Faith Driven Entrepreneur

From Sports Anchor to FinTech Pioneer: Building Payment Infrastructure for the Next BillionJoin host Justin Forman as he sits down with Benjamin Fernandes, founder of Nala and Rafiki, for an extraordinary conversation about resilience, rejection, and revolutionizing cross-border payments. From covering the World Cup as a 21-year-old sports anchor in Tanzania to building infrastructure that serves millions across Africa and Asia, Benjamin's journey is filled with divine appointments, Stanford miracles, and the grit required to solve problems for the next billion customers.This episode explores the massive diaspora remittance market ($129 billion to India alone), the entrepreneurial challenge of building FinTech infrastructure in emerging markets, and why the greatest export from developing nations might just be talent. Benjamin vulnerably shares the power of rejection as fuel, the importance of gratitude, and why sometimes you have to build the bridge for the next 200 entrepreneurs coming after you.Key Topics:The $129 billion remittance market and why diaspora communities are economic powerhousesFrom failing high school to Stanford MBA: A miracle story of divine provisionBuilding payment rails in Africa vs Asia: Infrastructure challenges and opportunitiesWhy 30-35% of Nala customers are entrepreneurs funding businesses back homeThe power of rejection letters as entrepreneurial fuelGoing church to mosque: The gritty early days of customer acquisitionHow migrants enable local economies to thrive in exponential waysNotable Quotes:"There's something that's very powerful when someone tells you you can't do something." - Benjamin Fernandes"With privilege comes responsibility." - Benjamin Fernandes"I don't believe the lowest income region the world should be charged the most amount for fees, for payments." - Benjamin Fernandes

Breaking the Silence: Why Pastors and Entrepreneurs Need Each OtherJoin host Justin Forman for an enlightening conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, leadership expert and former lead pastor, as they tackle one of the most important conversations in the modern church: bridging the gap between pastors and entrepreneurs. From his unique perspective of having served in both pastoral ministry and entrepreneurial ventures, Carey reveals why there's mutual intimidation between these two groups and how churches can unleash the untapped potential of their entrepreneurial members.This episode explores the crisis of community in entrepreneurship, why 50% of retired CEOs die within two years, and how churches possess the "convening power" to create lasting connections. Carey shares practical insights from leading churches that are successfully engaging their business leaders beyond "handing out programs and parking cars."Key Topics:The entrepreneurial isolation crisis: Why there's "no default community" for business leadersMutual intimidation: Why pastors feel inadequate around entrepreneurs and vice versaThe spiritual gift of entrepreneurship: Learning from the Apostle Paul's business modelMoving beyond volunteer tasks to meaningful engagement for high-capacity leadersHow churches can serve as "incubators" for Kingdom-minded business venturesThe difference between "real friends" and "deal friends" in entrepreneurial communitiesPractical steps for pastors to start entrepreneur-focused ministriesNotable Quotes:"I think for entrepreneurs, there's no default community. You're on your own. It's sort of the hero's journey. You start by yourself, that pioneer spirit. Within two years of retiring as a CEO, 50% of CEOs are dead." - Carey Nieuwhof"Pastors are thinking, I don't make a million dollars a year like I haven't got staff and employees like you do. I don't feel like I measure up, and I don't know, I've talked to so many pastors who are like, I know this guy or woman could give $3 million I'm terrified of making the ask." - Carey Nieuwhof"You've got some in your church, and they don't know how to contribute, and they're feeling alone and they're feeling isolated." - Carey Nieuwhof

In this captivating conversation, Jordan Raynor, an author and serial entrepreneur, challenges the boring norms of traditional biographies. He reveals how inspirational stories, like that of LEGO's founder, can motivate faith-driven entrepreneurs. Jordan discusses the integration of AI in storytelling, the joy of play in work, and the untold journeys of 'mere Christians' who've changed industries. With humor and insight, he encourages a fresh perspective on success and redemption, making the case for biographies that truly inspire.

From Pastor to President: Transforming Africa Through Faith-Driven InvestmentJoin host Justin Forman from a stunning lakeside location in Malawi as he sits down with President Lazarus Chakwera, one of the rare world leaders who transitioned from pastoral ministry to the presidency. In this remarkable conversation, President Chakwera shares his extraordinary journey from leading the Assemblies of God for over 30 years to answering God's call to "pastor the nation."This episode explores the critical shift happening across Africa—from aid dependence to investment partnerships—and reveals why Malawi's vision for becoming an "inclusively wealthy, self-reliant economy" represents a blueprint for continental transformation. President Chakwera offers profound insights on how faith-driven investors can partner with African nations to create lasting impact while maintaining dignity and mutual respect.Key Topics:The miraculous journey from 30+ years of pastoral ministry to the presidencyWhy Africa is shifting from aid to investment—and why this matters globallyMalawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as pathways to prosperityHow faith-driven investors can avoid exploitation and build trust-based partnershipsThe power of synergy: When pastors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders uniteNotable Quotes:"I didn't leave ministry. This is ministry." - President Chakwera"You cannot reap without sowing... we can prosper together, just like God can prosper everyone without him running out of stuff." - President Chakwera"Investing for me is using what God has given me in order that I might be a blessing to other people." - President Chakwera

Navigating Pandemonium: How Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs Can Rebuild Trust in a Broken WorldJoin host Justin Forman for a compelling conversation with Andy Crouch, bestselling author and senior fellow at Praxis, about the cultural moment we find ourselves in—one he describes as "pandemonium." In this thought-provoking episode, Andy unpacks why institutional trust has collapsed, what it means for entrepreneurs, and how the church's calling to serve offers a pathway forward.Drawing from his deep understanding of cultural dynamics and three-generation rebuilding cycles, Andy reveals why small businesses and the military are the only institutions maintaining trust above 50%—and what that means for Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs navigating uncertain times.Key Topics:Why our current moment is best described as "pandemonium" rather than chaosThe collapse of prestige hierarchies and rise of dominance-based leadershipHow COVID accelerated institutional trust erosion that was decades in the makingThe three-generation cycle of cultural rebuilding (lessons from Genesis)Why small businesses maintain high trust levels while other institutions failJesus's radical alternative to both dominance and prestige hierarchiesPractical strategies for lean, mission-focused entrepreneurship in uncertain timesNotable Quotes:"Institutionalism is when the actual mission of the institution becomes less important than just protecting the institution itself. You go off mission, and your mission becomes just protect our thing." - Andy Crouch"In the kingdom of God, anyone can be great because anyone can serve." - Andy Crouch (quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)"If you aim for community, sometimes you get community, but rarely do, but if you aim for mission, oftentimes community is just a natural byproduct, and you're probably gonna get mission too." - Justin FormanAndy Crouch is a bestselling author, cultural commentator, and senior fellow at Praxis. His books include "Culture Making," "Strong and Weak," and "The Tech-Wise Family." He brings decades of experience analyzing cultural shifts and helping leaders navigate complex societal changes with wisdom and faith.

Dave Blanchard, CEO of Praxis, shares profound insights into the realm of faith-driven entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, exploring the moral ecology that distinguishes true Kingdom builders from those who merely use faith for marketing. The conversation touches on the courage to embrace meaningful risks—financial, personal, and reputational—and the need for leaders to prioritize people over projects. Blanchard argues for building businesses that embody redemptive practices, making a case for operationalizing faith in a genuine way.

Mark Grunden, a unique voice from both business and pastoral ministry, shares insightful perspectives on the trust gap between society's view of entrepreneurs and pastors. He explores how this gap can be an opportunity for impactful church-business partnerships. Discussing practical strategies, he highlights the significance of supporting entrepreneurs in faith settings, the role of mentorship, and innovative community-building initiatives that empower business leaders. Grunden's experiences at Saddleback Church pave the way for transformative collaborations.

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Sadiq Edu, co-founder of Pika, in Lagos, Nigeria, for an extraordinary conversation about faith transformation, entrepreneurial courage, and the power of data to lift nations. Sadiq shares his remarkable journey from being the grandson of a Sultan to encountering Christ through a series of miraculous events, including being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.This episode explores how God works through business to address both spiritual and financial poverty, the challenges of building a fintech startup in Africa's informal economy, and the importance of staying true to your calling even when it costs everything.Key Topics:The miraculous conversion story: From Islamic royalty to follower of ChristBeing baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury after a divine appointmentBuilding Pika: Transforming Africa's $1 trillion informal retail sector through dataWhy you can't address spiritual poverty without addressing financial povertyThe cost of faith: Navigating family rejection while honoring God and spouseFrom Techstars rejection to acceptance: Trusting God's timing in businessHow bookkeeping apps can unlock credit, insurance, and economic development for 40 million tradersNotable Quotes:"You don't have the license to speak on someone's spiritual poverty until you've addressed their financial poverty." - Sadiq Edu"Entrepreneurship is pulling back all the noise to see what's true - whether in faith or business." - Justin Forman"If we lost everything tomorrow, doesn't matter. We know that the most important thing we have is Jesus." - Sadiq Edu

Join hosts Justin Forman and Dana Roefer as they go behind the scenes with Coby Cotton, one of the founders of Dude Perfect, to explore his journey from college basketball tricks to building one of the world's most trusted family entertainment brands reaching millions globally.This episode dives deep into recognizing and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in children, even when it shows up in unexpected ways. Through Coby's story and practical parenting insights, discover how to identify creative seeds in your kids and foster their God-given talents.Key Topics:The Dude Perfect origin story: From backyard trick shots to global phenomenonRecognizing entrepreneurial traits in "imaginative" (sometimes rule-breaking) kidsHow to affirm creativity in frustrating parenting momentsThe balance between faith and business in building a companyWhy the creator economy is pulling entrepreneurship conversations earlierPractical ways to nurture your child's unique wiring and giftsThe importance of early affirmation and creating safe spaces for failureNotable Quotes:"Entrepreneurship is a funny word. What was the word that was upstream of that? It's really just creativity." - Justin Forman"They start to show themselves really early on. And so as a parent, the hat that we're wearing is how do I see the ways that God has wired my kid? And then how do pull that out?" - Dana Roefer"I feel strongly that God has used Dude Perfect, which is a business for His glory in a way that if I had gone and done vocational Ministry, I don't think would have happened." - Coby Cotton

In this powerful episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, hosts Justin Forman and Kevin Kim sit down with Chi-Ming and Juliette Chien to explore their radical decision to relocate their successful tech company from San Francisco's financial district to Bayview - a neighborhood where 25-30% of children live below the federal poverty line.Chi-Ming shares how Dayspring Technologies embodies "bearing witness to God's redeeming of the workplace, marketplace, and community" through unconventional business practices like refusing to use leverage in negotiations, maintaining only three months of cash reserves, and implementing a pay structure where CEO compensation is capped at 3x the lowest paid employee.Juliette reveals how their partnership with Redeemer Community Church led to the founding of RISE, a Christian high school where 80% of seats are reserved for first-generation college students from low-income families, with a mission of 100% four-year university admission.Key Highlights:Why Dayspring moved from downtown San Francisco to Bayview, defying conventional business wisdomThe theological imagination that shapes radical business practicesHow "prophetic emptiness" - leaving space for God to fill - birthed a transformative schoolThe power of church-business partnerships in community transformationPractical examples of living out gospel economics in the marketplaceWhy achievement and control can be more dangerous idols than moneyQuotable Moments:"I think a lot of times we call something impractical when it's largely left untried." - Juliette Chien"In order to love a place, you need to know it. In order to know it, you need to learn it, so you gotta spend time." - Chi-Ming Chien"If somebody takes your coat then give them your tunic also... That actually has implications for how we think about relating to our marketplace neighbors." - Chi-Ming ChienWatch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.