podcast Archives - Finish Line Pledge

Bruce Wydick, Author of the Shrewd Samaritan, on the Art of Spiritual Discernment and Meaningful Impact

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:00:09 +0000

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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

We Want to Hear from You!

If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Mary Clayton Crow, on Giving Generously Expecting Nothing in Return

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:00:30 +0000

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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!

The post Mary Clayton Crow, on Giving Generously Expecting Nothing in Return appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Taylor Standridge, FaithFi Production Manager, on the Central Motivations of the Generous Heart

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 08:00:56 +0000

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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!

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Madison Illges, Executive Director of Mite, on the Importance of Celebration in Giving

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:00:12 +0000

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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!

The post Madison Illges, Executive Director of Mite, on the Importance of Celebration in Giving appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Mike Perez, Financial Advisor and Author, on the 5 Pillars of Finishing the Race Strong

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 08:00:26 +0000

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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!

The post Mike Perez, Financial Advisor and Author, on the 5 Pillars of Finishing the Race Strong appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

David Reeves, CEO of Unfolding Word, on Locally-Driven Bible Translation Through Church Collaboration

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:00:40 +0000

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What We’ll Cover

David Reeves once believed his role in missions was to give generously to the ministries he knew and supported. But after a moment of full surrender as a young man, God redirected his path toward a life of hands-on impact that would ripple across missions, Bible translation, and church planting worldwide.

Starting out with an electrical engineering degree, David first served in tech support for a missionary aviation organization—work that eventually led him to leadership as general manager and later president. Today, he serves as the President and CEO of unfoldingWord, where he is pioneering a church-centered approach to Bible translation.

With more than 40 years of international leadership experience across cultures and sectors, David offers a rare perspective on how God weaves together innovation, missions, and radical generosity. Under his leadership, unfoldingWord is equipping local churches to translate Scripture into their own languages using open-source tools—shifting Bible translation from centralized projects to sustainable, grassroots movements led by the global Church.

Major Topics Include:

Using business as a means to access Scripture and the gospel in challenging places
The providential story of Unfolding Word
Making the local church the hero of the story
The seven key ideas of the Church-centric Bible translation model
Turbo-charging church planting movements with Bible translation
Why having Scripture in someone’s heart language is important
Unfolding Word’s impact on the Bible translation ecosystem
The benefits of the Creative Commons licensing model
Increasing Scripture engagement
Difficult lessons in trusting God

Quotes to Remember

“From Pentecost to Revelation, the entire narrative is about the church.”
“How do we make the local church the hero of the story?”
“If we ever hope to finish the Great Commission in our lifetime, we have to stand on the centrality of the Church.”
“The Church operates in a healthy form as a complex network.”
“Persecution often creates unity movements. People don’t care what your denomination or your background is. If you’re in the midst of persecution, you’re a loved and welcomed bother or sister in Christ.”
“The most effective way to share the gospel is in the heart language.”
“The heart language of a community is the language of weddings and funerals.”
“Bible translation’s proper place belongs to the Church as a tool for discipleship and church planting.”
“Our passion is to empower modern-day ‘Pauls’ and church planters to help them to complete the Great Commission.”
“There is no Scripture engagement problem. It’s integral to church-centric Bible translation.”

Links from the Show

Unfolding Word
Wycliffe Bible Translators (see our interview with CEO John Chesnut)
Loving the Church, Blessing the Nations by George Miley
2414 Network
Biblica
Open Bible Stories
What Happens When Christians and Muslims Translate Scripture Side by Side (Christianity Today)
Every Tribe, Every Nation and IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut)
Letting Go – UnfoldingWord’s publication on licensing
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

Bible References from the Show

Revelation 7:9 | A Great Multitude from Every Nation

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,

2 Timothy 2:2 | Teaching Teachers

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

We Want to Hear from You!

The post David Reeves, CEO of Unfolding Word, on Locally-Driven Bible Translation Through Church Collaboration appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Tim Barker, Founder of ROI Ministry, on Embracing Trials in the Generous Life

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:00:33 +0000

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Tim Barker is the founder of ROI Ministry and author of BOOM: What To Do When Life Blows Up Around You. His journey into generosity began after rising from humble beginnings to great success—only to lose everything during a season of deep trial. In the middle of that valley, God answered a “dangerous” prayer Tim had prayed years earlier: that the Lord would do whatever it took to multiply his family’s kingdom impact. Out of that refining season came ROI Ministry, an organization that has since helped direct millions of dollars to high-impact ministries around the world. In time, God restored what Tim had lost and entrusted him with a voice of influence in the global generosity movement.

Through ROI Ministry, Tim and his team identify the Top 10 ministries producing the greatest measurable kingdom impact per dollar, helping givers steward their resources with confidence and purpose. In his book, BOOM, Tim shares his own story as a living testimony that God can bring blessings out of brokenness and truly work all things together for His glory and our good.

Tim was one of the very first guests on The Finish Line Podcast nearly four years ago, and much has changed since then—for ROI Ministry, for Tim, and for us here at Finish Line. In this conversation, Tim digs deeper into the heart of high-impact giving and reflects on what it looks like to trust God through both abundance and loss, offering wisdom for all who long to walk faithfully in the life of generosity.

Major Topics Include:

Making a difference from where you are now
The need to be honest with God in tough times
Moving from failure to fruitfulness
Blessing others by letting them help you
Hearing the Spirit’s leading in the midst of trials
Seeking God in times of silence
Giving from your mind as well as your heart
Embracing both Spirit-led giving and cost-effective generosity
A call to invest more in the local church
What to look for in a high-impact organization
Thinking through measurable Kingdom impact per dollar

Quotes to Remember

“God, what do you want me to do?”
“My story is really about not giving up, because you don’t know what God is doing through times of refining and where He’s going to take you.”
“It’s ok to want to give up as long as you’ve decided in advance that you’re not going to.”
“Be honest with God.”
“Ninety-seven percent of all Christian giving is going to nations that have already been evangelized, and less than one-third of one percent is actually making it to the billion lost, poorest people in the world who are 3,000 times more receptive to the gospel.”
“I believe in testing God with the tithe.”
“You will find joy, hope, and purpose in helping others in ways that make the greatest impact.”
“If you have an opportunity to impact thousands of people rather than just a few, then impact the thousands.”
“Eternity is going to be a long, long time, and the more people we impact here, the more we’ll meet over there. And not that we get the credit—God gets the glory. He just gives us the opportunity to be in the game.”
“When you’ve been faithful, you know that you’re doing what God’s called you to do, and you’re doing it for the right reason, eventually you will see a harvest.”
“As stewards of God’s wealth, are we encouraging others to do the same thing?”

Links from the Show

See our first interview with Tim Barker here
BOOM: What To Do When Life Blows Up Around You by Tim Barker
EQUIP
ROI Ministry
National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)
Ronald Blue and Co. (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue)
Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
Eternal Perspective Ministries (see our interview with founder, Randy Alcorn)
Cru
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

Bible References from the Show

Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Luke 21:1-4 | The Widow’s Offering

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 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.”

Matthew 22:37 | Love God with All You Are

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1 Timothy 5:8 | Care for Your Family

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Malachi 3:10 | Put Me to the Test

Matthew 25: 14-30 | The Parable of the Talents

We Want to Hear from You!

The post Tim Barker, Founder of ROI Ministry, on Embracing Trials in the Generous Life appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Michele Dudley, Founder of BraveWorks, on Seeing Others Through Generosity

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:00:24 +0000

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What We’ll Cover

Michele Dudley is the founder of BraveWorks and Restoration Residences, where she has poured her heart into making a Kingdom impact among those who are often overlooked. After starting her career as a CPA, a life-changing mission trip to Burundi opened her eyes to the needs of the global church and set her on a new path of generosity and solidarity with those facing deep suffering.

Michele is an avid learner and her deep curiosity has led her into many creative opportunities for giving. Through BraveWorks and Restoration Residences, Michele has impacted the lives of many trafficked, abused, and incarcerated women, as well as helped families in need transition out of homelessness. A self-identified connector and advocate, Michele is highly integrated in the generosity community and has a passion for helping others give well and invest with a generous heart.

Major Topics Include:

Finding creative opportunities to give
Stories of serving and empowering women through BraveWorks
Being a generous connector
Committing to community in the generosity space
Approaching investing from a heart of generosity
Stewarding investment and philanthropy dollars
Practical advice to get started in impact investing
Navigating various levels of engagement and responsibility in generosity
Encouragement for women to engage in the generosity community
Trusting God in the messiness of generosity
Hearing from God in stewardship decision-making

Quotes to Remember

“I felt like I had basically lived my life ignoring the plight of the suffering.”
“It’s so important for us to become proximate to people who have different lived experiences than we do.”
“Whether it’s somewhere across the world or across town, we can have really transformative experiences, even in our own community, but we have to be willing to be uncomfortable and humble and put on a willingness to learn from others.”
“A lot of times, I had no intentions of starting anything. I just took the next step that the Lord showed me.”
“There’s something that’s healing when you recognize the struggle people have been through.”
“It’s really inspiring to be in these spaces where people do have resources but they’re taking the humble perspective of ‘I’ve been entrusted with this, I really want to honor God.’”
“If I wasn’t in this space where I was continually being challenged, I think it would be easy to just fall into the culture and the ways of the world.”
“Too often, we only focus on our philanthropy and we don’t think about what we’re doing with our investment dollars, and oftentimes, the investment dollars are undoing the very things that we’re trying to do with our philanthropy. God calls us to steward all of what He’s entrusted to us in a way that honors Him.”

Links from the Show

BraveWorks (formerly Fashion and Compassion)
Restoration Residences
Cru
Compassion International
ALARM – African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries
Julie Wilson, President of Women Doing Well (see our past interview here)
Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
Faith Driven Entrepreneur
Faith Driven Investor
Faith Driven Foundation Course
Praxis
Praxis Capital Fellowship
The Gathering
Stewards Not Owners by Dana and Bill Wichterman (see our past interview here)
Impact Foundation (see our interview with Founder, Aimee Minnich)
The Table (via Impact Foundation)
National Christian Foundation (see our interview with President Emeritus, David Wills)
Infinite Giving
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

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The post Michele Dudley, Founder of BraveWorks, on Seeing Others Through Generosity appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Nathan LaGrange, Director of Oasis Rest International, on the Impact of Investing in Spiritual Leaders

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:00:02 +0000

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What We’ll Cover

Nathan LaGrange, Executive Director of Oasis Rest International, knows firsthand the vital importance of rest for pastors and ministry leaders. After many years in full-time ministry, a season of intense busyness began to take its toll. Nathan came to a sobering realization: before he could effectively care for others, he needed to care for himself and his family.

God then led Nathan through a series of transitions—from fast-paced ministry to the slower, more intentional shepherding of a congregation. Along the way, Nathan discovered the transformative power of doing life with God, not just for Him.

Out of that journey came a passion: to create a space where pastors and leaders could themselves be pastored, nurtured, and restored. Following a sabbatical year, Nathan connected with Oasis Rest International, a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe, restorative environments for pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders in need of renewal.

With over 25 years of experience in both pastoral ministry and business leadership, Nathan brings a deep understanding of the unique pressures leaders face—and the critical importance of sustainable rhythms in a life of service. His work sits at the intersection of soul care and generosity, and his commitment to investing in leaders’ longevity offers a unique and refreshing perspective on how to partner well with those in ministry.

Major Topics Include:

Building daily margins to spend time with God
Letting Jesus teach the practice of rest
Creating daily and weekly finish lines for healthy rhythms
Learning the difference between working for God and working with God
Asking: How much of yourself is enough to give in ministry?
Embracing the concept of slowing down to move faster
Exploring how rest and generosity intersect in relationships
Finding practical ways to care for your spiritual leaders
Combining “space” and “face” to minister refreshment
Sharing stories of transformation through rest

Quotes to Remember

“If you’re not loving yourself or taking care of yourself and your immediate family, then how can you minister in any context?”
“Leaders are really good at giving, but they don’t know how to receive.”
“The presence of Jesus in that sacred space accompanied with a sacred face invited a holy moment that’s transformational.”
“Once you’ve had the opportunity to be in a space, to unpack with a face, it’s like all these new Kingdom dreams start to come alive.”
“There was a rhythm to Jesus that was so grace-filled and generous because he would often withdraw to lonely places.”
“When I build time with God into my life, when I’ve rested in my own soul, suddenly I can engage with my family in a much more generous way.”
“Working for God and working with God are totally different things.”

Links from the Show

Oasis Rest International
The Overload Syndrome by Dr. Richard A. Swenson
Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson (see our past interview here)
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

Bible References from the Show

1 Peter 3:19-20 | God’s Patience

in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Isaiah 55:1 | An Invitation to Refreshing

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Hebrews 13:17 | Care for Your Leaders

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

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The post Nathan LaGrange, Director of Oasis Rest International, on the Impact of Investing in Spiritual Leaders appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.

Chris Gardner, Financial Advisor, on Mobilizing $1 Billion for the Kingdom

Finish Line Pledge — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:00:26 +0000

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What We’ll Cover

Chris Gardner’s journey began in Mexico and Peru, where he was raised on the mission field as the son of a missionary. Those early years shaped his faith and calling—he began preaching at a young age and, by 18, was already pastoring and planting churches. His experiences in ministry gave him a deep understanding of stewardship, generosity, and the role money plays in Kingdom work.

Years later, Chris transitioned from leading a large ministry in Peru to a career in wealth management in the U.S., carrying with him a bold goal: to help deploy a billion dollars for Kingdom purposes in his lifetime. Today, he works with clients to view their wealth not as something to own, but something to steward.

Major Topics Include:

Chris’s spiritual background and history on the mission field
His broadened perspective on the world from life on the mission field
How he became a pastor at 18
Viewing generosity from both sides
How fundraising with his family on the mission field still impacts his life today
His story of transitioning back to the US and getting into financial advising
The importance of a finish line for financial advisors
Encouraging clients to set a finish line
A steward, not an owner
A walk through his yearly finish line thought process
Generosity lessons from a Peruvian Christmas
The story of his book and what is covers
Security comes from God, not money
Influencing the Church to generous giving
A call to surrender your assets to God daily

Quotes to Remember

“Generosity is not measured by how much we give away, but how tightly we hold on to what we keep.”
“The idea of enough is a fallacy, and it will never be reached.”
“My goal in life is to deploy one billion dollars for Kingdom impact.”
“You don’t need to wait to be wealthy to live generously. You need to decide that generosity is your wealth.”
“We’re always going to need more unless we have a finish line.”
“Generosity is not found in an amount, it’s found in a mindset.”
“Invest what you can for the impact of someone else.”
“Impact is the true dividend of wealth. And generosity is how you compound it.”
“Don’t wait to give your money away from a pine box.”
“How much am I willing to charge the Owner to steward His wealth?”
“God doesn’t need your money, He desires your heart. And generosity is the clearest map to where your heart really is.”
“Surrender is not a one-time decision, it’s a daily choice.”

Links from the Show

Arkos Global Advisors (see our interview with founder, Jeff Thomas)
Life Ranch
Check What You Are Chasing by Chris Gardner
ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker)
The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

Bible References from the Show

2 Timothy 2:2 | Teaching Teachers

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

We Want to Hear from You!

The post Chris Gardner, Financial Advisor, on Mobilizing $1 Billion for the Kingdom appeared first on Finish Line Pledge.