New Book ‘Invested with Purpose’ Outlines Life and Work of Timothy Plan Founder Art Ally—The Pioneer of Biblically Responsible Investing
‘Invested with Purpose’ Will Launch August 20 During Nehemiah Week in Washington, D.C.
ORLANDO, Fla.—You don’t have to be a Christian to want to invest your money in companies that make the world a better—not worse—place. But the faithful have additional insight through the Scriptures that all money and time belongs to God, not just the dollars tithed or the hours spent in worship.
This worldview should include investments as well. But until 1994, when Art Ally founded Timothy Plan, investors had no way of knowing whether their dollars were being used to advance honest business practices or unholy causes, such as abortion, pornography, anti-family activism, unhealthy substances or even slave labor.
A new book called “Invested with Purpose: The Birth of the Biblically Responsible Investment Movement” outlines Ally’s life and work as the pioneer of Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) and tells the story of how one man’s vision has led to a revolution.
For over 25 years, Ally’s brainchild, Timothy Plan, has helped advisors and investors achieve their financial goals through a pro-life, pro-family approach to faith-based investing—not only to benefit the investor but the broader culture. The first of its kind, Timothy Plan birthed the trend of BRI, which is growing rapidly and extensively. In fact, Timothy Plan’s mutual funds currently have over $1 billion of assets under management. The family of mutual funds and ETFs is firmly committed to operating with the integrity, excellence and wisdom that brings honor and glory to Jesus and is a beacon for godly stewardship in the financial community.
“Invested with Purpose” will officially launch next week as part of the 2019 Nehemiah Week, a gathering of business leaders in Washington, D.C. Providing the preface for “Invested with Purpose” was Patrice Tsague, Founder and Chief Servant Officer of Nehemiah Project International Ministries, which published the book.
“I came to know Art Ally at a Christian business conference in 2007,” Mr. Tsague shared. “We both had one thing in common: a commitment to see biblical values lived out in the marketplace—for him in the investment world, for me in managing a business. Since then, he’s become like a father to me—an advisor, an inspiration, a benefactor, and when necessary, someone who challenges me.
“‘Invested with Purpose’ is not just another business or investment book,” Mr. Tsague continued. “It’s the account of the miraculous journey of one man who led by conviction and a determination to obey God. Art sparked a movement that has created a multi-billion-dollar sub-industry in financial services. The book takes us from a near shutdown of Timothy Plan’s advisor on a New Year’s Eve Day to the development of the growing movement called Biblically Responsible Investing. It’s our hope that readers will be inspired by Art’s journey in building Timothy Plan, the pioneer in Biblically Responsible Investing. We also hope they will be challenged to be ‘Invested with Purpose’ while making a difference not just with their finances but in their own industries and communities.”
“Invested with Purpose” was written with the assistance of Robert Knight, a longtime professional journalist, author and Communications Director for Timothy Plan.
“Often, our modern cultural gurus tell us that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe in something,” Mr. Knight wrote in the foreword. “But that’s a misconception, it replaces truth with relativism, the idea that we can make up our own ‘truth’ to suit our needs and desires. This is the fundamental philosophy taught at nearly all colleges and universities, and which trickles down to the K-12 schools. Popular culture plays this tune constantly.
“Christians are not immune to this siren song,” he added. “If not fortified and educated by biblically sound pastors, we’re apt to absorb the many relativistic and hedonistic messages around us. As such, we’re tempted to act and think not very differently from people with a pagan worldview, especially when it comes to spending and investing money. As Art Ally would say, our first mistake is thinking the money we have is ours—not God’s.”
Mr. Knight also wrote that Art’s clear vision in 1994 “lit a candle in the darkness—Timothy Plan.”
“This book is an attempt to encapsulate what that’s meant to so many and continues to mean,” Mr. Knight said. “As the pioneer of Biblically Responsible Investing, Art has been used by God to give Christians a way to invest our money without unwittingly aiding immoral causes. Timothy Plan’s mission is strikingly simple—being ‘committed to maintaining portfolios that do not contain the securities of any company that is promoting an agenda contrary to the teachings of Scripture or is actively participating in activities that may prove destructive to our communities at large.’
“Art has inspired many to embrace BRI,” Mr. Knight concluded. “Whatever else we get out of this account of the birth and growth of Timothy Plan, Art is adamant for us to understand this: Timothy Plan was never his plan—it was God’s.”
Nehemiah Week 2019 focuses on the fact that business innovation brings significant positive change and is essential to growing a business. The week will witness the gathering of like-minded kingdom business leaders from all over the world and the U.S. to discover how innovation can yield a stronger competitive advantage, help organizations to grow and reach/exceed strategic objectives to better carry out God’s purposes. Speakers, gatherings and activities have a single thrust: to give examples, training and inspiration about how to innovate their businesses and extend God’s kingdom business rulership into new territories throughout the world. Learn more about the event held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill or register here.
During Nehemiah Week, “Invested with Purpose” will be front and center as Mr. Ally speaks as part of the Biblical Entrepreneurship Conference Aug. 20-22. His talk on “Innovation in Biblical Responsibility” is set for 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. ET Aug. 22, followed by lunch and the Nehemiah Awards, then a book-signing session until 2:15 p.m. Learn more about the book or pre-order at this link; bulk ordering is also available.
PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY. You should consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information can be found in the fund’s prospectus. To obtain a copy, visit timothyplan.com or call 800.846.7526. Read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. Mutual Funds distributed by Timothy Partners, Ltd., member FINRA. ETFs distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, MEMBER FINRA and SIPC. Timothy Partners, Ltd. is not affiliated with Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
For more information on Timothy Plan, visit timothyplan.com or connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Vimeo or YouTube. View the media page for Timothy Plan here.
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