Episode 100 of Faith & Retirement marks a milestone moment, pausing to reflect on why faith-aligned investing matters and how it works in real life. Jay Peroni, CFP® is joined by special guests Steve Nelson, CEO of Faith Investor Services, and John Rowley, Co-Portfolio Manager of the Christian Stock Fund (ticker: PRAY).

In Segment One, the conversation pulls back the curtain on why PRAY exists. Jay explains that many Christian investors have long felt forced to choose between financial discipline and biblical conviction. PRAY was created to close that gap, combining professional, fundamentals-based portfolio management with clearly defined Christian values. Steve and John share their personal journeys as investors and outline PRAY’s philosophy: a GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) approach with a quality bias, global opportunity set, and a long-term mindset designed to help investors stay steady through full market cycles.

Jay adds real-world stories from his work with retirees and pre-retirees, emphasizing that faith and discipline are not enemies of performance. In fact, aligning values with investments often removes emotional friction, helping investors stay committed when markets get difficult.

Segment Two widens the lens to the broader market environment. The group discusses late-cycle markets, the “Goldilocks economy,” tariffs, inflation, Federal Reserve policy, valuations, and the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence. Jay frames market volatility through the lens of stewardship, preparation without fear, discipline without panic.

Looking ahead to 2026, the episode reinforces a central theme: faith-aligned investing isn’t about prediction or perfection. It’s about understanding what you own, why you own it, and having the confidence to stay invested when it matters most. Listeners are encouraged to seek a second opinion and ensure their portfolios reflect both their long-term goals and their deepest convictions.