Cedarville Stories

Entrepreneurship With a Kingdom PurposeJosh Hochstedler has watched God use both hardship and opportunity to shape his definition of success. Along the way, his interest in entrepreneurship has become closely connected to a desire to impact lives, build Christian community, and help others pursue their God-given calling with confidence and purpose.A junior cyber operations major at Cedarville University, Josh recently shared his story on the Cedarville Stories podcast, reflecting on the experiences that have shaped both his faith and his vision for the future.Some of those lessons began during his childhood in Brazil, where he watched his father faithfully invest in the lives of others through ministry. Seeing the difference one person could make through consistent care, service, and encouragement left a lasting impression on Josh and helped cultivate his desire to serve others.Later, those early lessons were deepened through the heartbreaking losses of his brother and mother to cancer within two years of each other. Walking through that season taught Josh lessons that no classroom ever could. He learned that faith is not simply believing when life makes sense; it is trusting God when it doesn't. He learned that God's provision often comes through the people He places beside us. He also learned how deeply encouragement, presence, honesty, transparency, and genuine community can sustain someone through life's hardest moments.Those experiences continue to influence the way Josh approaches life today. He often returns to the lesson God has been teaching him about belief, trusting that God will provide, guide, and open doors as he faithfully takes the next step. Even after witnessing God's faithfulness in powerful ways, Josh knows that choosing faith remains a daily decision. Yet time and again, he has seen God work through both challenges and opportunities to lead him forward.That perspective has also transformed the way he thinks about entrepreneurship. While many people view business as a path to personal achievement, Josh sees it as a platform for serving others. The trials his family endured gave him a deeper appreciation for relationships and reinforced a conviction that people, not profits, must remain at the center of any lasting impact.A recent missions trip to Chile helped strengthen that conviction. The experience reminded him that success finds its highest purpose when it is used to invest in people. It renewed his commitment to keep relationships at the center of everything he hopes to build and reinforced his desire to create opportunities that positively influence others.That people-first mindset also fuels Josh's passion for encouraging Christian entrepreneurs. Through events and gatherings, he has witnessed how isolating the entrepreneurial journey can sometimes feel. He has also seen how quickly people come alive when they discover others who share their vision and calling. Those moments have inspired him to help build stronger communities where Christian entrepreneurs can connect, encourage one another, share resources, and work together for a greater Kingdom impact.When Josh thinks about the legacy he hopes to leave behind, his answer is simple: people. He wants to invest in others the way so many have invested in him, walking alongside them, offering encouragement, and helping them grow in faith. The image that continues to guide him is one he shared on the podcast: believers linking arms, supporting one another through every season of life, and moving together toward heaven. In many ways, that vision captures both the lessons he has learned and the impact he hopes to leave behind.https://share.transistor.fm/s/dcd90ffdhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwds-H7fffQ

Secret Service and the Zero-Fail MissionThe U.S. Secret Service lives by a simple standard: zero fail. Every route, every rooftop, and every split-second decision demands excellence because the mission leaves no room for mistakes.Jeff Rinehart has built his career around that expectation. The 1993 Cedarville University graduate has spent nearly three decades with the Secret Service, rising into senior leadership and carrying the weight of protecting the nation and serving its government with quiet professionalism.To most people, the Secret Service looks like dark suits, earpieces, and sunglasses. Rinehart understands the mystique, but he points to something deeper. The heart of the work, he says, is service — service to the United States, to its government, and to the people who rely on it.That sense of purpose demands steady discipline. In a job where one mistake can change history, Rinehart has pursued excellence the way a craftsman pursues a clean finish: by doing the small things right every day. He has protected dignitaries and worked alongside world leaders, but he also recognizes that the agency’s mission stretches far beyond what the cameras capture.The Secret Service investigates cybercrime and financial fraud, and Rinehart speaks about those cases with real conviction. When agents stop someone from draining a senior citizen’s life savings, the work matters. When they track down cyber predators who exploit children online, the reward runs even deeper. He does not glamorize the job. He honors it, and he honors the people it helps.Over the years, Rinehart has stepped up to a wide range of assignments. He served on the presidential detail for President George W. Bush, handled sensitive work as a foreign attaché officer, and built cases as a criminal investigator. Each role demanded the same steady excellence day after day, whether anyone is watching or not.In his current role, Rinehart has helped keep President Donald Trump safe during multiple visits overseas, including trips to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Those miles add another layer to the mission: unfamiliar terrain, shifting schedules, and constant coordination with host nations. Still, the expectation never changes. The detail must run clean, the planning must hold, and the team must be ready for anything.Rinehart recently shared his story as a guest on the Cedarville Stories podcast. In his trademark steady way, he made it clear that the Secret Service is more than an image. It is a calling to serve something bigger than oneself and a daily commitment to excellence in a mission where “zero fail” is not a tagline but a promise.https://share.transistor.fm/s/93bc077dhttps://youtu.be/YtBjp1nYnOM

Dr. Jared Pincin: Fantasy Sports and Real ConvictionsSome of the most lasting lessons in life don’t come from classrooms or textbooks but from watching the people closest to you do hard things without complaint. For Dr. Jared Pincin, those lessons were learned early by watching his college-educated father take whatever work was necessary to provide for his family, even when that meant working as a janitor at McDonald’s during a tough recession.Pincin, associate professor of economics at Cedarville University since 2023, isn’t just an expert in market theory. He’s a man shaped by humble beginnings, hard-earned wisdom, and a heart for guiding young people well.Born and raised in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, Jared grew up watching his parents navigate life’s ups and downs with grit and grace. His dad took that janitorial job during an economic downturn. He never showed bitterness or complained; he simply did what was needed to care for his family. That quiet determination left a lasting mark. Jared’s own first job, stocking shelves for Nabisco, became a lesson in humility and trusting God’s timing.His journey into economics began in middle school, sparked by a visiting stockbroker on career day. That interest grew through high school internships and eventually led him to earn a PhD. Though he didn’t initially plan on teaching, the doors to academia opened, and he found joy in the classroom, especially in connecting with students and helping them think deeply about real-world choices.On a recent episode of the Cedarville Stories podcast, Jared shared more than just economic insight. He spoke candidly about his past involvement in fantasy sports and how it gradually led him to question the role of sports betting in his life. What started as a harmless March Madness bracket in high school ended with a suspension and a turning point. Over time, he began to see gambling not just as a financial risk but as a spiritual one.Today, alongside Cedarville colleague Colonel (Ret.) Greg Thompson, he speaks to students about the hidden dangers of sports betting, particularly how easy access and secrecy can foster habits with long-term consequences. It’s not about legalism, he says, but stewardship and wisdom.Jared’s story is one of thoughtful faith, honest work, and a calling to prepare the next generation not just for the workforce but for life.https://share.transistor.fm/s/f745bac4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-v5CZjqM4I

Desert Roots and Gospel GoalsMatthew and Daniel Leo grew up in the Middle East, where sunbaked streets doubled as soccer fields and neighbors quickly became family. Their childhood was filled with the rhythms of daily life, including shared meals, local traditions, and long afternoons chasing a ball through the dust. With parents devoted to humanitarian work, the brothers were immersed in a life of service and shaped by a deep love for people, culture, and faith that would stay with them wherever they went.Now students at Cedarville University, the brothers lace up their cleats as members of the University’s soccer team. But if you ask them, they’ll tell you their identity goes far deeper than their roles on the field or in the classroom. As they shared recently on the Cedarville Stories podcast, they see themselves first and foremost as children of God — young men whose purpose isn’t just to win games but to live lives that reflect Christ.Matthew shared how his identity as a follower of Jesus isn’t something he sets aside when he steps onto the field. When he's playing in front of a crowd or pushing through a tough match, his faith remains central to who he is. The way he competes, responds to pressure, and carries himself flows from that deeper commitment. For him, soccer isn’t separate from his spiritual life; it’s another place where his walk with Christ is lived out.Daniel followed with a heartfelt message for those who may not yet know Christ. He encouraged listeners to explore the Bible with an open heart, describing it as a powerful collection of stories about real people — flawed, broken, and often struggling — who encountered God’s grace. Through those stories, he explained, there’s a clear picture of hope, redemption, and purpose. Both brothers emphasized that a life shaped by faith is not about perfection but about daily trust and living in a way that reflects something greater than themselves.Their future plans? The Leo brothers hope to return to the Middle East after graduation to continue the work their parents started. They want to invest in people, love their neighbors, and serve in a region they still call home.In a world often driven by status or stats, Matthew and Daniel’s story is refreshingly simple and deeply inspiring: two brothers chasing a ball, loving deeply, and running toward a calling far greater than themselves.https://share.transistor.fm/s/aa08bb61https://youtu.be/m9WnRUATlJE

Lucy Malmberg: Cradled in a Box, Carried by FaithLucy Malmberg’s life began in the shadow of World War II. Born in a refugee camp and carried onto a plane bound for America inside a handmade box, she traveled hidden beneath a blanket with nothing but a handwritten birth certificate and her father’s whispered prayer. Her parents had fled the devastation of Ukraine with no home, no country, and little more than their steadfast faith in Jesus. That improbable journey — marked by desperation, courage, and divine protection — became the opening chapter of a life defined by God’s unwavering faithfulness.From her earliest memories, Lucy recognized God’s fingerprints on every detail of her story. He met her family with miracles both great and small, providing exactly what they needed when they needed it. Through seasons of hardship and abundance, Lucy learned to trust His timing, His provision, and His plan.Pharmacy eventually became Lucy’s calling, but it was never just about medicine. She approached her work as a ministry, caring for the whole person — body, mind, and soul. Together with her late husband, George, she founded Wedgewood Pharmacy and helped build it into one of the nation’s most respected veterinary compounding pharmacies. Yet professional achievement was never her ultimate goal. What mattered most was stewarding the platform God had given her to share the hope of Jesus.Lucy inherited her passion for introducing people to Christ from her father, a man whose ever-present smile opened the door to countless Gospel conversations in grocery lines, gas stations, and diners. She carries that same joyful boldness. More than anything, Lucy longs to live a life that helps populate heaven.When the opportunity arose to invest in Christian pharmacy education, she didn’t hesitate. Her recent $1 million gift to Cedarville University’s School of Pharmacy will equip future pharmacists to serve as both excellent clinicians and courageous ambassadors for Christ. Meeting students whose lives were transformed through the scholarship moved Lucy to tears. For her, it was unmistakable confirmation that God was at work.Lucy recently shared her testimony on the Cedarville Stories podcast. With warmth and humility, she reflected on a life shaped by hardship, hope, and the joy of Jesus. She sees Cedarville as a place where students are not only trained with excellence but also sent out to share the Gospel wherever God leads.For Lucy, that is the legacy that matters most: hearts turned toward heaven, one faithful life at a time.https://share.transistor.fm/s/09c46197https://youtu.be/nd03ddxGU5w