In his early 30s, after closing a major banking deal that should have advanced his career, Steve sensed God speaking clearly:

“I want you to leave all this. I want you to be an entrepreneur.”

This call came with no clarity about outcomes, models, or provision.

He responded carefully:

• Sought counsel from friends and pastors

• Took months to discern whether the call was real

• Waited until his wife also sensed God’s leading

Once they agreed, the decision became real—and costly.

In 1996, with two very young children and no safety net, they sold their home, packed two rental trucks, and moved to Appleton, Wisconsin to pursue a franchise opportunity.

The entrepreneurial journey was not glamorous.

Steve describes this season as marked by:

• Financial strain

• Emotional pressure

• Relational stress

• Ongoing uncertainty

At one point, he had to return to banking temporarily just to recover financially.

Yet he never abandoned the call.

A thought sustained him:

“The Lord did not call me out of that career into this just to fail.”

Failure was possible—but obedience remained the anchor.

This season laid the groundwork for endurance, humility, and a deeper understanding of stewardship.

Several years later, Steve joined a mission trip to the hill tribes of Thailand.

What he witnessed changed him:

• Children singing hymns in their tribal language

• Indigenous believers leading and discipling others

• A living faith expressed through culture and work

This experience introduced him to the concept of Business as Mission (BAM).

He began studying existing movements and models, reading extensively and praying for clarity.

Eventually, on a flight from Michigan to Georgia, he made a personal commitment before God to pursue this calling—without yet knowing how.

Soon after, Steve was invited to train entrepreneurs in a restricted region of Russia.

The fear was real:

• He spoke no Russian

• The region was unfamiliar and intimidating

• His cultural background shaped deep apprehension

Yet obedience led him forward.

Working alongside local believers and leaders, he witnessed radical transformation and faith stories unlike anything he had seen in the U.S.

On the flight home, clarity came:

“This is it. This is what You called me to.”

Just as momentum was building, a major real estate project failed.

The consequences were severe:

• Long-term financial burden

• A decade of recovery

• Deep emotional and relational strain

Rather than abandoning the mission, the setback reshaped it.

Because Steve could no longer fund or build overseas businesses directly, the model shifted:

• Empowering indigenous believers

• Training local entrepreneurs

• Supporting sustainable, locally owned businesses

Over time, this approach expanded into multiple countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Asia.

What felt like delay became direction.

After years of pressure, Steve reached a breaking point.

Though the business crisis resolved, the internal toll remained.

He took time away to address:

• Emotional health

• Physical health

• Marriage

• Personal discipleship

This season of humility prepared him to return with deeper clarity and leadership maturity.

As travel became restricted during the pandemic, IBAM adapted.

They discovered:

• Online training could work

• Accountability systems were necessary

• Relational ministry needed structure and tracking

Over several years, the team developed what would become a scalable platform—eventually choosing to give it away freely.

This decision reflected a core conviction:

They could not be everywhere—but they could equip others to go everywhere.

As the episode draws to a close, Steve offers the central encouragement:

• You are not responsible for results

• You are responsible for stewardship

• God decides outcomes

He reminds listeners:

• Some are called to visible blessing

• Others are called to faithful suffering

• Both glorify God

Success is not the measure—obedience is.

Steve challenges the separation between spiritual life and work:

• Work itself is intrinsically valuable

• Business promotes human flourishing

• Faith integrates into every vocation

From janitorial services to technology companies, every business can honor God through excellence, integrity, and love for people.

The invitation is clear:

• Do not give up

• Do not assume struggle means failure

• Do not confuse delay with disobedience

Trust the story God is writing.

👉 Watch the full episode here:https://youtu.be/Mwz0Q1D3Rdg
👉 Join the mission:www.ibam.org