on generosity? How is technology like Charityvest changing the generosity landscape? How do partnerships like Trust Bridge Global enhance Charityvest's capabilities? What creative ways are donor-advised funds (DAFs) being used to foster generosity? How does collaborative generosity compare to individual giving, and what are its advantages? In what ways is God present in the broader movement of generosity? QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity begets generosity.” “When people were generous to me, it would short-circuit my framework.” “When people give away a significant portion of their net worth, it shapes them.” “We had already allocated our income to our donor-advised fund, so all of the talking about giving was about where we give.” “If we are not willing to have a free donor-advised fund, then we need to get more creative.” “Generosity is in the image of God that is stamped on each of us.” “Generosity is a gateway to a deeper reality.” “All giving is relational.” “Giving is better as a team sport.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Charityvest Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis TrustBridge Global Praxis Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Philippians 3:8 | Our Achievements Are Nothing Compared to Christ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  Acts 17:23 | The Unknown God For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 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.

Gary Ringger is the founder and President of Lifesong for Orphans. His journey from struggling business owner in the food industry to the steadfast shepherd of Lifesong for Orphans is a testament to the heart of generosity in action. Following a profound personal “contract with God,” Gary's life shifted from profit-driven enterprise to purpose-driven stewardship, shaping a legacy of impact. Amidst the crucible of business challenges, Gary's faith-inspired pivot directed millions in business proceeds to fuel an innovative approach to orphan care. Today, Lifesong thrives on sustainable and impact business strategies, all rooted in Gary's spiritual journey and entrepreneurial grit. Major topics include: What led to Gary's “contract with God”? How did Gary transition from business to ministry? How has careful, intentional listening prayer shaped many major decisions in Gary's life? How can givers align their time and energy with their financial giving? How does Lifesong for Orphans serve orphans and families around the world? What is a giving engine and how do they provide ongoing support for ministry? QUOTES TO REMEMBER “We're gonna get rich, retire at 40, and live the American Dream.” “God used that brokenness to change my paradigm.” “My prayer life went from a discipline to my favorite time of day.” “If we hadn't written it down, the entire journey wouldn't have happened.” “Don't just give it away, get involved with something.” “Once you're a steward, God opens and closes doors in ways you could never imagine.” “If you want to experience God, look for where He's working and join into that.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Lifesong for Orphans Radical Business, by Gary Ringger The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lancione The 13 Attributes of God (PDF) by Bill Bright Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby Ronald Blue Trust, now Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Halftime by Bob Buford The Mystery of God's Will by Chuck Swindoll Impact Foundation The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 2 Timothy 1:7 | Spirit of Fear For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. James 1:27 | Pure Religion Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Matthew 25:23 | Parable of the Talents ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.' 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.