“L” wrote this past week (we’ll use the initial because of security) wondering how to launch a business as mission (BAM). He was wondering, for example, suppose he wanted to start a marketplace ministry selling quality vitamins, soap, hats… as a family, involving his teenage kids, maybe online to locals, to make extra pocket money and meet local people? Would this be legitimate? Could it lead to a full-time Business as Mission opportunity overseas? Please leave your ideas in the Comment box below.
3) Can You Help “L” With Business as Missions Ideas?
Check out Marketplace and Development Enterprises which is doing innovative things in the BAM arena through mentors and coaches building business plans for Kingdom work in challenging parts of the world.
http://www.buildmde.com
The answers are all “yes”. “L” should check out businessasmission.com to kick-start the process. Many great articles to be inspired and encouraged, to glean some helpful ideas, and to learn best practices. Then “L” might want to check out http://www.triventure.com to get help with training, coaching and capital.
Yes, my friend started a coffee shop in Malawi that hires Christians and Orphans and continues to provide business support/mentoring in their growth. I believe they also have Bible studies there.
See booklet “Tentmaking Missionaries” http://www.theimtn.org/main/documents/booklets/Tentmaking%20Missionaries.pdf
Make sure that any business you create delivers valuable goods or services and makes enough profit to be sustainable. People need to see examples of how a business can bless the community by providing something they need and bless the workers by providing a livelihood and valuable experience. When these goals are a priority the owner will be blessed, but if the business only exists to provide for the owner–whether it is money or contacts, others are unlikely to experience much blessing. Business as Mission should not be an excuse to do “evangelism” but an opportunity to invest in the flourishing of everyone involved. Providing reproducible examples of sustainable business is a very practical way to demonstrate the love of Christ and how God intends His children to live in His world–serving the needs of their neighbors.
There is an ongoing BAM Congress that “L” can participate in to glean information from seasoned BAM practitioners. Here is the link to the event (https://businessasmission.com/resources/bam-global-congress/) and lots of other resources are available at https://businessasmission.com/library/
Some ideas of businesses that can also be a ministry:
1) Sign up as a local tour host (check Airbnb experience), and reach out to international students, newcomers, or visitors, and connect them to activities in the Christian communities.
2) Combine languages practice and local touring/outdoor activities. Invite people to subscribe for weekly activities (hiking) where they can meet a language coach and a group of students to practice a language while doing outdoor activities.
3) Implement a mentorship/counselling service firm with Christian mentors/counsellors.
4) Open a coffee shops with soap making or other workshops, and combine Christian teachings.
5) For professional in investments, put together a hedge fund and encourage Christians to invest in as part of their RRSP or TSFA. On the top of a reasonable yearly gains, 10% of it will go to Christian ministries, and 10% go to your firm (as an example)
The business leader should pay attention to https://theviewpoint.com/blog/what-is-an-ott-monetization-model-comparing-avod-svod-tvod-hybrid/. I’m sure a lot of people have heard about the benefits of ad monetization. Namely, the specialists of this company will help you implement the optimal business model.