When 80 Employees Pray for Their Co-workers (w/ Sean Kouplen)
On this episode, Sean Kouplen (CEO of Regent Bank) shares how one of America’s fastest growing banks also facilitates a prayer ministry among its employees. Sean also shares about a nationwide faith in work movement called 94X.
Sean Kouplen is the Chairman & CEO of Regent Bank, Oklahoma’s Past Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development, and the founder of the 94X Faith in Work movement.
In 2008, Kouplen led an investor group that purchased 110-year old Regent Bank in Nowata, OK. Since that time, the bank has expanded to seven markets throughout Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas, and has grown from $72 million to over $1.8 billion in assets- making it one of America’s fastest-growing banks. Regent Bank has won many awards including Inc Magazine’s Best Places to Work and the Central United States Community Bank of the Year.
In his governor-appointed role as Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, Kouplen led the economic development, community development and workforce development efforts for the state of Oklahoma. Kouplen was the head coach of the 2022 Oklahoma Little League World Series that achieved global fame because of Isaiah Jarvis’ hug felt around the world. He holds numerous local and statewide leadership positions, and his awards include Journal Record’s Most Admired CEO Award, his fraternity’s top national alumni award, and Citizen of the Year in Bixby, OK.
Kouplen has written four popular books, hosts a nationwide podcast called 94X Kingdom Driven CEO, and leads a daily call-in devotional that has reached over 300,000 people in all 50 states and four foreign countries. He recently launched a nationwide faith in work movement called 94X that is rapidly spreading throughout the US and beyond.
He has been married to Angela for 26 years and they have three children- Emory (20), Kennedy (17) and Finley (14).
Key Takeaways 💡
- Sean Kouplen shared how a financial crisis in 2009 at Regent Bank led him to recognize God’s involvement in his business, prompting a shift in his leadership approach to one of servitude and faith-driven decision-making.
- Sean emphasized the importance of creating a workplace culture where employees feel genuinely cared for, sharing stories of employees who experienced love and spiritual transformation for the first time in their careers.
- The workplace culture at Regent Bank includes daily devotionals, prayer support, and a focus on understanding employees’ personal challenges, which has led to 39 employees accepting Jesus in the office this year.
- Sean clarified that faith-based initiatives at Regent Bank are voluntary and non-coercive, creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing struggles and seeking prayer support.
- A prayer team was established at Regent Bank, with 80 employees participating. The team uses a dedicated email system to receive and respond to prayer requests, resulting in 157 recorded answered prayers over the past few years.
- Sean discussed the importance of offering prayer in a natural and non-intrusive way, emphasizing the phrase ‘Can I pray with you?’ as a key approach to fostering deeper connections.
- The 94X Faith and Work Movement, founded by Sean, aims to help Christian business leaders integrate their faith into their work environments through resources like 94X University, which provides legal and biblical guidance.
- Sean shared Regent Bank’s commitment to faith-based banking, inviting like-minded individuals to bank with them and highlighting their core purpose of demonstrating God’s love to employees and clients.
- Sean discussed his involvement in a pro-life fintech initiative and the challenges faced, including having their bank account shut down, positioning Regent Bank as a refuge for those facing similar issues.
- Sean expressed a global vision for the 94X movement, aiming to inform Christian business leaders worldwide about the legality and methods of incorporating faith into their work.
Theology of Business is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God’s will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world, this show is for you.
BIG THANKS to this episode’s sponsor: High Bridge Books
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