Our story
From personal struggle to a global mission of faith and financial transformation.
It Started with a Struggle
Jon and Evelyn Bean, co-founders of Compass Catholic Ministries, did not begin with success — they began with failure.
After losing more than $250,000 in a failed business venture and accumulating significant debt, their financial situation created deep tension in their marriage.
In the midst of that struggle, they were introduced to a Bible study on financial principles.
What they discovered changed everything.
By faithfully applying what they learned, they not only restored their finances, but also strengthened their marriage and their faith.
A Call to Serve
What began as a personal transformation soon became a mission. After years of applying these principles, Jon and Evelyn felt called to share this message with others — especially within the Catholic Church.
They began by bringing the teachings to their parish in 1988. Years later, in 2010, Compass Catholic Ministries was officially established to serve parishes and communities around the world.
Growing Through Faith and Service
1988
A Personal Calling
Jon and Evelyn Bean introduce biblical financial principles to their parish
2010
Compass Catholic was Born
Official establishment of Compass Catholic Ministries
2015
Global Expansion
First full Compass course held in Colombia, Latin America mission begins
Today
Growing Worldwide
Active in 14+ countries with millions impacted through parish programs and online courses
A Mission Without Borders
What began in one parish has now reached communities across the world. Compass has expanded to countries including:
Australia
Bolivia
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Puerto Rico
Spain
Venezuela
…and continues to grow.
A Story of Faith in Latin America
The expansion of Compass in Latin America began with a simple but courageous step.
A woman originally from El Salvador but living in Florida for decades, Eva Córdova, inspired by what she had learned, began sharing Compass with others.
What followed was a series of providential encounters — from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, to Mexico and beyond — each opening new doors for the mission. In 2015, the first full Compass course in Latin America was held in Colombia.
Since then, the mission has spread across multiple countries, transforming lives and communities through faith and financial stewardship.
Lives Transformed
Gained Clarity
in their financial lives
Restored
their sense of purpose
Strengthened
their relationship with God
Learned to Live
as faithful stewards
Meet the founders
Jon and Evelyn Bean
The Compass Catholic Story
We are Jon and Evelyn Bean co-founders of Compass Catholic Ministries. In 1987, we were introduced to a non-denominational Bible Study teaching biblical financial principles. Jon had tried to start a business, which was a complete failure! After 5 years we lost over $250,000. All of our IRAs and short-term savings were spent to make up for lost income. When the money ran out we turned to our credit cards – and ran up about $35,000 in credit card debt, in addition to having two car loans and a home mortgage. We did everything wrong and made all the financial mistakes that could be made!
We were struggling with our finances and that led to great tension within our marriage. However, as we studied the Bible, we could see that if we faithfully followed what we learned, we might be able to repair our financial mess and strengthen our marriage at the same time. Which we did! Twenty years after that first study we were able to retire from paid jobs and become full time volunteers to serve God in ministry the unique way he called us.
Learning and applying the biblical financial principles had a powerful impact on both our financial and spiritual lives, and we felt called to take this message to Catholic Parishes. We are blessed to serve in a ministry, which has such far-reaching value to so many people. We are passionate about our faith and our responsibility for spreading the word of God.
A Message From Evelyn
Taking two people who were in financial turmoil and having them serve in a financial ministry just proves God has a sense of humor. I am a cradle Catholic and was raised to have a much different attitude about money and possessions than Jon. My family was very frugal and my parents bought everything with cash, I never lacked the basics, but we lived a simple lifestyle.
After we were married, Jon’s way seemed like a lot more fun than the way I was raised. Who doesn’t desire to have everything they want? Unfortunately, that way led to a lot of debt, which was really NOT a lot of fun. When we took that first Bible study, I knew that we had to change our financial habits, get back to core values and repair all the damage we’d done to our finances and to our marriage.
It is often said that the best way to learn something is to teach it, and although facilitating the Compass studies is really not teaching, it is a way to stay focused on the message. By facilitating the Bible study we were able to stay focused on God’s word, and repair the financial mess we had created. And discussing our finances wrapped in God’s word helped us to get over our differences and find common ground in our goals and future plans. We are so blessed to have learned the Biblical financial principles together so we could use our mistakes, challenges and successes to help others.
A Message From Jon
I was pretty depressed in that first Bible study. Because of trying to start a business, we had lost a lot of money, created a pile of debt and our lifestyle had gone from comfortable to very uncomfortable — we were just squeaking by each month. At some point in the first several weeks of the study, the light bulb finally went on in my head. I didn’t really have a financial issue — my primary issue was a spiritual issue. God wasn’t number one in my life; money was number one!
I thought that I was in control. I worked hard; I earned my money; I deserved everything that I had. In truth, that last statement hit the nail right on the head. I did deserver all the financial issues that I created because I thought I was in control, not God. I worked hard, true, but I was using the skills that God had blessed me with. None of my skills and talents were my own doing. I began to understand that through my fault, I had failed. Maybe if I put God back as number one in my life, He could, through His graciousness and His love, show me the way.
Now, several decades later, that was the best decision that I ever made! I put my faith in God, trusted in him and what he taught in the Bible and we were able to recover from all the mistakes that I made, create a spending plan that allowed us to pay-off debt and save like we had never saved before. We saved enough to be able to work for God without having to worry about earning a salary. He has provided for us and now we hope to be able to share what we learned with you. We are living proof that His way is the best way!
Where We Are Today
Compass Catholic Ministries continues to grow through:
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Parish-based studies serving local communities
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Online programs reaching beyond borders
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International partnerships amplifying impact
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Global community engagement fostering transformation
With events such as international summits and new program launches, the mission continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact.