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A Tale of Tragedy, Triumph and Changed Lives

January 22, 2023 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


Tom Mallon humbly shares the incredible journey that took him from growing up in southern Ohio (a la “Hillbilly Elegy”) as one of seven children with nine people living in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home to building and selling his company in an innovative way that changed the lives of his employees.

Tom describes a turning point in his faith when he asked God what it meant to be “saved”, and God vividly revealed situations in which He had provided for Tom supernaturally. From that revelation, he knew God loved him and that he was “saved”.

Tom recounts his career path from working in the local glass factory, to selling books door-to-door for seven summers (including as a Harvard Business School graduate without a job), to 11 years in commercial real estate, to watching his first business venture fail due to a bad partnership, to starting the business that he would eventually build, sell to an ESOP and then sell to a Catholic health system, resulting in the lives of his employees being profoundly changed (13 employees becoming millionaires, 3 more receiving $900,000 and even the lowest-paid employees walking away with $400-500,000).

Tom vulnerably shares how God used a triple-tragedy (death of his first business dream, death of his father, and a health challenge) to “roto-rooter” his soul in preparation for his second business venture.

He describes the growth of his second venture and the drawn-out sale process that took the business through two letters of intent before the Holy Spirit convicted him to pursue an ESOP sale by asking “what is the best business decision you can make for your company’s future that will increase the ministry and mission of the business?” Tom also shares how the faithful culture of the business grew after the ESOP sale.

Finally, Tom explains the lessons he learned about the importance of “aligned capital” and how those lessons led to the formation of his current venture, Perpetuate Capital.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Anger, Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Crisis and Adversity, Faith, Fear and Worry, Gods Purpose for Business, Health Challenges and Losses, Integrating Work into Faith, Leadership, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Salvation, Stewardship and Generosity, Transparency and Authenticity

The Making of a Christian Lawyer (Joseph Ruta – 10/21/22 – NCS New Canaan)

October 21, 2022 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


With a wonderful mix of humor and humility, Joseph Ruta shares the fascinating journey that led him from a largely secular upbringing at an Italian family resort in the Catskills to his faith as a follower of Jesus and his profession as a lawyer.

In his unique and entertaining style, Ruta describes with tremendous transparency what it was like growing up in a “very Italian” family that moved from Brooklyn to the Catskills to operate a summer resort during the 1970’s. He vulnerably explains the challenge of going from being the popular social director and emcee at the resort nightclub (at the age of 13) to struggling to fit in and be accepted when the resort closed for the season and school began.

Joe talks about how testifying in court when he was very young planted the desire to become a lawyer, and how the miraculous faith healing of a friend’s father began his exploration of faith. Ruta also shares the details of his own faith awakening (followed by a baptism in the resort pool), and how he came to walk away from his faith–only to return with even greater commitment and passion after a sudden revelation while living in Manhattan.

Ruta tells how his return to faith led him to Times Square Church, where he met his wife. It is a marvelous and funny story of how God can use the most unlikely people and circumstances to guide, shape and equip one of His children.


Below are images of a postcard from the Dellwood resort, showing the Marco Polo Lounge where Joe was the 13-year-old emcee.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Chapter Friday, Faith, Father-Son, Healing, Mentoring and Discipleship, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Raising Children, Relationships, Salvation, Speak Truth, Spiritual Warfare, Transparency and Authenticity

Finding Rest for Your Soul (Andrew Palau – 3/18/22 – NCS New Canaan)

March 19, 2022 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Like a conversation between old friends, Andrew Palau shares his faith journey with remarkable honesty and humility. In fact, it is a conversation between old friends–the Palau family and the New Canaan Society have had a special relationship for over 20 years.

Andrew shares exciting news about the Palau CityFest coming to Southwest Connecticut in 2022 (www.cityfest.org).

He tells about his “wayward” days (as described in his book “The Secret Life of a Fool”) and how his parents never gave up on him. Andrew describes his father’s heartfelt letters and talks and the prayers that came from around the world.

He describes the tortured, sleepless nights wrestling with shame and the direction of his life. He also shares about the trip to Kingston, Jamaica that changed everything–the trip when he met Jesus and Wendy, who became his wife.

Andrew also talks about his father and his legacy and what it has been like to be called to continue that legacy. Those who knew Luis will recognize his uniquely disarming honesty and humility in Andrew.

Finally, Andrew offers a way for us to “find rest for our souls” as he finally did in Jamaica.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Evangelism, Faith, Father-Son, Fear and Worry, Forgiveness, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Healing, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Raising Children, Salvation, Shame-Guilt, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Transparency and Authenticity

Think About Noble Things (Kevin Mackay – 10/8/21 – NCS New Canaan)

October 8, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Kevin Mackay served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and for 17 years as a Stamford Police officer. With tremendous humility and vulnerability, he shares about the “moral injury” he experienced and the miraculous healing that came through his new-found faith in Jesus.

Kevin explains that the most debilitating “moral injury” came when he was a computer forensic expert with the Stamford Police investigating cases of child pornography. With amazing transparency, he reveals how having to examine unspeakable images and incomprehensible search terms drove him to a mental break. Although he began self-medicating, Kevin shares how he turned to the Stamford Police Chaplain for support. Kevin explains that he was an atheist not interested in hearing about God or Jesus, but he believed he could trust the Chaplain (NCS brudder John Revell of Life Line Chaplaincy) to listen confidentially.

Mackay explains how Revell shared with him Philippians 4, particularly verse 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” He describes how shifting his mind to the “noble” took his focus off the images of evil he had experienced. It also led Kevin to begin exploring the idea of God in various faiths. Ultimately, applying his analytical mind to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, Mackay knew that what was missing from his life was Jesus Christ.

Although a reluctant convert just like C.S. Lewis, Kevin goes on to share how his new-found faith has both healed him and given him a new perspective on life. It has transformed him from someone always trying to control his circumstances to someone able to look through circumstances and see the hand of a loving God with a wonderful plan. He tells how anxiety and anxiety drugs have been replaced by the healing peace promised in Philippians.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Crisis and Adversity, Dealing with Emotions, Faith, Gratitude, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Isolation-Loneliness-Depression, Marriage, Mentoring and Discipleship, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, New to Christianity, Prayer, Relationships, Salvation, Spiritual Warfare, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Transparency and Authenticity

Life at the End of the Rainbow (Terry Wilcox – 9/10/21 – NCS New Canaan)

September 10, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

As he approaches his 75th birthday and his 54th wedding anniversary, Terry Wilcox shares the extraordinary adventure of a life spent saying “YES” to God–a life spent following the God’s rainbow by surrendering to His assignments.

From a humble upbringing, Terry chronicles a journey that has included working for various rescue missions (including 18 years leading the Bridgeport Rescue Mission) from Washington to Connecticut, starting or rehabilitating churches across the United States, being part owner of an excavating business until God called him back into rescue mission work, ministering in various African countries, and at the age of 73 being called away from Connecticut to a new assignment as senior pastor of a church in Florida.

Terry then uses the story of Joseph to offer advice on handling the “death of a vision”–that time in life when our plans or visions are shattered, blocked or interrupted. He explains why that is precisely the time to invite God into your life, surrendering to His plan and vision and watching with amazement at what God can do, regardless of your age. He urges us not to say “NO” or “NOT NOW” when God calls, but instead to say “YES” and ride the rainbow.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Faith, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Salvation

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Recent Posts

  • A Tale of Tragedy, Triumph and Changed Lives
  • Adventures of a Urogynecologist (Dr. Bob Lobel – 1/6/23 – NCS New Canaan)
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