Quick answer
The Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation Course is a free, eight-session video curriculum for groups of about 10 to 15 entrepreneurs. The sessions are: 1. Our Call to Create · 2. God Owns My Business · 3. Don't Worship Work · 4. Excellence Matters · 5. Faithful vs. Willful · 6. Ministry in Word · 7. Ministry in Deed · 8. Global Movement. Each has a founder profile film, teaching (hosted by J.D. Greear in the standard edition, with introductions from Henry Kaestner) and discussion questions. FDE says more than 30,000 entrepreneurs in over 130 countries have taken it.
How the course works
Groups usually meet weekly for eight weeks. In Singapore we meet monthly, so each cohort runs for about eight months, which gives busy founders time to apply each session. A typical evening includes food, introductions, worship, the film, and 45 to 60 minutes of discussion. Registered groups receive the Faith Driven Entrepreneur book free.
Session 1: Our Call to Create
The big idea: God is a creator, and building a business is a way of reflecting His image. It is not second-class to "full-time ministry". The standard film profiles Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather. The discussion asks whether you need forced "Christian branding" to be a faithful founder. In Singapore, most people in the room preferred an excellence-first witness. As one mentor said: "I did it as an outflow of doing things well."
Watch Singapore's Session 1 (Cohort 3)
Session 2: God Owns My Business
The big idea: you are a steward, not an owner. The standard film features WastePlan in South Africa, and the teaching draws on 2 Corinthians 9. Cohort 3 watched a substitute episode on identity featuring Phil Vischer of VeggieTales, whose company went bankrupt. A Singapore agency founder applied the idea to parenting: "my two kids… we're really stewards of them. It's a very Chinese thing."
Session 3: Don't Worship Work
The big idea: work makes a good servant and a terrible god. The teaching goes through Ecclesiastes (Solomon's four disappointments) alongside statistics on founders' mental health. This session produced the most honest sharing in Singapore, on burnout, depression and the unicorn myth. See our full article.
Session 4: Excellence Matters
The big idea: excellent work is itself a form of worship and witness (Colossians 3:23–24). The standard film profiles Don Flow of Flow Automotive, whose dealerships use one-estimate pricing. FDE's wider "Excellence Matters" material also features Grab's Anthony Tan. Cohort 3 watched the story of Dr Ngozi Onyia, founder of a hospital in Lagos: "I serve an excellent God."
Session 5: Faithful vs. Willful
The big idea: faithful founders put roles in order (God, family, work) and surrender outcomes. The teaching covers Psalm 127, sleep and Matthew 6:33. Cohort 2 watched Endowus co-founder Samuel Rhee's film, I Sacrifice, We Win. One Singapore participant described leaving a joint business with her husband when she sensed God telling her to speak up.
Session 6: Ministry in Word
The big idea: talking about Jesus at work, humbly and "leading with a limp" (the story of Jacob). The standard film profiles John and Ashley Marsh of the Marsh Collective. In multi-faith Singapore this session is where the room works out how far to go with Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and secular colleagues. One participant tells Noah's story to colleagues who have never heard of Moses.
Session 7: Ministry in Deed
The big idea: your business loves your neighbour through its products, prices, pay and hiring. The standard film profiles Camcraft, a precision-machining company with a corporate chaplain, open books and a practice of hiring ex-offenders. The teaching covers identity as a beloved child and Luther on "daily bread".
Session 8: Global Movement
The big idea: faith-driven businesses are part of God's worldwide mission, in the 10/40 window and beyond. The standard film is NatureSweet Tomatoes and Isaiah 58: "a vision I will not see". For Singapore, this session has connected the room to groups in Taipei, Vietnam, London and Kenya.
Tips for leading a Foundations Group in Asia
- Protect the introduction round. "Your life path and your path to God" is often the most powerful 30 minutes of the night.
- Ask which church people attend, so everyone knows the room is ecumenical.
- Use neutral venues that no single church owns.
- Record the sessions, with consent. Recordings help people who missed a session and help the movement learn.
- Keep it free and keep it free of selling.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 8 sessions of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation Course?
Our Call to Create; God Owns My Business; Don't Worship Work; Excellence Matters; Faithful vs. Willful; Ministry in Word; Ministry in Deed; and Global Movement.
Is the Foundation Course free?
Yes. The Foundation Course is free, and FDE provides a free book to registered groups. In Singapore the Foundations Group sessions are free too.
How long does the Foundation Course take?
Eight sessions of about an hour to two hours each. Most groups meet weekly for eight weeks. Faith Driven Singapore meets monthly, so a cohort takes about eight months.
Who teaches the Foundation Course?
The course content comes from Henry Kaestner, J.D. Greear and Chip Ingram. In the standard edition, J.D. Greear teaches each session and Henry Kaestner introduces it.