Episode 200 - Building More Than Returns: 200 Episodes In and Just Getting Started

Episode 200 marks a major milestone—not just for the podcast, but for an entire movement that's reshaping how investors think about capital, impact, and stewardship.

In this celebration episode, Faith Driven Investor founders Henry Kaestner and Luke Roush take us back to the very beginning—from their first meeting at Joe's Diner in Durham (famous for hot dogs with mustard, chili, or just hot dog) to building Sovereign's Capital and eventually launching a global movement that now spans nearly 100 countries.

The Origin Story Behind the Movement:

• How a matchmaker pastor named J.D. Grear connected two investors who would change everything
• The "Eastern Block Bodega" problem: too little product on the shelf and no line of customers
• Why turning away 99 out of 100 entrepreneurs led to a "heartbreaking" realization
• The Holy Spirit moment that shifted everything from scarcity to abundance thinking

From Fund to Movement:

• The transition from Sovereign's Capital to Faith Driven Entrepreneur to Faith Driven Investor
• Why they decided to expose their own LPs to competing fund managers
• The infamous John Porter story from Rwanda and what it taught them about being "tight-gripped"
• How a gathering at a French bistro with 25-30 leaders sparked something bigger

The Philosophy That Changed Everything: Henry and Luke dive deep into the shift from traditional "biblically responsible investing" (focused on what to avoid) to "faith-driven investing" (focused on what to support). This isn't just about screening out "sin stocks"—it's about actively seeking investments that promote human flourishing and build God's kingdom.

Global Vision and What's Next:

• Why Africa represents the most exciting investment opportunity of our generation
• The math that doesn't add up: $100+ trillion in managed assets globally, but only a couple hundred billion in explicitly faith-aligned products
• Why 60% of Americans identify as Christian but the investment numbers don't reflect it
• The "top of the second inning" reality: we're still incredibly early in this movement

Key Insights for Investors:

• The power of being known for what you're FOR rather than what you're against
• Why "one size fits one" when it comes to faith-driven investing approaches
• The importance of seeking Godly counsel, prayer, and Scripture in investment decisions
• How spiritual integration looks different across asset classes (even oil and gas)