The Finish Line Podcast

A desire to help people in poverty can collide with an equally good desire to give wisely, protect your family, and avoid causing more harm. How can you respond with real mercy and generosity without ignoring wisdom, dignity, or the risk of getting it wrong? MEET YOUR GUIDE: Dr. Pete Smith is a pastor and author of *Remember the Poor: Cultivating a Heart of Generosity*. Shaped by decades of pastoral ministry, church planting in Southern Maryland, work with homeless shelters and incarcerated people, and a Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary, Pete has spent years wrestling with how Christians and churches can care for people in poverty with both mercy and wisdom. Pete argues that poverty is often deeper than a lack of money. Broken relationships, isolation, lost social capital, trauma, and limited opportunity can leave people needing time, community, dignity, and trustworthy relationships as much as financial help. Drawing from hard-earned mistakes and acts of hospitality, he encourages Christians to listen before assuming they know what someone needs, to act prudently without letting fear become paralysis, and to lean toward mercy when the right response is unclear. By the end, you may see generosity less as solving someone else’s problem and more as faithfully remembering your neighbor through relationship, hospitality, opportunity, and thoughtful action. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN: How to help people in poverty without letting fear paralyze you Why poverty often requires relationship, not just financial assistance How listening preserves dignity and reveals what someone actually needs Why mercy and prudence can work together in generous decisions How increased wealth can quietly distance you from people in need Practical ways to intentionally remember the poor in everyday life HIGHLIGHTS: “I would much rather err on the side of mercy and helping, even if it’s ham-handed and doesn’t maybe work out the way we would like.” “When in doubt, give.” “Default to mercy. Don’t withhold good from the person to whom it is due when it’s with you and you can do it.” “Remembering in Scripture is always connected to activity. It’s never simply just recalling.” “The number one thing I would argue is that poverty is really poverty of relationship. It’s spiritual poverty.” “What people need are time with others, connections, community.” “The person needs your time. They need relationship, and they need you to listen.” “If you listen long enough, you’ll actually start to hear, ‘I start to now see how I might help.'” “Treat them with dignity and respect, no different from how we would like to be treated.” “The Scripture says, ‘Love the stranger.'” “If you’re not going to live among the poor, you do have to intentionally remember them.” “Money in a savings account doesn’t do anybody any good. It might give you some peace of mind, but that’s not why this money is there. This money is to meet need.” “If you ask God to give you eyes to see, you’ll begin to see.” PEOPLE, BOOKS, AND ORGS: Remember the Poor: Cultivating a Heart of Generosity by Peter Smith Navigators A Candle in the Window Hospitality Network BIBLE REFERENCES: Luke 9:23 | Take Up Your Cross “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” Psalm 41 | Blessed Is He Who Considers the Poor Psalm 112 | The Generous Righteous Proverbs 11:24 | Generosity Grows “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” Proverbs 14:21 | Blessed Are the Generous “Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” Proverbs 14:31 | Honoring the Creator “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Psalm 72 | The Righteous King Defends the Poor Amos 5:24 | Justice Like Waters “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Micah 6:8 | Justice, Mercy, Humility “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Luke 10:25-37 | The Good Samaritan Matthew 25:31-46 | The Sheep and the Goats Luke 14:12-14 | Invite Those Who Cannot Repay “He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’” Proverbs 19:17 | Lending to the Lord “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Galatians 2:10 | Remember the Poor “Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Ephesians 4:28 | Work in Order to Give “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.” KEEP EXPLORING Discover more conversations, ideas, and resources to help you think intentionally about generosity, stewardship, and living with an eternal perspective. Visit Finish Line Pledge →

You may have spent years building a career, growing your resources, and becoming more effective, while still wondering how those successes might serve a larger Kingdom purpose. What changes when you begin to see not only your money, but also your career, experience, time, and influence as resources God has entrusted to you? MEET YOUR GUIDE: Kurt Cornfield spent more than three decades as a financial advisor before God redirected his calling from serving clients to equipping the next generation. As a professor of financial planning at Liberty University and Director of Student and Emerging Advisors for Kingdom Advisors, Kurt has helped build one of the leading programs preparing Christian financial advisors to combine technical excellence with biblical wisdom. His own journey, from discovering Kingdom Advisors later in his career to leaving a successful practice for the classroom, reveals how understanding God’s ownership and defining “enough” can reshape both a career and a life. In this conversation, Kurt shares how Christian financial advisors can help families pursue faithful stewardship, why generosity grows from contentment, and how investing in future advisors creates lasting Kingdom impact. He also offers practical insights on faith-based investing, mentoring young professionals, and using both time and resources with open hands. Through stories of God’s provision and decades of experience, Kurt provides a compelling vision for financial advice as a ministry rooted in service, wisdom, and joyful generosity. Listen to discover how equipping faithful advisors today can multiply God’s Kingdom impact for generations to come. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN: Viewing financial advising as Kingdom ministry Living from God’s ownership of everything Defining enough to unlock generosity Equipping the next generation of Christian advisors Integrating biblical wisdom with financial planning Practicing joyful generosity through everyday stewardship Using faith-based investing to reflect biblical values Multiplying Kingdom impact through mentoring Preparing advisors to serve with excellence and humility HIGHLIGHTS: “I don’t want to just crank out kids that want to go into this industry because they want to make a lot of money. I want them to go into the business for the Kingdom purpose.” “God owns it all.” “Once we’ve provided for our families, it’s the abundance from that point on. We can be generous with it.” “It all belongs to God in the first place. It just allows us to be so much more generous and free, free to be generous.” “Our major budget item is giving.” “We need more Christians giving financial advice to Christians, but also to non-Christians because biblical wisdom works in all circumstances.” “The more that we can talk to young people about it, they get excited about it.” “We can get them started the right way. The Kingdom impact of that, the multiplication effect, is crazy.” “I don’t want the legacy to be about Kurt Cornfield. I want the legacy to be about the Kingdom.” “The ripple effect on the Kingdom is something we’ll never know this side of Heaven for sure.” PEOPLE, BOOKS, AND ORGS: Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue ) Ronald Blue Trust , now Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue ) Harvest App KEEP EXPLORING Discover more conversations, ideas, and resources to help you think intentionally about generosity, stewardship, and living with an eternal perspective. Visit Finish Line Pledge →

You may believe everything you have belongs to God, yet still wonder what that actually means for the way you spend, give, and make decisions about your wealth. When financial success gives you more options than you need, how do you discern what is enough and live as a faithful steward rather than simply taking your cues from those around you? MEET YOUR GUIDE: Clare DeGraaf is a business leader, author, Bible teacher, and mentor whose pursuit of financial security led him to build and sell a successful manufacturing company. After experiencing a crisis of faith, he and his wife, Susan, began asking a deeper question about what it truly meant to follow Jesus with everything. That journey reshaped their view of money, success, and stewardship, leading them to set a financial finish line, launch a strategic family foundation, and pursue a life centered on God’s Kingdom. In this conversation, Clare shares the lessons that transformed his approach to wealth, ambition, and obedience. He explains how generous living is less about financial formulas and more about surrendering ownership to God, cultivating eternal perspective, and faithfully investing resources in people and ministries that advance the gospel. His wisdom offers practical encouragement for anyone wrestling with how much is enough, the tension between success and contentment, or the desire to steward God’s blessings with greater purpose. Listen to discover how asking one honest question about “enough” can reshape your view of money, calling, and faithful stewardship. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN: Defining what “enough” really means Surrendering ownership of wealth to God Aligning business success with Kingdom purpose Practicing intentional lifestyle limits Cultivating contentment over financial security Investing generously for eternal impact Discerning wise and effective giving opportunities Growing through faithful stewardship and obedience Mentoring others toward biblical generosity HIGHLIGHTS: “How much of what we own belongs to us, and how much belongs to God?” “If everything you own belongs to you, then you can spend it the way you want. But if you actually claim it belongs to God, then you have to ask Him, ‘How much will You pay me to be Your steward?’” “I wrote the book because, for me, it was a way to begin breaking the cycle of disobedience dozens of times a week in little things that kept me from really maturing in my faith.” “Jesus would not accept the fact that nobody’s perfect. You can be better than you are. Start by training yourself to be obedient in little things.” “People say to me all the time, ‘How do you know for certain that God’s actually telling you to do that thing?’ And I say, ‘Well, I don’t. Certainty is the enemy of obedience.’” “We can explain the gospel and live the gospel, but it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convince people it’s true.” PEOPLE, BOOKS, AND ORGS: The 10-Second Rule: Following Jesus Made Simple by Clare DeGraaf Ronald Blue and Co. , CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue ) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman ) The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender KEEP EXPLORING Discover more conversations, ideas, and resources to help you think intentionally about generosity, stewardship, and living with an eternal perspective. Visit Finish Line Pledge →

As Christians, we may think carefully about how much we give while giving far less thought to how the rest of our money is invested. What would it look like for our faith to shape not only what we give away, but everything we’ve been entrusted to steward? MEET YOUR GUIDE: Mark Wambolt serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships at Eventide, but his journey into faith driven investing began long before his career in finance. Growing up outside Boston, Mark learned the value of hard work alongside his father, a carpenter, while also developing an early fascination with business and investing. As he advanced quickly through the financial industry, achieving levels of success many aspire to, he began wrestling with a deeper question: if following Jesus shapes every part of life, should it also shape the way we invest and steward capital? In this conversation, Mark shares how God used key relationships and pivotal experiences to reshape his understanding of investing as an act of stewardship. He explains how Eventide seeks to help investors move beyond simply avoiding harmful industries toward actively supporting businesses that create genuine human flourishing. Through stories of innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term Kingdom impact, Mark offers a compelling vision for how capital can be deployed to serve people, strengthen communities, and reflect God’s heart for creation. He also challenges common assumptions about success, profit, and control, inviting a more integrated approach to faith and finance. Listen to explore how your investments may become a powerful tool for shaping future generations with intentionality and hope. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN: Integrating faith and investing decisions Viewing capital as Kingdom stewardship Redefining success beyond financial gain Avoiding ill-gotten gain in portfolios Investing for human flourishing Embracing businesses that serve people Engaging companies through shareholder influence Balancing giving, impact investing, and returns Supporting community renewal through entrepreneurship Thinking generationally about wealth and influence HIGHLIGHTS: “I thought, you know, there’s this business investing world, that’s my job. And then there’s my faith, that’s the other side. I kind of had this feeling that never the two shall meet. At that moment, they just collided in the best possible way.” “Yes, we care about what we avoid. But almost more importantly, the avoidance is a step on the journey toward what do we want to own?” “The opportunity that we have as investors is to not just steward capital, but to direct it intentionally.” “There’s a reason that what a business creates is called goods and services, because they should be good and they should serve.” “God is a creator. And then he makes man in his image. I believe that reflection is that we too should be creators who make good things.” “When mammon has become the god, it’s no longer about goods and services. It’s about what can I do operationally to generate the highest return?” “We love business. We just want to make sure it’s aimed at goods that are truly good and services that truly serve.” “You can just go through example after example for all of history, even up to the present day, that investors have for hundreds of years shaped the culture that we live in.” “I think that people are waking up to the idea of stewardship.” “Making intentional investment decisions is becoming core to how I serve my clients well.” “What are the investments I can make today that maybe won’t pay any dividend for me, but for the next generation and the generation after that, I will be so glad to have made the sacrifice in my life?” “I think there’s an incredible opportunity for Christians to pause, think multi-generationally.” PEOPLE, BOOKS, AND ORGS: Eventide Investments Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue ) Why Business Matters to God by Jeff Van Duzer Parker Clay BIBLE REFERENCES: Genesis 1:1 | God the Creator “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:27 | Made in God’s Image “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This communication is provided for informational purposes only and expresses views of Eventide Asset Management, LLC (“Eventide”), an investment adviser, and Mark Wambot, Head of Strategic Partnerships. This does not constitute investment advice nor is it a recommendation or offer to purchase or sell or a solicitation to deal in any security or financial product. Eventide does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Eventide’s values-based approach to investing may not produce desired results and could result in underperformance compared with other investments. There is no guarantee that any investment will achieve its objectives, generate positive returns, or avoid losses.

Rachel McDonough grew up in Kenya as the daughter of missionaries, where she saw both deep poverty and the faith of parents who trusted God enough to follow His call across the world. Those early experiences planted a lasting conviction that every resource we hold belongs to God and can be used to bring life, freedom, and hope to others. After nearly two decades in wealth management, Rachel began asking a deeper question: what story is our capital telling? In this conversation, Rachel shares how God led her to build Wealth Squared, a firm that helps families align their investments, giving, and financial plans with biblical values. She explains how impact investing can direct capital toward businesses that promote human flourishing, and discusses themes from her new book, The River and the Garden, which uses story to explore stewardship, family unity, and Kingdom impact. This episode offers a hopeful vision for using wealth as a tool to cultivate lasting fruit for God’s Kingdom, and invites you to consider where He may be calling your resources to grow. Major Topics Include: Hearing and following God’s call Stewarding wealth as entrusted capital Investing as a moral and spiritual act Aligning portfolios with biblical values Distinguishing provision from impact assets Discovering your unique Kingdom DNA Using impact investing for human flourishing Building family unity around stewardship Integrating head, heart, and Spirit Finishing faithfully with resources God provides QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Capital tells a story.” “Even though I’m a small human with finite resources and a limited lifespan and limited dollars in the bank account, God can take something small, and if it’s surrendered to Him, He can do something way bigger than any of us could ever ask or imagine.” “There is both an opportunity and a responsibility of being a Christ follower who is holding on to the resources that God owns and has entrusted.” “Some businesses create goods and services that help human flourishing, and others create bads and disservices.” “Fruitfulness comes from obeying what God shows you to do, not from having the right strategy.” “There are some biblical principles that are universally true, but there are also unique pieces of Kingdom DNA wired into the heart of each person.” “Once I know how much is enough for provision, I get freedom to ask what the purpose of the remaining assets should be.” “The faithful finisher asks, ‘Lord, what else? I’m not dead yet.’” “We need to let our heads and hearts work together more in harmony and be led by the Spirit.” “Real unity is hard work, but it is deep and worthy work.” “I want to be Jonathan’s armor bearer for my clients. What’s in your heart to do? Let’s go take that hill.” “Faith-driven investing and impact investing right now is the revival that God has released on the earth.” “Find a financial advisor who wants to help you hear and follow God’s voice.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Rachel McDonough and Wes Lyons on How Investors Are Taking Down Human Trafficking (see our past interview here ) The River and the Garden by Rachel McDonough Wealth Squared Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue ) Eagle Freedom Fund (see out interview with cofounder Wes Lyons ) Talanton Caleb Breakey, Founder of Renown Publishing (see our past interview here ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW John 15:5 | Abiding Bears Fruit “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.” 2 Corinthians 9:10 | Seed for Sowing “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” Matthew 4:19 | Fishers of Men “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” Proverbs 20:5 | Deep Waters of the Heart “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” John 6:1-15 | Five Loaves and Two Fish 2 Corinthians 10:5 | Taking Thoughts Captive “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

John Mark Eager serves as Executive Director of The Mailbox Club, a ministry founded by his father to help children grow in their understanding of the gospel through long-term discipleship. Although John Mark trusted Christ as a child, a season of spiritual renewal during his school years deepened his walk with the Lord and gave him a lasting burden for missions. Over the past several decades, God has used that calling to expand The Mailbox Club far beyond its original model, opening doors to partner with churches and local Believers around the world. In this conversation, John Mark shares how God has grown the ministry from reaching millions of children to discipling more than 17 million annually across 110 countries, while keeping the focus on evangelism, discipleship, and stewardship. He discusses the importance of empowering indigenous leaders, investing in young people who are discipling the next generation, and refusing to limit what God can do through ordinary Believers. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom on leadership, generosity, and trusting God to provide for opportunities that seem far beyond human capacity. Listen to discover how God is using children, youth, and local churches to advance the gospel in some of the world’s most strategic and least reached places. Major Topics Include: Embracing a child-focused Great Commission Pairing evangelism with long-term discipleship Empowering indigenous leaders for Kingdom growth Releasing authority and trusting capable teams Refusing to limit what God can do Balancing data-driven stewardship with Spirit-led dependence Developing youth leaders through active ministry Building scalable systems without losing mission focus Prioritizing unreached children and frontier regions Involving families and children in ministry exposure QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The most unreached people group is children.” “We celebrate what God’s done in the past, but we’re forward thinking and we push ourselves and each other.” “Children make great missionaries. Children are the most responsive to the gospel.” “We really can’t have a conversation about world evangelization without talking about children.” “I think we can track numbers and pursue excellence in stewardship and be led by the Holy Spirit. I don’t think those are competing ideas.” “The Mailbox Club is just a vehicle for the gospel.” “I think we’re supposed to reach kids. I think we’re supposed to reach kids anywhere and everywhere for Christ.” “I’m ultimately serving Christ. And that’s the highest honor we can have, to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ.” “God delights in impossibilities.” “I do believe in simple faith that God isn’t bringing these opportunities just to frustrate us.” “My job is just to advocate on behalf of kids.” “We’re stewards of everything we have to reach the world for Christ.” “If He can use me, He can use anybody.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW John Mark Eager, Executive Director of The Mailbox Club (see our past interview here ) Child Evangelism Fellowship Operation Christmas Child , the shoebox ministry of The Samaritan’s Purse ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker ) MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Psalm 71:15-16 | God’s Boundless Salvation “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.” Matthew 28: 16-20 | The Great Commission Matthew 9:36-38 | The Laborers Are Few “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 19:14 | Jesus Loves the Little Children “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” John 14:12-14 | Greater Works “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me[ a ]anything in my name, I will do it. Acts 2:41 | Three Thousand Added “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 | All Things to All People “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 15:31 | I Die Every Day “I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Patrick Farrell, co-founder of Keystone Investing, shares how God reshaped his understanding of success, stewardship, and surrender through entrepreneurship, investing, and community. After growing up in a generous household and later chasing performance and achievement, Patrick encountered Jesus in high school and eventually rediscovered a deeper, more relational faith while working at a cybersecurity startup. That season of spiritual renewal planted the seeds for Keystone Investing, a faith-driven investing community helping investors align their capital with Kingdom values. In this conversation, Patrick explains how Keystone creates spaces where investors and founders can pursue both financial excellence and meaningful impact without sacrificing relationships or spiritual formation. He reflects on the dangers of performance-driven stewardship, the importance of wise and thoughtful risk-taking, and why generosity and investing both require surrender to God’s lead. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom for discerning where God may be leading your resources and how community can help shape faithful decision-making. Listen to discover how surrendering control of your finances can open the door to deeper joy, discernment, and Kingdom impact. Major Topics Include: Surrendering control of financial stewardship Investing through relationships, not transactions Breaking performance-driven identity patterns Aligning capital with Kingdom convictions Building community around faith-driven investing Pursuing profit alongside Kingdom impact Discerning risk through intimacy with God Practicing generosity from abundance, not fear Integrating faith into business leadership Cultivating wise stewardship through spiritual formation QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The first step on the stewardship journey is recognizing that all of your capital is God’s. It all belongs to Him.” “If you start there in that position of surrender, I’m so confident that God will do the rest.” “This entire process of faith-driven investing is all about growing in intimacy with the Lord.” “You can make a ton of money, you can have a ton of impact, but if you’re not transformed and the people around you aren’t transformed, then that falls short of what I think God’s goal was.” “We want to find excellent values-aligned founders building intentional mission-driven businesses that are heading toward sustainability and profitability and growth and scale.” “Faith-driven investing can be excellent. It can be excellent for people, excellent for impact, and excellent financially.” “You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice returns in order to see Kingdom impact.” “God is using investing to work on investors.” “God cares about relationships more than really anything else.” “Anything that we set up from a business perspective that deprioritizes relationship tends to fall victim to our sinful nature.” “There are few people within a founder’s life that have more access to them than their investors.” “Most of the time, in my experience, God’s going to push us into more and greater risk to help us rely on Him.” “The steward buried his talent because he was worried about retribution. And the Master is upset that the steward thought of Him that way.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Keystone Investing Mark Batterson , Pastor and Author (see our past interview here ) Praxis (see our interview with Cofounder Josh Kwan ) Bill and Dana Wichterman, Givers and Impact Investors (see our past interview here ) Faith Driven Entrepreneur Faith Driven Investor Eventide Sovereigns Capital BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Deuteronomy 6:12 | Only by the Grace of God then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Matthew 25:14–30 | Parable of the Talents James 2:17 | Faith Without Works So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Joanna Hogan, founder and CEO of Inspire Generosity, helps ministry leaders and givers move beyond transactional support into meaningful, trust-filled partnerships. Her vision was shaped through seasons of striving and personal hardship in the nonprofit development space, where God deepened her dependence on Him and reshaped her understanding of generosity. What began as a performance-driven mindset was slowly transformed into a belief that when ministries and givers truly care for each other, there is much greater fruit. Through Inspire Generosity, Joanna equips nonprofits to build healthier cultures of giving that honor both the mission and the giver. She emphasizes clarity, trust, and shared vision so generosity becomes an act of discipleship rather than obligation. Her work addresses common barriers like pressure, misalignment, and fear, offering practical wisdom for leaders and givers seeking greater joy and impact. This conversation offers a grounded perspective on stewarding relationships and resources for Kingdom purposes. Consider how a more relational approach to generosity could reshape your giving and deepen your trust in God’s provision. Major Topics Include: Shifting from transactional to relational generosity Helping others experience joyful, meaningful giving Listening first to understand giver motivations Reframing fundraising as partnership, not pressure Identifying aligned partners over expanding lists Addressing myths that block generosity flow Leading with curiosity to reduce performance anxiety Investing in leaders, not just programs Creating sustainable, trust-based giving relationships QUOTES TO REMEMBER “It happens time and time again where I’ve stretched or made a faith gift and then something happens that just makes it totally okay.” “God will never let us down.” “This is about looking for someone who wants to participate with their money, along with your time and expertise, to create change in the world.” “Let’s stop asking and instead invite giving partners.” “If someone has a meaningful giving experience, they’re going to say, ‘what else can I do?’” “It’s a relationship. When you’ve done all the pre-work, the invitation is just the next natural step.” “You don’t need more people. You need the right people.” “Your job is to help someone have a great giving experience.” “When you’re really curious, you can’t be focused on your own performance at the same time.” “This is not about making you do more. It’s about giving you permission to do less but better.” “Fundraising tactics actually block the flow of generosity.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Inspire Generosity Women Doing Well (see our interview with president Julie Wilson ) 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 ) TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

James Lenhoff, financial planner, pastor, and president of Good Sense Movement, shares how a series of pivotal moments reshaped his understanding of money and calling. After early success helping clients build wealth, the sudden passing of several clients in 2010 confronted him with the reality of accumulated regret and redirected his focus toward faithful stewardship. Influenced by experiences like a mission trip to Haiti and years of intimate conversations with clients, James began to see wealth not as personal security, but as something entrusted by God for a greater purpose. Through his work with WealthQuest and Good Sense, James helps individuals and families define “enough” by setting financial finish lines, creating margin for generosity, peace, and obedience. He emphasizes shifting from ownership to stewardship, involving family in financial decisions, and using money as a tool for Kingdom impact. His approach addresses both practical habits and deeper heart issues, offering a path toward freedom from fear, comparison, and overconsumption. Consider what “enough” looks like in your own life and how that clarity might reshape your trust, priorities, and generosity. Major Topics Include: Defining “enough” to unlock freedom and generosity Stewardship mindset versus ownership mentality Avoiding regret of over-accumulation and delayed generosity Lifestyle cap as a framework for contentment Family involvement in financial decision-making Margin as the goal of a financial finish line Heart issues driving financial behavior and debt Generosity fueled by purpose, not obligation Saving as preparation for future obedience Integrating faith into financial planning conversations QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I realized I’ve been so focused on helping people accumulate money, and in the meantime, I was actually causing them to accumulate regret.” “If none of this is mine, that means I’m not entitled to it. I need to actually seek guidance from the Owner.” “When we just say enough is enough, it creates this incredible gift of margin and freedom.” “To decide what satisfaction looks like ahead of time and then just enjoy it is such a beautiful gift.” “The conversation shifts from ‘how much do I have to give’ to’ how much can we give.’” “I believe in every one of our hearts, there is a specific part of God’s heart that breaks.” “In our country, it hurts less to pay credit card debt interest than it does to feel inadequate.” “Saving has shifted from preparing for my future security to preparing for my future obedience.” “I want to be in a position where when God says do this, I can say ‘yes.’” “Track with a ruthless level of detail, not to restrict, but to understand.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Living A Rich Life by James Lenhoff Good Sense WealthQuest FreedUp App Quicken YoungLife Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:21 | Treasure and the Heart For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 25:14–30 | Parable of the Talents Psalm 50:10 | God Owns Everything For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. Genesis 2:2–3 | God Rested on the Seventh Day And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

James Waters, founder of Kingdom Impact and leader in development of the Christian Impact Framework, joins Cody and Kealan to share how God reshaped his life from personal loss and restless success into a calling at the intersection of research, mission, and stewardship. After encountering Christ during university and later witnessing both the beauty and brokenness of global development work, James began asking deeper questions about how Christians can pursue meaningful impact without losing dependence on the Holy Spirit. Through his work, James now helps ministries, businesses, and givers think more clearly about spiritual and social impact, building frameworks that bring clarity without replacing prayerful discernment. He explores the tension between faithfulness and fruitfulness, showing how wise measurement can strengthen stewardship, deepen relationships, and ultimately give glory to God. At the same time, he acknowledges the challenges of pride, misplaced identity, and over-reliance on systems, pointing back to humility and obedience as the foundation for Kingdom impact. Consider how combining prayerful discernment with thoughtful strategy could reshape the way you pursue lasting Kingdom impact. Major Topics Include: Balancing faithfulness and measurable fruitfulness Stewardship through thoughtful impact measurement Tension between strategy and Holy Spirit dependence Defining and clarifying spiritual impact outcomes Avoiding noise by focusing measurement priorities Humility and teachability in Kingdom work Relational generosity versus transactional giving Identity, pride, and the savior mindset in giving Integrating prayer with strategic decision-making Diversity of callings in Kingdom impact QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Measure the impact and give Him all the glory.” “If you measure everything, you kind of measure nothing.” “We’re called to be accountable for our faithfulness, but true fruit comes from abiding in Jesus.” “There’s a tension between faithfulness and fruitfulness, and that tension should lead us to humility.” “We need to be on our knees, and thinking, planning, and being diligent.” “The bigger trap for the giver is the savior mindset, which is ultimately rooted in pride.” “If an organization is not willing to learn, that’s a bigger red flag than not having impact.” “There are Kingdom principles that can lead to a hundredfold return.” “I also believe that God celebrates wild sacrifice that looks like a complete waste.” “Success is just being obedient to what God has told you to do.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Kingdom Impact Christian Impact Framework Accord Network EIDO Research Eagle Venture Fund (see our interview with General Partner Wes Lyons ) Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Corinthians 3:6 | God Gives the Growth I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. John 15:5 | Abiding Bears Fruit 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. Ephesians 3:10 | Manifold Wisdom Displayed So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Matthew 22:37 | Love God Fully And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 26:7–13 | The Alabaster Jar John 15:8 | Fruit That Glorifies God By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Teri Bledsoe is an entrepreneur, mother, and board chair with Women Doing Well whose life has been shaped by both deep faith and profound hardship. From a young age, she sensed God’s presence and developed a posture of generosity, but it was through marriage, adoption, and seasons of financial uncertainty that her trust in God was refined. A pivotal moment early in her marriage revealed God’s personal care, setting a foundation for a lifelong journey of open-handed giving and dependence on Him. As God entrusted Teri and her husband Chris with significant wealth through a business exit, He simultaneously led them through painful seasons, including the loss of their son. Rather than separating joy and suffering, God used both to deepen their intimacy with Him and with each other. Through her involvement with Women Doing Well and other generosity communities, Teri now helps others discover that generosity is not about outcomes, but about responding to God’s invitation and experiencing His joy in every circumstance. Listen to explore how God meets you in suffering and invites you into a deeper, joy-filled life of generosity. Major Topics Include: Generosity as response to God’s invitation Faith formed through suffering and surrender Defining “enough” to unlock freedom Joy and sorrow coexisting in Kingdom life Stewardship over ownership of wealth Generosity strengthening marital unity Community as catalyst for generous living Mining for joy through intentional giving Trusting God’s character over outcomes QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Generosity is a response of gratitude to who He is and what He shows us of His character and His love and His grace.” “Generosity isn’t an outcome-based exercise in the Kingdom. It’s an intimacy and relational exercise with the King.” “God of the universe was talking to me and saying, ‘I see you, and I’m going to move heaven and earth so you don’t miss an opportunity to respond to my goodness.’” “You cannot outgive God.” “He is not a taker. He’s a giver.” “Those tracks of joy and sorrow were just running straight parallel.” “The joy of giving and being on mission with the Lord was the only counterbalance to the suffering.” “There’s a special grace in suffering where He shows you that He is enough.” “I won’t let go until you show me your joy.” “When you give, what you specifically gain is the joy of the Lord.” “Generosity is the way He unlocks that joy.” “The greatest joy of giving has been what God has done between Chris and me.” “When I see him get burdened for a Kingdom cause, I fall in love all over again.” “Have 100% confidence in God, and He’ll take care of whatever giving mistakes you might make.” “He is enough. He is whatever you need.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Women Doing Well (see our interview with president Julie Wilson ) The Gathering (see our interview with CEO Josh Kwan ) 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 ) Redeemer City to City Pine Cove Christian Summer Camps Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby Theo of Golden by Allen Levi The Power of Generosity by Boyd Bailey 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.” Psalm 27:8 | Seek His Face “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” John 10:10 | Life to the Full “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 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.’” John 15:11 | Joy Made Full “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 3:16 | God So Loved He Gave “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” James 1:17 | Every Good 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.” Genesis 32:26 | Wrestling with God “Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Joe Daly, founder of Daly Goods, shares a journey shaped by a deep desire to align work, money, and calling under God’s authority. Growing up in a faithful home yet wrestling through struggles and misplaced identity, Joe describes how God used confession, community, and Scripture to transform his understanding of freedom and purpose. A pivotal season after college, marked by discipleship and spiritual formation, reoriented his life toward wholehearted surrender. Today, Joe leads a handcrafted leather goods company with a vision far beyond profit. He and his wife practice what he calls “upside-down generosity”, setting a lifestyle cap, prioritizing giving first, and building a business designed to serve employees, customers, and Kingdom impact. Through risks like radical giving and leaving vocational ministry, Joe has seen God provide in unexpected ways while refining his heart around dependence and stewardship. This conversation offers a grounded, hopeful vision for integrating faith with everyday financial decisions and long-term calling. Consider how surrendering control of your work and resources might open new space to trust God more fully. Major Topics Include: Surrendering work, money, and calling to God Identity beyond performance, success, or role Practicing generosity through receiving and giving Upside-down generosity and lifestyle cap principles Faithful risk-taking in business and calling Guarding against greed and materialism Designing business for Kingdom impact and stewardship Dependence on God through first-fruits giving Aligning long-term vision with eternal perspective QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God doesn’t care where you get your paycheck from. He cares where your heart’s at.” “Never say never and never say always when you follow Jesus, because you never know what He’s going to do.” “The joy of generosity can only happen if someone else is willing to receive.” “We felt the Lord call us to give more than we’d ever given before, and it was one of the most joyful experiences of our lives.” “It did not make mathematical sense, and it was just mind-blowing how God provided.” “The word ‘enough’ is so, so powerful.” “Greed and materialism are two of the greatest evils in the world today.” “Business success is more dangerous to my soul than business failure.” “If dependence is the goal, weakness is an advantage.” “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” “Heaven is our home. Life is a vapor. That changes how I think about money.” “Generosity is more than money, but it’s never less.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Daly Goods Alan Barnhart, Business Leader (see our past interview here ) Pete Ochs, founder of Capital III and Enterprise Stewardship (see our past interview here ) National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills ) God Owns my Busines s by Stanley Tam and Ken Anderson Sacred Pace by Terry Looper BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 23:27 | Whitewashed Tomb Warning “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” Romans 7:15 | Struggle with Sin “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 | Generosity in Poverty “For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” Acts 2:44–45 | Shared Possessions “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.” Acts 4:32–35 | No One In Need Philippians 4:12–13 | Contentment in Little and Much I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 1 Corinthians 16:2 | Systematic Giving “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper…” Matthew 6:3–4 | Giving 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. Matthew 5:16 | Let Your Light Shine In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[ a ] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. John 3:16 | God’s Gift of Salvation “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 1 Peter 2:9 | Kingdom of Priests “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Luke 12:48 | To Whom Much Is Given “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.” 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… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:24 | Cannot Serve Two Masters “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:11 | Daily Dependence on God “Give us this day our daily bread.” Proverbs 30:8–9 | Neither Poverty Nor Riches “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me…” Luke 16:10 | Faithful in Little and Much “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Pete and Debbie Ochs, longtime entrepreneurs and leaders in faith-driven business, share how God reshaped their understanding of money, work, and purpose over decades of walking with Him. Pete began his career pursuing success through hard work and financial gain, while Debbie brought a steady foundation of faith and generosity from her upbringing. Through seasons of business growth, financial pressure, and personal conviction, God led them to see that everything they had was not theirs to own, but to steward. That shift transformed how they built companies, gave generously, and ultimately released control. Pete is the founder of Capital III, an investment and operating company focused on building businesses that create economic, social, and spiritual capital, and the founder of Enterprise Stewardship, which helps leaders build high-impact businesses rooted in purpose and long-term flourishing. From creating jobs inside prisons to establishing a stewardship trust for their business, Pete and Debbie’s work now reflects a commitment to building economic, social, and spiritual impact. Along the way, they learned to set a finish line, cap their lifestyle, and follow the Holy Spirit in both planned and spontaneous generosity, deepening their understanding of risk and surrender. Explore how surrendering ownership can reshape your decisions, relationships, and long-term vision for Kingdom impact. Major Topics Include: Stewardship versus ownership in God’s economy Surrender as foundation of faithful stewardship Integrating faith and business without compartmentalization Creating economic, social, and spiritual capital Setting a lifestyle finish line for generosity Shifting mindset from accumulation to outward impact Listening to the Holy Spirit in everyday generosity Practicing intentional and spontaneous giving rhythms Involving family in generosity and stewardship decisions Using business as a platform for Kingdom impact QUOTES TO REMEMBER Pete Ochs “Stewardship is not waving the white flag. It’s not giving up. It’s coming to the understanding that the Creator of the universe wants to come alongside you and co-create with you to change the world.” “My 30s were about success, my 40s were about significance, and my 50s were about surrender.” “When we really live as stewards, it’s not 2 million is mine and the rest is God’s. It’s zero-one hundred. It’s all His.” “The question is not a net worth number. The question is a lifestyle number. How much should you be paid to manage what God has entrusted to you?” “You cannot violate God’s principles and expect Him to bless it. When you live according to His principles, He will take care of you.” “Business, I believe, is the most powerful platform to change the world.” “We try to create economic capital, love people relationally, and be ready to share the hope we have with gentleness and respect.” Debbie Ochs “Our mindset changed from what we can get to what we can do for others.” “We want the Holy Spirit to lead us. When He prompts, we want to act.” “Generosity begets generosity.” “We didn’t want to just write checks. We wanted to be involved, to know people, and to walk alongside them.” “Communication is key. You have to share what you’re learning and how God is working in your life.” “Involve your family in giving. That’s how the next generation begins to see and live it.” “We started looking at everything differently when our focus turned outward instead of inward.” “When God gives you opportunities, you have to be ready to respond in that moment.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Enterprise Stewardship Capital III YoungLife Crown Financial Ministries 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 ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Peter 3:15 | Reason for Your Hope “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Galatians 2:20 | Crucified with Christ “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Luke 10:25–37 | The Good Samaritan 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.” Matthew 6:3 | Give in Secret “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Becca Spradlin, founder of On Mission Advisors and author of Lead On Mission, has spent her career helping faith-driven organizations stay anchored in their God-given purpose. After early experiences in global missions and microfinance work with HOPE International, God shaped her conviction that even strong ministries are vulnerable to mission drift, especially during seasons of growth, success, or leadership transition. That realization led her to develop practical tools to help leaders discern, define, and protect their calling over time. In this conversation, Becca shares how organizations can faithfully steward influence by clarifying their mission, building guardrails, and cultivating leaders who are deeply rooted in Christ. She highlights common risks like funding pressures, misaligned hiring, and expanding beyond core focus, while offering a framework to define, protect, and champion mission with intentionality. The discussion also equips both leaders and givers to pursue alignment, accountability, and long-term Kingdom impact with wisdom and humility. Consider how your leadership or giving might stay anchored in God’s purpose through seasons of growth and opportunity. Major Topics Include: Defining and clarifying organizational mission and purpose Identifying early warning signs of mission drift Funding pressures and compromise risks in stewardship Hiring for mission alignment, not passive acceptance Programmatic focus versus unhealthy scope expansion Building guardrails through define, protect, champion framework Leadership humility and abiding as foundation for mission Donor alignment and accountability in Kingdom impact Succession planning to preserve mission across generations Measuring spiritual impact alongside financial outcomes QUOTES TO REMEMBER “We want to know not if we’re drifting, but where we’re drifting.” “Mission drift is pervasive. If we’re not intentional, it will happen.” “A prerequisite of a leader that stays on mission is humility.” “We are all prone to wander and prone to drift.” “The quality of your leadership is shown after you’re gone.” “If you bring on passive acceptors, they will not defend the spiritual dimension of the work.” “You never want to compromise on people, even if they’re highly credentialed.” “If we’re so focused on getting the next dollar that we compromise our faith, that’s inconsistent with God’s calling.” “God is the provider. He controls the pace of growth.” “It may not be on your wall, but it should be lived out in a palpable way.” “Clarity is what helps organizations stay on mission over time.” “Everything is God’s. He’s just sharing it with us.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW On Mission Advisors On Mission Self Assessment Lead On Mission by Becca Spradlin Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer ) Mission Drift (see our interview with author Peter Greer ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 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.” Hebrews 2:1 | Pay Closer Attention “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” 1 Peter 5:8 | The Prowling Lion “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Matthew 19:21 | The Rich Young Ruler “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Sharla Langston has spent decades working at the intersection of faith, purpose, and generosity. After beginning her career as a petroleum engineer and serving in roles that ranged from Alaska to Capitol Hill, God gradually redirected her path through experiences that reshaped her understanding of stewardship and calling. Her journey eventually led her into ministry roles with a local church, the National Christian Foundation, and ultimately into deeper work helping others discover how generosity connects with the unique purpose God has given them. As co-founder of Women Doing Well, Sharla has helped thousands of women explore how their God-given purpose, passions, and resources fit together. Through research, community, and guided pathways, the ministry helps women overcome barriers to generosity and gain clarity about how to steward their time, talent, and treasure. In this conversation, Sharla reflects on the lessons she has learned across the generosity ecosystem, from local churches to global impact investing, and shares practical wisdom for walking faithfully through fears, decisions, and opportunities around giving. Listen to discover how identifying your God-given purpose can unlock greater confidence, freedom, and joy in generosity. Major Topics Include: Discovering purpose as the foundation for generosity Aligning purpose, passion, and giving plans Overcoming fear and scarcity in stewardship Community as a catalyst for generous living Unique generosity barriers faced by Christian women Integrating generosity within marriage and family The role of advisors in serving women well Giving and impact investing as complementary tools The limits and strengths of generosity in the local church QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Discover your purpose, ignite your passion, and then make a plan for giving and living in God’s image.” “The purpose sector of getting a two-word purpose statement so brilliantly covers your whole life. You can look back on it and you can look forward with it.” “When purpose and passion align, the confidence to step into generosity grows tremendously.” “When God personally acts so strongly, the faith builds.” “Find your people. They’re out there. They need you and you need them.” “Community is what women wanted and needed but often couldn’t identify.” “If there’s fear present, you have to ask what’s really behind that.” “God gives us so much more than financial resources that we can actually be generous with.” “When believers are putting their investments to work for the Kingdom, from mutual funds to core capital, that’s something everybody can do.” “The prayerful approach to giving or investing strengthens what God can do in and through us.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW When God Interrupts by M. Craig Barnes Crown Financial Ministries National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills ) Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson ) Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman ) Women Doing Well (see our interview with President, Julie Wilson ) How to Find a Date Worth Keeping by Dr. Henry Cloud Impact Foundation (see our interview with Founder, Aimee Minnich ) Faith Driven Investor Faith Driven Entrepreneur TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Emanuel Bistrian, Executive Director of Generosity Path, grew up in a small Romanian village under communism, one of twelve children in a faithful Christian family. After immigrating to Chicago with almost nothing, he watched his mother give generously even in scarcity. That witness shaped his ambition, not simply to succeed, but to live on purpose. Over time, as he built businesses in the United States and Romania, God reshaped his view of wealth from something to secure into something to steward with open hands. In this conversation, Emanuel shares how he and his wife chose to give from revenue rather than profit, trusting God through the global financial crisis and seasons of real risk. He describes how local generosity is transforming churches in places like Ethiopia and South Sudan, restoring dignity and fueling gospel work from within communities rather than depending on the West. Through Generosity Path, he now helps leaders around the world discover generosity as surrender, community, and mission. Listen to explore how courageous generosity can restore dignity and strengthen faith in every season. Major Topics Include: Generosity as surrender, not strategy Giving from revenue, not just profit Trusting God through financial risk Integrating faith and entrepreneurship Building generosity into business systems Community as catalyst for generous living Restoring dignity through local generosity Shifting from Western dependence to local ownership QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I realized that God wasn’t poor in Romania. We as His people needed to learn generosity.” “If we didn’t do something that extreme, we would never give.” “We didn’t want to wait to tally up the profits to see if we were profitable enough to give.” “I would rather risk too much than too little when it comes to generosity.” “It’s never a thing of how much you have. God can multiply the fish and the loaves.” “We all have everything we need to accomplish what God has called us to.” “Generosity in community is the next logical thing. Why wouldn’t you want to give with others?” “Business people can be quite lonely, but community brings the joy back.” “Generosity restores dignity.” “When the Holy Spirit downloads His heart into yours, transformation takes place.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW 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 Praxis (see our interview with Cofounder Josh Kwan ) MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines ) Handful of Rice video Bishop Hannington video TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Jeff Latture serves as Executive Vice President at Barnhart Crane and Rigging and as chairman of Strategic Resource Group, but his journey into collaborative generosity began long before boardrooms and grant strategies. Growing up in Arkansas, he watched his parents come to genuine faith, yet it was later in Dallas through a vibrant church community and a pivotal sermon from Bill Bright, that his faith became personal. A simple conversation with his future wife about missions planted an early vision: if they could not go, perhaps they could send. God reshaped that vision when He closed the door to starting their own business and instead led Jeff to Barnhart, a company committed to investing its profits in the Great Commission. Over three decades, Jeff has helped cultivate GROVE, Barnhart’s internal collaborative giving team, and advance a mutual fund model of ministry through the Strategic Resource Group. He has learned that wise generosity requires shared mission, deep relationships, patient trust, and a willingness to surrender control. Collaborative structures, clear strategy, and long-term partnerships have multiplied Kingdom impact across frontier regions. This conversation offers a thoughtful vision for pursuing obedience, discernment, and deeper partnership in your own stewardship journey. Major Topics Include: Give collaboratively, not independently Build trust through long-term relationships Shifting from transactions to partnerships Organize giving around focused teams Leveraging business wisdom for Kingdom impact Investing in ministry capacity and health How to balance metrics with Spirit-led discernment Surrendering control in stewardship QUOTES TO REMEMBER “What I really wanted in starting a business was to be in control. And God wasn’t going to let me have that.” “He said, I’ll let you serve the ones in control, but I’m not going to let you be the ultimate steward.” “We would never have thought ever that we would have the viewpoint that we have for what God’s doing around the world. But it just started one relationship and one gift at a time.” “Giving together is way better than trying to do it on your own.” “You just learn faster in a group than you can by yourself.” “It’s our secret sauce is doing things together and getting the thinking of many people pointing the same direction.” “A good collaborative will cost you something. You have to give up some rights for a collaborative to work.” “Knowing the heart of the leader is the most important thing.” “It’s very relational. We like to measure things. We’re a bunch of engineers. But it’s really the relationships that drive us.” “If we’ll go to God first and really lean in to listening to what Scripture says and what the Holy Spirit is saying before we make those funding decisions, somehow it comes out with a better result.” “My personal experience over 30 years, He will do far more than you can ever imagine with the things that He’s given you.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Alan Barnhart (see our past interview here ) When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert ) Mission Increase Strategic Resource Group The India Alliance IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut ) MacLellan Foundation (see our interview with Director of Generosity, John Cortines ) Mergon Doug Cobb, Founder of The Finishing Fund (see our past interview here ) Achieve Alliance BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 28:19–20 | 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Esther 4:14 | For Such a Time as This “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Josh Kwan is the CEO of The Gathering and co-founder of Praxis, but his path into generosity began long before those titles. Raised by immigrant parents and formed by a faithful local church, Josh carried a deep love for Jesus into a career in journalism. God later redirected him through an unexpected opportunity to help lead philanthropy for entrepreneur David Weekley, where he learned firsthand how wise stewardship, rigorous thinking, and humble dependence on God can work together. That season shaped his conviction that generosity is not a side activity for Christians, but a calling that requires formation in community. Through Praxis, Josh helped cultivate entrepreneurs whose ventures serve as vehicles for Kingdom impact, grounding ambition in a rule of life that guards the heart from money and power. At The Gathering, he now walks alongside families stewarding significant wealth, helping them embrace risk, think with an eternal horizon, and pursue collaboration over control. This conversation offers a thoughtful vision for generosity shaped by humility, surrender, and deep relationships, and invites you to consider how community might transform your own stewardship journey. Major Topics Include: Formation through intentional community Integrating faith and vocation Investing in leaders, not just ideas Shaping entrepreneurs with a rule of life Risk and eternity in Christian philanthropy Humility in partnership with practitioners Money as amplifier of identity Generosity as shared, relational practice Balancing strategy with Spirit-led obedience QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I never thought I’d become a ‘professional Christian.’” “If you believe in the leader, you can fund that leader because they are going to do some good things in part because that leader has a pursuit of the Kingdom.” “We were able to talk about and put into place the spiritual formation and practices and rhythms at the beginning, so that you’re not thinking about it by the time you’re exiting and you have a lot more zeros behind your name.” “The rule of life is meant to be done together in relationship, with transparency and accountability and vulnerability.” “I think God’s bigger than the way that He’s made me and put me in this vessel, and I can appreciate someone else’s way of thinking.” “One of the remarkable things about Christian generosity is that we have this eternal time horizon.” “Effectiveness can itself become an idol.” “We sin just like you sin. We put on our pants just like you put on your pants. We need Jesus just like you need Jesus.” “How do we take this responsibility, maybe even a burden, and find incredible joy and meaning in joining God’s work in the world?” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Gathering Praxis David Weekly Foundation (aka Dovetail Impact Foundation) When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert ) Gospel Patrons (see our interview with founder John Rinehart ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 28:19–20 | 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 | One Body, Many Members Romans 12:4–5 | Members of One Another “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Kristen Shuler, President of East-West Ministries International, shares how God shaped her calling to take the gospel to the world’s least reached people. Raised in a Christian home with a deep commitment to discipleship and missions, Kristen came to faith at a young age and learned early that obedience to God often comes before visible fruit. Those formative experiences, including years of frontline ministry overseas, continue to anchor her leadership today. At East-West, Kristen helps lead a global network focused on multiplying disciples and churches in spiritually dark places where access to the gospel is limited or nonexistent. Rather than relying on outside control, East-West prioritizes local leadership, obedience-based discipleship, and collaboration across ministries, trusting God to grow lasting movements of faith. Kristen speaks honestly about the cost of faithfulness, the patience required when fruit is slow to appear, and the freedom that comes from surrendering outcomes to God. This conversation offers a hopeful vision for wise stewardship, faithful generosity, and finding your place in God’s mission. Listen to explore how obedience, prayer, and collaboration shape lasting Kingdom impact. Major Topics Include: Obedience over visible ministry results Multiplication as a core discipleship DNA Reaching unengaged and unreached people groups Local ownership of the missionary task Obedience based versus knowledge based discipleship Finding joy beyond performance driven ministry Collaboration reshaping global missions strategy Prayer as essential spiritual labor Diverse pathways for Great Commission participation QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The ministry is not about seeing fruit. The ministry is about obedience.” “Even if I didn’t see the fruit, I could trust that He was at work.” “The Lord uses every step of obedience and every seed that’s planted as part of His ultimate plan.” “Discipleship is not just about gaining knowledge, but about being obedient to the Word of God.” “If I tell somebody what to do, that will fail every time. But when God’s Word and the Spirit lead, that’s where transformation happens.” “The Great Commission is a God-given mandate for every follower of Jesus to find their place in.” “It’s not about choosing what feels comfortable, but responding in obedience to what God is asking.” “The people are waiting to hear. They simply need a laborer to come to them.” “Not a single one of us can accomplish the Great Commission on our own.” “That humility we’re seeing across missions organizations is something only the Spirit can do.” “We want to learn, grow, and come with open hands to see what the Lord might do through unity.” “If I’m not abiding in Jesus, I have very little to offer anyone else.” “Do we want to be known for our strategies, or do we want to be known for loving Jesus?” “If we’re not marked by our love for Jesus, our strategies will be ineffective.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW East-West Ministries International International Missions Board Coalition of the Willing (see our interviews with founding members Jared Nelms and Scott Cheatham ) The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn ) BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 28:19–20 | Make Disciples of All Nations 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Acts 1:8 | Witness to the Ends But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Galatians 5:25 | Keeping in Step with the Spirit If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Matthew 9:37–38 | The Harvest Is Plentiful Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” John 15:4–5 | Abide and Bear Fruit Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. John 17:20–23 | Unity That the World May Believe Matthew 6:21 | Treasure and the Heart For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .

Erin Moser serves as Chief Advancement Officer at Musana Community Development Organization, where her calling grew from a simple act of generosity into a lifelong commitment to dignifying, sustainable impact. After encountering Musana’s founder through a local church, Erin and her family began supporting the work quietly. However, it was travelling to Uganda and witnessing firsthand how God was using local leadership, not Western charity, to restore communities that reshaped her understanding of generosity, stewardship, and what lasting faith-driven impact can look like on the ground. Today, Erin helps advance Musana’s enterprise-driven model, where schools, hospitals, women’s training centers, and businesses work together to address poverty at its roots. Rather than creating dependence, Musana invests in infrastructure that becomes locally owned, locally led, and financially sustainable. Erin shares hard lessons learned along the way, the importance of humility in giving, and why stewardship means deploying resources wisely so communities can flourish long after outside support steps back. Listen to this episode to reconsider how faith, generosity, and wise stewardship can multiply impact through local ownership and trust in God’s design. Major Topics Include: Moving from charity to dignifying partnership Local ownership as the path to lasting impact Addressing poverty through job creation Infrastructure over programs for sustainability Humility in learning across cultures Letting communities lead their own solutions Measuring success beyond short-term outcomes QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Orphanages create orphans.” “Generosity should be catalytic. It should restore dignity, not take it away.” “How dignifying is it to a parent to say, you can’t provide for your own child, so let someone from the West do it for you?” “We have to stop imposing our Western ideals and learn together with what actually works in their landscape.” “Faithful stewardship isn’t about how much we give, but how we intentionally deploy what God has entrusted to us.” “We don’t run programs. We build infrastructure.” “Economists say no developing country will ever lift itself out of poverty by charity alone.” “Once we got on the ground, we realized how insignificant we were to the solution.” “They didn’t need us as much as we needed them.” “The locals are the heroes of their own story.” “God just kept putting one simple step in front of the other.” “It started with saying yes, and the understanding came later.” “God doesn’t call us to preserve our resources. He calls us to put them to work.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Musana Community Development Organization BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Zechariah 4:10 | Faithful Small Beginnings “For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Matthew 25:14–30 | Stewardship of Entrusted Resources Matthew 6:1–4 | Heart Posture in Giving Mark 12:41–44 | The Widow’s Offering TAKE A STEP DEEPER On the Finish Line podcast, we are all about stories, seeing how God draws us into generosity over a lifetime. But sometimes these stories can leave us thinking, “What’s that next step look like for me?” That’s exactly why we’ve launched a whole new podcast called Applied Generosity which explores the full landscape of the generous life across 7 different dimensions of generosity. Applied Generosity helps make sense of the hundreds of stories we’ve shared on the Finish Line Podcast to help you find that best next step. If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to take things to the next level, check out Applied Generosity anywhere you listen to podcasts or at appliedgenerosity.com .