Raleigh, NC - The Institute for Christian Financial Health is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Christian Financial Health Awards, honoring individuals, churches, financial practices, and organizations that exemplify excellence in advancing God’s design for money. These awards recognize outstanding contributions in Christ-centered financial counseling, education, ministry, and thought leadership, celebrating those who faithfully guide others toward stewardship, generosity, and financial health.

Dr. Art Rainer, Director of the Institute for Christian Financial Health, said, “Each of this year’s recipients reflects the heart of our mission at the Institute for Christian Financial Health. Their dedication to helping others pursue God’s design for money is both inspiring and deeply needed in today’s world.”

Christian Financial Counselor of the Year Award: Gordon Johnson, CERTCFC®

The Christian Financial Counselor of the Year Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, recognizes an individual who exemplifies excellence in Christ-centered financial counseling. This award honors a counselor who faithfully guides others toward God’s design for money with biblical wisdom, compassion, integrity, and exceptional skill. It celebrates someone who consistently goes above and beyond, encouraging, equipping, and walking with individuals and families as they pursue financial health for the glory of God.

Gordon Johnson of Turlock, California, exemplifies the heart and excellence celebrated by the Christian Financial Counselor of the Year Award. With more than 37 years of faithfully guiding individuals and couples in applying biblical principles to their finances, Gordon has demonstrated both depth of experience and unwavering commitment to Christ-centered counseling. His leadership in more than 30 small group studies authored by Howard Dayton reflects his passion for discipleship and practical financial transformation. Coupled with 12 years as an Assisting Pastor, 13 years in church business administration, and six years serving churches and nonprofits through a commercial insurance agency, Gordon’s diverse background has uniquely equipped him to walk with others on their financial journey. His counsel is marked by wisdom, compassion, and integrity, leaving a lasting Kingdom impact on the lives he serves.

Christian Financial Educator of the Year Award: Dr. Shane Enete, CFA, CERTCFC®

The Christian Financial Educator of the Year Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding excellence in teaching and equipping others with biblical financial wisdom. This award recognizes an educator who communicates God’s design for money with clarity, passion, and practical insight, empowering individuals, families, and communities to experience lasting financial health. It celebrates faithful leadership, exceptional teaching impact, and a commitment to advancing Kingdom stewardship through education.

Shane Enete is an associate professor of finance at Biola University, where he leads several academic programs at the Crowell School of Business that equip students with both the technical skill and biblical foundation needed for Christ-centered financial planning. He founded both the Kingdom Financial Coaching Center, where students serve as financial coaches to the Biola community. He is the award-winning author of Whole Heart Finances: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Managing Your Money with Joy and is currently working on his next book with Moody Publishers, which will guide couples in having meaningful and fun money conversations. Dr. Enete has been a regular Forbes contributor, worked on valuation projects with The Chosen, and also hosts the podcast Money Storybook Bible: Teaching Your Kids About Money Through Bible Stories. He has currently published 12 papers with leading academic journals on topics including Biblical goal-setting, faith-driven investing, and behavioral finance.

Financial Practice of the Year Award: Seven Financial, Muncie, IN

The Financial Practice of the Year Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, honors a financial practice that demonstrates exceptional commitment to integrating biblical wisdom with professional excellence. This award recognizes a team that faithfully guides clients toward God’s design for money through sound advice, compassionate service, and Christ-centered leadership. It celebrates a practice that models integrity, promotes financial discipleship, and makes a meaningful Kingdom impact in the lives of the individuals and families they serve.

Seven Financial in Muncie, Indiana, is the recipient of the Financial Practice of the Year Award for its outstanding commitment to Christ-centered financial guidance and Kingdom impact. Founded by Matthew Anderson, the practice provided exceptional advising and financial counseling services, with CERTCFC® Jama Stanley serving clients with biblical wisdom and personalized guidance. With a focus on integrity and stewardship, Seven Financial helped individuals and families align their financial decisions with God’s design for money, fostering generosity and long-term financial health. Looking ahead, Seven Financial will transition to a Kingdom-advancing non-profit in 2026, continuing its mission to equip community members to steward God’s resources faithfully.

Church of the Year Award: Redemption Church, Saraland, AL

The Church of the Year Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, recognizes a local church that has shown exceptional commitment to helping its congregation discover and pursue God’s design for money. This award honors a church that actively equips its people through teaching, counseling, and ministry initiatives that foster biblical stewardship and financial discipleship. It celebrates a body of believers faithfully investing in the spiritual and financial health of individuals and families, creating a culture where generosity, wisdom, and Kingdom impact can flourish.

Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama, has set a remarkable standard for Kingdom-centered financial ministry, earning the Church of the Year Award. Through intentional efforts to provide financial counseling services to both their congregation and the wider community, Redemption Church has demonstrated a faithful commitment to helping people discover and pursue God’s design for money. This initiative is led by Executive Pastor Scott White, a CERTCFC®, and supported by fellow CERTCFCs Sarah Redding and Demetrus Coleman (West Mobile campus). The church equips individuals and families with biblical financial guidance, empowering them to grow in stewardship, generosity, and financial health. Redemption Church’s dedication to integrating faith and finances has created a lasting Kingdom impact, serving as a model for churches seeking to shepherd their communities in practical and transformative ways.

Frontline Award: Ron Blue Institute

The Frontline Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, honors an organization that faithfully stands shoulder to shoulder with us on the frontlines of ministry, helping people discover and pursue God’s design for money. This award recognizes a partner who is not only aligned with our mission but actively advancing it, laboring in the trenches to equip individuals, families, and communities with biblical financial wisdom. It celebrates steadfast commitment, shared calling, and Kingdom impact accomplished together.

The Ron Blue Institute is a natural recipient of the Frontline Award for its tireless efforts to transform the way Christians think, act, and communicate about financial stewardship. Through thought leadership, education, and content delivered across church, professional, consumer, and academic channels, the Institute equips the body of Christ with biblically grounded financial wisdom. By focusing on teaching principles and processes rather than quick prescriptions, the Ron Blue Institute empowers the church to disciple individuals and families toward lasting stewardship and financial health. Their work exemplifies partnership in the trenches, joining with others to demonstrate that God’s Word is relevant for every financial decision and providing timeless wisdom that inspires faith, contentment, and Kingdom impact in every circumstance.

Book of the Year Award: The Good Investor by Robin C. John

The Book of the Year Award, presented by the Institute for Christian Financial Health, celebrates a recently published work that powerfully advances the understanding and application of God’s design for money. This award honors a book that offers biblical clarity, practical wisdom, and meaningful guidance, equipping readers to grow in stewardship, generosity, and financial discipleship. It recognizes a resource that stands out for its impact, excellence, and contribution to helping individuals and families pursue financial health for the glory of God.

The Good Investor by Robin C. John embodies the vision and impact recognized by the Book of the Year Award. Drawing on his extraordinary journey from a small village in India to leading a multibillion-dollar investment firm, Robin demonstrates how investments can transcend wealth-building to serve the common good and advance God’s Kingdom. Through practical guidance, personal stories, and a deep commitment to faith-based investing, he inspires readers to align their financial decisions with their values, nurture generosity, and make a meaningful difference in the world. This book challenges conventional approaches to investing and offers a compelling vision of financial stewardship as an act of love, service, and joy, encouraging readers to pursue both financial wisdom and a life of Kingdom impact.

Regarding all of this year’s award recipients, Dr. Art Rainer noted, “It is a privilege to honor leaders who are faithfully shaping lives, strengthening churches, and advancing God’s Kingdom through biblical financial wisdom. We celebrate their impact and look forward to what God will continue to do through them.”

About the Institute for Christian Financial Health

The Institute for Christian Financial Health equips Christian financial counselors, educators, churches, and organizations to help individuals and families discover and pursue God’s design for money. Through training, certification, and resources, the institute empowers its partners to provide biblically grounded financial guidance, fostering stewardship, generosity, and lasting Kingdom impact. Learn more at ChristianFinancialHealth.com.