Leap of Faith

Before God found me and led me back to Him in 2003, I had been consumed by selfish ambition and the pursuits of this world. I convinced my wife to move out to Silicon Valley from Chicago in late 2000 (where we both grew up) so that I can start tech companies. The problem was that my motives were purely selfish. I wanted to start companies so that I could become rich and famous. We went through an 18 month stretch where I tirelessly worked on raising venture funding for a new startup without a paycheck while my wife worked and supported our household. However, I eventually cracked under the constant pressure and stress and entered into depression.

That was when God found me.

I threw my hands up in the air and He came and rescued me. My life has never been the same since. Along the way, He gave a new vision for my life. When I asked Him, “Lord, now that you have found me, tell me what you would like me to do with this life. I will do anything for you.” His response was, “Allan, I still want you to start companies. However, you will no longer just do it for yourself. I want you to start companies to benefit other people and to change lives.”

At that moment I knew what my purpose on earth was. I was going to spend the rest of my life building what I now call “Holy Financial Engines”, companies that are built on Godly foundations that produce financial means for changing lives.

That was in the summer of 2003. Since then, I have co-founded two venture-backed tech startups. In the past 7 years since that conversation with God, He has taken me on an incredible journey where He shaped me and prepared me for this next chapter I am about to embark on. It has been a journey filled with painful, humbling, and difficult lessons. But it has been a journey that I am most grateful for.

Then about a year ago, God started planting seeds for new ideas in me. New ideas for impacting the world and helping people live the way He intended. At the same time, He called me out. He said to me, “Allan, I want you to take a leap of faith. I want you to prove that you truly trust Me. I want you to leave your current company and take that first step of faith. Don’t ask what happens after you leap. I will show the following steps after you take that first step of faith.”

My wife and I wrestled with this calling for the past year. It is a scary leap for sure as God is asking us to abandon everything and to follow Him into the unknown while living off of our savings. Throughout this period, I kept hearing God say to me, “Allan, do you trust Me?” It was a question that I could not escape no matter how hard I tried to extinguish it. The interesting thing was that even as I struggled with the decision, I knew in my heart that it was something I eventually had to do. I just knew it.

Then three weeks ago, my wife and I took the leap. I resigned from my current startup where I have been for the past five years. And in the process my family and I jumped off the cliff without a safety net in sight. We’ve been inspired by Hebrews 11:8 and we are now holding on to the belief that God will catch us and show us the way. After all, that is what faith is all about right? : )

So that's my story and I am sticking with it. And I know God is as well!

As for you, what risks might God be calling you to take for His glory?