In this episode, Jeff and Gunnar discuss: 

• Learning Biblical generosity and stewardship. 
• Making your business your church. 
• Building a culture of honor and treating everyone with respect. 
• Radical generosity and loving boundaries. 

Key Takeaways: 

• God’s word is accurate, true, and transcendent over time, culture, and generations. 
• Be unapologetically evangelistic in all that you do. God will guide your hand and lead your path. 
• There are people who wouldn’t walk into a church but do want to know Jesus. Not all Christians fit into the current, modern stereotype. Christ’s disciples were known as Sons of Thunder, they too were strong, working type men. 
• Every day God wakes us up and asks us “How are you going to trust me today?” It is up to us to listen to what He is telling us. 

"There's a lot of great Kingdom opportunities out there. The trick is to have your antennas up and listen to the voice of God for the day-to-day interactions, of what's God calling me to in this quarter, that season, and this day. You never know what opportunities God's going to send across your day." —  Gunnar Johnson

About Gunnar Johnson: Gunnar Johnson was recently named Vice-President of Mission Investment for Youth for Christ on February 15, 2023. In this role, he oversees the marketing team and the financial development department. 

He is also an entrepreneur who has had 5 businesses and currently is the Founder/ Owner of Bigfoot Drywall and Paint which he founded in 2018. He has a long history of being in ministry as a pastor, speaker, and author.

Gunnar and his wife Missy are high school sweethearts and have been married since 1996. They live in Monument Colorado with their dog Emmy. They have been blessed with two daughters who are now in their twenties and a son who is finishing up high school. 

For fun, Gunnar travels via a Harley Davidson Electra Glide or a Kawasaki KLR 650 adventure bike every day the roads are not icy. During the winter he is exploring the mountains as a snow skier. Laughter is the salt of life and he lives with a focus on seizing the day for Kingdom impact.

Connect with Gunnar Johnson:

Website: https://www.bigfootconstruction.org/

Youth for Christ: https://yfc.net/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsongunnar/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff and Dave discuss: 

• Dave’s career rollercoaster. 
• The curse of the Harvard Business School. 
• Building a generous life, even when you are in secular spaces.  
• Finding your passion and your engagement. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Going through hard things allows you to have a better perspective when things may be going sideways in the future. 
• Do things the right way to take care of your family and your people and things will work out. 
• It is not too late to start making a difference, no matter what your age is. 
• When you are asking God how you can best serve Him, you need to set your ego aside first. In our humble states, God can best use us. 

"Start small. You don't have to start big. Whether it's serving on a board, whether it's volunteering, or getting involved in school, it can be something that helps your community, it certainly doesn't have to be international, but to where you can start and get engaged, and you can feel the benefits of giving to others so that is not just something you should do, but it's something that you get a reward from as you move along." —  Dave Tolmie

About Dave Tolmie: Dave Tolmie is a Senior Partner with The Edgewater Funds, a private equity firm based in Chicago, IL. Dave co-founded Edgewater in 2001 and has helped grow the firm into a prominent private equity firm with $3 billion in committed capital. Prior to Edgewater, Dave was CEO of Yesmail, Inc., a marketing services provider, which he led through a successful IPO and subsequent sale. He previously was a consultant with McKinsey and spent a number of years in the health club industry, including as SVP Operations for Bally.

Dave commits a significant amount of time to non-profit leadership including as a past board member and chair of Opportunity International, board member and investment committee member of Talanton, a social impact investment fund, and a founding board member of 1871/Chicago Entrepreneurial Center. Dave is also the Chairman of the Faraja Foundation Fund which supports the Faraja Primary School for children with physical disabilities in Tanzania, Africa. He is a former Vice Chair and Life Trustee of the Field Museum of Natural History and a founding member of the Illinois Venture Capital Association.

Dave and his wife Tracy live in Lake Forest, IL, and are active members of First Presbyterian Church. They have three adult children, and two grandchildren, who share the family’s commitment to mission. Dave is a graduate of the University of Virginia and received an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Connect with Dave Tolmie:

Website: https://edgewaterfunds.com/

Faraja School: https://www.farajaschool.org/ 

Faraja Forward: https://www.farajaschool.org/faraja-forward/  

Opportunity International: https://opportunity.org/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tolmie-b3339889/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff and John discuss: 

• The tension in opportunities.
• Slowing down the snowfall.
• Bringing your family into your generous giving.
• Saying “no” with grace and problem-solving.

Key Takeaways: 

• Have courage to say “no” to the things that, while good, are not in alignment with your current and future goals.
• God is a God of clarity and unity. Spouses need to be on the same page of giving.
• Success breeds success. The more you are known to be generous, the more opportunities you will have to be generous.
• You don’t have to say “yes” to all board seats or generous giving moments. If you say “yes” to things that aren’t right for you, you are taking the position of someone who would thrive in that spot.

"Sometimes we just need to capture the ministry of the moment, and not try to bring in a meeting from the side." —  John Putnam

About John Putnam: 

• OVER-married to Anne for 30+ years, three wonderful kids, a son-in-law and a new grandson

• Started financial services career in 1990 for 22 years - ranked as one of the top advisors in the world

• Closed financial practice in 2012 to launch generosity ministry with NCF helping families design innovative giving strategies

• Active for decades in television, radio, media, and writing

• First book, He Spends She Spends book & participant’s guide published in 2016

• In 2021, launched John Putnam & Company, Helping Faithful Stewards Wisely Win the Unique Challenges of Wealth & Success, through strategic coaching for families, leaders & teams

• Learn more and schedule your introductory call at JohnPutnam.com

Connect with John Putnam: 

Website: https://johnputnam.com/

Book: He Spends, She Spends - https://johnputnam.com/store/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhputnam/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Terry discuss: 

• From burnout to blessed. 
• Building true relationships with those who matter most. 
• Putting boundaries on your work to succeed in life. 
• The power of having conviction in Him. 
• Terry’s Four Steps to aligning yourself with God. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Until the pain of the situation is greater than the perceived pain of the change, nothing is going to change. 
• Even if you aren’t physically in the office, if your mind is constantly on office things, you haven’t really left. 
• Consider leading your company as a consultant with authority. Let your team play to their strengths, but be there to support them in life and business. 
• Your opinions are not necessarily a fact. The truth will be revealed to you as you pray. 
• God is on His timeframe, not yours. We need to get neutral in our own lives and on what we want. 

"Conviction sells. When you have conviction, especially if it’s from the Lord, it has amazing impact. Don’t ever underestimate the power of conviction, especially when it’s from the Lord." —  Terry Looper

About Terry Looper: Terry Looper is the CEO and founder of Texon LP, a midstream energy company that was founded in 1989. Texon was voted #1 in Houston revenue for private companies in 2011 at $6 billion. In 2019 and 2021, Terry was named best leader for small businesses and Texon was named one of the region's “Top Workplaces” by the Houston Chronicle. Texon views its core values and employees as the key to its mission of being the best service provider in its industry. Terry and Doris, his wife of 54 years, have two married daughters and five grandchildren. Terry’s passion is discipleship and liberating souls. He is the author of Sacred Pace – Four Steps To Hearing God And Aligning Yourself With His Will.

Connect with Terry Looper:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerryLLooper/

Website: https://www.texonlp.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Pace-Hearing-Aligning-Yourself/dp/0785223371

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff, Sarah, Alisa, and Julie discuss: 

• Having a religion versus having a relationship with Christ. 
• Overcoming the narratives in our minds. 
• Living with purpose and generosity. 
• How men can help the women in their lives identify their own purpose and generosity. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Giving well starts with doing well. Women need to be integrated to have a wholehearted life. 
• Every year, women become a greater percentage of those giving. They want to be generous. They want to have a purpose.
• When you discover who you are and what God’s purpose for you is, your life will become so clear and it will become your lifeline. 
• Knowing who you are makes it easier to live your life how God wants you to. 

"When a woman says ‘no’ to something, her ‘yes’ becomes so electric and life-changing, it affects her entire community, her family, and even her friends." —  Julie Wilson

About Julie Wilson: 

For the past 25 years, Julie has been an organizational leader and communication specialist. After graduating with a degree in journalism from Boston University, she landed a highly competitive job as an NBC Page in New York City, the same year she became of follower of Christ through the ministry of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. She spent 13 years as a startup team builder with Priority Associates, a ministry of CRU, and helped launch Revolve, a national tour, and conference for teenage girls, which attracted over 38,000 attendees in its first season. In her role as President of Women Doing Well, she gets to engage her passion for women and leadership with her purpose of “cultivating change.” Julie lives with her husband, Gary, and daughter, Ella, in Richmond, Virginia.

Connect with Julie Wilson:

Website: https://womendoingwell.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-doing-well/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womendoingwell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenDoingWell/ 

Take the quiz to find out your Purpose: https://onpurpose.me/

Find out more about Generous Giving: https://generousgiving.org/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff and Tim discuss: 

• Seeing God’s hands in the moves of our lives. 
• Making a difference in your lane in your community. 
• Building with a partner and a team to make a bigger impact. 
• The requirement of a balance sheet in stewardship. 

Key Takeaways: 

• You can use your business platform and social capital that you have to bless those around you intentionally.
• God doesn’t call us to success. He calls us to faithfulness.
• Impacting neighborhoods is 20+ year of work, not short-term work. You cannot commit short term, you need to follow through with what you say, not turn tail when things get hard.
• The Lord wants us to wrestle with stewardship of His resources. The answer will be unique for each of us. 

"We felt strongly that all of it had to be built on a foundation of faith, and integrate faith in everything that we did. Because if we just did compassion work and gave somebody a, you know, a higher income and a and a dry roof over their head, and they didn't know Christ, then we've really swung and missed." —  Tim Sittema

About Tim Sittema: 

Mr. Sittema is Managing Partner of Crosland Southeast and shares responsibility for the strategic growth and capital markets needs of the Company and he provides oversight of the Company’s various development business lines (single-tenant, shopping center, market-rate multifamily, and mixed/multi-use) and our affordable housing development efforts. Mr. Sittema is involved in several Public-Private-Partnership developments and believes this structure provides an effective mechanism to solve some of the more challenging needs in under-invested communities. Tim is also very involved in philanthropic work and has a passion for using his real estate platform to improve the fabric of the communities within which we live and work while helping to expand opportunities for the less fortunate. When Tim is not at work, he is likely spending time with his wife of 40 years or one of his 6 grandchildren. 

Prior to the formation of Crosland Southeast, Mr. Sittema served as President of Crosland Investment Services, Crosland’s leasing, asset, and property management service business unit. Prior to joining Crosland, Tim served as President of Sittema-Bullock Realty Partners in Denver, Colorado. 

Connect with Tim Sittema:

Website: https://croslandsoutheast.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-sittema-5aa8b114/  

Tim was named one of the 10 power players for 2022 in Charlotte. Read more here!: https://charlotte.axios.com/315080/power-players-charlotte-colliers-ric-elias-charlotte-fc/

Book References: 

• Neighborliness by David Docusen: https://www.amazon.com/Neighborliness-Jesus-Dividing-Transform-Community/dp/0785289283
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001
• Halftime by Bob Buford: https://www.amazon.com/Halftime-Significance-Bob-P-Buford/dp/0310344441

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff and Bob discuss: 

• Seeking mentors and creating an impact in your tribe. 
• Benefiting the kingdom without the limits of only the church. 
• Finding your place within the ecosystem of the Kingdom.
• Identifying your spiritual gift (Romans 12). 
• Saying “yes” to the right thing, not just anything. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Career is what you’re paid for, calling is what you’re made for. 
• God talks about followers and leaders, He doesn’t give a distinction about where you draw your income. You can make a difference in God’s kingdom, even if it is not your sole career. 
• We all have gifts, and they are not all perceived to be equally valuable, but they are. God needs all gifts to make His kingdom thrive. 
• Be willing to try different things and see what works best for you in how you can best thrive in building God’s kingdom. 
• There is an answer in every one of our lives on how we can turn our pathology in power. 

"Anything God has given us in His abundance is given to distribute in His name." —  Bob Shank

About Bob Shank: After 14 years as an entrepreneur in the building industry in Southern California, he found that the time investments he made during that time in the Kingdom were more in keeping with his lifetime focus. In 1984, he left his for-profit career to found Priority Living, Inc to minister to marketplace leaders. In 1996, he created The Master’s Program to help leaders find their own Kingdom Calling. Today, TMP serves Kingdom leaders across America and internationally. Thousands have found their unique leadership contribution to the global Great Commission through TMP’s three-year mentoring experience.

Bob serves on the boards of three megachurches in three states, as well as several national and international ministry boards including Samaritan’s Purse and the Jesus Film Project.

Bob and Cheri have been married for 51 years; their clan – two married daughters, six grandchildren – live in the same zip-code in Southern California and are all actively involved in local ministry and global missions.

Connect with Bob Shank:

Website: https://mastersprogram.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobshank/  

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff and Christian discuss: 

• Lessons learned through life.
• Reengaging with God and having a spiritual mentor. 
• Using your position to bring God into all aspects of your life. 
• Utilizing a donor-advised fund in your generosity.

Key Takeaways: 

• In business, you should know the outcome of a vote before the vote is taken. 
• When things aren’t working - do something different. 
• God’s hand is in everything. There are connections in your life that you won’t be able to see until after the fact. 
• If it needs to be done, get it done, in God’s work and in business. You have talents that someone else needs. 

"God has a way of taking you through life and teaching you lessons along the way. It’s not particularly in focus when you’re in the middle of it." —  Christian Hilliard

About Christian Hilliard: During his first half, Christian started his first cable television company at the age of 16.  He spent his summers climbing poles and lashing cable to build out small under-served communities in the Nebraska and Colorado area.  Christian then attended Colorado College where he earned his BA in Economics. For the next thirty years, he started and sold over two dozen telecom companies in seven different states. Christian served on the National Cable Television Co-Op board and received the honor of Cable Television Pioneer.  Outside of telecom, Christian is involved in outdoor advertising and real estate. Last year, he sold the majority of his companies, celebrated his 26th wedding anniversary, and dropped his youngest daughter off at Pepperdine University – all on the same day.  Married to his high school sweetheart, Karyn, they have four children, a son-in-law, and four dogs. As for hobbies, Chris likes snow skiing, leading men’s small groups and missions trips, fly fishing, sailing, dog training, and flying airplanes with friends.

Connect with Christian Hilliard:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hilliard-48766215/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Joe discuss: 

• Finding generosity in the business moments of your life.
• Joe’s unique professional career and early moments of generosity in business.
• The principle of who is in your living room.
• Intentionality in opportunity.

Key Takeaways: 

• God will give us the right words and the right message in the opportunities of our lives.
• When you see an opportunity to be compassionate, it is your responsibility to open the door and be compassionate.
• Be a kingdom business owner, even when it is not the traditional way of doing business.
• Opportunities are built on relationships. Kindness, love, and being kingdom minded in all you do are the foundation for those relationships.

"God’s calling us to be willing to open the door to the things He puts in front of us." —  Joe Harris

About Joe Harris: Joe is the CEO of Schuber Mitchell Homes based in Joplin, Missouri. Joe joined Schuber Mitchell in 2015 and became CEO in 2020. Prior to Schuber Mitchell, Joe worked 20 years in corporate business development roles at several companies including Leggett & Platt, Sprint, and Koch Industries. Joe is married to his wife Danica for 26 years and has one son Dylan and three daughters Delaney, Dempsey, and Dawsyn.

Connect with Joe Harris:

Website: https://www.schubermitchell.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-harris-a672721b8/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Stephen discuss: 

• Stephen’s colorful professional history and his journey to building Grand Homes.
• Climbing the steep mountains of life. 
• Giving with purpose versus toxic giving. 
• Inspiring generosity in others. 

Key Takeaways: 

• In life, when given choices, always make the right choice, even if it looks difficult or insurmountable. 
• When you hire Godly people, they start attracting others of similar values, and that is how you build a culture with good people. 
• Generosity can be found even in the worst of times. People are often most giving and caring when they are in the worst of times. 
• Get involved however looks right for your life. Pick something that calls to you and be hands on in your generosity. 

"Whatever somebody asks you to do, do it. Get involved in anything and it will touch your heart and snowball." —  Stephen Brooks

Episode Reference: 

• Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford: https://www.amazon.com/Halftime-Significance-Bob-P-Buford/dp/0310344441

About Stephen Brooks:  

Stephen Brooks, CEO of Grand Homes, is a third-generation builder with over 42 years of experience in the homebuilding industry. After seeing the need in the Dallas housing market for a company comprised of hardworking people dedicated to building quality homes, he founded Grand Homes in 1986.

Grand Homes and their trade partners have built 12 homes for Homes for Hope that donate the proceeds from selling these homes to Hope International towards microloans to entrepreneurs in the poorest of countries.  In 2022 Mr. Brooks was honored with the Perry Bigelow award for his contribution and commitment to Homes for Hope and Hope International.

Mr. Brooks has also been honored with the Hugh Prather award in 2013 by the Dallas Builders Association. This award is the highest honor presented annually for a builder who has done the most for the betterment of his community through local, state, national, and international philanthropy.

Mr. Brooks, along with Grand Homes employees, has built 11 homes in Tijuana, Mexico, with Baja Christian Ministries. Teams build 2 houses a year in the spring for families in need.

Mr. Brooks has contributed and assisted in building three churches, two schools, a library, and a farm to feed the students at Imbirikani School for girls in Kenya. His family has traveled in the summer to Kenya to help renovate and build the buildings.  The school hosts the southern Kenyan Presbyterian Christian Ministry Leadership Conference and vacation bible school for the children from the Masai Mara tribe.

Mr. Brooks supports Catholic Charities and donated money towards the food bank and purchased two mobile food trucks to feed impoverished people in the rural areas of North Texas.

Mr. Brooks has earned the prestigious Lee Evans Award for Excellence in Business Management from the National Association of Home Builders and was named by Builder magazine as “America’s Best Builder” in 1996 and 2011.

Mr. Brooks has been a key force in setting architectural trends and has sculpted some of the most popular features in the Dallas market.  As a result, Grand Homes has become known for its innovative designs, and has won over 200 design and marketing awards. Grand Homes was named by its peers in D Home’s “2006 Best Builders in Dallas”, and “Builder of the Year” by the HBA of Greater Dallas for 2009 and 2010, as well as a ten-time Consumers’ Choice Award Winner.

Grand Homes continue to thrive in the Dallas market with innovative, award-winning architectural designs. Grand builds over 400 semi-custom homes a year in over 30 communities throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

Mr. Brooks is a graduate of the University of Texas and holds an MBA from the University of Miami.  Mr. Brooks has three sons, the oldest of whom is President of Grand Homes.

List of Charities:

Connect with Stephen Brooks:

Website: https://www.grandhomes.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-brooks-6a058412/

Connect with Jeff Thomas: 

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/