Building Faith and Business: Todd Abraham’s Journey with Heartbeat Christian News
On this episode of Grit Won’t Quit, host Tom Mirabella welcomes Todd Abraham — entrepreneur, franchise consultant, and founder of Heartbeat Christian News. Todd shares his incredible story of starting a faith-driven newspaper from scratch and turning it into a growing national franchise model.
From Humble Beginnings to a Bold Vision
Back in 2012, Todd launched Heartbeat Christian News in Tennessee with no publishing background, no budget, and three side jobs to keep afloat. He started small, selling ads for $10 a month, determined to get the message out. Over a decade later, his publication has distributed more than 250,000 copies — proof of what persistence, faith, and grit can achieve.
Todd credits much of his direction to his pastor, who emphasized that Christians need grace, faith, and grit to succeed. That mindset carried him through the early challenges and eventually led him to explore franchising as a way to expand the newspaper’s reach nationwide.
Turning a Newspaper into a Franchise
With the help of Franchise Marketing Systems (FMS), Todd transformed Heartbeat Christian News into one of the most affordable franchise opportunities in the country, with an investment under $40,000.
What makes the model unique?
Franchisees work from home.
No publishing experience is required.
Content and layout are provided each month.
Franchisees focus on selling ads and distributing the paper.
Earnings potential is flexible — franchisees can scale their income by growing ad sales and even expanding into multiple territories. For Todd, it’s not just about financial opportunity but also about creating more avenues for spreading the gospel through entrepreneurship.
A Network of Support and Collaboration
Todd spoke highly of his work with FMS, praising their role in developing everything from the franchise disclosure document to operations manuals and marketing systems. Their continued involvement in promoting and selling franchises ensures that new owners aren’t navigating the process alone.
He also highlighted the mentorship of Greg Moore, franchise consultant and author of Real Freedom. Moore’s guidance, combined with Todd’s own passion, has helped shape a business that is as mission-driven as it is entrepreneurial.
Faith Meets Business: A Mission Beyond Profit
Unlike other Christian publications that focus on news and current events, Heartbeat Christian News is dedicated to publishing the gospel of Jesus Christ, rightly divided. Todd believes this clarity of mission makes the franchise especially appealing to Christian business owners and professionals who want to align their livelihood with their faith.
And the opportunity goes beyond the franchisees themselves — Todd even offers a $5,000 referral bonus to those who connect him with potential franchise owners. His vision for the next five years? Eighty Heartbeat Christian News franchises across the U.S., each one serving as a light in its local community.
More Than a Business — A Calling
For Todd, entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit. It’s about staying busy in meaningful work, advancing the kingdom of God, and giving others the chance to do the same. As he puts it:
“We have more than enough buildings called churches. What we need is more Word of God out there in the trenches.”
Want to Learn More?
To explore Heartbeat Christian News franchise opportunities, visit christianfranchise.net or contact Todd directly at 423-381-0925.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking a new path, a Christian professional looking to integrate faith with business, or simply inspired by stories of grit and perseverance, Todd’s journey is a powerful reminder that vision paired with determination can make an eternal impact.
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
