Welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast where faith meets entrepreneurship. Each episode, we uncover the strategies, stories, and spirit-led insights that help Christian business owners align their goals with God’s call. From practical tips to real-life testimonies, we explore what it takes to build a business that honours Christ, serves others, and impacts the Kingdom.

Stubborn Faith

Brandon Esser

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CONTACT

• Brandon's Website
• Amity Roofing

A Good Name Above Riches

In this episode of the Christian Business Growth Podcast, Rev. Lyle sits down with Brandon Esser and members of the Amity Roofing team for a conversation about faith, business, patience, leadership, and purpose.

Brandon’s story begins in ministry. After years serving overseas as a missionary, God unexpectedly transitioned him into business through a simple conversation at a restaurant in Texas. What started as a way to support ministry eventually became a growing roofing company that now funds missions work and future educational projects in South Africa.

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is the tension between waiting on God and still taking action. Brandon explains that waiting is not passive. It involves preparation, prayer, testing doors, fasting, and paying attention to the peace and direction God provides along the way.

🔹 Brandon Esser Quotes

• “A good name is above riches became my entire business strategy.”
• “You don’t work when opportunity arrives. You work long before opportunity shows up.”
• “If I’m going to love God, I need to learn how to love people well.”

🔹 Rev. Lyle

• “Waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing.”
• “Your business can be your ministry.”
• “Headlight faith means God gives you enough light for the next step.”

🔹 Blake

• “You can’t turn off an evangelist.”
• “Patience and process don’t come naturally to me.”
• “Jesus is first. Simple as that.”

🔹 Jeff

• “I’ve always wanted to build something meaningful.”
• “Seeing Brandon’s heart lets you sleep peacefully at night.”
• “We want God to receive the glory through what we build.”

Balancing Business and Ministry: How to Thrive in Both Worlds

In today’s fast-paced world, many entrepreneurs struggle to find a balance between their business ambitions and their spiritual calling. In this blog post, we'll explore how Brandon Esser, a unique entrepreneur with a background in ministry, navigates this complex terrain. By sharing insights from a recent podcast conversation, we’ll uncover valuable lessons on how to integrate faith into your business practices and create a sustainable impact.

About Brandon Esser

Brandon Esser isn't your typical business owner. With a rich background in ministry that started in 2010, he transitioned into entrepreneurship not just to make a living, but to fund his mission work overseas. His journey reflects a deep commitment to both his business and his calling, making him a credible voice in the realm of faith-driven entrepreneurship.

The Duality of Business and Ministry

Brandon’s approach to balancing business and ministry is rooted in the idea that both can coexist harmoniously. He emphasizes that it’s possible to be both a servant of God and a successful entrepreneur. This duality is not just a concept for him; it’s a way of life.

Why Traditional Thinking Falls Short

Many individuals struggle with the misconception that they must choose between their spiritual calling and their professional aspirations. Brandon challenges this notion by sharing his own experiences:

- Faith as Foundation: He believes that God can bless both endeavors, provided that the individual is committed to serving Him in every aspect of life.
- Integration of Values: His business practices are a direct reflection of his faith. He ensures that the values he preaches in ministry are mirrored in his professional dealings.

Actionable Steps for Integration
For those looking to blend their business with their ministry, Brandon offers several actionable steps:

1. Set Clear Intentions: Define what you want to achieve both spiritually and financially. This clarity can guide your decisions in both areas.

2. Seek Guidance: Regularly spend time in prayer and reflection. Brandon emphasizes the importance of waiting on God for direction, which he refers to as "active waiting."

3. Network Intentionally: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support your vision. Building a network can provide both spiritual and professional support.

4. Create Impact: Use your business as a tool for ministry. Brandon allocates a portion of his profits to fund his nonprofit organization, showcasing how businesses can serve a higher purpose.

 

Building a Business with Purpose

Brandon's journey took a significant turn when he had only $5,000 left to his name. Instead of succumbing to fear, he leaned into his faith and the guidance he received from God. Over the years, he built Amity Roofing from the ground up, managing everything from marketing to client relationships himself. This tenacity and reliance on divine guidance helped him grow his business while maintaining his commitment to ministry.

 

Overcoming Challenges

Brandon faced numerous challenges along the way, including the loss of his mother, who was the first person he ever led to Christ. This loss was not just a personal setback but a pivotal moment that tested his faith and resilience.

- Maintaining Momentum: Despite the emotional toll, he didn’t lose clients or momentum. Instead, he used this experience to strengthen his resolve and commitment to his work and mission.

- Expansion Plans: With God’s help, he is now expanding his business into new territories, including Colorado and Mississippi, while also launching an education center in Johannesburg, South Africa, funded by his business profits.

 

The Power of Patience and Proactivity

Brandon describes a unique approach to waiting on God that involves being proactive while remaining patient. He emphasizes the importance of taking tangible steps while seeking divine guidance.

- Knocking on Doors: He encourages entrepreneurs to take initiative by exploring opportunities and "knocking on doors" while waiting for God to provide clarity. This proactive approach can lead to unexpected blessings and opportunities.

- Learning from Past Experiences: By reflecting on previous experiences and God’s past guidance, one can discern patterns and make informed decisions moving forward.

Key Takeaways

- Embrace the Duality: It is possible to be both a successful entrepreneur and a devoted servant of God.

- Be Proactive in Your Faith: Don’t just wait for opportunities; create them through action and prayer.

- Build a Purpose-Driven Business: Use your business as a platform for ministry, making a positive impact in your community and beyond.

Rev. Lyle:
Hello and welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast. I'm here with Brandon Esser and a couple members of his team from Amity Roofing. They’re going to share some really interesting things today. Brandon has already shared some powerful insights before we even started recording, so I’m excited for this conversation. This is the first time we've had multiple people on an episode, so it’ll be fun to see how this tag team works out.

So Brandon, kick us off. How did you get started in business?

Brandon Esser:
Actually, I come from ministry life. I was a missionary beginning in 2010 when I went into full time ministry. God moved me from Africa to Texas, and I was serving at Upper Room in Dallas. Eventually, I couldn’t survive financially on missionary income anymore because Texas is expensive.

One night I was at Rodeo Goat having dinner, and a guy stood up and said, “If anybody is looking for work, we need salesmen.” I didn’t even have a resume. My entire background was ministry for six years. But I went to interview anyway. They heard my character, my values, and who I was, and they hired me on the spot.

I’ve now been in the roofing industry for ten years, and everything I’ve done has always had the agenda of funding what I do overseas. I have a nonprofit called Global Reformation Ministries, and a portion of everything we do funds ministry work overseas.

For years I wrestled internally because I thought I had to choose between ministry and business. Then one of my mentors at Upper Room told me something that changed my life. He said it’s okay to live a duality of life. David was both priest and king. You can be before the Lord and still be influential in the earth.

That gave me peace to do both. I still travel overseas and do missions work, but I also built this business so we could make an impact in practical ways while supporting our families and supporting ministry.

Rev. Lyle:
That’s powerful. We talk a lot on this podcast about how business is ministry. When you read the Bible, most of those people were entrepreneurs. Their business and ministry happened together.

So what’s God currently doing in your business?

Brandon Esser:
Right now God is expanding what we do.

When I started this company, I had my last five thousand dollars to my name. My back was against the wall, and the Lord told me to start this company anyway.

For the first two years, I worked six days a week because I kept my Sabbath, but the other six days were twelve to fourteen hour days. I built everything myself. I built the website, branding, marketing, contracts, processes, documentation, every piece of infrastructure.

I wanted the Lord to be the absolute foundation of everything we built. I wanted Him to shape the DNA of the company.

Then last year my mother passed away. Two days ago was the one year anniversary. She was the first person I ever led to the Lord. Last year was a pause year for me emotionally.

But this year God has redeemed time. We haven’t lost momentum. We’ve brought these incredible men onto the team, and now we’re expanding into Colorado and Mississippi. God is increasing our territory and bringing incredible clients into our lives.

And the really exciting part is that through the profits from the company, we’re now beginning the blueprint phase of building an educational infrastructure school in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Rev. Lyle:
That’s incredible. So your business supports your ministry, and your ministry fuels your business. I love the phrase you used earlier. You said, “I prayed and waited on the Lord.”

For somebody listening who feels stuck, what does waiting on God actually look like?

Brandon Esser:
There’s a difference between passive waiting and active waiting.

I can be patient and listening while still testing doors. Scripture says, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” So I knock on doors while listening for God’s direction.

I fast often. I intentionally quiet my flesh so I can hear clearly. I built a prayer room in my house, and I’ll literally sit there for hours saying, “Lord, if You don’t speak, I’m not leaving.”

I write down what He says. I go back through old notes and look for patterns. I compare what He said before with what He’s saying now.

Then I test the waters. If something starts moving, I ask, “Lord, is this You?” I either listen for a yes or a no, or I follow peace.

Rev. Lyle:
That’s good. We call that “headlight faith.” God gives you enough light for the next step, and as you move forward, He reveals more.

Waiting is hard in our culture because we want instant answers, especially in business.

Brandon Esser:
Exactly. It’s a stubborn faith.

I dedicated this company to the Lord a long time ago. It’s not my business. It’s His. It’s not my money. It’s His. The ideas, relationships, and opportunities all belong to Him.

I want to take the talents He gave me and invest them faithfully rather than bury them.

Rev. Lyle:
Jeff and Blake, let me put you on the spot for a second. What’s it like working with someone who carries that kind of faith?

Jeff:
I’ve always been a builder, whether in ministry or construction. What drew me to Brandon was that same dependence on God.

I’ve never been someone who wanted to inherit something easy and simply maintain it. I’ve always wanted to build something meaningful.

Being part of this company and seeing Brandon’s heart lets you sleep peacefully at night because you know the purpose behind what you’re building.

Blake:
Honestly, waiting on the Lord is hard for me. I’m probably the least patient out of the three of us.

Jeff and Brandon are much more laid back. I’m more like, “Let’s go right now.”

I actually remember playing pickleball with Brandon, and I felt the Lord tell me I should work with him. I didn’t really want to at first because he was already my friend. I talked to other companies, but eventually I circled back and called Jeff, and he basically told me, “You should come work with us.”

This whole journey has taught me patience and process. I came from evangelism ministry, so sharing Jesus is still central to who I am. That’s something I love about this company. Jesus comes first here.

Rev. Lyle:
That’s awesome.

So Brandon, let’s move into business growth tips. What practical things have helped you grow your business?

Brandon Esser:
First, sit and wait on the Lord.

If you’re going to build something God can be proud of, you have to trust that He gave you skills and gifts for a reason.

We also have to understand the difference between purpose and calling. Calling can change. Purpose doesn’t. Our purpose is to love God and love people.

So I ask myself, “How can I fulfill my purpose through this current calling?”

The second thing is integrity.

Ten years ago I didn’t know how to door knock. It wasn’t my personality. I asked God how I could survive in this industry without becoming pushy.

All He told me was, “A good name is above riches.”

That became my entire business model.

I stopped chasing money and started focusing on serving people so well they couldn’t help but talk about us. Referrals became natural because we solved problems with integrity.

We don’t just want to be roofing contractors. We want to be property consultants who help homeowners understand every available option.

If you honor people well, God will keep sending more opportunities.

Rev. Lyle:
I love that you combined waiting with action. You built systems, SOPs, reminders, websites, processes. You weren’t just sitting around hoping.

How does excellence fit into that waiting season?

Brandon Esser:
Preparation matters.

There’s a hidden season where nobody sees what you’re building.

I remember hearing a message from Isaiah about preparing your work in the field before building your house. That stuck with me.

When there were no clients, I worked behind the scenes. I tested systems privately. I built infrastructure privately.

The true test of a person is what they do when nobody’s watching.

People may ask me to go hang out or play pickleball, but sometimes I have to stay home and work because there’s a greater purpose behind what I’m building.

You don’t work only when opportunity arrives. You work long before opportunity shows up.

Rev. Lyle:
That’s powerful.

As we wrap up, leave us with one final piece of wisdom and tell people how they can connect with you.

Brandon Esser:
If you truly love the Lord and love people, selfish ambition can’t survive.

Anything built for your own fame eventually collapses.

Life is short. Business is short. Opportunities are short.

Every person you meet has a problem you may be uniquely gifted to solve. Whether you’re providing a roof, financial guidance, peace, or encouragement, God placed something inside you that can help someone else.

The question is: are you solving problems for your glory or His?

If you want to reach us, our company is Amity Roofing. Our number is 469-599-4763.

We love God. We love people. And we’d be honored to help anyone who reaches out.

Rev. Lyle:
Thanks again for your time.