Founder & CEO
M.Div, Talbot School of Theology; B.S. in Business, Biola University
VP of Fun
B.S. in Business, Biola University
In 2010, John and Renée took a big step of faith to write a book called Gospel Patrons. Their vision was to inspire a generation of business and professional people to fulfill their God-given callings. When the book launched, God surprised everyone and multiplied this message to thousands of people in countries all around the world. It was not long before the book grew into a ministry and then the ministry became a movement.
Since 2015, they’ve been telling stories, speaking at conferences, and creating books, films, and online resources all with the desire to lift up the name of Jesus and build up a generation of Gospel Patrons.
Filmmaker
Partnerships Director
Director of Operations
Project Manager
Social Media Manager
Booking Manager
Prayer Warrior
We always recommend you start in prayer. Ask God to highlight a church or ministry leader whose godly character is evident and with whom you might partner. Then, we have found one simple, but powerful question to ask that person is, “What do you need to help the ministry succeed this year?”
When starting a new partnership, wisdom would be defining an initial period of support, perhaps 1-3 years. At that point, if your relationship flourishes and the ministry shows promise, you could decide to move to a longer commitment. And if not, you have helped for a season and can then take a step back.
God has a unique way of highlighting the particular people and projects that are the good works he has set before us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Additional Resources
Normal Christian giving is similar to what we read in Acts 4 when the believers laid their offerings before the apostles, trusting them to use the money to advance the ministry of the church. It is good and right to give regular offerings to your local church.
Gospel Patrons are more personally involved in coming alongside church and ministry leaders who are proclaiming the gospel. Paul referred to Phoebe as a “patron” of his ministry and that of many others (Romans 16:1-2). Jesus had Gospel Patrons, three women named Mary, Joanna, and Susannah, who supported him and his disciples. (Luke 8:1-3)
Asking a patron to give is an invitation to a great spiritual service and so it’s important to invite without pressure, guilt, or expectation. The first thing every ministry leader needs is a trust in God as our ultimate provider. There are many promises in Scripture about this (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Deuteronomy 8:18), but it can be a real struggle for us to trust God with money and believe he will provide, especially in times of financial need. But this is where we must start.
Second, ministry leaders must genuinely care about the patrons in their lives. Patrons need to be honored for who they are and not just for what they provide. We must learn to love people and invite them to join us in ways that are sensitive to the individual, their personality, and their circumstances.
We believe the local church is a fundamental building block of God’s kingdom and parachurch organizations and ministries support and accelerate that work in all sorts of ways. Yes, Gospel Patrons give to the ministry of their local churches and they partner with leaders and organizations that are doing gospel work beyond the local church.
Additional Resources
We do not make introductions to patrons we know. Instead, our focus is on creating inspiring resources to serve and disciple them. We hope you would freely share these with the business leaders and professional people in your life so that many more people will find their play to play as Gospel Patrons.
We consistently hear current Gospel Patrons say that they are spread too thin in their giving. They give smaller amounts to many organizations, but would prefer to focus on a few relationships where they can invest more and be a meaningful partner.
Not all of one’s giving will be in Gospel Patron partnerships, but as we’re available to God and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, God will highlight a few relationships where we can partner more deeply. The focus on a deep work in the lives of a few has proven powerful throughout history. Jesus himself served the masses, but focused on his twelve disciples.
Additional Resources
We believe the local church is a fundamental building block of God’s kingdom and parachurch organizations and ministries support and accelerate that work in all sorts of ways. Yes, Gospel Patrons give to the ministry of their local churches and they partner with leaders and organizations that are doing gospel work beyond the local church.
Additional Resources
We do not make introductions to patrons we know. Instead, our focus is on creating inspiring resources to serve and disciple them. We hope you would freely share these with the business leaders and professional people in your life so that many more people will find their part to play as Gospel Patrons.
Asking a patron to give is an invitation to a great spiritual service and so it’s important to invite without pressure, guilt, or expectation. The first thing every ministry leader needs is a trust in God as our ultimate provider. There are many promises in Scripture about this (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Deuteronomy 8:18), but it can be a real struggle for us to trust God with money and believe he will provide, especially in times of financial need. But this is where we must start.
Second, ministry leaders must genuinely care about the patrons in their lives. Patrons need to be honored for who they are and not just for what they provide. We must learn to love people and invite them to join us in ways that are sensitive to the individual, their personality, and their circumstances.
Normal Christian giving is similar to what we read in Acts 4 when the believers laid their offerings before the apostles, trusting them to use the money to advance the ministry of the church. It is good and right to give regular offerings to your local church.
Gospel Patrons are more personally involved in coming alongside church and ministry leaders who are proclaiming the gospel. Paul referred to Phoebe as a “patron” of his ministry and that of many others (Romans 16:1-2). Jesus had Gospel Patrons, three women named Mary, Joanna, and Susannah, who supported him and his disciples. (Luke 8:1-3)
Gospel Patrons has a US non-profit organization and a UK charity. Both organizations are funded by a generous men and women who are living out this message of Gospel Patrons.
Additional Resources