The Mississippi College School of Business hosted its annual Faith and Ethics Week from March 3-6, 2025, bringing together Christian business leaders from across the Southeast. The event provided a platform for these leaders to share their experiences and address the responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges they face in the workplace as Christian business leaders.
Faith and Ethics Week featured a series of enriching events. More than a dozen industry leaders delivered class presentations. These presentations gave students and faculty a glimpse into the practical applications of faith and ethics in the business world. A panel discussion, consisting of four Christian business leaders, delved into the intersection of faith and business ethics at the annual Faith and Ethics Luncheon on Thursday, March 6th.
The panelists brought a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the discussion. Kimarri Whitfield, a manager at HORNE and a licensed CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, shared his experience in providing assurance services and mentoring the next generation of accountants. Mary Helen Klingen, a Private Wealth Advisor at Blue Trust, drew on her experience in accounting and financial planning to discuss how biblical wisdom informs her approach to helping clients. Ryan Pellum, the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance at Kemmons Wilson Companies, provided insights into finance, operations, and leadership from a Christian perspective. Dr. Mike Highfield, Provost at Mississippi College and an expert in finance and banking, rounded out the panel with his commitment to developing ethical leaders in both academia and the financial sector. Each panelist emphasized the importance of integrating faith and ethics in business decision-making.
The Faith and Ethics Luncheon concluded with an inspiring keynote address from Stephen, whose mission is to experience and multiply the love of Jesus in ways that ignite a movement of God's love in the marketplace. Stephen’s journey began in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was an Academic All-American football player at the University of Virginia. Stephen earned both a law degree and a Master of Divinity, eventually feeling called to plant a church in San Diego. Over time, he helped build a multi-campus church focused on serving the city. In 2017, Stephen joined Movement Mortgage as Chief Pastoral Officer, helping shape the company’s faith-driven model for business. Today, he serves as the Chief Pastoral Officer at Sovereign’s Capital and the Chief Spiritual Integration Officer at Faith Driven Entrepreneur, where he continues to expand the reach of faith-driven business practices. His speech emphasized the importance of integrating faith into every aspect of professional life and business leadership.
Faith and Ethics Week remains a cornerstone of the School of Business, reminding students that success in business isn’t just about what you achieve, but how you achieve it, with character, conviction, and faith at the center.
