The year was 2013 and I had spent six years working in ministry and six years working at a $100M Nonprofit in Nashville. I was often told I was just lucky to have a job and despite having more talent than some others on my floor, I could only squeak out a measly pay raise that still left my unable to afford our basic needs.

I felt stuck and frustrated consistently. One day after being told I needed to change out all four tires on our vehicle and realizing we didn’t have enough to make that purchase and still have food on the table without going into debt, I started praying harder than ever that God would pave a way out.

Author Ryan Michler years ago wrote the mantra that men are called to protect, preside and PROVIDE for their families. I felt deep in my soul that I was failing miserably at the final piece.

That moment was my wake up call.

My pastor at the time, Craig Groeschel, preached a sermon on being intentional. How everyone ends up somewhere, but few people end up somewhere on purpose. And to step toward your destiny, you might have to (purposefully) step away from your security.

When I heard these words chills reverberated through my body because I knew in order to lead my family better, I needed to trust fully and completely that the burden I couldn’t shake was the one I was supposed to pursue.

I knew I needed to take a full and complete step of faith.

It felt like the famous cinematic moment in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Indy had to pass the test and “leap from the lion’s mouth” in order to reach the Holy Grail.

One step into a place he couldn’t see.

That was me.

I traded a long commute to Nashville every day for an $80 Target desk & chair combo packed with nervous energy.

All under the banner of a singular mission: I wanted to make a positive impact in the world and it started with fulfilling the duty to provide fully and completely for my family.

It’s been 12 years since I walked away from a stable job at a $100M Nonprofit to start a business without much of a plan. Now I realize the most important things that occurred on that day weren’t starting a business. It was activating my faith and leading my family as I become a true provider.

But provision isn’t simply money to pay the bills, it’s so much more than that. And this week I want to unlock it for you in what I call The Provider Framework.

This 5 category framework system is designed to help you be intentional about being a true provider to your family and those beyond.

As a husband your provider role is to be emotionally present and steady for your wife. This means showing up with intention, listening well, and shoulder more responsibility. You set the tone in your home through strength wrapped in gentleness.

When you live this way, your marriage becomes stronger, your wife feels safer, and together you become more united. Your home being a place of peace instead of pressure is what true provision should look like.

Children grow best when their dad is truly with them. Present in every moment and not distracted by work. They need your attention, your guidance, and of course your patience. Presence shapes who they are today. Purpose shapes who they become tomorrow.

It’s no secret to most of us that 85% of imprisoned youth and 90% of runaway children have an absent dad. But absence can be emotional too. My kids once did a challenge to draw me and all of them had me looking down at my phone. That moment wrecked me and I realized I was present, but they didn’t feel my presence.f

Not long after that I started listening to Jesse Itzler and this snippet of his simple rule was absolutely life-changing for me and our family.

One of the greatest joys of my life was the honor of baptizing all three of our kids in 2023 and 2024. I truly believe this moment was allowed because I was present and had learned the hard lesson that I’m never too tired for my kids.

Children who grow under this kind of leadership become secure, confident, and grounded because they know their dad is committed to them. Don’t let yours ever become a statistic and if you’ve messed this up just realize it’s also never too late to make things right.

Your inner circle looks to your example. They follow your habits, decisions, and character even when they don’t say it out loud. Providing direction means living with clarity and conviction. Encouragement means using your words and presence to lift people, not tear them down.

When you carry yourself this way, your family and friends grow stronger because your direct influence.

If you lead a team, your responsibility is to remove confusion and create order. Clear expectations, steady communication, and dependable leadership give people space to do their best work. Like I wrote in a couple of newsletters, Colossians says we should be stable and steadfast. People don’t follow volatile leaders that are inconsistent. The best leaders I know exhibit discipline, care, diligent, and take time to give the support that their employees need before they have to ask.

When you lead with stability, your workplace becomes a healthier, more productive environment where people can grow. And that is 100% my recruiting strategy.

Your community benefits when you step in with support, wisdom, and guidance. Get involved in your community by serving your church or volunteering for youth sports or mentorship projects. I’ve been coaching Boys Baseball for the past several years and even though it is a LOT of commitment and responsibility, it has been incredibly rewarding challenging these young men to develop life and leadership skills. Your role is to always be intentional and support people around with the same level of care as you approach everything in life.

When you show up this way in your community, people rise. They develop, learn, and gain momentum because you were willing to invest in them.

If you’ve been seeing my posts on X or LinkedIn lately I’m super stoked to be launching a Godly Men Rising Up: Your Guide to Becoming a Man on the Move (see the post on LinkedIn).

Each of you will get a digital copy for $0 when I finalize it soon, PLUS have the chance to grab a physical guide too. More to come on that but I’ve also created some shirts to go with it. If you want one of the Godly Men Rising Up to Serve the Lord shirts then I’ll be happy to send one your way. Click the link above or photo below to grab yours.

Thanks for giving your attention this week Gentlemen. As always it’s an absolute honor to lead and grow alongside you!

Joshua Brown
Chief Firestarter at Soulfire

PS: I’m currently filming content for a 21-day program that’s designed to take all these steps and frameworks further. If you’d like to get a glimpse before it’s fully released then reply “Fire” to this email and I’ll make sure you’re included!