Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we hear from this year's Mission Champions, Mary Nita Thompson (Director of Operations), Mike Taylor (Commercial Lending Group Loan Officer), and Lisa Eversole (Operations Support) on the heels of their return from their recent mission trip to Lynch, Kentucky. The champions tell us about the joys and challenges of immersing themselves in a culture radically different from their own despite it being just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from where they live. We hear about the work they did, how they connected with the people of Lynch, and why they walked away from the experience feeling a deep sense of encouragement.

Episode Highlights:

[0:25] We meet the mission champions.

[1:40] Mary Nita and Mike talk about their history with mission trips and why this year was special.

[4:22] Lisa shares her missional backstory and what made her say yes this year.

[5:19] "It's just so neat as to how God puts things together." The champions share what their week in Lynch was like.

[9:36] "If I had to describe the trip in one word it would be 'Encouragement.' I was so encouraged." We learn how living with the people of Lynch transformed the hearts of our mission champions.

[12:25] The mission champions offer their final words of encouragement to close this episode.

Episode Resources:

Miracle in the Mountains by Belinda Riley, Lonnie Riley, and Joyce Sweeney Martin: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mountains-Experiencing-Transforming-Appalachia/dp/1615071636

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, in a special "on the road" edition of the podcast, Dan is joined by Chris Davis Jr. who has just completed his first year with the First Southern family of companies as Vice President of Community Outreach in Louisville. Chris discusses what he has experienced and felt over the course of the last year working with a "part-time missional and part-time banking" mindset for the first time in his career. We also learn about the exciting community outreach projects that Chris and his team are working on in Louisville right now, and what we can do to support and be a part of them.

Episode Highlights:

[0:25] Chris shares how he found his way across America and into the First Southern offices.

[3:47] "Little did I know how much God in that moment was trying to get my attention." Chris describes the deep and often surprising ways that working with First Southern has exceeded his expectations.

[5:27] "It has a heartbeat that is based in the word of God." Chris details a few community outreach initiatives that he, First Southern, and River Foundation have undertaken in Louisville over the past year.

[10:48] We learn about some of the big goals that Chris has for community outreach in Louisville over the coming years.

[13:19] "I feel like my identity is being pulled out of me in a unique way." Chris closes this episode by sharing words of wisdom that he has gleaned from his first year at First Southern.

Help the Eastern Kentucky flood victims with this special matching opportunity!

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Dan sits down with his friend and co-worker, Kay Estes, for a difficult conversation that neither of them wanted to have. Early on in the pandemic, tragedy struck Kay's family when her son succumbed to his battle with mental health, and his death left a deep hole in their hearts and lives. Today, she walks us through the pain and grief that she and her husband felt and continue to feel, and how they have managed to cope with their loss by eschewing mental health stigmas and speaking openly with friends, family, and mental health professionals. Join Kay and Dan as they discuss how one can find light at the end of their darkest tunnel with the help of their community.

Episode Highlights:

[0:25] "We all have tragedy. It's all in how you come to deal with it." Dan and Kay lay the groundwork for their difficult conversation.

[1:26] Kay discusses her family life as she unpacks the issues that started to emerge with her son early on.

[4:20] Kay details the challenges her family faced when her son spent time in jail.

[5:23] "What are we supposed to do?" Kay recounts the day her son died.

[7:27] We learn the four "legs of the chair" that Kay and her family were invited to lean on in their time of greatest need.

[10:09] "I said no, we're not going to be silent anymore. You just can't be." Kay highlights her intention with being open about her son's mental health struggles during his enlightening and uplifting funeral service.

[11:39] "He always knew that no matter the situation we were always there." Kay offers her advice on supporting loved ones who are struggling with mental health issues.

[13:07] We learn about some of the specific resources that Kay relied on to cope with her son's passing.

[14:49] Kay closes this episode by reciting a psalm that continues to help her every day. "I know Will is in Heaven because he was broken-hearted, and he was crushed in spirit. But he is no longer those things."

Episode Resources:

Dial the Mental Health Hotline if you or someone you know is in need of mental health services: 866

Book by Dr. Matthew Sleeth - Hope Always

Book by Randy Alcorn - Heaven - https://store.epm.org/product/heaven

Find help at Manna Counseling - https://mannacounseling.com/

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Community President of First Southern Bank in Hopkinsville, Betsy Shelton joins Dan in the studio to discuss her illustrious careers in banking and missionary work, and how she finally managed to intertwine the two at First Southern. As a long-time staple of her community, Betsy shares why the goal that has always driven her is to help the people in her community live better lives in any way she can. And although she has succeeded on many levels so far, she is far from finished. Join us for an episode about the rewards of perseverance, vision, and following where faith leads.

Episode Highlights:

[0:25] Betsy shares the story of how she found herself in banking straight out of college in the mid-1980s.

[2:02] "It made me realize that God was tugging at my heart and that I had more to share than just that." Betsy tells the next chapter in her professional career, which involved a shift from banking to mission work.

[3:35] "That's what lights my fire." We learn how Betsy managed to bring her missional experiences back to banking once more.

[7:09] "Lord, I need to be in a place where I can change peoples' lives." Betsy shares what she decided to do after the bank that she was working at closed.

[9:38] Betsy tells us how she managed to start up a First Southern branch from nothing during a global pandemic.

[11:28] "We wanted to make sure that we were doing God's work in this community in a meaningful way." Betsy shares what motivates her and her staff's work with FCA and River Foundation, and the fruits of those labors so far.

[13:27] "We really have to control over much of anything in our lives except for our attitude and our effort." Betsy closes the show with a few words of wisdom garnered from her distinguished career.

Episode Resources:

Connect with Hopkinsville FCA here: https://m.facebook.com/WestKentuckyFCA/?__tn__=%2Cg

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! On today's episode, Dan is joined by Denise Henderson and her family to discuss their experience attending the Puerto Rico mission trip. Denise, her husband Levi, and her fifteen-year-old son Logan share stories and reflections about how their first missional family trip overseas opened their eyes to a new world of faith, work, giving, culture, and family bonding. Join us as we get an inside peek at what a challenging and wondrous experience a mission trip can be.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces the Henderson family and shares why he's surprised to be having this conversation.

[1:21] Denise discusses what motivated her and her family to attend, and what their expectations and preconceived notions were going into the trip.

[2:48] "An opportunity like this was just very unique." Levi reflects on his time serving in the Kentucky National Guard, and how the Puerto Rico Mission trip provided him with an opportunity to continue serving after leaving the military.

[4:42] "The people there are amazing." Logan offers his perspective on being outside the continental U.S. for the first time.

[5:18] "Man, what a great influence for him." Denise shares what impressed her heart and her soul in Puerto Rico.

[7:21] "My energy level was depleted from the physical side of it, but my spiritual cup was filled." We learn how Denise and her family viewed the missional side of the trip.

[11:07] The Henderson family shares the most memorable moments that opened their eyes to Puerto Rican culture.

[13:49] "If you don't go, you'll never know." Denise, Levi, and Logan speak to folks who are thinking about taking a mission trip but aren't sure yet. Their message: do it!

Episode Resources:

Fill out the Passport Form here.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we're talking all things SummitCamp 2022 in this special episode. Immediately following the camp, Dan sat down with five of the event's leaders and organizers: Mark Erikson (Powered By Summit Managers) and his wife Anne, Blake Sunny and Matt Penny (Camp Coordinators and Asbury University Employees), and Jami Cervantes (River Foundation Administrator), to discuss how everybody is feeling after another successful camp. We also hear from students as they share their experiences from the week.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces the leaders and coordinators of SummitCamp 2022 that are joining him today.

[2:11] Mark and Anne describe their experiences interacting with River Foundation and the students at SummitCamp 2022.

[5:06] Matt reflects on how this year's SummitCamp improved from last year and how the camp has helped high school students explore faith in college life.

[8:34] "There is a place that I can be to not only be educated for my mind, but for my soul." Blake explains why this year's SummitCamp was one of the best summer camp experiences he has ever had.

[11:29] "As a parent of three students who have gone through Summit, it just brings me joy." Jami shares why SummitCamp always fills her heart.

[15:34] We hear a few of the students speak about their SummitCamp experiences.

Episode Resources:

Fill out the Passport Form here.

Visit here for more information about SummitCamp.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Dan speaks with Jason Tucker and Pastor Seth Dinney of Steubenville Baptist Church in beautiful Monticello, Kentucky. Both are lifelong Kentuckians who have been able to extend their passion for Christ by providing an international perspective. Pastor Seth shares the story of how a humbling mission trip to China during the outbreak of 2020's global pandemic led him to finding his calling working with Jason Tucker to make Monticello a launchpad for global missions, showing that the winding paths of faith always lead to where the need is.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] We meet Jason as he tells us about his excitement over the new work that Pastor Seth has brought to Steubenville Baptist.

[2:10] "I just felt like the Lord was telling us that it was time for us to do something beyond the county – to go somewhere." Pastor Seth shares the forces that drew him to mission work.

[4:12] Pastor Seth reflects on his humbling second mission trip during which he and his family moved to China and practiced Christianity "off the radar."

[9:29] We learn how Pastor Seth and his family coped when a "mysterious disease in Wuhan" left them stranded in hotels in China.

[13:26] "I think that's why we've grown today as a church, is because we've got a pastor who's leading, and what he's teaching, he's lived out." Jason explains how his church's prayers were answered when Pastor Seth applied to join their congregation.

[14:50] We close this episode with worldly words of wisdom from Jason and Pastor Seth.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn more about the River Foundation Scholarship.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Dan is joined by his friend and First Southern Family colleague of fifteen years John Brett Reynolds. John Brett details how he grew from an intern at the bank to his current role as Regional President of First Southern's Western Kentucky branches, and the joy he has found in building relationships with his co-workers along the way. Dan and John Brett also delve into the First Southern and River Foundation tornado relief effort that John Brett is spearheading in Western Kentucky at the moment, as well as how you can donate to those affected. Join us for a warm and enlightening conversation between two longtime friends about the rewards of working with people you like.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces John Brett, who shares details of his life growing up in Kentucky and following a passion for sports broadcasting.

[216:] We learn how John Brett's father's wisdom was instrumental to John Brett finding his way to a First Southern internship.

[4:44] John Brett tells us how his career has blossomed over the course of fifteen years.

[7:56] We learn what it's like working as First Southern Regional President for Western Kentucky.

[9:20] "To be able to serve money properly and understand that it's not my money, it's God's, has made me that much better in being able to coach other people." John Brett highlights the joy he gets from helping other people with their finances through River Foundation and Compass.

[11:18] John Brett discusses his work providing relief for victims of the tornado that broke ground in Western Kentucky recently.

[13:20] "I've never had a bad Sunday night knowing that Monday morning is coming because of the team and the people that I work with." John Brett offers two pieces of advice as he closes this episode on the pulpit.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn more about and donate to the Kentucky tornado relief effort.

Click here to learn more about and donate to the Ukraine relief fund.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Dan is joined by Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Asbury University, Jennifer McChord. In this lively discussion, Dan and Jennifer talk about Summit Camp, which the River Foundation and Summit Ministries have started partnering with Asbury University to host and present this year. Jennifer tells us what Summit Camp is all about, and what folks who are interested in the program can expect from the experience.

Summit provides a space for inquisitive students to get answers. For over 60 years, we have been equipping students to defend, own, and live out their faith. At Summit's two-week program, students will learn from a world-class Christian faculty and experience a rich fellowship that strengthens their faith. Summit Camp is open to students ages 15-19.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces Jennifer, who tells us how she came to be Asbury University VP of Enrollment and Marketing just as the COVID pandemic was starting.

[4:31] Jennifer tells us about her experience helping run the Asbury University Summit Camp in partnership with River Foundation and how attending the camp has changed her daughter's life.

[7:22] "It felt like a family reunion for the River Foundation." Dan explains how and why the Asbury and River Foundation partnership is a perfect match.

[8:24] "The oak tree foundation that they will leave here with is incredible." Jennifer gives an overview of what an attendee of Asbury University Summit Camp will receive.

[11:02] Jennifer lays out her hopes for this year's Summit Camp attendees.

[12:23] Jennifer and Dan close this episode by announcing the incredible scholarship opportunities that River Foundation and Asbury University are offering with this year's Summit Camp.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn more about and enroll in Asbury University Summit Camp.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today Dan speaks with esteemed property guru Joe Hafley in the iconic office that he has worked out of for over twenty years. In this highly educational discussion, Joe shares his wealth of experience in banking over his forty-year career, including navigating two financial crises and helping to build First Southern and River Foundation from their very beginnings. Joe and Dan also discuss how Joe's experiences might inform how markets will turn in the future. Join us as we hear stories and advice from father, grandfather, follower of Jesus, eighth-generation Kentuckian, and proud member of the First Southern and River Foundation families for over thirty years: the man they call "Too Low Joe," Joe Hafley.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces the esteemed Joe Hafley.

[1:24] Joe tells us about his family and shares the history of his deep Lincoln County background.

[3:32] We learn how Joe became connected with the First Southern family.

[4:46] "People were just not able to make ends meet." Joe describes his experiences banking in the 80s during a financial downturn.

[6:23] Joe remembers the early days of his work with First Southern after joining the company in 1990, and how the bank was able to navigate the failed savings and loans crisis.

[9:02] We learn how Joe, Doug, and the team worked in the early days of the company.

[9:34] Joe shares some of the basic tactics that he brings to his work today.

[10:40] "Things have become more competitive." We learn how technology and increased expertise have led to more competition in today's industry.

[11:36] "It was the greatest redistribution of the wealth the world has ever known." Dan and Joe discuss working through another round of credit crises in 2007 and 2008.

[13:23] Dan and Joe speculate on what major shifts the market might face in upcoming years.

[14:34] "You do it because you have to do it. You're not looking for any recognition… It's old school." Joe reflects on his favorite parts about joining the River Foundation team.

[16:02] Joe touches on how he strives to persevere through hard times, including his struggles with Parkinson's Disease and his three-week battle with COVID in 2021.

[17:52] "First of all, I think you got to put your faith in the right place." We close out this episode with Joe taking to the pulpit to share his well-earned advice.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn more about the failed savings and loans crisis of the 80s and 90s