Christian Ambition

Christian Ambition

di Sven Loeffler

Lavoro Cristianità

#23 - Parker Perrien - From bang to bust and back again: how faith rebuilt my business.

We doubled year over year for five straight years… and still managed to be bankrupt on paper! ## Guest Bio Parker Perrien is an entrepreneur who took over his family’s asphalt business at the age of 23, rapidly growing the company while navigating significant personal and financial adversity. After nearly losing the company to bankruptcy, Parker rebuilt the business with the help of a mentor, transforming it into a national pavement management firm with a heavy focus on technology and a "God First" company culture. He is passionate about integrating faith and business, encouraging others to make their beliefs part of their daily work and relationships. ## Social Links and Resources - Diamond Solutions (asphalt and concrete work): thediamondsolutions.com - God First apparel and resources: godfirst365.com - Listen to the God First Podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube - Books Mentioned: - EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) - John Maxwell Leadership Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fxrL7UzV4SQ Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! 00:00 – Intro 01:47 – Buying the family business at 23 04:51 – Scaling fast into financial crisis 06:26 – Navigating a spouse's health crisis 13:47 – Lessons from a business mentor 17:18 – Shifting to cost-based selling 29:02 – Becoming a national pavement company 31:10 – Living out "God First" 35:12 – Encouraging bold faith at work 36:43 – Christian principles beyond a slogan

#22 - A conversation with my friend TJ Whaley - Lessons from camp, BAM IRL, most influential person

We literally recorded this podcast right after jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet—and that’s just how the conversation started! ## Summary 00:00 – Intro 01:16 – Skydiving adventure 02:10 – Summer as a camp counselor 04:19 – "Macro meditation" in Scripture 05:07 – Parable of the talents 08:53 – Unity among Christians 12:36 – Business as Missions retreat 15:50 – Ministry and life are inseparable 17:22 – Building redemptive relationships 18:25 – Working with Pacific Helps 20:10 – Entrepreneurs for Christ DC trip 24:03 – Devotions aren't the goal, God is 27:04 – Replacing doom-scrolling with intention 31:21 – Mentors and new relationships 39:19 – "X-ray vision" for the eternal 44:04 – New rhythms of work and faith 47:22 – Favorite Disney princess debate 51:26 – Outro and encouragement ## Guest Bio TJ Whaley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-whaley-24bb74334/ TJ shares his journey as a camp counselor at The Wilds in North Carolina, deeply invested in both entrepreneurial pursuits and Christian ministry. Currently a junior at Bob Jones University, he has a heart for integrating business skills into missions. Sven Loeffler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sven-loeffler/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1pbhhBzWUwY Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! ## Social Links and Resources Pacific Helps: - pacifichelps.org - Pacific Helps on social media (Instagram, Facebook) Books Mentioned: - Scrolling Ourselves to Death by Brett McCracken - How to Pray the Bible - Enjoying Your Prayer Life Christian Ambition Podcast Reference: - Episode 15: Featuring Paul Zimmer’s story

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Email: sven@svenhq.com All Episodes: https://linktr.ee/christian_ambition

#21 - Jonny Gamet - bi-vocational pastor on sports, faith, and spectator worship

Most Christians waste their time going to church! That’s what came up when we started talking about worship — and the reasons behind it might just change the way you walk in on Sunday. # Guest Bio Jonny Gamet is a bi-vocational pastor at Grace Baptist Fellowship in Greenville, South Carolina, and serves as Director of Operations at Heard Media. With a background in intercollegiate athletics and sports journalism, Jonny has dedicated over 16 years to youth ministry. He’s also a writer, sharing candid reflections on faith and family on his Substack “Here’s Johnny”. As a father of four, Jonny is passionate about helping people use their unique gifts for God’s glory—whether in the church, workplace, or everyday relationships. ## Social Links and Resources - Jonny Gamet's Substack – Here’s Jonny - “How Parents Unintentionally Push Their Kids Away from God” - “Most Christians Waste Their Time Going to Church” Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ColELQB7Ozo Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! ## Summary 00:00 – Intro 00:54 – Roots of bi-vocational pastors 02:12 – Sports, journalism, and ministry 07:07 – Christian identity and idolatry in sports 13:11 – How church culture pushes kids away 14:20 – Lessons from youth ministry 16:34 – What true worship really means 20:10 – Serving outside traditional ministry roles 24:16 – AI for pastors and marketers 29:17 – Living with confidence in God's control 35:01 – Tips for deep Bible study

#20 - Steven Lee - Founder of SermonAudio - Building the world’s largest sermon library

Imagine every sermon ever preached, in every language on earth—straight to your device! ## Guest Bio Steven Lee is the founder of SermonAudio, the world’s largest repository for Christian sermons, with over 3 million sermons accessible worldwide. A Bob Jones University computer science graduate, Steven began by uploading sermons from his own church, aiming to make powerful, timeless preaching accessible to everyone - especially small congregations without big media budgets. Innovator and entrepreneur, Steven has navigated SermonAudio through decades of technological change, has a passion for spiritual revival, and continues to expand access to historic and powerful preaching through next-gen translation and tech infrastructure. ## Social Links and Resources - SermonAudio.com - Foundations Tour of Scotland by SermonAudio - Global Sermons: Translating sermons into every language ## Ending Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jc7Qye4zr1Q Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! ## Summary 00:00 – Intro 00:00 – Starting SermonAudio with no funding 01:51 – Childhood love of passionate preaching 04:16 – Prayer and personal spiritual vitality 10:00 – Defining true revival 14:14 – Distraction, prayer, and God's presence 26:41 – Early SermonAudio tech hurdles 37:23 – From bedroom servers to global infrastructure 47:29 – AI and launching Global Sermons 55:02 – Launching the Foundations Tour 01:01:06 – The "waterlogged generation" 01:16:06 – Taking the gospel to space 01:17:30 – Start small, stay faithful

#19 - Dr. Rick Cross - Mission Innovator: The surprising power of Christian business to transform missions.

What do a chicken farm in Zambia, a warehouse of Qurans in Iran, and a steakhouse parking lot in Colorado all have in common? Mission-driven business innovation—and a lot of wild prayer requests answered! Guest Bio: Dr. Rick Cross is the founder of Acorn Global Advance, a dynamic initiative that merges united prayer, business-driven innovation, and generous networking to advance the gospel around the world. With decades as a youth pastor, senior pastor, missions pastor, and author of a doctoral dissertation on corporate prayer, he has personally led efforts to connect business leaders to missional projects, facilitate daily global prayer meetings, and pioneer creative ways for ordinary believers—especially entrepreneurs—to fuel kingdom impact. From overseeing prayer-driven revivals to innovating business-as-missions networks spanning from Greenville, SC to Kathmandu, his life’s calling is mobilizing people and resources for worldwide spiritual awakening. Social Links and Resources: Acorn Global Advance: acornglobal.orgEmail: rick@acornglobal.org Daily United Prayer Meeting: unitedprayer.net Grow Forum / Business Bold Greenville: rick@acornglobal.org – Inquire for more info Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yxLi_tWgP5k Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! 0:00 Intro 1:15 From youth pastor to missions innovator 3:05 Acorn Global Advance's three pillars 6:13 Why the West lacks united prayer 10:17 Historic and modern prayer movements 13:26 Iran downloads and conversions 16:43 Campus revivals and business impact 18:07 How business owners engage in missions 20:26 Nepal and local business networks 25:18 Mission Roofing success story 35:29 Connecting donors and resources globally 36:17 Chicken farms funding schools 41:31 Global building and resource needs 47:23 Vetting ministry partners 55:03 Holy Spirit sensitivity and prayer

#18 - Kenny Johnson - The dangerous myth of “just providing” for your family.

"Just providing" for one's family—focusing solely on financial provision—is a dangerous myth. Working long hours and simply paying the bills is not enough to truly fulfill a father’s calling. Emotional and relational needs within the family can be neglected when financial provision becomes the only priority! Guest Bio Kenny Johnson is a real estate investing fund manager and the creator of the Invested Fathers Podcast, with over 125 episodes reflecting on business, family, and intentional fatherhood. Starting his professional journey in landscaping, Kenny experienced a self-described “midlife crisis” at 30 that redirected him toward real estate and a mission to help other fathers find margin and meaning. As a husband and father of three, he’s passionate about deep, authentic connections and approaches business and life with an active Christian faith. Social Links and Resources - Invested Fathers Podcast (Kenny’s podcast) Mentioned in This Episode - Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki - Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki - 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell - The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UocvtLlYEDs Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx! Summary 0:00 - Lessons from 126 podcast episodes of “Invested Fathers” 2:28 - Exploring the journey to discovering real estate investing 4:40 - The formation of the Invested Fathers Podcast and a philosophy of intentional fatherhood 7:17 - Real estate investing 101 13:21 - Unpacking active vs. passive income 31:16 - Balancing ambition, faith, and family 39:04 - The practical (and biblical) challenges of providing for your family—financially, emotionally, and spiritually

#17 - Eric True - The bi-vocational path: running a company for God’s glory

“We’re not in the tooth business—we’re in the people business!" Guest Bio Eric True is the founder of Digital Dental Leaders, a Southern California-based dental crown manufacturing company known for its innovative blend of business excellence and explicit Christian mission. Trained in both dental technology and pastoral ministry, Eric has cultivated a unique bi-vocational path: supporting church planting and ministry through entrepreneurial ventures. His leadership emphasizes integrity, meaningful relationships, and leveraging business as a practical means for advancing the Great Commission and supporting the local church. Summary 00:00 Intro 00:31 Family Roots and Early Dental Training 01:15 Conversion and Sense of Calling 04:10 Pastoral Training and Returning to California 06:12 Business as Support for Ministry 09:46 Building a Mission-Driven Business 15:36 Challenges & Growth 36:21 Partnership with the Church 47:17 Founding Principles & Mission Statement 51:46 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Social Links and Resources Digital Dental Leaders: https://digitaldentalleaders.com/ Mentioned in This Episode Business Model Canvas: https://www.strategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas TED Talk – "Start With Why" (Simon Sinek): https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action "Don’t Waste Your Life" (John Piper): https://www.desiringgod.org/books/dont-waste-your-life Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_zNxu-b47gM Everything at christianambitionpod.com Share with a friend & follow! Thx!

Season 2 Sneak Peek: Yap Micronesia Update + What's Coming Next

A quick update after a summer break — including a trip to Yap, Micronesia to visit the school Paul Zimmer (episode 15) started, plus news on the coconut oil export business he's launching to help sustain it. Also: a look ahead to Season 2, with guests Eric True (bivocational pastor/businessman) Rick Cross (networker in business and missions), Kenny Johnson (real estate investor and Christian father) Stephen Lee, founder of SermonAudio, for episode 20. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting with episode 17. Got feedback, a guest suggestion, or just want to talk? Visit christianambitionpod.com for contact info and a link to book a 30-minute call. Follow, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the show.

End of Season One: Why I'm Hitting Pause

Announcement: I'm pausing the podcast to close out Season One. I'm taking time to focus on some major goals and get ahead on episodes so that I can keep producing great content. Check out Episode 16 for a recap of the best moments from Season One. Make sure you're subscribed so you don’t miss when Season Two is comes out!

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