Philanthropy – Half Time Hong Kong

Bob Buford’s Top Ten Values: The Finish Line of Faithful Giving

By: Dean Niewolny, Chief Executive Officer of Halftime Institute “Giving is not a result— changed lives are.” -Bob Buford (1939-2018) Gratitude and giving seem to go hand in hand. As we reflect on and appreciate all that we have received, we can’t help but pay that generosity forward. While the topic of giving is fresh on the minds of many during the holiday season, we invite you to take a moment to pause and consider The Finish Line of Faithful Giving

Bob Buford’s Top Ten Values: The Finish Line of Faithful Givinghalftimehk2020-11-24T12:47:54+08:00

Do You Ask This Persistent and Haunting Question?

by Halftime Fellows Alum, Griff Jones It’s easy to keep moving forward, isn’t it? But I have learned that sometimes it’s best to stop, press the pause button, rethink, and get intentional about why we are here. Entrepreneurship is in the fiber of my being. We started our company, Twin Eagle Resource Management, in 2010. Twin Eagle is a recognized leader in the wholesale marketing of energy-related commodities including natural gas, power, and liquids. I am grateful for the success we have enjoyed over the years. I have

Do You Ask This Persistent and Haunting Question?halftimehk2018-11-20T15:45:34+08:00

HT Alum Jim Clark is Helping Others Find Purpose After Life Behind Bars

Jim Clark describes himself as one of the guys who had been graced with great parents, a successful business career, and a family with three awesome children. Jim had a great life – the kind of life for which many only hope and dream. That life came to abrupt halt when he committed bank fraud in an attempt to keep his healthcare consulting company afloat (a huge mistake) and was sentenced to over three years in Leavenworth Federal Prison in August 2012. “There is no ‘hope’ inside prison,” states

HT Alum Jim Clark is Helping Others Find Purpose After Life Behind Barshalftimehk2017-12-08T13:03:44+08:00

Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas

It’s that time again. The season for giving is upon us. Already, the Christmas music is playing, the trees are for sale, and a few lights are going up in the neighborhood. It all sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But, the truth is, the real meaning of Christmas has been lost in all of the consumerism. Black Friday now actually starts on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day! Why sit around and spend time with your family and friends when you can go buy something on sale? You laugh, but in your heart

Preparing Our Hearts for Christmashalftimehk2018-06-19T15:48:50+08:00

4 Ways to Give Thanks This Year

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. ~ Psalms 9:1-2 (NIV) Don’t worry, Thanksgiving Day is still a week away! So why am I writing a Thanksgiving-themed blog now? Well, because I think focusing on being thankful deserves more than a single day. In fact, we should be thankful every day. Most of us are so blessed and it’s

4 Ways to Give Thanks This Yearhalftimehk2018-06-19T15:49:12+08:00

HT Alum Steve Nooyen Made God the CEO of His Company – Then the Real Adventure Began

Most people don’t begin intentionally planning for their second half of life while in their first half, much less at the outset of their career. Such was not the case for Halftime alum Steve Nooyen. Newly married and stepping off the starting line of his career at the age of 22, he clearly recalls outlining a set of goals for his future: Start a company by age 30. Run that company for 20 years. Make a transition after those 20 years are complete. Little did Steve know, he was

HT Alum Steve Nooyen Made God the CEO of His Company – Then the Real Adventure Beganhalftimehk2017-11-08T13:52:13+08:00

An Economics Class with Jesus, Part 2

I am always amazed at what happens when trouble shows up in a community, how people pull together and you see how many good folks there are out there that will never be on the evening news for their charitable works, but are as important as a President in the moment. When hurricane Harvey struck south Texas and began its slow crawl across the land, people began almost immediately doing remarkable things to help each other. And, as usual there were throngs of businesspeople who stepped into the gap

An Economics Class with Jesus, Part 2halftimehk2017-10-03T15:15:27+08:00

HT Alum JT Olson Making an Impact in the Lives of Orphans and Widows

“You have to live like there’s a God. God is wanting us to do something that requires His help. Let’s do something that’s only going to work if God does it.” Halftime Alum JT Olson is clear on what matters to him at his core - making an impact. After spending even ten seconds with JT, his energy, excitement, encouragement, and inspiration are sure to rub off on you. In his second half, JT is channeling his infectious energy and all his time into making an impact on

HT Alum JT Olson Making an Impact in the Lives of Orphans and Widowshalftimehk2017-12-05T15:09:04+08:00

HT Fellow Mark Barfield Responds in Widowed Mom’s Time of Need

“You don’t always have to search for what God wants you to do. Sometimes, it’s right in front of you.” Mark Barfield’s Halftime journey began shortly after retiring from RadioShack Corporation. Mark had a desire to create low-income housing opportunities in the Fort Worth area, but his initial housing endeavor resulted in a “false start.” Then, Mark’s new part-time CFO position temporarily turned into a full-time occupation. As a result, Mark “turned his dreamer back off” – until the day he received an email from Cornerstone Assistance Network (CAN)***

HT Fellow Mark Barfield Responds in Widowed Mom’s Time of Needhalftimehk2017-08-10T18:24:31+08:00

5 Key Guidelines to Making Wise Philanthropic Choices

Earlier this year, we gathered several Halftime couples who give strategically and significantly and encouraged them to share with each other their best practices, challenges, etc. As is usual when I gather with folks of this caliber I learned WAY more than I expected. Each of these five topics yielded enough for a chapter in a book on philanthropy, but here are the highlights: 1) KNOW YOUR PHILANTHROPIC MISSION -- A mission statement is as important to philanthropic success as it is to business or personal success. Whether your annual giving

5 Key Guidelines to Making Wise Philanthropic Choiceshalftimehk2017-07-20T10:43:16+08:00