Hope that Works, Here's How

Every journey of faith and leadership is filled with unexpected turns, breakthrough moments, and opportunities to trust God on a deeper level. At the recent Hope Directive board meeting, we took time to reflect on the past year—what we’ve learned, where we’ve been, and what lies ahead. As we step into 2025, we’re filled with anticipation for the ways God will continue to move.

Listen to the podcast here: Heaveninbusiness.com/podcasts/heaven-in-business-podcast/episodes/2148973087

What is the Hope Directive?

The Hope Directive is our non-profit initiative that takes the strategies and resources of Heaven in Business and multiplies them through partnerships into people and places that would otherwise be limited economically. Our ongoing strategy has been tested and reinforced, and it remains our guiding framework:

1. Find the Person of Peace and Walk With Them – We identify individuals who are already positioned as leaders in their communities and industries. We walk with them over the long term, discipling, mentoring, and connecting them to all the wisdom and resources we have to offer. This ensures lasting transformation and sustainable impact.

2. Multiply Skillsets – We invite seasoned business leaders to join us in bringing their wisdom, encouragement, and ability to train others. By empowering local leaders with real-world expertise, we create a multiplying effect that extends beyond our direct involvement.

3. Serve the Local Community – Through workshops, conferences, retreats, and other activities, we ignite hope and equip individuals to practically partner with God, grow excellent businesses, and advance the Kingdom of God wherever they are.

Lessons from the Field: 2024 in Review

Looking back, 2024 was a year of growth beyond what we could have imagined. When we started the year, we were working with $40,000 previous contributions, believing in God’s provision to sustain our mission. What we didn’t expect was a miraculous $100,000 gift from a business leader we had served for free during the pandemic. That single act of generosity reminded us of a key lesson: God provides in unexpected ways, often through the relationships we invest in faithfully. The provision is in the relationships, but if I approach the relationship for provision I lose both.

With that provision, we were able to step boldly into new opportunities, traveling to five different nations, deepening relationships, and equipping business leaders to integrate faith into their work. The impact was tangible:

• In Zimbabwe, we partnered with Tommy and Rachel Deuschle and Celebration Ministries to serve 200+ business leaders. As a result, entrepreneurs are forming kingdom-minded networks, and new business opportunities between the U.S. and Africa are emerging.

• In Brazil, we formed new relationships, equipped, trained and activated over 1,200 business leaders, and shifted mindsets about the role of faith in the marketplace.

• In Germany and Switzerland, we ignited faith in leaders who had never thought of prayer as a business tool, and now they’re leading prayer initiatives in their organizations.

• In Colombia, we found ourselves in a divine appointment, equipping church leaders who had been asking for strategy and encouragement in their ministry.

One of the greatest confirmations of God’s leading was watching business leaders we had mentored step into their own callings to influence nations—from launching faith-driven investment initiatives to rethinking business models that serve the local church. The big takeaway? We don’t just go to nations; we multiply leaders who will carry the work forward long after we leave.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

With the momentum of 2024 behind us, we are sharpening our focus for the year ahead. Here’s what’s next:

1. Expanding to 10-15 Countries – We will continue walking alongside trusted leaders in each region, ensuring that local movements are self-sustaining and deeply rooted in faith. This year we are looking at trips to New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Zimbabwe, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, Colombia... 

2. Developing a Scalable Training Model – Our Heaven in Business curriculum, currently being piloted in Florida, will be refined and expanded to equip business leaders globally, through trusted partnerships. We are also contributing to other curriculums to multiply impact beyond our own reach. One of the biggest areas of growth is through partnerships with local churches to equip their marketplace communities with the framework, content and connections.

3. Empowering More Leaders – By staying committed to our (discipleship) strategy—finding key leaders, multiplying skillsets, and serving communities—we will see sustainable transformation in businesses, churches, and economies around the world.

How You Can Be Part of the Mission

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that this mission isn’t about a single organization—it’s about a collective movement of faith-driven leaders stepping into their callings. Here’s how you can partner with us in 2025:

• Pray – Cover these initiatives in prayer, asking for open doors and divine connections. Pray specifically for favor and trust to grow between organizations and for the identification of the right people ("person of peace").

• Invest – Whether through financial partnership or sharing resources, you can help bring kingdom impact to more regions. See HopeDirective.com or email [email protected] for more.

• Engage – Join a workshop, take part in the curriculum, or consider coming on a future trip with us. See HeaveninBusiness.com/events

As we step forward, we do so with confidence—not because we have everything figured out, but because we serve a God who always goes before us. We are expectant for what’s ahead and honored to walk this journey alongside you.

Stay connected with us as we continue to ignite hope in business leaders and nations across the globe. The best is yet to come!