Forming Principled Financial Advisors: Baylor at the Kingdom Advisor Conference

This past February, eight Baylor University students, along with Jonathan Handy, PhD, attended the Redeeming Money Conference hosted by Kingdom Advisors in Orlando, Florida. The conference equips current and future financial advisors with a biblical foundation for running a wealth management firm, offering clients wisdom, and pursuing a values‑driven career, reflecting Baylor’s commitment to forming students who pair technical excellence with strong Christian principles.

The idea for this trip began in October after a Baylor finance student shared the impact of attending the conference the previous year. With support from Baylor’s Department of Finance and sponsor Fernando Ereneta, the vision quickly became reality.

Throughout the conference, students participated in programming designed for those exploring careers in financial planning. From a career fair to breakout sessions on developing advisory skills, the experience offered a clear view of what the profession can look like. One session focused on integrating faith into client relationships through stewardship, long-term thinking, and generosity. Students also heard from well-known speakers such as Bob Goff, Randy Alcorn, Kirk Cousins and Ron Blue, each offering distinct insights on faith, leadership and biblical stewardship.

A particularly meaningful moment occurred when Ron Blue, founder of Blue Trust and Kingdom Advisors, took time to meet with the Baylor group. Having visited Baylor in 2014 to invest in students interested in faith-driven financial planning, he expressed excitement at seeing the mission continuing through a new generation.

One of the most valuable aspects of the trip was the opportunity to connect with professionals, Baylor alumni and other attendees who offered personalized career advice. Students left with a strengthened conviction to pursue financial planning. As one student shared, the conference “was impactful not only because of the connections I made, but because it showed me that I can pursue success in financial planning while honoring Christ and stewarding money in a way that reflects my faith.”

The Redeeming Money Conference highlights the expanding opportunities available to Baylor students interested in financial planning to grow outside the classroom and advance their careers. The hope is for this to become an annual Financial Planning Club experience, open to members through an application process. The department and club look forward to working with future alumni and donors to create additional student opportunities.