The roll call of contemporary Financial Evangelists (Part 3)
“Money is not sinful or evil. The kingdom of God needs it desperately! Making money is what I do best but it must be made for God’s glory and not mine. As a Christian entrepreneur, my company relies on prayer and inward confirmation by the Holy Spirit before making any decision. I believe God is interested in my business if my business is His business.” ~Robert Norman Edmiston, Evangelical British Billionaire
In these last weeks, we’ve been profiling a list of some Christian entrepreneurs, otherwise called financial evangelists, who used their financial resources to advance the Kingdom of God. This is a continuation.
- Bo Pilgrim: Founder of Pilgrim’s Pride and exemplary Christian businessman
Bo Pilgrim’s life journey is a remarkable testament to the transformative power of faith, hard work and unwavering commitment to Christian values. As the visionary founder of Pilgrim’s Pride, he not only revolutionised the poultry industry but also exemplified the essence of a dedicated Christian businessman.
Emerging from humble beginnings, Bo Pilgrim’s ascent from rags to riches is a true testament to his tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit. In 1946, he embarked on his journey by opening his first feed store in Pittsburg, Texas. Over the span of six decades, his visionary leadership propelled Pilgrim’s Pride to become a Fortune 500 publicly traded company, generating over US$5billion in annual revenue and employing more than 40,000 individuals across North America.
Despite his resounding success and Texas-sized ambition, Bo Pilgrim’s humility and unwavering faith remain at the forefront of his life’s purpose. He attributes his personal achievements and the accomplishments of Pilgrim’s Pride to a higher calling: giving credit and glory to God for every good endeavour.
Bo Pilgrim’s story resonates as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating the transformative impact of aligning business endeavours with Christian principles. His legacy continues to inspire individuals to embrace a spirit of gratitude, humility and unwavering faith as they navigate their own entrepreneurial journeys, reflecting the profound influence that a life devoted to serving both God and community can have on the world.
- Sir John Templeton: visionary founder of Templeton Mutual Fund
The legacy of Sir John Templeton, a visionary entrepreneur and devoted Christian, remains an indelible mark on the world of mutual funds and beyond. Born on 29th November, 1912 and departing on 8 July 2008, Sir John embodied the spirit of innovation, philanthropy and faith throughout his remarkable life.
An American-born British investor, fund manager, philanthropist, banker and author, Sir John’s journey into the financial realm began with the creation of the Templeton Mutual Fund in 1954, a pivotal moment that reshaped the mutual fund landscape. His ingenuity and foresight earned him the accolade of being hailed the greatest Global Stock picker of the century by Money Magazine in 1999, a testament to his unparalleled contributions.
Beyond his financial achievements, Sir John’s legacy reverberates through his unwavering commitment to Christian principles. Throughout his life, he tirelessly encouraged fellow believers to anchor their trust and possessions in the bedrock of Christian values. His enduring influence reaches beyond financial matters, inspiring individuals to build lives of substance and meaning based on faith.
Sir John Templeton’s name has become synonymous with excellence in the mutual fund sector, forever leaving an indelible mark on the industry’s history. His visionary pursuits extended far beyond financial realms, as evidenced by his pioneering efforts in the establishment and operation of numerous schools and churches.
The legacy of Sir John Templeton continues to inspire generations, underscoring the transformative potential of integrating faith, innovation and philanthropy. His profound impact serves as a timeless reminder that a life founded on Christian principles has the power to shape not only financial landscapes but also the very fabric of society itself.
- Stanly Tam: innovator and founder of US Plastic Corp
Stanly Tam’s unwavering commitment to his Christian faith was an unwavering constant in his life, a resolute stance from which he never wavered. In his youth, he grappled with the challenges of making ends meet, navigating a path through financial hardship. Despite the formidable obstacles that stood before him, Tam clung steadfastly to his beliefs, harbouring an unshakable conviction that God’s providence would elevate him to a position of honour—a conviction that was ultimately fulfilled.
As the visionary behind the establishment of the US Plastic Corp, Stanly Tam left an indelible imprint on the business landscape. Yet, his accomplishments were not merely the result of astute business decisions, but a reflection of his profound faith. In a remarkable display of dedication, Tam consecrated each of his entrepreneurial endeavours to the divine, believing that the interplay of his faith and the contributions of those who worked alongside him were instrumental in propelling him toward triumph.
An embodiment of his convictions, Stanly Tam channelled a significant portion of his business proceeds into funding gospel missions and charitable initiatives. His life story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, demonstrating how an individual’s journey from humble beginnings—where selling products door to door alongside his teenage peers was the norm—could culminate in a profound impact on both business and benevolence.
The saga of Stanly Tam’s life serves as a luminous testament to the harmonious fusion of faith, diligence and generosity. His resolute dedication to Christianity, even in the face of adversity, not only propelled him to achieve remarkable success but also catalysed a legacy of philanthropy and goodwill that continues to inspire and uplift to this day.
- Miles Ezell: visionary founder of Purity Dairies
Miles Ezell stands as an enduring exemplar of a dedicated Christian entrepreneur, renowned as the visionary behind the establishment and leadership of Purity Dairies. As both founder and CEO, Miles not only crafted a thriving business but also emerged as a luminous beacon of inspiration within the Nashville community. His life’s mission extended far beyond commercial success, resonating with a deep-rooted commitment to uplifting society through acts of benevolence.
Miles channelled the resources bestowed upon him by God to fuel his philanthropic endeavours, leaving an indelible impact on Nashville. His legacy is intricately interwoven with the fabric of his Christian convictions, which he seamlessly integrated into the ethos of Purity Dairies. Under his guidance, the dairy enterprise burgeoned into the largest proprietorship of its kind in Davidson County, a testament to his astute stewardship.
The legacy initiated by Miles has been perpetuated through successive generations. The torch was adeptly passed to his son, Miles Ezell Jr., and now thrives under the adept leadership of his grandson, Mark Ezell. With unwavering dedication, Purity Dairies persists as a stalwart presence, boasting an impressive annual revenue surpassing US$170million.
Importantly, the foundation of Miles’ business is rooted in strong family values and an unswerving Christian ethos. These guiding principles infuse every facet of the enterprise, resulting in a harmonious synergy of commerce and faith. It is this steadfast adherence to values that has enabled the business to fund a multitude of initiatives, missions, projects, and ministries, thereby magnifying the impact of Miles’ benevolent vision.
Miles Ezell’s enduring legacy is a testament to the potential inherent in intertwining Christian principles with business acumen. His legacy continues to cast a benevolent shadow, illuminating pathways for others to follow in his footsteps, simultaneously achieving prosperity and contributing to the betterment of society.
About the authors
Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor is a distinguished figure, acclaimed as an Author, Publishing Consultant, Christian Business Coach and a fervent Financial Evangelist. Nelson is a forex trader, cryptocurrency investor and metaverse enthusiast.
Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA) is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Financial Management Consultant spanning close to two decades in both the not-for-profit and banking sectors. You can reach out to them on +233549762233 or nelsonmbnbooks@gmail.com