A Twenty Something Business as Mission Journey : Design & Manufacture of Gift and Tourist Products
Core business: Design and manufacturing of sculptures, gift and tourist products. Partner businesses: (1) Provision of immersion conversational English boarding school and (2) Foster care for orphans.Market: Initially 100% export, presently 70% export, 30% domestic
Structure: Wholly foreign-owned for-profit manufacturing enterprise with related, but independently registered partner companies – educational institution and non-profit humanitarian organization.
Champion: Did not meet, but heard that founder is a like-minded local entrepreneur, business couple. Present expat manager has background experience in real estate management, initially came over for language study. Met founder and original expat business partner and took over the business when original expat partner left. The business appears to run as a partnership between the original founder and present expat manager.
Business formation:
Initial manufacturing operation started up by like-minded local entrepreneur in his home. Within first year or two a like-minded foreigner joined in, registered the manufacturing business as wholly-foreign-owned. In mid-90s, original foreign partner handed the business over to the present foreign champion. Business moved from high-rent, urban interior location to a rural township location, purchased land, took over a shampoo factory site and over time has built up property to include facilities for the foster home and language school.
Manufacturing facility now has 70 employees from designers (recruited from urban areas) to basic craft, painting, packing and labor (primarily from local rural township). Language school has 60 boarding students and expat English teachers (primarily from the US, provides housing, visa and living stipend, minimum 1-year commitment). Foster home has capacity for 21 orphans, raises funds for medical treatment (primarily heart operations), and is staffed by perhaps a dozen trained ‘aunties’. Facility also includes a western-finished guesthouse that can house up to visitors for short-term visits, English camps and retreats and an activity center.
Vision: Initial vision we were told was to create a business that demonstrated integrity in all its business dealings. Present vision appears to be using the for-profit enterprise as a foundation by which to create other platforms with intentional ministry objectives. The conversational immersion language school allows them to board students for 4 month terms and 1-month short camp terms and catalyze abundant relationship building and sharing opportunities. The foster home allows them to demonstrate compassion by providing funds for medical treatment for at-risk orphans, providing housing and care for up to 21 orphans and training families and placing orphans into homes for foster care. Long-term vision appears to be replicating this for-profit/non-profit model in other locations (not necessarily with the same for-profit business) and expanding their present for-profit business to the south where resources are more abundant.
Story: Did not meet the founder nor really hear much of the story of how they came to move to this rural property or even what/who catalyzed the start of the foster care or English instruction initiatives. Did hear that the founder has developed connections to the growing network of domestic like-minded bookstores and more and more of their market is now domestic.
Lessons learned: Not much shared, just a comment about learning the boundaries on how open they can be in support of the local church – they used to host large church meetings in their large meeting room, now have learned to encourage the groups to divide up and meet in smaller groups at venues off the property.
Future plans: Were told that they plan to move most of the manufacturing capacity south for purely business reasons. They plan to leave the design capacity along with English school and foster care at this facility, and have already started purchasing property at a southern site where the raw materials and transport of their core-product are more favorable. Also hope to replicate the English and foster emphases at the southern site.
Results:
* Provides over 20 expat visas through the core business and allows these people to live in a fairly rural community. All visas provided through the for-profit core business.
* Foster home has provided critical medical care for dozens of at-risk orphans and given them a healthy, loving environment at the Center and placed more than a dozen in local homes. Reported that some of the families who’ve been trained for foster care have been transformed.
* Immersion language school seems to have found a niche and is attracting a steady stream of students and seeing transformation happen as they live on or near the property and have abundant relational opportunities with the teachers.
* Seem to have a good influence on the surrounding township community, offering some training programs (parenting, financial management) and foster parent training. They also have provided some philanthropic initiatives at a local public school.
* Appear to be supporting a growing domestic Christian bookstore network
* Appear to have developed long-term relationships with many western schools, clubs and individuals who regularly provide short-term teams for their English camps and orphan outreach (so much so that they have a full-time expat staff to coordinate visitors and their guest house).
Observations:
* Core business has successfully grown for over 10 years. Do not know how profitable it has been (manager’s comment that one particular product was the first successful one they’ve done) nor what kind of volume they are doing.
* Were told that all non-core businesses are all self-sufficient.
-The language school has gained enough of a reputation (marketing solely via the internet) that they now have 60 students and are growing by 15 per semester.
-The foster home is a 501c3 registered charity and offers child sponsorship, does fund-raisers in the nearby large city and has corporate sponsors. They run training programs for foster parents and offer a financial subsidy for foster parents (monthly stipend, formula, supplies and school tuition)
* When asked about intentional ministry efforts, emphasis was on the non-core business initiatives (school and foster care) and how much they have blessed. Appears that intentionally developing the core-business manufacturing company culture as ministry is not the focus.
* Present expat manager is entirely self-funded via his passport country real estate business. So perhaps all the expats are donor- or self-funded.
* Shared (local and expat) company management and vision seems to be their key for their developing good government relations, developing strong networks with local clubs for developing the domestic market and developing the foster home network.
* Replication. Were told that former staff are preparing to move further west and hope to replicate this model (with some support of this facility).
Labels: A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey, Case Studies, Practical Tips and Tools
Continue reading 'A Twenty Something Business as Mission Journey : Design & Manufacture of Gift and Tourist Products'
How Important is our Integrity? It's the Difference Between being Labeled a Help or a Hindrance
Consider this analogy ... Two families move into a neighborhood outside of a major American city. They've made a drastic move, coming from a country on the other side of the world.Despite the fact the neighborhood is filled with coffee shops and local delis with loyal followings, together these families launch a shop of there own.
They've brought their own world class staff to run their store and you know they must be paying 3-4 times the payroll the local deli is paying. That kind of overhead is destined for financial failure in this community.
Weeks go by without building a customer base, and what's even stranger in the midst of seeming financial crisis, the two families don't seem to spend much time working on the business.
Rather, they seem entirely devoted to spending all their time passionately talking about their religion and speaking some sort of coded language. As a member of your neighborhood watch program, you can't help but be suspicious. The local police and even your wife is beginning to think they must be terrorists or government spies. They say they're here for business, but you're really finding that hard to believe...
If this situation unfolded in your local community, could you not help but think your new neighbors are involved in some illicit activity?
It's not terribly difficult to see why foriegn governments become suspicious when our actions don't match our visa or declared intent. Keeping our integrity strong is critical. Here's to hoping we always can keep our integrity at heart when we head off to create businesses that will meet the physical and tangible needs of people around the world.
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Security, Terrorism
Continue reading 'How Important is our Integrity? It's the Difference Between being Labeled a Help or a Hindrance'
Business as Mission :: Principles and Models - An International Perspective :: Durwood Snead
What if business is a God- created strategy to reach those in other countries who have never heard the truth? Sometimes God reveals His will by removing all other options. Such is often the case with business. Missionaries who feel called to ministries in other countries learn that they cannot go to those countries without doing business. They frequently begin by thinking of the businesses as “platforms,” excuses to receive visas, but soon learn that the more authentic they can be in their businesses, the more transparent and effective they can be in their ministries.There are several principles I have observed in effective BAM.
- The business is the ministry and it is sacred; it is not an excuse to do ministry, but a way to live among people with a common goal of producing products and services to glorify God. It provides the opportunity to expose people to the kingdom of heaven in real time and to do it with transparency and integrity.
- Profits ensure sustainability and credibility. Without profits, a business cannot exist, and if it does continue to exist, people may wonder who is funding it. Profits also produce jobs and tax revenue that can be enjoyed by the host country.
- Integrity and transparency are critical if a business is truly a ministry. I recently spoke to a missionary living in a closed-access country that does a little business to be in the country. But by his own admission, people wonder who he really is and why he is there.
- A business that meets the spiritual and physical needs of the people demonstrates the kingdom of heaven and transforms everyone it touches. When employees understand that the Bible has the answers to running a business, it dramatically increases its credibility. When people understand that a business exists for the glory of God, and they see the needs of employees, beggars, and villagers being met by the business, transformation clearly takes place.
- Introducing the kingdom through business is much faster than traditional church planting. While most missionaries spend years just trying to cultivate a few relationships in closed-access countries, businesses provide immediate relationship capital and consistent contact around a specific purpose—serving customers. As people come to Christ through businesses, churches are started organically.
- Prayer is the backbone of every effective BAM model—prayer for the business, its employees, suppliers, customers, and everyone else it touches.
Models
Many of us have several years of business experience. We catch a vision for the world and are anxious to know what to do. Here is a principle of life: God prepares us perfectly for what He has next for us. Every experience and every job up until this point has been preparation for the next assignment.
As you consider these things, it might be helpful to read about four models of business that are being used successfully in closed-access countries today. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but simply four models that are working. Two of them, the factory and the outsourcing, require a market for products outside the host country. The other two, franchise and micro-economic development, depend on sales within the host country. Opportunities abound for Westerners to start such businesses or to be major parts.
The Factory
There are a number of these in operation that are pure business as mission models. Most often the products are produced overseas and marketed in the United States. Having a good market for the products produced is critical to the factory being profitable and sustainable. It is helpful to have a niche market, a specialized product that does not have a great deal of competition. Some examples of goods produced are painted furniture, teak outdoor furniture, glass products, leather goods, lamps, and accessories. Keys to this model working well are low labor costs in the sourced country and bypassing middlemen as products go to market in the United States. In this model, we have seen many employees, suppliers, and customers come to Christ. In addition, when the factory becomes a transformational influence on the community—meeting needs, taking care of beggars and orphans—it gains great favor with government authorities.
Outsourcing
In this model, the worldwide labor market is tapped by providing services in a host country that are useful and cost-effective due to labor rates. Some examples are computer-aided design work for architectural firms, software development, and the production of agricultural products like sun-dried tomatoes.The Franchise
In this model, the goods are sold in-country and, frequently, many are employed. In one version of this model, believers are employed, providing them income and influence as they interact with customers. It is a scalable model that has the potential to employ thousands of people who can begin franchises, often with very small investments. Ideas include: convenient copy kiosks, sales of books, small restaurants, or other goods or services that are needed. Managers provide the spiritual and business mentoring.
Micro-enterprise Development
There are two typical BAM models of this. In one case, micro loans are provided to believers to support them, give them a reason to relocate to unreached places, and integrate them into society very quickly. In another model, a believer becomes the project administrator, making loans and mentoring a group of unbelievers —meeting economic needs while building close relationships. Successful programs include carefully selecting participants for micro-enterprises that meet unmet needs and providing these participants with ongoing mentoring relationships.
So how has God been preparing you? Next steps: read more about some of these models and visit some field operations to explore more.
Labels: Durwood Snead, Editorials, Practical Tips and Tools, What Makes a Business a Kingdom Business?
Continue reading 'Business as Mission :: Principles and Models - An International Perspective :: Durwood Snead'
New Website for Intergra Ventures :: Business as Mission in Eastern Europe and Eurasia
I'm a big fan of Integra. Their President, Bob Kuhlman and the team provide training and loans for aspiring entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. More than 70 staff work in Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Russia, providing business training seminars, one-on-one mentoring, and counsel on everything from marketing, sales, inventory management, and finance.For more than half a year they have been working to get their new website up and running. According to Bob, they now have developed a site that clearly defines their mission and shares our work and the work of their partners. If you or your church is looking to have an ongoing partnership with a group in Business as Mission, I would highly recommend you check out their website (http://www.integrausa.org/).
Labels: Bob Kuhlma, Integra Ventures, Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities
Continue reading 'New Website for Intergra Ventures :: Business as Mission in Eastern Europe and Eurasia'
Columbia International Hosting Patrick Lai and Business as Missions - Tentmaking Strategies for the 10/40 Window, January 14-18th
As many countries are closing their doors to traditional missionaries and missions strategies, the 21st Century missionary, needs to rethink missions. This course moves the student “outside the box” of contemporary mission strategies to study the ways and means of doing BAM. This course offers a complete holistic approach to missions. The course is a one week intensive study of tentmaking and the issues, problems, methodologies which every missionary and tentmaker needs to understand and know how to apply before moving overseas. The course will survey the essential issues of doing business and ministry. Factors will be studied and discussed which should be a part of the pre-field training, as well as part of the daily life and work of practicing tentmakers. Students can expect to learn the tools needed to do business as mission in the 10/40 Window.Patrick Lai will be teaching the course. By God’s grace, Patrick has started several profitable businesses and two churches among Muslims in Asia. He coaches BAM workers throughout the Muslim world and is the founder of the OPEN Network, a network of 150+ tentmakers. Patrick will be teaching from his personal experiences. For more information, contact 803.807.5327 or zwemercenter@ciu.edu.
Labels: Business as Mission News and Notes, Columbia International, Patrick Lai, Practical Tips and Tools, Traditional Mission Agencies and BAM, Training
Continue reading 'Columbia International Hosting Patrick Lai and Business as Missions - Tentmaking Strategies for the 10/40 Window, January 14-18th'
3 Primary Aims of the Introduction to Business as Missions Course in Thailand this Spring
The team at YWAM is gearing up for the Business as Mission training course in Thailand in the spring of 2008. They've received several applications and they are planning on accepting 20 students for the course. So if you've been thinking about it, now is the time to dust off that application and send it in!The three primary aims of the Introduction to Business as Missions Course:
- Introduce individuals or organizations to the concept of Business As Mission through foundational biblical teaching on the Kingdom of God and responding to the need for holistic business development.
- Provide on-site business consultants to coach and provide input to individuals and businesses.
- Draw from the wisdom of experienced practitioners teaching and sharing from their lives & stories
The goal is obviously to prepare and equip participants/ organizations to engage with and launch BAM projects within 18 months of completing the course. Some of the key topics include...
- Biblical Worldview and Kingdom Perspective of BAM
- Spiritual Dynamics of BAM
- Successful Integration of Business Practice with Ministry Objectives
- Living & Working Cross-Culturally
- Building a Strong Team
- Business Principles in a BAM Context (business plan, marketing plan, financials, legal/tax issues, dealing with corruption etc.)
- Research & Project Development - supported preparation for future business launch
- Five day field trip to regionally located BAM projects
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities
Continue reading '3 Primary Aims of the Introduction to Business as Missions Course in Thailand this Spring'
Business and Kingdom Business in India by Joseph Vijayam of Olive Technology
Business may be broadly defined as the production and distribution of goods and services that are felt to be needed for life in this world. “Kingdom business” as used in the title is a deliberate equivocation which refers to two ideas. The first is the “business” of the kingdom – the “Father’s business,” as it were (Luke 2:49) -- or Christian ministry, which seeks to disciple and develop individuals and people groups for eternal life in the kingdom here and hereafter.The second, narrower, meaning of “kingdom business” as used in this article is a modern type of commercial business whose explicit goal and raison d’etre are to subserve kingdom concerns, which essentially consist in developing people and glorifying God.
The writer of this article, is Chief Executive and part owner of an information technology business called Olive Technology which seeks to approximate to this concept. This model of business is a major focus of this article.
Changing equations between business and mission::
The industrial age has changed the character and structure of business and consequently of social life. The net result of this change, for the purpose of this article, is that life and society have become relatively secularized and compartmentalized and that religion has less access to the various departments of life and groups of people, and is relatively isolated from life in general. While it is true that people need God today as much as ever, their need is addressed less often than it was before the advent of modernization. New forms of mission work have, in God’s providence, arisen in response to the changing situation, businessmen going into mission being one of many such initiatives.
To understand the changed equations between mission and business, let us look at some relevant aspects of the complex changeover to modernity. What I say below applies primarily to the developed countries, but it also applies to the others in so far as they too have joined in the march of globalization, leaving them no choice other than to modernize.
Until the end of the Medieval Age, religion was woven into the fabric of the local community and of the culture of the people concerned. Most people were engaged in trades relating to the basic necessities of life such as food and clothing for the subsistence of the family and a limited local community. Trade beyond the boundaries of the local community was minimal and of limited significance to the lives of most people. With the agricultural-industrial-technological revolution came cheaper mass production for the competitive market and an explosive growth of international trade, which, combined with the recent strides in telecommunication and information technology, has given rise to the“global village.”Another relevant aspect of the change was specialization in work, a shift away from basic necessities to numerous new products and services creating new trades and new non-cohesive secular social groupings; and, concomitantly the weakening of the traditional local communities and the religious and cultural roots and nurture supplied to individuals and families. This process was accentuated by the migration of people to urban, industrial and educational centers and, in the process, the marginalization and secularization of many. Another important development that affected religion was mass literacy. It brought religion to the people and facilitated mission outreach on the one hand and, on the other, it resulted in the wide acceptance of the naturalist evolutionary thought paradigm which under girded the secularization of life at the philosophical level. Concurrent with this came the sexual revolution, challenging the hardiest of social institutions, namely the family. Religion and church fellowship, once an integral part of social and family life, is today more a matter of individual choice. Missionary responses among numerous responses of the church to the modern situation, I mention a few by way of illustration.
Overseas mission was one of the earliest responses of the church to the changed situation -- this, however, was a revival of the apostolic model of evangelism. Like Paul and Thomas, many missionaries such as William Carey, the Moravian missionaries and the Swiss Basel Mission adopted the self-supporting“tentmaking” strategy, but with one difference that anticipates the modern businessman’s approach (Christie Wilson, Today’s Tentmakers, pp 28-35). While St. Paul, a hunted and persecuted missionary, could not attempt more than poverty relief to witness to the love of Christ, these missionaries established businesses that contributed to economic development of whole societies and nations.
The Moravian missionaries of the 18th century contributed significantly to the development of some islands of the West Indies by founding industries run on Christian principles, which have thrived and prospered to this day; and the Swiss Basel Mission, a tentmaking missionary society, laid the foundations of the economy of modern Ghana, in Africa.
Educational and medical missions made modern science and technology available to the needy in many backward areas while setting standards of excellence in those societies. The Christian MedicalCollege and Hospital in Vellore, India, founded by Ida Scudder is known to be among thebest healthcare institutions in Asia; and the Madras Christian College founded by Scottish missionaries continues to be the best in higher education in India to this day.Missions oriented to specific social strata and groups was another recent development – examples of this are the Zenana Mission which targeted secluded upper caste women in India; Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission working with child widows in India, and various missions targeting children, youth and the elderly.
Counseling ministries, especially family counseling, is another specialized modern ministry. The use of new media to reach large numbers of people has been another new thrust.
Business persons in mission ::
Through all the new methods illustrated above more people are being won for Christ than ever before and there has been unprecedented growth of the church in Asia and Africa. South Africa, Philippines, Singapore and several African countries are fast turning into predominantly Christian nations. But there are segments of society and regions of the world which are hardly accessible even to the kind of specialized ministries mentioned above, and which Christian businessmen and professionals can help reach.
Two such classes require special mention. First there are the secularized and busy professionals in the West who have never encountered the gospel and tend to ignore it as a superstition. The lives of their Christian colleagues are the only gospel they are ever likely to ‘read.’ Secondly, 70% of all the countries in the world restrict or exclude professional evangelism, especially by foreign missionaries. But tentmaker professionals and business persons still have access to people in such countries in suitable developmental undertakings. While there is a resurgence of extremist religious nationalism in Hindu and Islamic countries, the disruption of traditional socio-cultural roots and patterns have made many in these countries more open to the gospel of peace – what they need is to see a convincing practical version of it.
Many Christians in business and professions are responding to the challenges; but the response is still in the form of small streams where mighty rivers are needed.
There are five ways in which Christians in business and secular professions have responded to the need outlined above:
(1) witnessing in the workplace
(2) witnessing in the marketplace
(3) tentmaking
(4) business as mission
(5) kingdom business
Kingdom business, the last of them is my major focus. It can in principle include all the others, and so it is convenient to look at the other four in turn first. They are not mutually exclusive approaches, and the titles assigned to them are nothing more than convenient tags.
1. Witnessing in the workplace: This simply means witnessing to one’s colleagues.Here is an example from the story of George Samuel, which illustrates it beautifully.Samuel is now based in Kerala, India, as a full time evangelist. Formerly, he was working in America as a nuclear medicine scientist. His son, Johnny, a handicapped boy whom he loved dearly, died in his hometown in India and Samuel received the news in America.
Soon after, an American gentleman who was an acquaintance called him and started sharing with him some personal problems that had been bothering him. This friend knew nothing about Samuel’s bereavement. Samuel, with his characteristic kindness and gentleness, listened, sympathized, comforted and counseled him. Towards the end of the conversation the American friend discovered that Samuel had just lost hisson! He was deeply moved. “I am griping about my little problems, and you who have lost your son are listening to me and helping me without any complaints!” he exclaimed.
The man put his trust in God and his life turned round. That was not all. A few dozen scientist colleagues of Samuel, who were impressed by the peace and spontaneous kindness that filled Samuel in his grief, came to Christ. They saw Samuel’s life and learned what the Christian faith can supply, which science cannot.In the workplace, witnessing cannot be primarily verbal as it could be in church, since in the workplace people normally meet in their professional roles.
2. Witnessing in the marketplace: This is a matter of witnessing to the customer and the supplier in the marketplace. Once again, the principle of witnessing through one’s life holds good. But there is a characteristic problem that requires mention, namely the obvious conflict between business interests on one side, and the interests of the customer or supplier or of the public on the other.
It is now standard thinking in business theory in the West, if not always in practice, that “honesty is the best policy”; and that serving the public interest ultimately benefits business. In less developed countries like India these ideas need to be promoted and that is part of Christian witness.Here is a typical story from my own experience.
In the year of inception of my business with just four employees, we were struggling to survive. Then a government agent approached me with the offer of a dream project worth half a million dollars. I accepted gladly and reserved my ticket to go abroad to buy the software tools needed.Then surfaced a table of kickbacks that we were expected to pay to all who were involved on the government side of the contract, right down from the minister. It still left an ample profit margin for my company. Finding me unwilling, the agent pitied my youthful ignorance of “normal business routine” and sought my father’s help to persuade me. My father refused and added a strong rebuke.
If we had forsaken the fear of God and accepted the project offer, my business would have stabilized immediately, but we would have forfeited our Christian witness in the marketplace and our character as a kingdom business. The growth that God in His faithfulness gave us subsequently reminds me of Tolstoy’s famous maxim, “God sees the truth, but waits” – and I guess we have to wait, too.
3. Tentmaking: There is some uncertainty about the coverage of the term tentmaking. In the literature on the subject a tentmaker is typically defined as someone who intentionally finds placement in a restricted access foreign culture as a secular worker,with the object of sharing the gospel. The Tentmakers Roundtable Conference of Hyderabad (1989) considered this definition too narrow because it excludes St. Paul himself and his associates in Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla. The Conference defined a tentmaker as either (a) a missionary like Paul, who goes into business for partial or full self-support, or (b) a secular worker like Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, who spares considerable time for ministry.The Conference thought that in addition to evangelism, (c) a goal of the tentmaker should be, after the example of Paul, relief of poverty and, in the Indian context,economic development of the poor.
I take the cross-cultural tentmaker of type (a), as being a subset of, type (c), a secular worker who doubles as a missionary.My concern is with the secular worker who engages in mission. His importance is that he helps penetrate socio-cultural or political barriers to the gospel. He also help stake the gospel across what may be called the poverty barrier. A great example is the late bullock cart evangelist and bishop of the Church of South India, Bunyan Joseph. In the1930s people around him lived in abysmal poverty, most of them eating less than one rice gruel meal a day. Recall Gandhi’s famous saying, “To the hungry man, bread is God.”
Bunyan Joseph not only supported himself by means of simple contextual technologies but taught the same to the poorest and helped meet their physical needs in this way. In the process he gave them both the bread for the body and the Bread of Life. The model he created has launched a contextual technology-cum-evangelism movement in India through the work of TENT (Training for Evangelism Needs and Technology), and through its main projects, namely Joshua Vision India and Indian Women in the Lord’s Labor, which were founded by my father, B.E. Vijayam.
4. Business as ministry: There are some businesses that fit in the mold of a ministry or vice-versa, by virtue of what they do – depending on their product or service.They could be labeled either way. Those involved in such work are said to be employed in “noble professions.” Examples of such businesses are those that are involved in education, healthcare, childcare, etc., which can be profit-making businesses and at the same time minister to those around them. An outstanding example of this is a business owned by a Christian brother whom I know, who runs dozens of educational institutions in India. Though the business is one that generates good profits, these institutions are introducing their staff and students to the gospel message. This model, followed by many Christians in India, has been so successful that it is now being imitated by some Hindus to propagate their religion.
5. Kingdom business: The problem with the secular worker going into mission is that typically he is someone else’s employee, and the fact remains that no one can serve two masters. In this connection, the Tentmakers Roundtable Conference of Hyderabad,referred to above, made a significant distinction between self-employed tentmakers andthe other-employed ones. The great advantage of “kingdom business” is that the business persons concerned are self-employed within limits, somewhat like missionary doctors engaged in what I referred to earlier as “business as ministry.” What then is the difference?
The difference is a matter of the starting point. The missionary starts at the mission end of the spectrum and goes into business; the businessperson starts at the business end and goes into mission, so that their constituencies differ, and possibly their business and mission strategies. The world sees the first as a missionary and the second as a businessperson but they are the same within. The results can be similar whichever end one starts from.
The main purpose of most businesses is defined as “maximization of share-holderwealth.” In a kingdom business, the main purpose has to be to expand the kingdom of God. Profits and an increase of shareholder wealth (which also ought to be ploughed back into kingdom work) come as a by-product. Profit is essential for the survival of any business. But it need not become the very purpose for existence. The writer’s business,built on this principle, has already proved to be successful in commercial terms, while seeing some significant results in mission work in a span of 7 years of its founding. The internal mission statement of the company is to provide human, technological and financial resources to help grow God’s kingdom in India and worldwide. Besides supporting various mission endeavors, the company is itself engaged in assisting ministries through technology tools and services, transfer of technical skills and knowledge through conferences on technology, and finally through an evangelistic website targeting urban youth.
Before I outline the characteristics and challenges of kingdom business, here is how I stumbled into it, so to say, by God’s merciful design and guidance. Under my father’s guidance and encouragement, I took my first step, as a teenager, to plan my life and set my goals. I set my goal as serving the Lord and promoting the gospel among the needy in India as a tentmaker. After completing my academic education overseas, I returned to my homeland to be a tentmaker, forsaking a more comfortable and promising future in the West. Against the advice of others to take up a job with some renowned multinational company in India, I decided to take up a job in a fledgling company, after stipulating a 5-day week and limited office hours that left me time for ministry; but in God’s providence it did not work out. It was only after I left my job, waited on the Lord in prayer and risked my livelihood that a new door opened up for the starting of a business in a small and humble manner.
There are several ingredients that go into the making of a kingdom business. First, the founding members should be committed Christians who are faithful to God and committed to a common kingdom-oriented vision, not only in general abstract terms, but also in concrete objectives that involve the business. I am fortunate to have such men and women of God on my Board and on the management team.
Secondly, the leader or CEO of the business should see his or her role as primarily being a missionary in the marketplace and secondarily as a businessperson. The intention should be distinct in philosophy and distinguishable in practice from that of the typical businessperson.
Thirdly, there must be a continual emphasis on the business being a ministry as well as a business rather than one or the other. This has to be done at all levels beginning with the board room to the hiring practices of the company, by giving priority to excellence, integrity, fairness, honesty and concern for people as people, over growth, profits and efficiency.
To recall what I said above, the latter will follow when kingdom values are followed with the faith that dares. The world is beginning to realize and appreciate this truth, going by the record-breaking sales of recently published popular business literature recommending such values as best practices in the marketplace.A recent example from my own experience explains how we are sometimes required to choose a less efficient or unprofitable option that defies conventional wisdom but follows the path of the kingdom.
The company accountant, an orthodox Hindu, fell sick with what appeared to be an incurable condition of the liver that was rapidly deteriorating. There was little chance of his returning to work, let alone returning quickly. I had to decide whether to replace him in order to ensure smooth work or whether to wait and appeal to the board member, management and staff for prayer, and have the company pay in part for his treatment. The latter was done. At first we rejoiced to see an apparent miracle of instantaneous healing, and the decision seemed to have been wiser even in business terms, because it saved time and the problems entailed by a transition. But while convalescing he took worse and died of complications soon after.Was all the waiting and the risk-taking worthwhile? We have had the satisfaction of standing by an employee in a difficult time in his life. We made an investment inkingdom values that the company could afford and we leave the results to time and to God. A corollary to this approach is that profits are ploughed back into ministry in thefirst place; and secondly into business development, not undertaken for its own sake, butto subserve business-cum-mission goals.
A related point is that a kingdom business undertakes public service and mission tasks untied to profit.In a kingdom business riddles are solved by prayer and by God’s power. No business can survive without making adequate profit. As we noted above, conflicts arebound to arise between business requirements of economy and profit-making on the oneside and Christian ethic, love and public interest on the other. It is a riddle as to how farone should forgive an erring or inefficient employee, (or keep a sick employee) in orderto build him up and train him, at the expense of immediate profit and economy. No rulecan yield an answer, but the Ruler, whose guidance should be sought and whose powertapped by prayer and faith. But no one can prescribe how much faith another personshould have in his personal and professional situation. Each is given a measure of faith,which is for him to discover honestly and to develop (Romans 12:5). One feature of Olive Technology that enables us to function as a kingdombusiness is the policy of delegation of work and the building up of a second line ofleadership.
More by God’s grace than by my design, I have a splendid team of colleagues, some of them mentors, both in the management and on the board, whom Ilook up to for guidance in spiritual and business matters. I find it increasingly possible to leave responsibilities and decisions to others, so as to be free when demand arises. As a result, I have been able to take over recently as Director of TENT, referred to earlier,while continuing as CEO of Olive Technology. I owe this to my team and to God.
Application steps::
The steps outlined below are based on my account of kingdom business above.
1. Set one’s goals according to the principle, “Seek ye first His kingdom and Hisrighteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33).
2. Wait on God for guidance into a business ministry of His choice.
3. Allow God to choose life and business partners who identify with the founder’sGod-given vision and mission objectives.
4. Plough back profits into mission and business in the same way under God’sguidance.
5. Be committed to the development of one’s employees, partners, suppliers andcustomers, all as God’s children, and to public interest.
6. According to one’s ability, undertake kingdom tasks which bring no profit incommercial terms.
7. Resolve inevitable conflicts between “business” and “kingdom” interests throughprayer and faith, according to the measure of faith imparted by God.
8. Delegate responsibility and build up a second line of leadership, so as to be freefor ministry when the demand or call comes.
9. In case the conflict between kingdom commitments and business interestsbecomes unresolvable, count the cost in advance and resolve to choose thekingdom.
Joseph Vijayam is the CEO of Olive Technologies, a ten year old service delivery organization that delivers outsourced services in software development from their offices in India. His company was recently featured in our countdown of the most admired kingdom companies (Click here). He is a recognized speaker on issues involving business as mission and frequently appears on the Business as Mission Network site.
Labels: Case Studies, Editorials, Practical Tips and Tools
Continue reading 'Business and Kingdom Business in India by Joseph Vijayam of Olive Technology'
Details Announced for Introduction to Business As Mission Course
The Director of Training for the Business as Mission Team at YWAM has just released the details about their initial training course on business as mission. Here's what he had to say..."Greetings from the Business As Mission team. I am writing to update you further on the BAM training we are planning to run in January 2008. We are going to run the training in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This location will provide a great experience of Asian business culture as well as being in close proximity to BAM projects we will visit on a 5 day field research trip in the region (Cambodia, Indonesia and China) during the training. The course dates are 26th January through 8th March 2008 inclusive.
The course fee is approximately $3500 and will cover food, lodging and travel during the 6 week period. (Scholarships available to those involved in full-time missionary or non-profit work)
We will be sending out application packs in July but if you have any questions now we would be happy to answer them. Please write to bamtraining@oval.com."
The course fee is approximately $3500 and will cover food, lodging and travel during the 6 week period. (Scholarships available to those involved in full-time missionary or non-profit work)
We will be sending out application packs in July but if you have any questions now we would be happy to answer them. Please write to bamtraining@oval.com."
Labels: 20 and 30 Somethings, Business as Mission News and Notes, Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Traditional Mission Agencies and BAM
Continue reading 'Details Announced for Introduction to Business As Mission Course'
Business on Mission Video #1: China - Kingdom Business
How can business create eternal value? This is the question Bill Job asked himself before starting his Kingdom Business in China. Last year our team at Rightnow had the opportunity to go to Xiamen, China and spend time with Bill. What we found was a sustainable business that was providing jobs and shedding light on the possibilities of how a work place can become a ministry field.I think this is a perfect story to give a face to the business as mission movement(CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO). At The Rightnow Campaign and Bluefish TV we created this video to help put the spotlight on his story so it could inspire others to use their passions and skills to make a difference.
This video clip is 4 minutes long and is perfect to use in front of a small or large group setting to cast vision. You can watch the clip for free by clicking on this link. If you would like to use the clip in a presentation to your church or business you can download the clip for the same price that you would pay to download a clip on iTunes ($1.99).
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Video and Media
Continue reading 'Business on Mission Video #1: China - Kingdom Business'
Business on Mission Video #2: Olive Technology - Working as an Intern in India
Business is one of the best ways to minister to people in India. Olive Technology (A Kingdom Company in India) was founded by Joseph Vijayam around this principle. In this video illustration, Virginia takes her passion for missions and technology and uses them as an intern in India. I believe this story captures the heart and passion for this generation of 20 and 30 somethings who want to get involved in business as mission. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO)At The Rightnow Campaign and Bluefish TV we created a video to help put the spotlight on his life so that it might inspire others to use their passions and skills to make a difference.
You can watch the clip for free by clicking directly on this link. If you would like to use the clip in a presentation at your church or business you can download the clip for the same price that you would pay to download a clip on iTunes ($1.99).
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Video and Media
Continue reading 'Business on Mission Video #2: Olive Technology - Working as an Intern in India'
Business on Mission Video #3: Hong Kong- Impact Through Teaching
Michael Maldanis followed his passions to Hong Kong where he teaches at a local school. This encouraging video-illustration demonstrates how an average guy can make a difference around the world.Our team caught up with Michael at his new school in Hong Kong and listened to him talk about how he is learning to fuse faith and life together. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO)
At The Rightnow Campaign and Bluefish TV we created a video to help put the spotlight on his story so that it might inspire others to use their passions and skills to make a difference.
You can watch the clip for free by clicking on this link. If you would like to use the clip in a presentation to your church or business you can download the clip for the same price that you would pay to download a clip on iTunes ($1.99).
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Video and Media
Continue reading 'Business on Mission Video #3: Hong Kong- Impact Through Teaching'
Business on Mission Video #4: Changing Course with Architecture
As a successful architect, Mark was designing resorts and buildings around the world. He and his wife faced a dramatic shift when he left his career and began using his skills in architecture to live on mission in Honduras (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO).A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend some time with Mark in our office in Dallas and talk to him about their plans to continue to develop business strategies in the country that they now call home.
At the Rightnow Campaign and Bluefish TV we created a video to help put the spotlight on his on this story so it might inspire others to use their passions and skills to make a difference.
You can watch the clip for free by clicking on this link. If you would like to use the clip in a presentation at your church or business you can download it for the same price that you would pay to download a clip on iTunes ($1.99).
Labels: Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Video and Media
Continue reading 'Business on Mission Video #4: Changing Course with Architecture'
5 Powerful Stories of Business on Mission
Books can spark a movement. Videos can make it spread even faster.We live in an age of viral videos. Word spreads like wildfire because of images. There's just something about the sights and the sounds of the big screen that capture our attention and communicate a message.
The business as mission movement is full of stories that stir us to action. Some of these stories would rival anything that we can read on paper. It's something about the authenticity of someone sharing their story. Hearing their words filled with their passion is something like none other.For the past few months our team at the Rightnow Campaign and Bluefish TV have been collecting several stories. Some might be as simple as an intern, an inventor, an architect, teacher or the CEO of a business who stepped out and followed where God was leading them.
So sit back in you chair, grab some popcorn or a snack that might be in your desk drawer and over the next few days enjoy watching the stories of 5 people who are using their passions and skills to live on mission for Christ!
Labels: Business as Mission News and Notes, Practical Tips and Tools, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Video and Media
Continue reading '5 Powerful Stories of Business on Mission'
Panel Discussion: Looking for a New Business Idea?
We all know entrepreneurs are always full of new business ideas. Recently we caught up with a few kingdom business leaders who were willing to share some of them. Here's a few that they listed. Hopefully these help unlock some ideas of your own!"Lack of safe drinking water is at the root of many problems in the most impoverished places: people are sick, have no time to work, children can't get educated because they are fetching water. There is tons of room for businesses to create and deploy technology for safe water that is financially sustainable."
******************************************************************************
"I am really passionate about viral franchising (think Starbucks) and equally dispassionate about the BAM business start-up that is focused on a single site (a coffee shop in one city). The underlying principal here is that of stewardship and multiplying impact. I am usually suspect of those who speak with me who have limited their vision and impact by “using” BAM as an entry strategy rather than seeing it for what it can be – one of the most holistic transformational means in which Christians can transform the world for Jesus. We need to think big, really big! Such as massive corporations, macro businesses with thousands of employees, regional branches geographically covering the least reached. We need to meet real needs such as those in Muslim countries where new believers are shunned and lose their jobs for becoming a Christian, evangelism alone is not enough, church planting is not enough, small business is not enough, we need to create tens of thousands of new jobs. Where governments in some countries turn a blind eye to BAM because of the economic impact and the value they placed on job creation, a business creating thousands of jobs can be far more overtly Christian that the typical missionary can. We need to go big."
***************************************************************************
"The left-field idea: Newman's Own meets global poverty. Imagine a BAM business in Thailand that employs locals to create specialty Thai marinades for sale in Western markets, and then imagine doing this in multiple countries under a common brand (like Newman's Own) that appeals to socially-conscious consumers.
How to market it? Travel books and TV shows are popular; they focus on the beauty of a place. Cooking shows and cookbooks are popular; they focus on the wonderful tastes of a place. Too often when we draw attention to a needy place, we only focus on the need and not the beauty of God's creation there and in the culture. So how about creating books and TV shows that highlight the beauty of a place, its people, and its food while also talking about the locals who are making the product and their need. You experience and learn their culture and you get to help them too!"
************************************************************************
"In Rwanda, there are loads of opportunities for businesses, including the following as some examples that come to the top of my head!:
1. Website development
2. Graphic design
3. Filming and editing
4. Digital photography
5. Food products manufacturing (oil, preserved food goods, etc.)
6. High-end soap and candles
7. Estate agents/property developers
8. Car sales (new and used) and hire
9. Fashion design
10. Garden landscaping and home decor.
11. Management/leadership training
12. Computer skills for children
I could go on all day!"
********************************************************************************
"Be sure to parnter. Don't try and do it all yourself."
Labels: Editorials, Panel Discussion, Practical Tips and Tools
Continue reading 'Panel Discussion: Looking for a New Business Idea?'
India or Bust: An Online Journal of Starting a Kingdom Business
Last fall I had the privilege of meeting Jon a passionate young businessman on fire for Business as Mission. He and he his wife Beth are starting a business as mission company and they have begun to journal their experiences "India or Bust". Recently I asked Jon to share some of their story...Business as Mission Blog: What was the spark or catalyst that caused you to "go for it" and get involved with a business as mission company? What about the decision to move to India?
Jon: The spark came as a simple question “Would you be interested in moving to India to start a BAM business?” At first I was apprehensive, but as I thought about the tremendous opportunity it was and the amazing adventure it would be, I began to get excited about it. The journey since that day has been challenging and scary, but God has been forging the path ahead of us -- we’ve just had to follow Him.
We had been exploring Business as Mission for quite some time in regards to our own lives and even teaching it at a local bible college. The chance to turn theory into action was very appealing to us. It’s been difficult to birth the BAM spirit within our existing company, but a new venture in India gives us the chance to found the business on BAM principles, which is very exciting.
We had been exploring Business as Mission for quite some time in regards to our own lives and even teaching it at a local bible college. The chance to turn theory into action was very appealing to us. It’s been difficult to birth the BAM spirit within our existing company, but a new venture in India gives us the chance to found the business on BAM principles, which is very exciting.
Business as Mission Blog: What have been some of the biggest challenges you've encountered thus far in your plans and what big issues down the road are you most concerned with?
Jon: The planning process for India has run fairly smoothly thus far. God seems to be opening the right doors for us and connecting us with the right people to help us understand what it takes to start a business in India. I think the biggest challenge that lies before us in setting up the business is hiring the right people. It’s imperative that we have “the right people on the bus” (a Good to Great principle) for our business to succeed. Fortunately, we will be working with people who are already doing business in India and who can help us along in the process of hiring employees as well as help us navigate the cross-cultural issues inherent in doing business overseas.
Business as Mission Blog: How would you describe the journey and process of making plans to go overseas being newly married? What advice can you already pass on to other 20's and 30's?
Jon: A couple of things...
Don't rush into it
Both of us (my wife and I) decided from the very beginning that we needed to have one full year of being married before making an international move. Others have recommended at least 2 years.
Deal with your issues before you leave
We realize that the next several months are vital for both the success of our marriage and the BAM endeavor in India. We have been very open and transparent about our “baggage” since the beginning of our relationship knowing that anything kept in the dark would only serve to eat away and destroy our marriage further down the road. We are earnestly working through our issues because we want to be as healed and whole as possible, which will strengthen our marriage and our service in the Kingdom.
Start learning now
I feel like I’ve been playing catch-up – there are too many things to read, learn, and do before we head to India! Begin reading up on Business, Missions, and BAM. Find a mentor to help you grow in God and your business acumen.
Simplify your life
Moving overseas forces you to look at everything you own and do differently. Every purchase begs the question: “Do I really need this?” The battle to own your stuff, versus your stuff owning you intensifies when you have to sell, give away or move it halfway around the world (and pay by the pound). Time becomes a precious commodity: when you have less than a year to spend with friends, see your family, and do new things… your priorities become a lot clearer! The earlier you start, the easier it is to face not seeing your friends, family and familiar surroundings for an extended period.
Relinquish control
God is ultimately in control -- He wants a BAM business more than you do. He has perfect plans and timing. He knows everything and everyone that is required to make it happen. Trying to ‘make it happen’ in your own strength is a sure fire way to burn yourself out.
Learn about Spiritual Warfare
The spiritual warfare around our marriage and lives has intensified as we prepare to go extend God’s Kingdom in India. We know it will intensify further once we’ve moved to India. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Spiritual Warfare, read up on it. Recommended reading: The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane
Build a prayer network
You can never have too much prayer support. It’s important to build the business on a foundation of prayer (Psalm 127:1).
Buy a web cam for yourself and those dear to you
We’ve begun giving web cameras as presents to friends and family. This will allow us to ‘see’ them more often (via video IM) then when we are back in the US visiting.
Read our blog
We’re journaling our entire journey to India and beyond on our blog at http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/india/
Labels: Case Studies, Panel Discussion, Practical Tips and Tools
Continue reading 'India or Bust: An Online Journal of Starting a Kingdom Business'
Panel: How to I get Involved in Business as Mission?
In another one of our panel discussions with CEO's of business as mission companies, ministry leaders, and authors I asked them what advice they would give a 20 and 30 something who is looking to get involved in business as mission. Here's what they had to say..."It's easy to get caught up in trying to make a big impact. Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd before he was ready to shepherd God's people. It's important to remember that God is using our early careers to form us, developing us into Godly men and women as well as developing our skills. So take a learning posture: don't be afraid to try things and fail. Some of the best entrepreneurs and ambassadors for Christ have been profoundly shaped by failure."
Director of a Kingdom Business in the Midwest United States
************************************************************************
"Ask for the Lord to lead you to an unreached city or people group; then get language... Do an internship with a capable mentor and then find a a team to stick with you for many years..."
CEO of a large manufacturing company in China.
************************************************************************
"There's several things that come to mind: 1) Do the YWAM BAM training this Autumn of 2007 2) Get in touch with some BAM businesses/entrepreneurs, and ask them as much as you can think of... 3) Consider going out and spending some time with one of them (business entrepreneurs) in the area (both skillful, and geographical) that you think you might be interested in getting involved in. Learn about their business and how they honour God within that. 4) Stop thinking about it, and just get out there! The need is absolutely HUGE! I think God will be pleased wherever you go, so long as your heart is set on pleasing Him. (Of course, where there's spiritual and economic need are the best places to go, in my opinion).
President of several small business start ups in Africa
************************************************************************
"First and foremost, understand that the work you are doing right now is worship unto God. He has placed you where you are at to bring glory to His name. Don’t waste any time by thinking that you can’t do BAM until you are in a foreign country. You can be intentional now about impacting your community by the life that you live."
Business Entrepreneur in Southeast Asia
************************************************************************
"Read A.W. Tozer’s Pursuit of God Chapter 10 every day until you understand the holiness and pure offering of worship that your work must be. Take charge of your destiny and stop waiting for other people to approach you. For example, I want to start a related BAM operation in Asia in 2008-2009. I don’t know the business model yet but God has placed this on my heart. I am waiting for God to bring us the right person of passion, calling, competency, and vision to drive this China initiative."
President of a Kingdom Company in the Midwest United States
************************************************************************