FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE
Founder and Pastor, Wise Legacy Solutions
“My success comes from a genuine desire to help people succeed and grow spiritually and in the fruits they produce. I measure success not by numbers but by whether people are growing and attaining their goals. Everything I've done, from management at Tyson to ministry, has been about helping others see and live out their potential rather than being motivated by money.”
Kent Wise serves as Pastor of Bethlehem Methodist Church and the Founder of Wise Legacy Solutions, where he brings together more than 26 years of pastoral ministry, business experience, and insurance education to serve individuals, families, and older adults. He established Wise Legacy Solutions in May 2026 after seven years with Thomas Road Baptist Church, creating a platform through which he could continue serving seniors while helping families navigate important decisions surrounding life insurance, final expense coverage, annuities, Medicare, retirement income, beneficiary designations, and legacy planning. His philosophy is rooted in education first and recommendations second, with an emphasis on helping clients understand their choices, costs, benefits, limitations, and long-term considerations without pressure. Wise’s career reflects a diverse foundation in business, ministry, education, and leadership. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a finance background from Longwood University before completing a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Discipleship. He is licensed to sell insurance in Virginia and 9 additional states and has professional affiliations with the National Agents Alliance and Integrated Trust Solutions, while continuing his connection with Thomas Road Baptist Church. Earlier in his career, Wise worked in management with Tyson Foods and taught business courses, giving him practical experience in organizational leadership, financial concepts, instruction, and mentoring. During more than two decades in ministry, he served in multiple pastoral appointments and developed programs focused on spiritual growth, community engagement, volunteer development, and service. Wise’s work is guided by integrity, compassion, and a servant-minded approach to leadership. His ministry experience includes preaching and teaching, pastoral care, counseling, senior and caregiver support, church administration, volunteer development, and community outreach. He has been involved in initiatives such as the Hope Dementia Conference, supporting caregivers and increasing awareness around the needs of individuals and families affected by dementia. Whether working with a family on insurance and legacy considerations or mentoring people through ministry and community service, Wise emphasizes listening, education, and personal connection. His goal is to help people prepare thoughtfully for the future while encouraging spiritual and personal growth, stronger families, and meaningful opportunities to serve others.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
My success comes from a genuine desire to help people succeed and grow spiritually and in the fruits they produce. I measure success not by numbers but by whether people are growing and attaining their goals. Everything I've done, from management at Tyson to ministry, has been about helping others see and live out their potential rather than being motivated by money.
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to find something that feels meaningful and aligns with your desire to serve others. I believe that when your work allows you to make a positive difference in people’s lives, you can build a career that is not only professionally rewarding but also personally fulfilling. Being of service gives greater purpose to what we do and creates opportunities to grow, build meaningful relationships, and leave a lasting impact on others.
If you are a young man considering ministry and the insurance business, remember this: both callings require character more than charisma.
In ministry, you care for souls. In insurance, you help protect families. In both, people must be able to trust you.
Do not enter ministry simply because you enjoy preaching, or insurance because you want quick money. Ask whether you are willing to serve faithfully when no one applauds.
Build character before building a platform. Your private life, financial habits, marriage, and treatment of people will eventually become visible. Integrity is not only a qualification for ministry, it is also one of the greatest assets in business.
Never use the pulpit to pressure people financially. Ministry and sales must remain clearly separated. Do not take advantage of church relationships or spiritual trust to create customers. If someone chooses to work with you, it should be because of your competence, honesty, and character.
Learn to serve before expecting to lead. Visit the sick. Make the difficult phone call. Study the policy. Return the message. Do the work that few people see. Faithfulness in small things is still preparation for greater responsibility.
Pursue excellence. Study Scripture carefully. Learn to communicate clearly. Understand insurance products, ethics, underwriting, compliance, and financial realities. Good intentions are not a substitute for preparation.
Tell the truth, especially when it costs you a sale. Never recommend a product simply because it provides the highest commission. Recommend what genuinely serves the client. A lost sale may cost you today, but a damaged reputation can cost you for decades.
Protect your family. Do not gain a ministry title or build a business while neglecting your wife and children. They should not receive only the exhausted remainder of your time.
You will face criticism in ministry and rejection in business. Do not measure your worth by one difficult season or one flattering compliment. Remain faithful, keep learning, and let God shape your character through the process.
You may not have to choose between ministry and business, but you must understand that they are not the same thing. Ministry is a stewardship of spiritual responsibility. Insurance is a professional service. Both can honor God when practiced with wisdom, excellence, honesty, and proper boundaries.
Serve people first. Tell the truth always. Master your craft. Protect your family. Leave the results with God.
That is the kind of man people can trust, in the church, in the marketplace, and at home.
One of the biggest challenges is getting my name out there and building a recognizable brand outside the church. Growing the church membership and reaching more people takes time, consistency, and creating genuine connections within the community. As an introvert, networking is my weakness but social media and features like this help expand my reach.
Integrity and a servant attitude are most important. I believe if people don't trust you, you can't succeed in ministry or insurance. My mission is: God placed me here to love somebody, and since I don't know who that somebody is, I'm gonna love everybody. I also believe everything I do must be excellent to the best of my ability, and I will never turn away from somebody in need. I focus on teaching people to succeed rather than just giving money.
PERSPECTIVES
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