The Finish Line Podcast

Jessica Ullrich grew up watching her parents live open-handedly, their home and resources always available for God’s purposes. Those early lessons in faith and giving deepened during her college years on the mission field, where she saw how generosity could open doors for the Gospel in ways words alone could not. Though she began her career in social work, Jessica soon felt God redirecting her toward the place where ministry and organizational leadership meet, preparing her to guide others in generosity from a broader perspective.   Now, as Director of Programs with Generous Church, Jessica helps disciple-making networks around the world integrate generosity into their core training. Drawing on her cross-cultural experience and administrative insight, she equips leaders to tell stories of giving that fit their people’s rhythms and languages. Her work has sparked movements where generosity becomes both a testimony and a tool for transformation.   Jessica’s journey offers grounded insight for those discerning how to lead others in generosity that reflects God’s heart and multiplies Kingdom impact.   Major Topics Include: How Stations of Generosity works for oratory cultures Similarities and differences between Stations and Generosity Design Lab Identifying people groups that would be a right fit for Stations Memorable stories of positive impact in the Field Salvations through simple generosity The challenge of generosity discipleship across cultures The necessity of prayer in the generosity movement An invitation to simple generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The networks we get to serve and connect with are heroes in discipleship in the field.”  “Our metric is getting networks to the place of empowerment. If our logo, name, and involvement can be completely stripped away, then that is our highest success.” “We lean on the networks that we partner with as the experts of their context so that we don’t have to pretend to be.” “Even with all the regional nuances and complexities, truth sets people free.” “Prayer is the most significant fuel of the generosity movement.” “As long as we have something to eat every day, we have something to give to God every day.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Generous Church (see our interview with founder Patrick Johnson) Stations of Generosity Generosity Design Lab The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 6:33 | Kingdom First   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

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

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

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

Alan Barnhart grew up in Memphis, where his parents ran a small crane and rigging company. After college he sensed a call to missions just as his parents invited him and his brother to take over the family business. As he wrestled with the decision, God’s answer was clear; Alan’s full-time ministry was the business world. From day one, the brothers regarded the company as God’s. To guard against the spiritual risks of wealth, Alan set a “lifestyle finish line,” capping his personal income at the level of a ministry worker. They also committed to give 50% of annual profits to God’s Kingdom. Over the next 39 years, the once-small firm grew toward a billion-dollar enterprise and now channels millions each year into gospel work. Later, Alan and his brother formalized their conviction by transferring 100% of their ownership to a charitable trust, while continuing to lead the company. Alan’s example has inspired a generation of givers to steward their families, businesses, and resources with wisdom and courage. You won’t want to miss this story. Major Topics Include: Avoiding the dangers of wealth Finding freedom in a financial finish line How God led him to give away his company while still being it’s steward Thinking though what to do with profit Developing relationship with the recipients of your generosity  Generosity decisions as a group Responsive giving vs. strategic giving Differences between giving from business capital and giving from personal capital Making difficult decisions in generosity  Relational aspects of being as a business and generosity leader Managing a capped lifestyle with children Thinking through company succession Stewarding your generosity story QUOTES TO REMEMBER “God, I’ll go wherever you want me to go.” “My full time ministry was going to be in the business world.” “Jesus warned about money more than He warned about anything else.” “Contentment doesn’t come from stuff, it comes from enjoying what you already have.” “Holding things with an open hand has led to freedom.” “God isn’t trying to extract something from us. He doesn’t want our money, He wants us.” “Generosity breaks the power of greed.” “We say no to 99% of giving opportunities so we can give a big yes to the 1% we support.” “We want to be as strategic in our giving of money as we are in our making of money.” “What does God want us to do with His money?” “There is work to being a steward.” “What we’re doing is not crazy.” “We didn’t see the company as ours, so our kids never saw it as theirs.” “Be a steward of your story as much as you are a steward of your money, because your story may change someone else’s life.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Young Life Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Sider National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Matthew 19:23 | A Warning for the Rich   And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 6:24 | Choose Your Master   “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.   Matthew 6:19-20 | Treasures in Heaven   “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.   Luke 12:13-21 | The Parable of the Rich Fool   1 Timothy 6:6-7 | Godliness with Contentment   But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.   Luke 21:1-4 | The Widow’s Offering   Matthew 5:16 | Your Good Works Give Glory to the Father   In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.   Matthew 6:3-4 | A Time for 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. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

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

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

Taylor Standridge, production manager at FaithFi, is passionate about creating engaging content that makes an impact for the Kingdom of God. Taylor developed a love for radio in his early years which grew into a passion to see more Christian programming on radio and podcasting platforms. Today, Taylor has an extensive background in radio and media production, as well as a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary which combines to create and deliver deeply impactful content, particularly in the generosity space.   As production manager, Taylor walks through the Faith and Finance radio program and podcast from beginning to end, as well as their one-minute program on 1900 signals across the nation, to share the message of God as our ultimate treasure. He’s a frequent content creator for the FaithFi team and has much wisdom to share on many topics surrounding faith, generosity, and personal finance.   Major Topics Include: Taylor’s discoveries about wealth in the Scriptures Approaching investing through a theological lens  Viewing every dollar as an opportunity to be generous A biblical view of eternal reward The “my value is in my money” identity crisis Practical steps for aligning your finances with the Kingdom Knowing God through Scripture for Kingdom-aligned financial decisions QUOTES TO REMEMBER “When it comes to managing money God’s way, it’s not just attaching a Bible verse to a financial principle and calling it biblical. But it’s looking deeply at the story of the Bible and finding out what it has to say about money and how we relate to it.”  “I approach everything that comes through our accounts as belonging to the Lord and everything is an opportunity to be generous.” “We often think of eternal rewards as being merit based, but when we look at how God speaks about obedience in Scripture we realize that obedience is not our gift back to God, it’s actually God’s gift to us.” “It is God’s grace that enables us to obey Him.” “If our ultimate treasure is not God Himself and we’re more excited about what we’ll get from Him, I think we’re still fundamentally making the same mistake as worshiping money instead of Him.” “When we get to Heaven, I think we’ll find that we didn’t sacrifice at all, we simply let go of what was not eternal.” “God is our treasure. We utilize everything else as a tool to accomplish His purposes.” “Money promises us everything that God does, but doesn’t deliver on any of them.” “If we realize that our ultimate value is in God, we don’t see our money or assets as indicative of our value. But we recognize that we’re so valuable that God Himself died on a cross for us.” “God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to involve us in His work.” “I don’t think you can understand God’s heart for the world until you know God’s story.” “Debt obligates you to the past and prevents you from opportunity for the future.” “Peace-of-mind and security should never come from money.” “Financial security is a feeling because God knows my needs more intimately than I do. And if He can feed people with manna from Heaven, I think I’ll be fine.” “There’s currently 22 trillion dollars worth of assets managed by Christians in this country. Christians here have tremendous influence and opportunity to make God known.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW FaithFi FaithFi Podcast and Radio Program Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Insight for Living More than Money Podcast with Art Rainer Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Simple Money, Rich Life by Bob Lotich Undue Medical Debt The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 13:22a | A Lasting Inheritance   A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,   Malachi 3:10 | Put Me to the Test   Bring the full tithe into the 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.   Philippians 2:13 | God’s Grace for Obedience   for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.   Matthew 13:44 | The Parable of the Hidden Treasure   “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.   Luke 6:35 | Give Freely   But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Matthew 20:1-16 | Laborers in the Vineyard   Ephesians 2:8-10 | By Grace Through Faith for Good Works   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   2 Timothy 3:16 | God-Breathed Scripture   All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,   Ephesians 3:20-21 | More than We Could Imagine   Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 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.

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

Mike Perez, a seasoned financial advisor and author of Faith and Finances, didn’t start his career thinking about generosity or Kingdom impact. He began in accounting, building a solid professional foundation, but deep down, something felt incomplete—both professionally and spiritually. A series of God-ordained encounters drew Mike into the world of financial advising and, more importantly, into a place of full surrender to Christ. From that point on, his question became: What would it look like to truly live out my faith through my finances?   Over the last 33 years, that question has shaped Mike’s entire career. Today, he carries a special passion for helping those in or near retirement “finish their race strong” by aligning their financial plans with their spiritual calling. In Faith and Finances, Mike distills decades of wisdom to help believers embrace biblical principles for financial success and radical generosity. Along the way, he offers profound insights on discovering your personal calling, setting a financial finish line that frees you to give boldly, stewarding your time and resources with eternal purpose, and building a legacy that outlives you and points others to Christ.   Major Topics Include: Mike’s journey through living out is faith in his finances Learning generosity and stewardship in community The importance of heart change on the stewardship journey  What does it mean to finish well? The five pillars of a faith-driven retirement Important conversations about legacy Advice for doing legacy well as a follower of Christ Estate mapping with families Tips for experiencing heart change Three steps of a Journey of Generosity experience Practical tips for setting a finish line Living out calling beyond the working years  Encouragement to keep growing and stretching in faith and generosity QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Our industry is all about people getting the money thing right, and I think that’s fine and good. But I think what’s more important is getting the life thing right, especially in the second half of life.” “Ephesians 2:10 says that you were designed for good works, it doesn’t say that all bets are off once you’re retired. You’re meant to do good works until the end.” “We shouldn’t be asking God, ‘How much should I give?’ but rather ‘How much should I keep?’” “Does it take more faith to give while you’re here or after you’re gone?” “I don’t think the journey ever ends because God’s always working on our hearts.” “Giving breaks the power of money.” “Your best days can be ahead of you!” “Just take your next step with Jesus.” “Generosity is a muscle. The more you work it out, the stronger it becomes.” “God just wants to know that He can use you.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Faith and Finances by Michael Perez The ABC’s of Financial Freedom by Barry L. Cameron  National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills) Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounder, Todd Harper and CEO, April Chapman) Christian Franchise Advisor Network (CFAN) with Ameriprise Financial Ronald Blue and Co., CPA (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn) Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Decade By Decade by Bobb Biehl The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Proverbs 27: 17 | Sharpened by Community    Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.   Psalm 24:1 | God Owns It All   The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,   Ephesians 2:10 | Created for Good Works   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   Matthew 6:20 | Treasure in Heaven   but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 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.