Life Stories

Unanimously Different

June 17, 2020
By Barnabas Foundation

How the Stewards Fund Enables Randy and Martika to Support What’s Most Important

Ask anyone who knows Randy and Martika, and you’ll hear how different they are — in almost every way.

He’s quiet. She’s outspoken.

He keeps to himself. She knows no strangers.

He’s from Wisconsin. She’s from Virginia.

Martika’s been on a wild professional journey driven by her passions. She’s interned at the White House, served as a member of a governor’s personal staff, lobbied for the Medical Society of Virginia and a Fortune 500 insurance company and served as an assistant attorney general. Today, she captures images of people and real estate from behind the lens of a camera.

Randy, president of Evenhouse & Co., has been an accountant his entire career because (he jokes), “the Iowa basic skills test said that’s what I should be.”

Dig a little deeper, however, and Randy and Martika’s similarities and loving dependence on one another quickly become apparent.

Martika credits Randy’s business acumen for the success and growth of Martika Photography, LLC, which they co-own. “He does the books and helps me make day-to-day business decisions,” she says. “Sometimes he helps me on shoots. I couldn’t have built this business without him.”

Randy and Martika also take great joy in supporting their local church and a variety of Christ-centered ministries together. They’ve co-taught Sunday school, he’s served as church treasurer and they active board members of Christian non-profits.

“Our faith is a pretty unifying thing,” says Martika, “and in looking for a spouse, I knew giving and Kingdom work had to be important to him.”

The Stewards Fund provides a simple, streamlined way for Randy and Martika to give to ministry whenever they see a need. And because they give appreciated stock, it also reduces their taxes – a tip Randy regularly shares with his own clients.

“I explain the tax benefits and that it’s easier to give this way,” says Randy. “You don’t have to use your monthly or weekly cash flow; you can plan a little bit easier. Once I get clients to try the Stewards Fund, they think it’s great.”

For all their differences, Randy and Martika are virtually identical in their life focus.

“When we get to Heaven, we’re going to realize those things we worried about down here are pretty trivial,” says Martika. “None of this matters compared to someone coming to the Kingdom. And all the stuff we cling to? Someday, it’s going to end up on the back of a donation truck or in a compactor. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

“I don’t really want a legacy,” adds Randy. “That puts too much on me. I don’t care if my name is left anywhere. I just want to lift Jesus higher.”

“Our names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life,” concludes Martika. “That’s what’s most important.”