Celebrating the 2025 George Fox University BE Competition Winners
This year’s George Fox University Biblical Entrepreneurship (BE) Class delivered an inspiring showcase of creativity, diligence, innovation, and Kingdom impact. Since 2022, the School of Business at George Fox University has partnered with the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community to offer the BE course, equipping the next generation of Kingdom business leaders to build transformative, mission-driven ventures.
On December 4th, after a rigorous presentation and defense of their business plans, three exceptional students emerged as the 2025 top finalists, each demonstrating not only strong business acumen but also a deep commitment to integrating their faith into entrepreneurship.
1st Place Winner – Luke Janssen, Founder of ARK (Business Management, Senior)
Luke Janssen captured first place with ARK, a preventative home-protection company tackling one of the most expensive and common household risks—water damage.
His flagship product, The Guardian, is a simple, reliable, under-appliance leak detection mat offering full-footprint coverage and instant audible alerts—without Wi-Fi, apps, or complicated installation. At only $25, The Guardian fills a major market gap between complex smart-home systems and unreliable point sensors.
Drawing from research in his plan, Luke identified a growing multibillion-dollar leak detection industry and a clear need for affordable, scalable prevention solutions. His Kingdom motivation is rooted in Proverbs 22:7, recognizing that most homeowners lack the savings needed to recover from water-damage repairs and are often forced into debt. ARK exists to prevent that burden before it begins.
Luke now advances toward the U.S. National Biblical Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition, with a chance to qualify for the 2026 Nehemiah International Business Plan Competition at the Nehemiah Global Summit.
2nd Place – Josiah McCarley, Founder of The Gear Garage Camera Rental Company (Finance Major, Sophomore (Class of 2027))
Josiah presented The Gear Garage, an online camera gear rental service designed to make professional photography equipment accessible to aspiring creatives. His plan addresses the industry’s high entry barriers, noting that many photographers—especially students and freelancers—cannot afford high-quality gear needed for a single shoot or specialized project.
His target audience, validated by surveys in his plan, shows 74% of photographers have rented gear before and prefer renting due to high purchase costs or one-off needs. Starting literally from a garage, Josiah seeks to scale steadily—first focusing on photography gear and later expanding into cinematography.
Motivated by 1 Peter 4:10 and the call to steward gifts for the benefit of others, Josiah desires to make thriving in creative work more financially feasible.
3rd Place – Paul Moeggenberg, Founder of Cornerstone Builders Northwest (Senior, George Fox University)
Paul Moeggenberg presented Cornerstone Builders Northwest, a faith-driven custom and spec homebuilding company that integrates craftsmanship, biblical stewardship, and discipleship in the trades.
Rooted in Genesis 2:15, Paul sees his work as an act of stewardship—forming young tradesmen, mentoring through discipleship, and building homes that embody beauty, quality, and integrity. His business plan highlights four pillars of impact:
- Job creation and leadership development
- Discipleship through work
- Prayer-centered culture
- Creation care through sustainable practices
Cornerstone Builders stands out in a high-demand Pacific Northwest market by offering not only premium homebuilding but also a Kingdom-centered approach to leadership and craftsmanship.
Looking Ahead: Advancing the Mission of Biblical Entrepreneurship
Luke, Josiah, and Paul exemplify what it means to be Kingdom business leaders—entrepreneurs who innovate, solve real problems, and advance God’s purpose through their work.
As Luke prepares for the journey toward the international stage, we celebrate all the students who competed and represented the heart of Biblical Entrepreneurship with excellence, courage, and creativity.
A Special Thank You to George Fox University for giving these students the opportunity, and to our Nehemiah Donors
Your generosity makes it possible for us to expand Biblical Entrepreneurship into universities and colleges around the world. Thanks to your support, students like Luke, Josiah, and Paul are discovering their identity, calling, and capacity to build Kingdom businesses that transform communities.
This December, you can double your impact—all end-of-year gifts will be matched up to $50,000.
Help us raise more biblical entrepreneurs across campuses by giving today.
For more great articles that provide you with insights to help you with your entrepreneurship journey from discovery to succession, click HERE to view the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community’s library of Kingdom Business Leaders Resources.
Interested in knowing more about upcoming events and educational opportunities offered by the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Community? Click HERE!
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