Who are the Daytons?

Howard Dayton, a graduate from Cornell University, served as a naval officer then developed a successful career in the restaurant business and commercial real estate development.   Howard recognizes that his early career goal was founded on “making as much money as possible as soon as possible.”  After a business partner challenged him to study the Bible to discover what God teaches about handling money, Howard’s life was profoundly changed.

The Lord gave Howard a passion to share these life-changing principles, resulting in the authorship of five books, Your Money: Frustration or Freedom, Your Money Counts, Free and Clear, Your Money Map and Money and Marriage God’s Way. He also has authored five popular small group studies and produced several video series and served as host of the nationally syndicated radio programs, Money Matters, How to Manage Your Money and Ted and Tony.

Howard founded Crown Ministries in 1985 which merged with Larry Burkett’s Christian Financial Concepts to form Crown Financial Ministries. During his tenure as CEO, Crown became the world’s largest financial ministry teaching more than 50 million people in 80 countries. Howard transitioned from the role of CEO at Crown and in 2009 founded Compass—Finances God’s Way. Compass’ primary focus is on teaching God’s financial principles through small group studies. 

Howard partnered in life and ministry with his wife, Beverly Dayton, and together they led over 70 small group financial studies. In 2014, Asbury University dedicated the School of Business to Howard and Beverly Dayton, a couple whom friends say is best characterized by “service and sacrifice.”