All Episodes

December 23, 2024 56 mins

Todd White, the incoming CEO of Rescue Mission Alliance, shares his 35-year journey from accounting to faith-based leadership. He discusses how business principles can drive ministry impact and the importance of embracing complex challenges with creativity and optimism.

Growing up in Ventura, California, Todd started his career in dentistry before discovering his passion for accounting and business. His journey led him from public accounting to various leadership roles, and eventually, he brought his business acumen to faith-based organizations, including Gospel Light Publications and Barna Group.

Key Takeaways

  1. Business Principles in Ministry: Profit enables mission fulfillment and greater kingdom impact
  2. Problem-Solving Mindset: Approach challenges with creativity, optimism, and perspective
  3. Leadership Values: Accountability, transparency, clarity, simplicity, and intentionality

Topics Covered

  • Transitioning from secular to faith-based leadership
  • Managing organizational change
  • Building effective teams
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Organizational stewardship

Notable Quotes

  • "If it's not fun, you're doing the wrong thing."
  • "You don't grow when things are good... you only grow under stress and under challenging times."

Leadership Lesson 

The importance of maintaining perspective and approaching complex problems with both strategic thinking and faith-driven purpose.

Featured Resources

About Todd White 

Todd White is a strategic leader who bridges the worlds of business excellence and faith-based impact. As President of Barna Group, he helped transform Christian research and thought leadership, growing the organization's influence while maintaining its mission focus. With over 35 years of executive experience, Todd brings a unique blend of financial expertise and mission-driven leadership to faith-based organizations. Starting his career in accounting, he discovered his true calling in helping ministry organizations operate with excellence and purpose. His entrepreneurial mindset and passion for solving complex problems have made him a trusted advisor in both business and ministry contexts. In December 2023, Todd embarked on a new chapter as CEO of Rescue Mission Alliance, where he continues to demonstrate how business principles can drive meaningful social and spiritual impact. Known for his optimistic yet practical approach to leadership, Todd champions the idea that organizational excellence and kingdom impact go hand in hand. He lives in Ventura, California, where he stays active in his local community and church.

MEET YOUR HOST: TAMARA M. JACKSON

Tamara M. Jackson, author of "Unlocking Christian Leadership" and Founder of Beaconship, has dedicated over two decades to empowering Christian leaders to make a deep impact on the world. Her vision for The Beacon Show stems from her unwavering belief that every Christian leader has the potential to become a beacon of guidance, hope, and inspiration. Through this podcast, Tamara aims to bridge the gap between spiritual goals and the practical realities of leadership, equipping leaders with the wisdom and strategies to navigate their paths with integrity, purpose, and a heart aligned with Christ's teachings. Join Tamara on this transformative journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and spiritual growth as she nurtures wise, compassionate, and resilient beacons of faith who inspire, transform, and illuminate the world with their God-given purpose.

 

ACCELERATE YOUR SUCCESS

Ready to embrace the journey of transformation? Download Tamara's exclusi

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.