Kevin Tupper
Bio for Kevin.
Paul Williams
I made a decision to follow Jesus when I was 15 years old, and my walk with Him has progressively become closer and more intentional. I still have a long way to go in being transformed into His likeness but we’re getting there together.
After graduating from Virginia Tech’s financial planning program, I went on to work in wealth management. I had a great job and was on track for a successful career. But two things kept nagging at me. First, I was spending most of my time focused on helping people who were already financially successful when my passion is to help people who need it most – the ones who aren’t quite there yet. The people I wanted to help the most would never be able to afford my help. And second, I desired to fully integrate my discipleship to Jesus into every part of my life, but I felt like I wouldn’t be able to do that to the degree I wanted if I stayed in traditional wealth management.
The first step I took to address these issues was to study everything the Bible says about personal finance. I organized the verses I found, categorized them, summarized my findings, and eventually created some Bible study resources based on my research.
A few years later when the opportunity presented itself, I started my own financial planning business, Provident Planning. Part of my strategy for marketing Provident Planning was writing a blog where I continued to explore how we should manage our finances as we try to follow Jesus. Through my writing on the blog, I met Kevin and we began the conversations that led to Christian Simplicity.
I’m still working through many of the questions that got me started down this path. How do I manage my personal finances while following Jesus without letting them consume me? What should my life look like as I’m living in the reality of God’s Kingdom? How can I structure my life to do what I feel God is calling me to do? Even though I’m a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, an Enrolled Agent, and a part-time associate pastor at Mechanic Grove Mennonite Church, I still have a lot to learn about the spiritual aspects of personal finance and simple living. I’m learning that while it’s good to connect intellectually with God, He also wants me to connect emotionally with Him. I’m excited to walk with you all in this journey as we grow into the truth of God’s Kingdom together and put that truth into practice.