Envoy Financial

Earlier this week, one of those everyday moments with real impact happened at Envoy Financial.

A client called in with what seemed like a routine request to help with a retirement withdrawal. But within minutes, it became clear this was not just another call. The woman on the other end of the line had just lost her father. She was overwhelmed, in a difficult financial position, and calling from her car in a Walmart parking lot.

As she sat there, rattled by grief, someone even tried to open her door.

The moment could easily have spiraled into chaos, but the client relations specialist stayed calm. She explained the tax details carefully, made sure there were no issues with outstanding loans, and set up everything through DocuSign so it could be processed without delay. Then, before ending the call, she gently asked if she could pray with the client.

The woman agreed, and they prayed together. The client broke down in tears and said simply, “Thank you so much. God bless you.”

For Envoy Financial, this is what stewardship really means. The numbers matter, but they are only part of the story. What makes the company stand out is its conviction that retirement planning can be transformational, not just transactional. Its mission is to serve those who serve others, ensuring that people in ministry can retire with dignity and continue living their calling.

That mission is carried out through the collective effort of Envoy’s team. CEO and Managing Director Tim Newell and Vice President Tom Lau, together with every department and team member, shape a culture where retirement planning blends technical excellence and faith-driven purpose.

“Choosing Envoy means partnering with a team that understands ministry as well as money,” says Lau. “We focus on bridging what we call the ‘ministry mismatch,’ creating retirement plans that align seamlessly with mission, values, and the unique financial realities of those who serve.”

Ensuring Every Plan Reflects Compliance and Conviction

That “mismatch” is more common than many realize.

According to Newell, many churches that have retirement plans are in the wrong type of plan altogether. Many default to standard 401(k) programs, unaware that pastors and church staff would benefit far more from 403(b)(9) church plans, which offer unique tax advantages such as housing allowance eligibility in retirement.

“The reality is many churches don’t have a retirement plan in place for their pastors,” he explains. “And a significant number of those that do often have plans that don’t fully meet their needs.”

Fixing that problem is not just about paperwork. It is about honoring the work of pastors, missionaries, and nonprofit staff who often sacrifice higher salaries to follow their calling. By ensuring they have access to the right plan structure, Envoy helps unlock significant financial benefits that can add thousands of dollars to retirement income, which can make the difference between barely getting by and continuing to serve with stability and confidence.

The company’s services extend well beyond plan design. Envoy provides 403(b) plans tailored for ministries, and faith-based investment lineups known as Biblically Responsible Investments (BRI). What sets them apart is how these elements come together. Instead of sending clients to different providers for recordkeeping, third-party administration, and advisory services, Envoy brings everything under one roof. This integrated model simplifies the process for organizations while ensuring that every plan reflects both compliance and conviction.

Faith-Driven Plans for a Lifetime of Service

Biblically responsible investment options are central to this approach. Standard funds remain available, but Envoy offers portfolios that allow participants to align investments with their beliefs. For example, a pro-life organization can avoid supporting companies that conflict with its mission. This kind of alignment ensures that retirement savings are not working against the very values that ministries are dedicated to upholding.

Real-world examples highlight the value of this approach. One nonprofit ministry faced a messy plan conversion that left them with compliance gaps around housing allowances and pastor eligibility. Envoy restructured the plan, educated the leadership, and resolved the compliance issues, while also engaging staff through faith-based financial wellness programs.

In another case, a global mission organization struggled with disengaged participants. Envoy addressed the issue by attending ministry events, offering personalized education, and creating engagement campaigns. Within a year, participation improved dramatically, and employees were asking more meaningful questions about retirement readiness.

Future-Funded Ministry Accounts

At the individual level, Envoy’s difference shines through in how Its client relations and stewardship advisors team interact with participants. Calls are treated as opportunities for connection. Staff are encouraged to engage at both financial and personal levels, something most firms avoid. For Envoy, these moments are viewed as divine appointments, where problem solving goes hand in hand with care.

This philosophy shapes how the company even defines retirement. Rather than viewing it as the end of a career, Envoy frames it as the next stage of ministry. They call their accounts “Future-Funded Ministry Accounts,” a concept they have patented. The idea is simple yet profound: when a paycheck stops, a person’s gifts and calling do not. Retirement resources should be structured so individuals can continue serving and giving, extending their impact into later years.

Newell, who has spent over forty years in the advisory space, sees this holistic approach as essential. Retirement planning should not be isolated from the rest of a household’s finances. Instead, it should be integrated with other accounts, trust planning, and long-term goals. Envoy’s stewardship advisors work directly with participants to build personalized roadmaps, ensuring that retirement plans fit into the broader picture of family finances and faith commitments.

Full-Scope, Faith-Driven Solution

Though the company is a for-profit business, its ethos is ministry-minded. The culture encourages practices that other providers might restrict, such as praying with clients, while maintaining professional excellence in compliance and fiduciary responsibility. This blend of technical rigor and compassionate service has made Envoy a trusted partner for ministries, nonprofits, and even faith-driven businesses seeking retirement solutions aligned with their values.

For Lau, this dual focus on technical strength and spiritual care is what makes the work meaningful. He explains that retirement planning is not simply about readiness or contribution rates but about discipleship, walking alongside clients through seasons of life and preparing them for a future of service.

Envoy’s story, from that Walmart parking lot call to complex plan overhauls for large organizations, underscores a consistent truth that retirement planning is about people, not just portfolios. By grounding its work in stewardship and faith, the company has carved out a space that few others occupy.

“Most retirement providers see plans as one-size-fits-all,” Newell says. “What we provide is hard to find elsewhere—a full-scope, faith-driven solution that meets financial needs and also aligns with the mission and values of ministries. For us, it is about helping people remain faithful for a lifetime.”

For ministries and nonprofits seeking more than just another plan, Envoy offers more than technical expertise. It offers partnership, empathy, and a vision for retirement that extends far beyond numbers on a statement.