Insert Preview

In this episode of the Faith For Work podcast, Lori Drury, Executive Director and CEO of BBT, interviews Jay Strydom, Global Leadership Director, about his recent journey to Zimbabwe in partnership with Global Network of Evangelists. From fostering church unity to witnessing miraculous moments of faith, Jay recounts how the mission trip not only spread the gospel but strengthened community ties, and inspired personal growth. Jay shares inspiring stories of unity among churches, the power of prayer, and the transformative impact of faith in the workplace.

About Jay:

Dynamic and versatile leader with extensive experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. Prior to coming to BBT, Jay held roles as CEO, Executive Director, Sales Executive, and Brand Manager, blending strategic thinking with hands-on leadership. Passionate about social transformation, he transitioned from a successful corporate career to lead impactful initiatives for orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa.

Now balancing corporate expertise with nonprofit vision, he specializes in driving results, mentoring teams, and fostering community upliftment. As a Ward Committee Member and nonprofit leader, he leverages his experience to inspire change, align teams with purpose, and create meaningful impact. Guided by faith and a love for learning, Jay thrives on empowering others and building sustainable growth across diverse environments.

Jay, his wife and son are now living in Hot Springs, Arkansas and are adjusting to life in the States.

Support the show

Transforming the workplace one Bible study at a time - GET STARTED today!

CONNECT WITH US:

B-B-T.org | News | LinkedIn

Biblical Business Training (“BBT”) equips busy, working people to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and empowers them in small-group Bible study settings to apply Biblical principles to their every day lives - especially in the workplace. BBT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which exists to help people develop their Christian “Faith for Work – Leadership for Life!”

Join host Richard Cunningham as he sits down with Richard Okello, founder and managing partner of Sango Capital, at the 10th Anniversary Lions Den in Dallas, Texas. Richard shares his remarkable journey from a chicken arbitrage business in Uganda at age 12 to becoming a partner at Bridgewater Associates and ultimately founding one of Africa's premier institutional-grade investment firms.

This episode explores the compelling investment thesis for Africa, the evolution of risk perceptions, and why faith-driven investors should seriously consider African markets for both commercial returns and kingdom impact.

Key Investment Topics:

• Africa's growth trajectory now matching China's economic expansion
• Currency stabilization across major African economies for the first time in history
• Private equity opportunities in a market with 35 years of institutional development
• The critical minerals opportunity beyond traditional gold and platinum
• Why African political risk perceptions are 10-15 years outdated

Powerful Quotes: "Africa today provides an opportunity for commercial returns which the faith driven investor is interested in and high level of impact with variety." - Richard Okello

"I think a faith driven investor needs to lock in on what they are called to do with the money that they are entrusted with." - Richard Okello

Richard's story demonstrates how God orchestrates divine appointments—from a scholarship opportunity through a friend's sacrifice, to meeting a dean of admissions in Wales, to joining Bridgewater the only year they recruited three-year graduates. Now managing nearly $600 million in assets, Sango Capital focuses on private equity, venture capital, and private credit across select African markets, delivering institutional-grade returns while driving meaningful economic transformation across the continent.

For centuries, the Church wasn’t just a home for faith—it was the lighthouse of creativity and culture. But when did we stop leading the way in beauty, innovation, and art? And what happens when the Church loses its bond with the artist?

Catherine dives deep into this critical topic with special guests Isaac and Emily Gay, co-founders of the Parallel Society. With over twenty years of ministry experience pioneering creative communities, building prayer rooms, and raising three children of their own, Isaac and Emily have dedicated their lives to restoring creativity within the Church and equipping the next generation of artists.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The Great Disconnect: Why did the Church abandon creativity, and how did this create a vacuum that Hollywood and secular culture rushed to fill?
• Redefining Christian Art: Isaac & Emily challenge the narrow definitions that often limit Christian expression. Drawing from Leo Tolstoy, they ask: What if Christian art isn’t only about displaying explicit symbols, but about work that promotes "an ethic and morality that longs for human flourishing"?
• Both Sides Matter: Listeners will hear why mending the rift between the Church and artists isn’t just a leadership issue—but requires artists to reexamine the purpose behind their work, moving beyond self-expression to serve a greater, redemptive calling.
• Restoring Beauty in the Home: Emily shares how families can cultivate creativity over convenience, offering hope-filled encouragement that it starts not on a stage or a gallery wall, but around the dinner table, in moments of Sabbath, and with simple, intentional practices that awaken wonder in children.
• The Power of Beauty: Catherine passionately reminds us: "We are losing our culture not because we lack truth, but because we’ve lost beauty. In a culture grown deaf to preaching, beauty still whispers. It still sings."
• Practical Wisdom & Inspiration: Hear how the Gays wrote their own family Sabbath liturgy, and get actionable ideas for fostering beauty, awe, and storytelling within your own home—no matter your artistic skills.

Notable Quotes:

“Creativity is not optional. It’s our calling.”
“Beauty is the language our culture still understands. Are we speaking it?”
“There is no formation without repetition. The job of a parent is to create space for the wild things to run.” – Isaac Gay

About the Guests:
Isaac and Emily Gay are founders of the Parallel Society, a ministry devoted to discipling artists in biblical truth. With two decades of experience engaging some of the most secular areas of the West, they offer invaluable insight on how the Church can once again become a wellspring of culture and innovation.

What if the future of your child’s faith—and the influence of the Church—depends on how we restore this forgotten partnership with creativity and beauty?

Tune in for encouragement, theological depth, and practical next steps for every parent who wants to raise a generation that doesn’t just reflect the world, but reclaims it for Christ through the power of art.

Connect with Isaac & Emily Gay:

• isaacandemilygay.com
• Instagram: Isaac & Emily

Connect with Catherine:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Email at [email protected]

Special Resource for Moms:
Looking for more encouragement? Don’t miss C

Sometimes we confuse criticizing others with being truthful. And the line between the two can get pretty grey. So what are we to do? Caleb helps us understand.

As a thank you for your support this month, we’d love to bless you with a gift of your choice.Choose from three excellent books -each designed to encourage and equip you as you grow in Christ.

Tracing His Promise: Donna Amidon shares 25 OT stories revealing Jesus in God’s redemptive plan.

Tactics:  A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions  -   Practical tools to share and defend your faith with confidence and grace.

Discovering a Living Faith: Explore James with Pastor Bryan Clark – Insightful and practical guidance.

Yours with a gift of any amount.

Thank you for supporting the mission of Christ.

In this episode, Dr. John examines how God speaks to us today—through Scripture and supremely through the blood of Christ. He explains that while God's voice at Mount Sinai was impressive, the gospel represents an even greater word that demands our complete submission. Dr. John warns against refusing God's voice through deliberate sin or abandoning faith under pressure, reminding us that our holy God is "a consuming fire" who calls us to grateful worship and reverent obedience.

The Jesus Effect: Faith in Jesus ought to make a difference in our lives. The good news is not simply a message of comfort or hope; the Gospel is a message of transformation! In this 10 message series, Dr. John teaches about the changes Jesus makes in our worship, conduct, and relationships. Listen to these messages and get ready to be changed.

The Wilderness E4 — After God delivers the Israelites out of Egypt, he tells Moses to lead them to the promised land—through the wilderness. This is perplexing because a much shorter, safer route existed along the coast. So why does God lead his people along the longer, harder way? In this episode, Jon and Tim explore Israel’s wilderness tests, reflecting on God’s plan to create a new people through a relationship of radical trust and dependence.

CHAPTERS

1. Recap and Setup for the Israelites in the Wilderness (0:00-10:05)
2. God’s Intentional Path Into the Wilderness (10:05-27:11)
3. Three Wilderness Tests in Exodus (27:11-47:28)
4. Seven Wilderness Tests in Numbers (47:28-1:02:23)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• You can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Blue Sky ft. TBabz” by Lofi Sunday
• “Mist Of Blessing ft. Marc Vanparla” by Lofi Sunday
• “Chilling In London” by Lofi Sunday, Just Derrick
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. 

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marriage is about becoming one—but what does that mean for your money? For many couples, the question of whether to combine bank accounts or keep them separate is one of the first major financial decisions they face. While the Bible doesn’t speak directly to checking accounts, it does give us a clear picture of what unity, trust, and stewardship look like in marriage.

In Mark 10:7–8, Jesus says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

That phrase, “one flesh,” is more than physical—it describes an emotional, spiritual, and practical union. Marriage is about sharing a life together, and that includes finances. The Bible doesn’t command couples to have joint accounts, but it does call us to transparency, mutual submission, and faithful stewardship.

Joint accounts are one practical way to live this out, offering a structure of accountability and openness. Separate accounts, while not inherently sinful, can sometimes become symbolic of separate lives if not handled with care.

A story from a banker friend drives this home. One day, a woman came into the bank distraught after discovering her husband had a secret credit card with thousands of dollars in gambling debt. The shock wasn’t just about money—it was about broken trust.

Financial infidelity is devastating because it goes deeper than dollars and cents. It damages the foundation of unity. Ephesians 5:21 reminds us: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” That submission extends to our financial decisions.

So, what does financial oneness look like in real life? Here are a few steps couples can take:

Set aside time each month to review your budget, giving, and goals. These conversations don’t have to be stressful—they can strengthen communication and provide alignment in your marriage.

Saving three to six months of expenses together demonstrates trust and unity. It says, “We’re in this together, no matter what comes.”

Budgeting apps like the FaithFi app can help you and your spouse manage money together with clarity and purpose. Built on biblical principles, it’s more than just software—it’s a discipleship tool.

Financial unity is ultimately about more than accounts and numbers. It’s about our hearts. When couples pursue oneness in their finances, they reflect the greater reality of Christ’s love for His church—a bond marked by trust, sacrifice, and faithfulness.

Your bank account setup matters far less than your posture toward one another. Ask yourselves:

• Are we making decisions together?
• Are we being transparent and honest?
• Are we aligning our finances with God’s purposes?

When the answer is yes, your marriage becomes a living testimony of the Gospel.

At the end of the day, combining or separating accounts isn’t the ultimate issue. The greater call is to live as one—financially, emotionally, and spiritually—while stewarding God’s resources faithfully.

And if you’d like to go deeper in this journey, I invite you to become a FaithFi Partner. For just $35 a month or $400 a year, you’ll receive exclusive benefits, including our quarterly printed magazine, Faithful Steward. It’s full of biblical wisdom and practical tools to help you grow as a faithful steward of God’s resources.

To join, visit FaithFi.com/Partner.

• I’ve paid off

Rob Reiner swings by Club Random for a fast, funny hang with Bill. They dig into the long-awaited Spinal Tap sequel – 41 years later – recounting how both films were built from nothing more than an outline and pure chaos. From Johnny Carson to TikTok, they unpack the death of a shared audience, trade sharp lines on aging, health, and bathroom wisdom, and rewind to All in the Family, the groundbreaking show that changed television and culture forever.

Subscribe to the Club Random YouTube channel:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/clubrandompodcast?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch episodes ad-free – subscribe to Bill Maher’s Substack:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://billmaher.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you listen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/ClubRandom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support our Advertisers:

Buy Club Random Merch:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://clubrandom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ABOUT CLUB RANDOM

Bill Maher rewrites the rules of podcasting the way he did in television in this series of one on one, hour long conversations with a wide variety of unexpected guests in the undisclosed location called Club Random. There’s a whole big world out there that isn’t about politics and Bill and his guests—from Bill Burr and Jerry Seinfeld to Jordan Peterson, Quentin Tarantino and Neil DeGrasse Tyson—talk about all of it. 

For advertising opportunities please email: [email protected]

ABOUT BILL MAHER

Bill Maher was the host of “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC) from 1993-2002, and for the last fourteen years on HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 40 Emmy nominations. Maher won his first Emmy in 2014 as executive producer for the HBO series, “VICE.” In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, “Religulous.”

Maher has written five bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden,” “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” and most recently, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.”

FOLLOW CLUB RANDOM

https://www.clubrandom.com

https://www.facebook.com/Club-Random-101776489118185

https://twitter.com/clubrandom_

https://www.instagram.com/clubrandompodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@clubrandompodcast

FOLLOW BILL MAHER

https://www.billmaher.com

https://twitter.com/billmaher

https://www.instagram.com/billmaher

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices