Peter Greer—CEO of HOPE International and one of the strongest voices in faith-driven leadership—dropped by to talk about what it really takes to lead something meaningful… without wrecking your soul, your marriage, or your mission in the process.
From microfinance in post-Soviet countries to prayer rooms inside Fortune 100 companies, this one’s loaded.
If you're a founder, builder, pastor, operator, or just someone who doesn’t want to wake up 20 years from now wondering how the heck you drifted so far from who you were meant to be—this is required listening.
💥 THE BIG IDEAS
1. Hope International’s Origin Story
Built in the rubble of the Soviet collapse. A pastor in Ukraine said, “Your help isn’t helping.” So they stopped giving handouts—and started empowering local entrepreneurs.
Today: 3.2 million entrepreneurs funded
$1.8B lent
98% repayment rate
Operates in 27 countries
This is microfinance with eternal ROI.
2. The Ugly Side of Doing Good
Greer’s seen ministries bulldozed (literally), friends steal while he’s on honeymoon, and dreams vanish overnight.
When Zimbabwe’s “Operation Cleanup Trash” hit, it wiped out years of work with a single bulldozer.
3. Ministry vs. Your Soul
Peter was traveling 120 nights a year. Ministry was thriving. His family? Not so much.
The wake-up call? He wrote a resignation letter to his wife. Told her: if this ever feels off again, he’s done.
Now:
Travel cap = 75 nights
Home at 5pm
One-on-one “dadventures” with each kid
Practices “wasting time” with prayer cards
Reads his own eulogy every January
4. Mission Drift: The Silent Killer
Harvard. YMCA. Princeton. Drifted from their Christ-centered roots.
Greer says drift is a creep, not a leap. It’s death by a thousand “good” decisions.
Drift-proof hacks:
Read the founder’s intent annually
Vet board members like your legacy depends on it (it does)
Bake succession into your DNA
Ask your team, spouse, and kids: “How am I doing?”
5. Leadership Hacks That Actually Stick
✅ Cap your travel.
✅ Write your resignation letter (and mean it).
✅ Write your eulogy—and live backwards from it.
✅ Make prayer the operating system, not an add-on.
✅ Don’t just scale—slow.
🛠️ RESOURCES TO STEAL
Mission Drift – Peter Greer & Chris Horst
Lead with Prayer – Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog
The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good – Peter Greer
Sacred Pace – Terry Looper
Quotes
“No one drifts toward greater missional fidelity. It’s courage and conviction—or bust.”
“I was building a thriving ministry while my family wasn’t thriving.”
“Small steps, compounded by time, lead to massive outcomes—good or bad.”
WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR
Nonprofit leaders trying to scale without selling out
Faith-driven founders torn between mission and momentum
Operators who know success can cost your soul
Anyone who wants to stay mission true in a world full of drift
TIM’S TAKE
Peter Greer isn’t just smart—he’s battle-tested. He’ll make you cry, rethink your priorities, and then hand you tools that actually work.
Write your eulogy. Ask your spouse how you’re doing. Cap your travel.
You’ll feel the difference.
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