What does it look like to build a global company without compromising your convictions?
On a recent episode of The 2000 Cubit Rule, I sat down with Jacob Wells, co-founder of GiveSendGo, the world’s leading faith-based crowdfunding platform. What unfolded was more than a business story. It was a masterclass in endurance, conviction, and keeping Jesus at the center of your work.
If you are a Christian entrepreneur trying to build something meaningful while navigating pressure, opposition, and financial uncertainty, this conversation is for you.
From Calling to Company: The Genesis of GiveSendGo
Jacob’s journey did not start with a tech background or venture capital backing. It started with a childhood moment at a revival meeting where he sensed that God had a plan for his life to impact the world.
Years later, after serving in the military and moving back to New England, Jacob and his sister began discussing the rise of social media and online fundraising. Platforms like GoFundMe were gaining traction, but something was missing.
They asked a different question:
What if crowdfunding could share more than money?
That question led to the birth of GiveSendGo in 2014. Their mission is clear: to share the hope of Jesus through crowdfunding.
Today, the platform operates in around 80 countries and has facilitated the raising of hundreds of millions of dollars for individuals and causes around the world.
But the growth did not happen overnight.
Bootstrapping With Endurance, Not Hype
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was Jacob’s commitment to bootstrapping.
Instead of chasing venture capital, GiveSendGo began with a small family loan. No massive infusion of cash. No investor pressure. Just steady growth, discipline, and faith.
For the first several years, Jacob and his sister did not take salaries. They worked within the revenue the company generated and allowed the organization to grow little by little.
That principle mirrors something we talk about often at SheepFeast. Growth without character can crush you. Expansion without infrastructure can overwhelm you. God often gives increase in stages because we are not ready to steward it all at once.
If you are in the early stages of your business and wondering why it feels slow, take heart. Slow and steady can build foundations that last.
Standing Firm Under Pressure
GiveSendGo’s national visibility increased dramatically during high-profile campaigns that other platforms refused to host. When cultural pressure mounted and financial partners pushed back, Jacob and his team had to decide what they truly believed.
They chose principle over popularity.
They anchored their decisions in core convictions, including the idea that legal defense funds and free expression should not be determined by public opinion or media outrage. That stand came at a cost, including backlash and legal battles, but it also positioned GiveSendGo as a values-aligned alternative in the marketplace.
Here is the leadership lesson: if you do not define your boundaries early, the marketplace will define them for you.
Christian entrepreneurs must wrestle through what they will and will not compromise before the pressure hits.
More Than Money: Injecting Hope Into the Marketplace
Perhaps the most unique part of GiveSendGo is not the funding model. It is the prayer model.
Every campaign receives outreach from a dedicated prayer team. Thousands of calls are made each week to pray with people who are fundraising. Many are Christians. Some are not.
Jacob shared stories of atheists breaking down in tears after someone prayed over them for the first time in their lives.
This is where business becomes ministry.
At SheepFeast, we believe your CRM, your marketing, your systems, and your revenue model are not separate from your faith. They are vehicles for it. GiveSendGo is a clear example of what happens when you refuse to divorce belief from business practice.
A New Frontier: Film Launcher
Jacob also introduced a new venture called Film Launcher, a sister company designed to help filmmakers crowdfund, launch, and distribute projects in one place.
As production costs decrease and creators seek more direct engagement with audiences, this model opens new doors for faith-driven storytellers who want both funding and distribution without compromising their message.
It is another example of building from strength rather than chasing every opportunity. GiveSendGo matured its core platform before expanding into new territory.
That is wisdom many entrepreneurs need to hear.
Shine Brightly: Mountaintop and Valley
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation was Jacob explaining the phrase “Shine Brightly,” GiveSendGo’s tagline.
He connected it to two biblical images:
- Moses coming down from the mountain, radiating the glory of God.
- Stephen in the book of Acts, shining even in the moment of martyrdom.
Shining brightly is not only about mountaintop experiences. It is also about faithfulness in the valley.
For Christian entrepreneurs, this is critical. You will have seasons of visibility and seasons of sacrifice. You are called to reflect Christ in both.
Encouragement for the Early-Stage Christian Entrepreneur
Jacob closed with a word that every founder needs to hear: Run with endurance.
This is not a sprint. It is a long obedience in the same direction. Surround yourself with wise counsel. Resist the urge to chase every shiny opportunity. Stay anchored in your calling. Be bold about Jesus without being obnoxious.
The marketplace is not allergic to faith. In many cases, it is hungry for authenticity.
At SheepFeast, we help Christian entrepreneurs simplify their technology and centralize their communications so they can focus on what truly matters. But technology is only a tool. Conviction, endurance, and clarity of mission are what carry you through the storm.
Jacob Wells and GiveSendGo are proof that you can build at scale, stand firm under pressure, and still share the hope of Jesus through your business.
If you are building something right now and it feels small, stay faithful.
Shine brightly.