The Redeeming Money 2026: Kingdom Advisors Conference held last month in Orlando, Florida, provided 13 Grand Canyon University students with the opportunity to connect with more than 1,800 advisors from all over the world who displayed a strong faith.
“I honestly thought it was just going to be CFPs (certified financial planners) or financial planning professionals, but there was a lot of estate planning people, retirement planning folks, tax CPAs (certified public accountants) as well,” said Jack Edlin, a senior finance major with an emphasis in financial planning. “It was really cool to see it's not just the financial planning sphere that goes into depth on the Kingdom Advisors.
“Because if you think about it, CPAs, for example, have a very intimate relationship with their clients as well. And there are lot of ways on which they can take care of tax strategies and advantages and incorporate that in with their Christian worldview and their overall values and belief system. It was really cool to see that it’s not just financial planning. It's kind of the whole financial services market in one, all with that combined worldview on, how do we help expand the kingdom?”
Colangelo College of Business Dean John Kaites and GCU finance professors Dr. Joy Clady and Alan Klibanoff accompanied the students to the three-day event, where they listened to speakers discuss various topics, including investing, planning, spiritual growth and generosity, and attended a job fair and networked.
Among the attendees were financial services professionals, industry and ministry leaders and service providers. The GCU contingent was among nearly 300 students who attended.
“It was a phenomenal educational experience and also gave our students an opportunity to discuss the many vehicles that Grand Canyon University offers students in preparation for a career in finance and wealth management,” Kaites said. “Our students showed a tremendous capacity to integrate their faith into action.”
Edlin, one of only 15 students nationwide who earned a Schwab Advisor Services' Registered Investment Advisor Talent Advantage scholarship last fall, thought finance and faith aligned very well during the convention. He’s currently enrolled in GCU’s Certified Financial Planner program that allows students to move closer for CFP certification.
“So blending that with the Kingdom Advisors (Conference) is huge because as part of our financial capstone class, which is our last class, we have the CKA (Certified Kingdom Advisor) material. We get to do all our coursework for that as well. So once we pass the CFP (exam), we can sit for the CKA (test) afterward," he said.
“I’ve been to a lot of secular conferences with GCU. It was really awesome to see all these Christian financial planners with the alignment of, ‘this is what's truly important. How do we help our clients become the best stewards they possibly can?’ “
One speaker’s message, that being busy stands for “being under Satan’s yolk,” stuck with Edlin, who is president of the Eta Chi chapter of Delta Mu Delta (an international honor society that honors exceptional academic achievements of business students) and vice president of TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity.
“Often when you're busy, you get caught up in so many things,” Edlin said. “The Bible talks about to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). And that's so true. At GCU, I've been trying to get involved in as many things as possible. (But) outside of GCU, I often lose sight of, ‘hey, I didn't spend time in the Word today. I didn't pray today. I didn't talk to my family. I didn't prioritize what's truly important.’ Instead, I was more focused on, ‘how can I make myself better today,’ which is honestly kind of the wrong thought, the wrong thought process.
“It was just a great reminder how do I stay productive while keeping my eyes fixed on the cross. Also, how do I bring out the talents that God has given me to help encourage and help others who might not have the same thought process, the same thought process or skills behind the financial industry? It was really cool to kind of incorporate that all into one space.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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