How John Stewart Of FaithChannel Merged Internet Innovation with Faith-Driven Storytelling, and Built a New Media Platform
“As I looked around at the modern media landscape, I saw a world flowing with content — yet starving for meaning. So much of what’s being shared today is loud, divisive, or empty… FaithChannel was born out of that conviction and the Vision God placed in my heart decades ago — to create a space where faith-centered entertainment could thrive, where creators could share stories that inspire, and where families could connect to content that strengthens their spirit and draws them closer to Jesus.”
We had the pleasure of talking with John Stewart, a man who occupies a unique space where the wild west of early internet culture collides with the ancient traditions of faith. If you look at Stewart’s resume, it reads like a history of the digital age itself. He has been in the trenches since the early 1990s, back when the web was still figuring out what it wanted to be. He started out building small-footprint video games and crafting digital solutions for cool-kid brands like RIDE Snowboards and Billabong. But underneath the coding and the commerce, Stewart was operating on a different frequency.
In 1995, Stewart experienced a spiritual shift that would eventually redefine his career. As he describes it, he “accepted Christ and received a vision that one day I would be used to help advance the Kingdom of God through web-based technology.” It was a heavy concept for the mid-90s, but Stewart played the long game. He spent the turn of the millennium in Seattle, co-founding Shop Local in 1999. The startup was a massive success, serving top retailers across the U.S. before being sold off. On paper, Stewart had won the tech lottery. But the exit wasn’t just a payday; it was the green light to finally chase that vision from 1995.
In 2007, he launched what is now FaithChannel (formerly FaithNetwork). The goal was to modernize the church experience through websites, apps, and live streaming. However, the road from tech entrepreneur to faith-media mogul wasn’t exactly paved with gold. It was paved with a harsh lesson in trust.
“They say every great entrepreneur has at least one ‘learning experience’ that costs a fortune,” Stewart told me, reflecting on the early days of his new venture. “Mine just happened to come with handcuffs and a headline.”
Stewart had placed his trust in a partner who was playing fast and loose with government finances. While Stewart was heads-down building software, his partner was allegedly building a side hustle using less-than-legal methods. “The next thing I know, he’s trading his office chair for an orange jumpsuit,” Stewart said. It was a moment that could have shattered a lesser resolve. “I had poured everything into this company — time, savings, passion, way too much coffee — and suddenly it was all gone. Or so it seemed.”
Instead of folding, Stewart viewed the disaster through a lens of resilience. He realized that “sometimes God has to empty your hands before He can fill them with something better.” That betrayal forced him to rebuild with discernment, eventually leading to the team that surrounds him today, including key investors and partners like the Woodall family.
The real stress test for FaithChannel’s utility came during the global shutdowns of the Covid pandemic. The company went from streaming a steady number of church services to becoming a digital lifeline overnight. “We literally streamed 1000x from one weekend to the next,” Stewart recalled. For a brief moment in history, his technology was the only thread connecting congregations.
Today, Stewart has pivoted from just providing the pipes for content to creating the content itself. He sees a media landscape that is “overflowing with content, but not all of it fills the soul.” His answer is FaithChannel Productions. Stepping into the role of an outsider in the entertainment industry, Stewart and his team — including director Tory Hunter and writer Marianne Haaland — recently produced their first feature film, Christmas at the Cabin.
Stewart draws his inspiration from a figure who he argues was the original viral storyteller. “He walked this earth without a marketing team, a social platform, or even a microphone — and yet His message still reaches every corner of the globe,” Stewart said of Jesus. He is fascinated by the simplicity of that approach: no flash, just stories that connected people. Stewart wants to replicate that feeling of safety and connection in a digital world that often feels fractured and loud.
Despite the success, Stewart remains grounded in the grind. He acknowledges that a “God given vision is worth fighting for,” even when the industry is tough. He looks at creators like Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, as a blueprint for what is possible. “I do know he had to walk through some failures,” Stewart noted, recognizing a kindred spirit in the struggle to merge faith with high-quality production.
Currently, Stewart is focused on the horizon, meditating on the idea that there is “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” ahead. He isn’t just building a streaming service; he is trying to curate a culture. He wants to see a world where families can find entertainment that doesn’t just distract them, but actually adds something to their lives.
“My hope is that every visitor… will encounter Jesus,” Stewart says. It is a bold ambition for a tech guy from the 90s gaming world, but after surviving the dot-com boom, a partner going to prison, and a global pandemic, Stewart seems ready for the next act. “I got the better deal,” he said with a laugh, looking back on the chaos that brought him here. “I got a testimony.”
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
I’ve been working in internet-based technology since the early 1990s. My journey began with creating small footprint video games and developing web-based solutions for major clients back when the internet was still in its infancy. (RIDE snowboards, Billabong, ect.)
In 1995, I accepted Christ and received a vision that one day I would be used to help advance the Kingdom of God through web-based technology.
In 1999, I co-founded a Seattle-based internet start-up, Shop Local, that served many of the top retailers in the U.S. After the company was sold, I felt led to take the success and experience I gained and pursue the vision God had placed on my heart years earlier. In 2007, that vision became reality with the formation of FaithChannel (formally known as FaithNetwork).
Through serving Church and Ministry technology needs in Websites, Mobile Apps, AV management, Live Streaming, Giving and OTT FaithChannel was born. FaithChannel has brought me down the path of using Christian Entertainment to fulfill the vision God placed on my heart in 1995. Through great story telling, cutting edge production and world wide delivery we can reach the world through movies and shows that entertain but also open the user to the possibility of encountering Jesus.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
They say every great entrepreneur has at least one “learning experience” that costs a fortune. Mine just happened to come with handcuffs and a headline.
Back in the early days of FaithChannel, I had put my trust in someone that, let’s just say, was a little too creative with their Government financial dealings. While I was busy building software and chasing the Vision, he was apparently building a side hustle — using other companies he formed in some not so stand up ways.
The next thing I know, he’s trading his office chair for an orange jumpsuit.
At the time, it felt like the end of the world. I had poured everything into this company — time, savings, passion, way too much coffee — and suddenly it was all gone. Or so it seemed. But here’s the funny thing: sometimes God has to empty your hands before He can fill them with something better.
That disaster ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me and to FaithChannel. It taught me about faith, resilience, and the fine art of trusting through discernment. It also reminded me that God has a plan — even when it looks like the plan seems to be failing. Don’t give up, trust in Him, he will make the path straight.
Looking back now, I can laugh. Because without that crazy chapter, I might never have found the calling, or the people, that helped me to build FaithChannel and make that vision a reality.
So yes, my first business partner went to jail. But I got the better deal — I got a testimony.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
So this year FaithChannel lit up our sister company FaithChannel Productions and we jumped head first funding and producing our first feature film called “Christmas at the Cabin” (In Theaters Nov 14th). As an outsider to the entertainment industry I was blessed to work with an amazing team on our first project. We had an amazing writer Marianne Haaland. Our Director Tory Hunter did a fantastic job. Producers and Creatives like Todd Terry, Sharon Oliphant, Corey Cannon, Ryan Johnson, Russell Hobbs, Stacey Sheffield and our entire Crew, Kappa Studios and our distribution team have made this a great experience and we are proud of the film we created. We are so excited to share it with the world starting Nov 2025 and start our next project(s)
Another group of people that really need mentioning are our investors and strategic partners The Woodall Family — Ryan, Blake, Blair, Blake II and Weldon. Without them FaithChannel would not be where it is today.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
When I think about where the vision for FaithChannel really began, it always comes back to Jesus. Not just Jesus as my Savior — but Jesus as the most influential, world-changing figure in history.
Think about it: over 2,000 years ago, He walked this earth without a marketing team, a social platform, or even a microphone — and yet His message still reaches every corner of the globe. His words healed, inspired, and transformed lives then… and they still do today.
As someone who’s spent decades in technology and media, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by that. Here was God that came to earth as a man,He used simple stories to communicate eternal truths. He didn’t rely on flashy production or perfect lighting. He simply told stories that connected people to God the Father and to each other. That’s powerful communication.
When I looked around at the modern media landscape, I realized something: families are starving for that same kind of truth-filled storytelling. The world is overflowing with content, but not all of it fills the soul. That’s when the vision for FaithChannel took shape.
Jesus inspired me to create a platform where stories could once again carry meaning — where faith, family, and creativity could come together in a space that feels safe, uplifting, and real. I wanted to build something that not only entertained but also encouraged — something that could help spread light in a world that often feels dark. My hope is that every visitor to FaithChannel.com and every person that watches content we create or content that we distribute on behalf of others will encounter Jesus and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
At FaithChannel, our mission is personal. We’re here to connect families with safe, inspiring, and faith-centered entertainment that uplifts and strengthens their walk with Christ. We’re also passionate about empowering Christian creators and partnering with value-driven businesses to build a positive, global media ecosystem — one that reflects light, hope, and truth in every story shared.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
As I looked around at the modern media landscape, I saw a world flowing with content — yet starving for meaning. So much of what’s being shared today is loud, divisive, or empty, and families are often left searching for something safe, uplifting, and rooted in Biblical truth. That realization hit me hard. I knew there had to be a better way.
FaithChannel was born out of that conviction and the Vision God placed in my heart decades ago — to create a space where faith-centered entertainment could thrive, where Christian creators could share stories that inspire, and where families could connect to content that strengthens their spirit and draws them closer to Jesus.
Through the ups and downs I kept believing that God would not have placed that vision so vividly in my heart for me just to fail. It is that belief that kept me working hard, following God and taking the next step, after next step, as God made the path clearer and clearer. To God be the glory! FaithChannel would not be where it is today without His guiding hand and my dependence on Him.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Using technology to reach people sometimes makes it tough to really see the impact you have on individuals. It is so great when people reach out to let us know how our platform has helped them or their loved ones. But, I think one of the times in our company history where the impact we were making was very evident was during the Covid shutdowns. Through the service side of our company, Faith Network, and our live stream platform, we went from streaming hundreds of Church services weekly with decent attendance one week to being the ONLY way churches could keep their services going and the ONLY way their members could attend. We literally streamed 1000x from one weekend to the next. The testimonies, the reach and our front-line involvement in keeping Church going during that dark time really impacted me and I still thank God and am humbled by the fact that He used my company in such a big way during that time.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
1. Individuals — Choose and share faith-centered media.
Every time someone subscribes, shares, or simply watches a piece of uplifting content, they help shift the demand toward values-driven storytelling. The more people choose content that inspires instead of divides, the stronger this movement becomes.
2. Society — Encourage and celebrate positive creators.
Our culture has incredible power to shape hearts and minds. When communities, churches, and organizations highlight Christian filmmakers, musicians, and storytellers, it sends a message that faith-based creativity matters and deserves the same support as mainstream entertainment.
3. Government — Create policies that empower value-driven media.
There’s an opportunity for public support through grants, incentives, and fair distribution laws that make it easier for small, faith-centered creators to compete. Encouraging diversity in media should include moral and spiritual diversity too.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
1 . God given visions don’t mean it is going to be easy. Rejoice as you work through the valleys that same as you rejoice on the mountain top.
2 . Sin is the doorway to failure or at least to God’s correction. You are not immune to the adverse effects of sinful behavior.
3 . The Devil will do everything he can to derail a God given vision. Be vigilant.
4 . Trust God. Sometimes you cannot see how God will orchestrate a thing…but trust His plan is right.
5 . Do not be quick to give up. A God given vision is worth fighting for. Most people give up on a vision just before God brings their win.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
As someone who’s seen how small actions can ripple into big change, I believe young people have an incredible opportunity to shape the future. God’s creation — our world, our communities, and each other — is something we’re all called to care for and use our God given skills and abilities to positively impact our world. Making a positive impact isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about reflecting God’s love through action. Whether it’s helping those in need, sharing the good news of the Gospel, building businesses that positively affect our world etc, every effort adds light to a world that could always use more of it.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I would love to work on a project with Dallas Jenkins. I admire what he has done with The Chosen. With that series he has paved the way for FaithChannel and future of Christian Media. I do know he had to walk through some failures, from what I hear he had to trust God even in the storm and I believe that we share some mutual experiences.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Currently I am spending a lot of time meditating on Ephesians 3:20. This verse states that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” according to the power that is at work within believers. This verse blows me away, it is hard to even comprehend all that God can do and that it is “immeasurably more than we imagine” — Wow. God’s ability to do things is far beyond our human capacity. We cannot even imagine all he is capable of. So in all I do I want to rely on God’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve great things through Him and for His Glory .
Thank you for sharing these great stories!
How John Stewart Of FaithChannel Merged Internet Innovation with Faith-Driven Storytelling, and… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.