Entrepreneurship often comes with stories of growth, success, and innovation. But sometimes the most powerful stories are those forged through loss, suffering, and restoration.
In this episode of the 2000 Cubit Rule, host Mark Rowan sits down with entrepreneur, author, and cybersecurity leader Brad Hawkins to discuss what it truly means to follow God through every season of business and life.
Brad’s journey is one of remarkable highs and devastating lows, yet through it all, he discovered a deeper truth: our greatest security is not found in wealth, success, or even business, but in abiding in Christ.
Building Businesses with Family and Purpose
Brad is no stranger to entrepreneurship. Through his family office, he and his children operate multiple businesses spanning cybersecurity, event venues, oil and gas, and other ventures.
For Brad, business has always been more than profit.
His vision has been generational, building enterprises where family works together, grows together, and serves together. It’s a model that reflects the biblical pattern of generations working side by side to steward God’s gifts.
As Psalm 145:4 reminds us:
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
When Everything Falls Apart
Years ago, Brad operated a successful investment company. Believing he had trustworthy leadership in place, he delegated operations to a longtime acquaintance.
Then disaster struck.
Authorities discovered that the individual had been running a Ponzi scheme in his own company. Though Brad was ultimately found innocent, his assets were seized during the investigation. Businesses collapsed. Payroll disappeared. Years of work vanished almost overnight.
The experience left Brad wrestling with difficult questions:
- Does God really care?
- Why would He allow this?
- Is He even there?
Like many believers walking through suffering, Brad found himself in a season of depression, confusion, and spiritual struggle.
Yet God was not finished writing the story.
The Patio That Changed Everything
A friend invited Brad and his wife to what they thought would be a marriage retreat. Instead, they encountered something unexpected: a simple invitation to study Scripture and journal what God revealed.
Skeptical but willing, Brad accepted the challenge.
One morning, while reading the Bible on his patio, time seemed to disappear. Hours passed without him realizing it. By day’s end, he had pages of notes he didn’t even remember writing.
As he read through them, he discovered something extraordinary.
God had been answering his deepest questions.
That moment launched a lifelong journey of abiding in Christ and seeking God’s voice through Scripture.
What Does It Mean to Abide?
One of Brad’s central teachings comes from John 15, where Jesus says:
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
Brad uses the image of a vine and branches to explain this truth:
- Jesus is the Vine.
- Believers are the branches.
- The Holy Spirit is like the sap flowing through the vine.
- God the Father is the Gardener.
Our responsibility is not to manufacture fruit.
Our responsibility is simply to remain connected to Jesus.
When we abide, fruit naturally follows.
As Brad explains, many believers focus on producing results while neglecting the relationship that produces those results.
The secret is not striving harder.
The secret is staying connected.
The Litmus Test: Peace and Joy
How do you know when you’ve drifted away from the Vine?
Brad points to Romans 14:17:
“For the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
His insight is simple yet profound:
If you’re not walking in peace and joy, it’s time to reconnect.
The answer isn’t trying harder.
The answer is surrender.
Through worship, thanksgiving, and returning to God’s presence, we step back into the reality of His kingdom.
No matter how far we’ve wandered, the invitation remains open.
Turn around.
The Kingdom is closer than we think.
Business as Discipleship
One of the most compelling parts of Brad’s story is how he views business itself.
For him, every company becomes an opportunity to invest in people.
Employees have experienced healing in marriages. Lives have been transformed. Some have even encountered Christ simply by observing leadership that consistently demonstrates peace, integrity, and love.
This reflects the heart of discipleship.
As followers of Jesus, we don’t leave our faith at the church door. We carry it into boardrooms, workplaces, and everyday interactions.
Business becomes ministry when we lead people toward the character of Christ.
Cybersecurity and Kingdom Stewardship
Brad’s company, SaferNet, now expanding under Infinite Protection, exists to protect businesses from cyber threats.
But even cybersecurity reflects a larger spiritual reality.
As Brad describes it, God creates and the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Technology can be used for tremendous good, including spreading the Gospel around the world, but it also requires wise stewardship and protection.
His mission is not simply securing devices.
It’s helping people use technology safely to advance God’s purposes.
Cast Your Treasures into Eternity
Near the end of the conversation, Brad shared a perspective that summarizes his life’s philosophy:
“Our job is to focus less on our seventy or ninety years on earth and more on eternity.”
Jesus instructed believers to store up treasures in heaven.
Every act of obedience, every business decision, every person served becomes part of an eternal investment strategy.
When we abide in Christ, business is no longer merely about profit.
It becomes preparation for eternity.
Final Thoughts
Brad Hawkins’ story reminds us that failure is never final when God is involved.
Loss can become restoration.
Disappointment can become discipleship.
And even the darkest seasons can become the foundation for an unshakable life.
As entrepreneurs and leaders, perhaps the greatest question we can ask isn’t, “How do I grow my business?”
It’s this:
“Am I abiding in the Vine?”
Because when we make room for God to move, everything changes.
Simplify Your Systems, Amplify Your Calling
At SheepFeast, we believe technology should support your calling, not compete with it. Too many Christian entrepreneurs spend their time managing disconnected tools, chasing notifications, and putting out fires instead of focusing on the people and purpose God has entrusted to them.
The 2,000 Cubit Rule is about making room for God to move. Sometimes that means simplifying the systems behind your business so you can abide more fully in what God is asking you to do.
That’s why we created Farmwork, an all-in-one platform designed to help Christian leaders steward relationships, automate follow-up, organize communication, and remove unnecessary complexity. When your systems serve your mission, you create more space for discipleship, leadership, and Kingdom impact.
Ready to simplify your tech stack and amplify your message? Start your free 7-day trial of Farmwork and discover what it looks like to build with greater clarity, stewardship, and margin for God to move.