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About Iron Stewards

Iron Stewards is a Christian peer community for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to lead the businesses God has entrusted to them faithfully under His authority.

Why we exist.

"Iron Stewards exists to unite and strengthen Christian business owners and entrepreneurs as faithful stewards of the businesses God has entrusted to them. Through trusted peer community, shared wisdom, and mutual encouragement, we help one another lead our businesses under God's authority so that our work, decisions, and influence honor Him and serve others."

Iron. Stewards.

Iron

Iron speaks to mutual sharpening — the conviction that Christian business owners grow in wisdom, faithfulness, and discernment through honest, caring engagement with one another. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Stewards

Stewards speaks to entrusted responsibility under God — the recognition that every business, every resource, and every relationship belongs ultimately to God and is held in trust by those who lead them.

Together

Together they express faithful, Christ-honoring business leadership in community — the conviction that we lead better, more wisely, and more faithfully when we walk alongside others who share the same calling.

Open Bible alongside business notes — faith and work integrated

What we believe shapes everything.

God is the true owner and authority over every business.

Business ownership is not ultimate ownership. Every business is held in trust under God's authority, and that changes how we lead, decide, and measure success.

Christian business leadership is a form of stewardship.

Leading a business is not merely a professional role. It is a stewardship responsibility — an opportunity to be faithful with what God has entrusted, for His purposes and glory.

Faithfulness, wisdom, integrity, and service are the true measures.

Business leadership should be measured not merely by outcomes, but by faithfulness to God's call, wisdom in decision-making, integrity in conduct, and service to others.

Community is one of God's means for sharpening and burden-bearing.

God designed people to grow through honest, caring community. Trusted peer relationships are not optional extras. They are means of grace for the Christian business owner.

Five distinctives.

Peer community rather than top-down institution

Iron Stewards is not built around a single leader or authority figure. It is a community of peers who lead and serve one another.

Trusted relationships rather than transactional networking

The goal is real familiarity, honest counsel, and genuine care. Not business cards, referral quotas, or hidden sales agendas.

Active participation rather than passive consumption

Members are expected to show up, contribute, and strengthen others. Not simply receive content or access.

Practical wisdom anchored in biblical faithfulness

The community draws on Scripture, sound theology, and real-world business experience. Not motivational culture or prosperity frameworks.

Distributed leadership

Leadership is broadly shared across the community. The aim is not to build Iron Stewards around one personality, but to cultivate a culture where members help guide and serve one another.

Christian business owners who want to lead faithfully.

Iron Stewards is for Christian business owners and entrepreneurs who want to steward their businesses faithfully under God's leadership through trusted peer community and shared wisdom. It is for those who want to be sharpened, who are willing to sharpen others, and who are serious about leading with integrity, faithfulness, and care.

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Iron Stewards peer community in discussion

Board of Directors

Iron Stewards is guided by a board of Christian business leaders committed to faithful stewardship, mutual sharpening, and serving the entrepreneurial community.

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Julie Hanner

Chairman of the Board

Julie Hanner is the founder of Wild Ginger Marketing, a digital solutions agency based in Columbia, Missouri, dedicated to helping small businesses grow and thrive. Through beautifully crafted websites, AI-enhanced CRM systems, and integrated marketing tools, Julie equips business owners with everything they need to establish a powerful online presence without the overwhelm.

But for Julie, it's never just about the tools. It's about the people behind the businesses. With a deep heart for small business owners, her mission is to help Christian entrepreneurs step boldly into the next season of their business using practical, affordable solutions that free them up to focus on the calling God placed on their life.

Julie believes wholeheartedly that iron sharpens iron and that God designed us to grow in community with one another, not in isolation. That conviction is exactly what drew her to Iron Stewards. She is passionate about being part of a community where faith and business intersect, where entrepreneurs can encourage, challenge, and sharpen each other as they build businesses that honor God.

As Chairman of the Board of Iron Stewards, Julie brings both her practical expertise in digital marketing and her genuine love for the Christian business community, always looking for ways to help fellow entrepreneurs move forward with confidence, clarity, and faith.

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Jeff Honcoop

Executive Director

After 15 years as a serial entrepreneur, God shocked my world to put me where I need to be so I could be open to hearing his voice again. He is taking me on a journey to understand what is truly important and I am working hard to be both open to his direction and obedient to his wishes on my life. But through the pain of this process, God has rewarded me with peace, love, and a true understanding of the purposes he is calling me to fulfill. I support Christian entrepreneurs through BLESS INC and I am starting seminary in preparation for leading a church plant in Panama.

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Allison Marty

Secretary

Allison is the Founder and Team Leader of Pristine TC, a real estate operations company that provides transaction coordination, compliance oversight, and operational systems. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, she brings clarity and accountability to complex processes. Allison operates her business with a Christ-centered mission, aiming to steward real estate operations with excellence, integrity, and Christ-like care guided by biblical principles.

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Danielle Akioyame

Treasurer

Danielle is the founder of Number Crunch Bunch, a Texas-based tax strategy and advisory firm that helps growth-focused businesses legally reduce their tax liability. With over 15 years of experience as a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, she provides proactive tax strategies to small businesses. Danielle also leads the Vision Builder Academy, a faith-based coaching program helping Christian entrepreneurs integrate biblical principles of financial stewardship into their businesses.

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Jason Messick

Director

Jason is a digital marketing expert and the founder of Relentless Business Mastery, an agency providing proven strategies and local SEO services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Described as "digital rocket fuel" for businesses, Jason focuses on creating clear, focused strategies to increase brand visibility and convert visitors into paying clients. He brings his relentless drive for business-changing results to the Iron Stewards board.

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Ericka Scott

Director

Ericka provides fractional Chief Operating Officer services through her company, Book a COO, helping 7-figure businesses scale smartly by streamlining operations and fostering thriving team environments. With over 20 years of operational experience and a Master's degree in Public Policy, she developed the "Strategic Plan Now™" framework. Ericka is committed to helping values-driven entrepreneurs achieve growth without sacrificing their personal values, health, or family time.

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Troy Childs

Director

For over 45 years I've studied and taught God's Word, operating in the prophetic office with gifts of prayer and discernment, served on short and long-term missions around the world. I'm a pilot, chef, pastor, former stockbroker, biker, teacher, and counselor who has owned 3 businesses over 35 years. My personal journey as both patient/coach, I lost nearly 100lbs by combining faith, nutrition, and fitness. Most importantly, I've raised three amazing godly children. I bring spiritual depth, real-world experience, practical wisdom, and a passion for helping others grow in spirit, soul and body.

Cathy Buben headshot

Cathy Buben

Director

Cathy is a Registered Nurse and Functional Medicine Health Coach who founded Elevate Restorative Wellness. With over seven years of critical care nursing experience, she helps individuals achieve optimal health by identifying root causes and providing holistic, personalized care. Cathy operates her practice with deep compassion and faith, guided by biblical principles to walk alongside clients on their journey toward healing body, mind, and spirit.

Official 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Iron Stewards is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 41-4964860), recognized by the IRS effective March 18, 2026. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. View our IRS determination letter.

Build with others who want to lead faithfully under God's authority.

If you are a Christian business owner who wants to steward your business faithfully and walk alongside others who share that calling, we invite you to apply.