The Pilgrim CEO: Steve Tate on Faith, Loss & 20 Years at BCT | Leaders On Tap

Steve Tate calls himself a pilgrim, not a CEO. After 25 years at the NSA and 20 years building BCT — a defense IT company protecting the country in silence — he's still showing up to work at 75 because the business is a vehicle for something bigger. In this conversation with David Weigelt, Steve opens up about the 17-year journey through his late wife Jackie's cancer, the philosophy that's shaped every decision ("pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you"), starting Bible studies in classified workplaces, building a benevolence foundation that may outlive his company, and what it looks like to remarry at 75 to a woman who'd already had a 48-year marriage. This is faith and work without the platitudes — a fellow operator sharing what he's learned. 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Steve Tate is the founder and CEO of BCT, a 100-person federal IT contractor doing classified work for the U.S. intelligence community. He's a former NSA executive, a mission team leader, and the founder of a benevolence foundation supporting pastors, churches, and ministries. Earlier in his career he led a controversial program at the agency that earned him panic buttons on his desk and a Thompson Chain Reference Bible from the boss who introduced him to Christ. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to the new Frederick Creators Studio 00:55 "I'm a pilgrim" — Steve's operating posture 03:20 The circle technique and who gets in 05:10 Saved in 1986 by an imperfect boss 08:30 Leaving NSA and the program that earned him panic buttons 12:15 His father, ELINT, and a chair at Johns Hopkins 17:00 Bringing Bible studies to classified workplaces 20:30 Pray as if it depends on God, work as if it depends on you 24:10 Sloppy agape and the theology of good work 27:45 Tithing the company and using business as a vehicle 31:20 Jackie's 17-year cancer journey and the miracles along the way 36:00 The foundation, Mark Mayer, and stewarding pastors 42:30 Mission work, generosity, and a glimpse of heaven 47:15 Remarrying at 75 — two pilgrims, two worlds 52:00 Reaping what you sow: the fruit Steve couldn't have engineered 55:30 Final word: encouragement for the journey 📍 RECORDED AT Frederick Creators Studio, Frederick, MD Steve calls himself a pilgrim, not a CEO. After fifty years of work, his identity sits somewhere his business can't touch. Most leaders aren't there yet, and many have never asked the question. The More Audit is a short, honest look at the gap between the business you're running and the life you're actually living. Seven questions, four minutes, one personal read on where there's more for you. → https://themoreaudit.com 📬 STAY CONNECTED Attend a the Leaders On Tap live event: leadersontap.live Connect with David: [email protected] ABOUT LEADERS ON TAP Leaders On Tap is a podcast for Christian executives, founders, and operators wrestling with the hard questions of faith and work. Hosted by David Weigelt — Principal Chair with C12 Business Forums in Maryland — each episode pulls up a stool with a fellow leader to talk honestly about building companies with profit and purpose. #LeadersOnTap #FaithAndWork #ChristianBusiness #C12 #KingdomBusiness #stewardship #podcast #relationship #inspiration #christianleadership #christianbusiness #prayerlife #podcast #relationship #inspiration #christianleadership #christianbusiness #prayerlife