Forest Li's story is a testament to the impact that education and faith can have on one's life. As a Trinity Western graduate with expertise in financial management, he is motivated to give back to the next generation through encouraging others to steward their resources well.
The journey to Trinity Western University for Forest Li (’06) was inspired by his two aunts who lived near the Langley, BC campus and encouraged his parents to send him. It was a big move, as he was living in Shanghai, China at the time. But despite the thousands of miles separating the two countries, Forest decided to attend TWU as an international student, and he found himself warmly welcomed into this new community—one that would eventually provide him a degree, a purpose, and a relationship with Jesus.
At Trinity Western, Forest discovered a community that demonstrated the character of Christ—something that left a huge impact on him and ultimately led him to give his life to God during his second year at the university.
“I thought everyone was super friendly,” says Forest of his first impressions of Trinity Western. “Although the campus is small, it has all the necessities, and the community living is vibrant. I would also say that the friendliness from people is really from the heart. They showcased Christ's unconditional love to me, which was one of the primary reasons for [my] conversion.”
"TWU helped my spiritual growth and understanding of God tremendously. ...I wouldn't be the man I am today if I didn't go to TWU and experience God's love."
Forest was a part of the International Student Program (ISP) for four years, which not only strengthened his faith but also helped him grow as a leader.
“TWU helped my spiritual growth and understanding of God tremendously. I went from [being] a non-believer to a follower of Jesus. Besides ISP, my roommate Brandon Penkoff (’04) also played a huge part for me to know Jesus,” recalls Forest. “I remembered we would read the Bible and pray together almost every day. He modelled to me what it looks like to be a Christ-follower daily.”
One of the most memorable moments for him was a born-again birthday party where he shed tears of joy as he celebrated the decision to follow Jesus with his ISP friends.
“I wouldn't be the man I am today if I didn't go to TWU and experience God's love,” says Forest.
After graduation, Forest started his career as an admin staff for a Chinese immigration consulting company. He then worked in retail for two years before going back to accounting school and completing the pre-requisites for the Chartered Accountant program. He worked as an auditor/accountant for five years at Ernst & Young and completed the CA program there.
After getting married, he became the Director of Finance at More Than a Roof Housing Society. But it wasn’t until taking a parental leave in 2018 that he felt called to become a "money pastor" and to teach Christian believers about managing money for God's Kingdom.
"If our identity is in Christ and we believe him as the owner of everything, then how we manage money will look very differently."
“I became hungry about reading anything on biblical money management and went through at least 10-15 books in a very short period of time,” shares Forest. “At the same time, I joined Kingdom Advisor, a Christian organization that helps disciple Christian financial advisors to get proper training on biblical financial advising.”
Eventually, Forest connected with two business partners whose mission and values aligned well with his, and he became the CFO and stewardship coach at Rise Above Finance, where he oversees finance, develops stewardship teachings, and counsels Christian clients.
“Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ I believe that our wallet and bank statements show where our treasure is. Our spending is driven by our values. Some of our values align with God's heart (e.g. generosity, providing for our family, honouring our father and mother, etc.) and others don't align (e.g. greed for more, fear of failure, coveting, etc.) If our identity is in Christ and we believe him as the owner of everything, then how we manage money will look very differently,” says Forest.
Forest is thankful for his education at Trinity Western, and hopes to be able to give back to the next generation through encouraging others to steward their finances well.
“Above all, it is our relationship with God that counts most."
“The world wants us to consume first and get more into debt, but the Bible instructs us to honour our Lord with our first fruits (give) and work hard in the summer for the winter (save) first,” says Forest. “Above all, it is our relationship with God that counts most. If we don't love God and know that we are on mission with him, then everything in our life will become shambles and purposeless.”
Forest's story is a testament to the impact that education and faith can have on one's life. He hopes to always be free to share this story in order to inspire and encourage others and to shine a light on the need for us all to steward our finances well.
“It is my desire for all of our TWU alumni and students to hear God saying to them 'Good and faithful servant' when they see him face-to-face,” says Forest.
About TWU Alumni
Whether you’re a recent graduate or one of TWU’s original alumni pioneers, you belong here. Our desire is to nurture an engaged and flourishing global community of alumni who are serving God and people in the various marketplaces of life. We invite you to stay connected, proudly represent TWU, and participate in the University’s vision to equip graduates for life. Learn more at TWU Alumni.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Words by Jonathan Fehr ('09) Director of Alumni Engagement and Communications.