The Finish Line Podcast

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 Business 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 muc

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 e

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 P

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.

Erik Larson, President and CEO of New Covenant Missions, joins the conversation to share how God invited him to leave a stable, successful career in the restaurant industry for a life shaped by obedience and global missions. Raised in a Christian home, Erik experienced seasons of both closeness and distance from Christ before God used disruption, restlessness, and a growing burden for the unreached to redirect his life. What began as contentment in business-as-mission work became a holy invitation to trust God beyond security, leading Erik and his family into indigenous missions across Africa. Through New Covenant Missions, Erik now works to equip and support local church planters who are best positioned to reach their own communities with the gospel. He explains why empowering indigenous leaders, adapting to local cultures, and prioritizing disciple-making are central to sustainable Kingdom impact. The conversation highlights God’s work in some of the most difficult and overlooked places, along with the patience, humility, and discernment required to steward resources wisely and faithfully. Listen to this episode to reflect on how God may be inviting you to say yes, trust Him deeply, and join His work beyond your comfort. Major Topics Include: Invitation versus obligation in God’s calling A unique approach for each culture Contrasting discipleship-making and Church-planting movements Working with “Pauls” and “Timothys” Opening hearts through physical needs The balance of missions and charity The blessing and challenge of a communal mindset Emerging strategies in missions Partnering for Global Impact Getting ready for the Holy Spirit’s move QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God radically disturbed my life.” “The biggest injustice in the world is that there are still people living out there who have no access to Jesus, and we’ve got to change that.” “I felt God say, ‘We’re going to raise up multitudes of indigenous leaders to reach the nations.’” “The people best positioned to reach their communities are the people who already live there.” “What we really want to do is find the people that already have the heart and the passion for the Great Commission and then be the gasoline to their fire.” “We’re not there to build something for them. We’re there to empower what God is already doing through them.” “I like to say they’re born pregnant. As soon as they become believers, we’re training them to make disciples.” “Mission is making disciples who make disciples, not just doing good things in the name of Christ.” “I believe at the route we’re going now that by 2050, we could see a church in every village of the world and no unreached people left.” “When the Holy Spirit decides to move, it can be the hardest place in the world, and suddenly everything changes.” “God is doing all the work anyway. We just get invited to join Him.” “Just say yes, and God does the rest.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW New Covenant Missions Every Home for Christ Joshua Project (see our interview with Director, Dan Scribner) Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) Finishing the Task (see our interview with FTT Global Church Planting Strategist Dan Hitzhusen) ACHIEVE Alliance BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Acts 16:9 | Macedonian Call And a vision appeared to Paul in the night, a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ 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. Acts 16:31–33 | Household Faith Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. John 17:21 | Unity in Mission That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent 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.

Kristen Welch is an author, speaker, and the founder of Mercy House Global, but her story is shaped less by achievement and more by surrender. Raised in a generous, Christian home, Kristen followed God’s lead into ministry, writing, and motherhood. Her love for writing led her into the early Christian mom-blogging world where she found community and influence, but it was a 2010 blogging trip to Kenya with Compassion International that unsettled her faith and reordered her calling. That encounter became the catalyst for Mercy House Global and for a lifelong journey of learning what it means to say yes to God with open hands. Through Mercy House, Kristen has spent the past fifteen years walking alongside vulnerable women and families through job creation, orphan prevention, and discipleship, both globally and locally. Along the way, she has learned that generosity and ministry busyness without intimacy with God can quietly hollow out the soul. Her story reflects the cost of faithful work, the danger of doing for God without being with Him, and the grace God offers through rest, repentance, and renewed friendship with Him. This conversation invites all of us to reflect on how God calls us to slow down, reorient our hearts, and rediscover satisfaction in His presence while living generously. Major Topics Include: Generosity in hospitality Obedience through small, faithful yeses Using influence for Kingdom purpose Serving without losing intimacy with God The danger of doing for God without being with God Identity rooted in sonship, not productivity Parenting through embodied generosity Slowing down to practice God’s presence QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Just do the next right thing.” “We were always looking for ways to use what we had for the gospel of hospitality.” “The opportunity to use the writing skill and the blog platform for God’s glory really became a sweet spot for me and it changed my life.” “I will spend the rest of my life answering the question, ‘what am I doing to help the vulnerable in our communities and in our world?’” “God used the poor to help me find Him in a new way.” “God doesn’t need us to do any of this, He invites us to do it.” “Being with God is the best use of our time.” “It is not a waste of time to spend time with God.” “When we live as generous people, our kids will too.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Mercy House Global Kristen Welch’s Website Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch Raising World Changers in a Changing World by Kristen Welch Compassion International When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert) Women Doing Well (see our interview with president Julie Wilson) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Revelation 3:20 | Christ’s Invitation to Intimacy Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Hebrews 2:1 | Drifting from Jesus Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | Gratitude amid Hardship Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Philippians 4:11–13 | Contentment in All Circumstances Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. 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.

Raised on a central Missouri farm, Kristin Hammett grew up in a family that loved Jesus and lived out steady generosity, even amid the financial uncertainties of farming life. Watching her parents faithfully give a tithe planted early seeds, but it was during college that she made a deeper commitment to Christ, a decision that quietly set the trajectory for everything that followed. After college, she entered a sales role with a Fortune 50 company, surrounded by benefits and success, yet she began to sense that God might be inviting her into something more than selling consumer goods. After a season as a stay-at-home mom, she discovered a growing desire to see how her professional skills might serve Kingdom purposes. That curiosity led her to become the first part time development director at a local pregnancy center, where God reshaped her understanding of fundraising as ministry, connecting donors to the doers and inviting people to join Him where He is already working. That journey eventually opened the door to joining The Signatry, helping donors steward all God has entrusted to them for Kingdom impact. As Vice President of Family Generosity Services at The Signatry, Kristin has spent her career helping families move from reactive giving to intentional stewardship rooted in faith. Drawing from deep experience on both the nonprofit and givers sides, she now guides families towards alignment, trust, and faithfulness in how they move towards intentional generosity together. Major Topics Include: Generosity as discipline, then joyful invitation Stewarding all assets, not just cash Fundraising as ministry and relationship Connecting donors and doers in God’s work Evaluating impact above overhead in giving Understanding cause dynamics and realistic impact outcomes Trust and partnership between givers and ministries Thinking through non-cash gifts Alignment over agreement in family generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God has all the resources that He needs to fund His work. My role is to connect the resources He’s entrusted to people with the work He’s already doing.” “Impact needs to come before overhead.” “If we’re only asking people to give from cash, we’re really not asking them to steward all that God has entrusted to them.” “Let’s begin to change the conversation, not just about cash, but about all of their assets, and help them understand how those are an opportunity for generosity.” “When you realize you’re connecting the donors and the doers, that’s a pretty incredible place to be.” “You’re not trying to get something from someone. You’re inviting them to join God where He’s already at work.” “In a family, alignment is much more important than agreement.” “If you want everyone to give to exactly what you want to give to, that’s a top-down approach, and it rarely creates enthusiasm.” “If you hold it open-handed and prioritize alignment over agreement, you’ll often find much more joy and engagement.” “Donors are operating in a currency of trust. That trusted partnership is absolutely critical.” “When there’s a trusted partnership between the giver and the organization, God does something formative in both.” “Fundraising is ministry. Anytime you’re engaging someone around their resources, their finances, and their heart, that’s ministry.” “We need to dissolve the barrier between where the ministry happens and where the money comes in, and realize it’s all ministry.” “God doesn’t need our money. He wants our hearts. And that’s really, at the end of the day, the message of generosity.” “Generosity is not just for the ultra high net worth or those making a lot of money, it’s for everyone. God is not interested in the zeros. He’s interested in obedience.” “We’re stewarding our whole life, not just our financial resources, because He wants our heart.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Signatry (see our interviews with founder, Bill High, and CEO, Steve French here) Mission Increase National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) The Giver and the Gift by Peter Greer & David Weekley (see our interview with author Peter Greer here) Family Generosity Guides Nonprofit blogs: Major Donor Insight: They are People, Too Engage Donors by Engaging Their Families The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Malachi 3:10 | Testing God in Giving 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. Matthew 6:21 | Treasure and the Heart For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Psalm 50:10 | God Owns Everything For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. Philippians 4:15–19 | Giving as Partnership WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please

On the Finish Line Podcast, we have always believed in the power of stories. Over hundreds of conversations, we have seen how God patiently draws people into generosity across an entire lifetime, often through unexpected paths. Yet for many, these stories also surface an honest question: “What does this mean for me, and where is God calling me next?” In this special episode, fellow Finish Line board members David Campaigne from Blue Trust and Matt Mancinelli from Generous Giving help us introduce our most significant development since the launch of the Finish Line Pledge: The Applied Generosity Podcast. Each story we’ve shared in the last few years has been shaped by unique calling, personal surrender, and profound steps of faith. Yet over time, patterns have emerged. While no two stories are the same, many givers find themselves crossing the same terrain, wrestling with similar questions, fears, and decisions along the way. Applied Generosity was created to help make sense of that shared landscape, exploring seven dimensions of generosity that repeatedly show up across the journeys we have heard. It provides a map, helping bring orientation, language, and clarity to where God may already be at work in your own life and where He may be inviting a next step. If you’ve been inspired by the stories you’ve heard on Finish Line Podcast, but long for clearer discernment about the next step in your own journey, then Applied Generosity was specifically made for you. QUOTES TO REMEMBER David: “Generosity is a journey, like life is a journey. You plant a seed, you water it, but ultimately it’s God who makes things grow.” Matt: “We’re being invited into being more like Jesus as we give.” David: “God doesn’t need our money; what He ultimately wants is our heart.” Cody: “Some of the largest obstacles to living generously are fear and greed, and these are both addressed by answering the question, ‘how much is enough?’” Matt: “If I see an opportunity to bless somebody in a way that would boost their faith and I can come alongside them, that’s when I’m fired up to give.” David: “I want to know that my giving, whether to an individual or an organization, is going to draw people to Jesus.” Kealan: “Generosity is one of the strongest means by which God enables me to trust Him.” David: “How can we leverage the currency of that which is passing away into the currency of that which will endure forever?” Kealan: “Applied generosity is simply naming the shared landscape of the the generous life and providing some definition to it so we can see the whole picture and figure out where that next right step is in our own journey.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Applied Generosity David Campaigne, Financial Advisor at Ronald Blue Trust (see our past interview here) Heather Tuininga, Founder of 10|10 Strategies (see our past interview here) Matt Mancinelli, Managing Director at Generous Giving (see our past interview here) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Ronald Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Treasure Principle (see our interview with author Randy Alcorn) God and Money (see our interviews with co-authors Greg Baumer and John Cortines) Museum of the Bible Hope International (see our interview with founder, Jeff Rutt or CEO, Peter Greer) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 | God Makes Things Grow Luke 16:10a | Faithful in Little and Much “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 | True Riches 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. Matthew 6:21 | Treasure of the Heart For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. John 3:16 | God’s Generosity For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. Proverbs 16:9 | God Directs Steps The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Psalm 90:12 | Number Our Days So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Matthew 25:14–30 | Parable of the Talents Matthew 22:37 | Loving God Fully You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 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.

Michael Blue serves as Director of Discipleship and former President of the Ron Blue Institute, and his life reflects a steady journey of learning to trust God with open hands. Raised in a home shaped by biblical financial stewardship, Michael developed strong habits around money early on. Yet it was in his thirties, amid professional success and financial security, that God exposed a deeper restlessness. What appeared stable on the surface revealed an inner hollowness, leading Michael and his family into a season of prayer, surrender, and renewed reflection on what faithful obedience truly means. In his current role, Michael focuses on forming biblical and practical financial wisdom in the next generation, particularly among high school and college students. He has also helped pioneer the 9:23 Fellowship, a discipleship journey that invites believers to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus in every area of life, including how they steward money, grow in community, and trust God’s provision. Michael’s calling is to help believers align their finances with wholehearted discipleship, viewing stewardship as worship and generosity as freedom rooted in trust. This episode creates space to rethink money, faith, and obedience in ways that feel both convicting and hopeful. Major Topics Include: Learning to live openhandedly Thinking through savings as a giver Relying on God for provision Engaging younger generations through the Ron Blue Institute Helping the Church recognize and overcome greed and covetousness Four H’s of biblical stewardship for college students The difference between “bread” and “seed” Flourishing together in community Learning to be a good receiver Stretching your faith through steps of generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Giving ought to be joyful and saving ought to be purposeful, but if it’s just rote obedience, you can lose the heart behind it.” “God delights in inviting us to participate in His story.” “Stewardship is managing our money for the glory of God.” “Our capacity to meet people in their time of need all comes down to our margin of time and money.” “Whenever we feel like God gives us more, more often than not, it’s seed for sowing.” “The most generous people are the least fearful people I know. They’re not wracked with anxiety about providing for them in the future.” “We were made to flourish together in community.” “We’re all created to be both givers and receivers, so a healthy church is one where I can both give and receive.” “The thing that drives us to a life of continued generosity is hungering after who God is, what he’s done in our lives, and how we can grow nearer to HIm.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Ron Blue Institute (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns International Justice Mission (IJM) 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 2 Corinthians 8-9 | The Macedonian Church Matthew 6:33 | Seek First the Kingdom But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Luke 9:23 | Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow 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.

Renée Rinehart, co-founder of Gospel Patrons, understands the grace and surrender that generosity requires from both sides of the equation. Raised in a family shaped by missions, hospitality, and entrepreneurial generosity, Renée learned early on that generous, open-handed obedience often requires risk. As she and her husband, John, built careers in business, God invited them to ask deeper questions about purpose, wealth, and their role in the Kingdom. That questioning led to a season of radical trust, including a 132-day journey across 22 countries where they relied on God daily for their bed and bread provision. Through uncertainty, sickness, and unexpected grace, they exercised their faith, and came to know God as their provider on a deeper and more extreme level than they ever thought possible. Along the way, Renée and John were introduced to many inspiring stories of how God has used patrons with the gift of giving throughout history for the advancement of the Gospel, and those stories became John’s first book, Gospel Patrons. The Rineharts have now carried the message of Gospel Patrons around the world, inspiring stewards of wealth to know the vitality of their role in the Kingdom, and to experience the beauty and joy of Kingdom impact from patron-proclaimer partnerships. If you are seeking a faith-shaped vision of generosity marked by surrender, partnership, and trust, this episode is for you. Major topics include: A journey of extreme faith The necessary partnership of gospel patrons and proclaimers Trusting God to meet your needs so you can be radically generous Experiencing both the giving and receiving sides of a patronage partnership Generosity is more about relationship than result Inspiring patrons all over the world through story Empowering women to step into role as gospel patrons Stewarding your story of risk and generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “My grandparents as missionaries didn’t think of themselves as poor, but they just thought of God as being abundant and they lived from that place of faith and abundance.” “It felt like God was giving back my dream, but so much bigger than I had ever imagined it.” “What can we do to discover what God’s doing around the world and how people are in relationship with Him all over?” “In country after country, place after place, God opened doors and introduced us to people, and we saw how people worshiped Him throughout 22 different countries.” “I think we so often want to see God move and we want to see miracles, but we don’t want to be in a place of need and discomfort. But those are the two halves of the coin, you have to be in the place where you need a miracle before you’re ready to see one.” “I came home with a totally different sense that I am loved by the God of the universe. Seeing that He could take me into my worst fears and bring good out of it and I would be okay, I was ready to surrender everything knowing that He’s good, He’s with us, and everything else was just details.” “God always raises up both people with a vision to see the Gospel advance and people who are going to partner deeply financially and in friendship. And it’s when the Body of Christ comes together with different giftings, both patrons and proclaimers, that the Gospel advances.” “We were so captivated by this idea that business people were a vital part of the Body of Christ.” “We’re making friends for eternity by sort of wildly spreading wealth around and allowing God to plant His seeds of love and goodness all over the place.” “There’s risk on both sides, and faith and humility needed on both sides of the equation.” “God is raising up a tidal wave of generosity to fuel the Great Commission, and there is so much momentum happening.” “When we’re really looking for God’s hand, He gives us the ability to tell our stories differently.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Gospel Patrons by John Rinehart Gospel Patrons (see our interview with founder John Rinehart) 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 2 Corinthians 5:7 | Walk by Faith for we walk by faith, not by sight. 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.

Tom Lawrence always knew his calling had to do with money. Growing up in Southeast London, England, Tom convinced his parents to help him get work experience in hedge funds and investment banks at the young age of twelve. But a few years into his teens, Tom had an amazing encounter with Jesus which turned his whole perspective on life upside down. His passion for money remained, but instead of feathering his own nest, Tom began to see money in the light of funding for the Kingdom. As an adult, Tom spent about ten years as a wealth manager for private banks and wealth management organizations and his views on Kingdom finances grew and matured with him. Suddenly, Tom found himself without a job, and he soon realized that this was an opportunity to know God as Jehovah Jireh, his Provider. During this time, Tom began an intensive study of what the Bible really says about money. That journey reshaped everything—how he understands ownership, stewardship, and the call the pursue true riches. Out of that 200 hours of Bible study, Tom founded the Biblical Financial Masterclass, a 12+ hour course that helps Christians build their financial house using God’s blueprint from Scripture. Now, Tom equips Believers, churches, and organizations to heal their relationships with money and to rethink their financial lives from the heart outward, grounding principles in Scripture and pointing people towards Gospel transformation. Tune in for a fantastic dive into how God’s Word radically reshapes our relationship with money. Major Topics Include: Three dimensions of money and faith Biblical financial insights from 200 hours of study Commonly misunderstood money scriptures Developing his course Equipping to handle what God wants to give you Getting your heart right in relationship with money The Christian motivation for generosity What is “serving Mammon?” Peeling back the layers of Mammon in our lives The truth about extravagance in giving Challenges in engaging the local church in financial conversation QUOTES TO REMEMBER “I was just as passionate about money after I got saved and it gave me a reason why I should be rather than just feathering my nest, which was my main ambition at 13 or 14. Between 15 and 17, I began to see it as an opportunity to fund the Kingdom.” “One of the greatest things that we can do is handle money that’s not ours, in line with Somebody Else’s will, for Somebody Else’s glory in order that it would be redeemed and bring about salvation in people’s lives.” “More than 10% of the entire Bible is given over to talking about money, finances, wealth, and stuff in some form of another. And about 1 in 6 of Jesus’s parables touches on it.” “Do not assume you are outside of God’s will just because you’re going through something difficult.” “Fundamentally, the entirety of the Bible is a display of generosity. It’s a love letter to humanity from God.” “How much money is too much money? It’s any amount that replaces our trust in God.” “Cheerful giving comes down to heart preparation.” “When we avoid talking about money, we are not sparing our congregations awkwardness, we are leaving a gaping hole in their discipleship.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Biblical Financial Masterclass Stewardship (UK Ministry) 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 Haggai 2: 6-7 | The Coming Glory of the Temple For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. Deuteronomy 8:18 | God Give 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. Psalm 24:1 | Everything Belongs to the Lord The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, Proverbs 10:22 | Blessings without Sorrow The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Luke 6:38 | Give and It Will Be Given give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Genesis 22:8a | The Lord Will Provide Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” Genesis 8:22 | Seedtime and Harvest While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Romans 12:2 | Be Transformed 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. James 1:5 | Generous Wisdom from God If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gi

Dave Schwartz had all the signs of worldly success. He was a high-level officer with a Fortune 500 company in the insurance and financial services industry for 25 years before starting a breakaway firm with a friend which grew to a hundred employees in three different states. Life was good. But after some deep, personal valleys—including two open-heart surgeries—God got Dave’s attention in a powerful way and helped him to see that a check-the-box religion wasn’t cutting it and something needed to change. Inspired by his now-wife’s deep contentment and relationship with God, Dave also began to pursue a deeper relationship himself. Selling interest in the company he helped start, Dave transitioned to the nonprofit sector where he vetted partners and handled donor funds. He then was invited to lead the missions programs at their church. Little did Dave know that this was laying the foundations for a God-sized vision on the other side of the world. Dave and his wife became close with a Liberian family from their church, and in 2021, they had an opportunity to travel to Liberia, the eighth poorest country in the world. Experiencing the extreme poverty at an orphanage there planted a strong desire to do something to uplift the children of Liberia without just giving out hand-me-downs. Now, after a few years of divine connections and miraculous generosity, ground will soon be broken for the Agape Empowerment Center, a 15-acre campus designed to raise Christ-centered Liberian leaders through housing, education, and holistic care. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a vision from scratch, this episode is for you. Major Topics Include: Becoming envious of contentment How the God-sized vision came together Governance, structure, and transparency Giving a hand up without creating a cycle of dependency Building a culture one grade at a time Involving locals in the mission A hopeful view of the next 5 to 10 years How this experience has deepened Dave’s faith The vision for agricultural and manufacturing enterprise zones Building community through collaboration Examining the ROI of philanthropic dollars QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Laying in the hospital in 2012, recovering from my second open-heart surgery, I realized it was time to make a change.” “What is a true relationship with our Savior versus a religious ‘check-the-box’?” “As I started to change from religion to a relationship with Jesus, contentment started to creep into my life and I had never really experienced that before.” “Liberia is the eighth poorest country in the world. Per person income on an annual basis is $530 USD.” “I made the very Western throw-away comment of ‘Gosh, Honey, someone’s gotta do something about this.’ Without missing a beat, my wife says, ‘What about us?’ And that’s how the Agape Empowerment Center got started.” “If we want them to become the best and to be Christ-centered children, well-educated, then let’s start treating them like the best and stop just giving them our hand-me-downs.” “In five or ten years, I see children with joy and hope in their lives.” “I have learned that I absolutely have no control. I think I do, but I don’t. And at the end of the day, this is God’s plan or it’s not. I just hope to be able to help implement it.” “I’m not going to retire, I’m going to re-fire.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Agape Empowerment Center When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert) Convoy of Hope 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.

Doug Cobb, founder of The Finishing Fund, is passionately convicted that we could see the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our generation. In 1994, Doug’s life was changed when he joined Paul Eshleman and the Jesus Film Project for a trip to Nigeria where he caught the vision to see completely unengaged people groups reached with the Gospel. Utilizing his background in startups and venture capital, Doug eventually founded The Finishing Fund, a venture capital fund for the Great Commission, connecting donors to projects intended to reach the unengaged with the Gospel for the first time. In the last eight years, The Finishing Fund has helped get the Gospel to about 800 people groups who had never heard it before. In his most recent book, The Sprint to the Finish, Doug discusses three major finish lines that need to be crossed to fulfill the Great Commission—seeing a first Believer in every known people group, a Bible translated into every language, and a church established in every village on Earth. To date, there are only 20 unengaged people groups left in the world, and by God’s grace, The Finishing Fund and its collaborative partners have a shared goal to see the entire world reached with the Gospel by 2033. Doug’s conviction is simple but bold: The mission Jesus gave us can be completed in this generation, and God is already making it happen. If you want a front row seat to what God is doing around the world right now, you won’t want to miss this episode. Major Topics Include: Three finish lines to completing the Great Commission The current state of Gospel work in the world Comparing approaches—church planting and disciple making Stories of signs, wonders, and miracles drawing people to Jesus Fueling the Gospel spark in a community The biggest obstacles to fulfilling Great Commission What operational collaboration looks like The evangelistic power of a new Believer The Great Wealth Transfer and the Great Commission Looking forward to the return of Jesus QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The statistics tell us that most Christians sitting in churches can’t even tell you what the great commission is, much less can they tell you anything about what’s happening.” “I think we’re within a year or two by God’s grace of seeing the work begun in every people group.” “God is preparing people of peace in these places and it’s almost like the Spirit is there tapping His toe and waiting for us to show up to close the deal. He’s already working in the hearts and minds of people to prepare them.” “When God’s people are willing to go, Jesus will go with them.” “Why would the Spirit not do today what He did way back then to validate the testimony of Paul and the other apostles?” “I don’t think it’s coincidental that God has created this wealth in the last days at a time when it’s needed, and that creates an enormous responsibility for our generation.” “This generation has more than we need to complete the Great Commission.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Sprint to the Finish by Doug Cobb The Finishing Fund (see our interview with founder Doug Cobb) Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) Finishing the Task (see our interview with FTT Global Church Planting Strategist Dan Hitzhusen) IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) ACHIEVE Alliance New Covenant Missions Coalition of the Willing Jim Wise, Financial Advisor with Ronald Blue Trust (see our past interview here) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 16:10a | Faithfulness One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, Matthew 28:19 | The Great Commission Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 24:14 | Then the End Will Come And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Revelation 7:9-10 | Every Nation, Tribe, 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, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Acts 1:8 | Power to Witness 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.” 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.