Is Providing Jobs Really Missions?
Because of fairly high levels of education and media exposure, there is a basic curiosity about western culture and values, the English language, and globalization.
There is a dominant non-Christian religion, and the government does not allow Christian activity; the country is considered inaccessible to traditional missions. There are almost no Christians - just a few scattered believers among the dominant language and ethnicity. The smaller people-groups in the interior have almost no gospel witness.
There is a climate of stress in the nation, with one or more of the following: recent war, ethnic tension, a loss of historical culture, and poverty.
These general descriptors of a fictional country are typical of about 70 countries of the world today, representing up to one
half of the world's population. What would Jesus do in order to reach this country in the 21st century? What should we do?
Business as Mission (BAM) is one way to legitimately enter the country. In short, BAM is accomplishing God's missional purposes through workplace business endeavors. Just as missions 100 years ago used medical clinics and basic literacy programs to fulfill the Great Commandment to love our neighbor and the Great Commission to disciple the nations, today business can do the same.
CrossWorld is beginning to recognize the importance of BAM in outreach, using a strategy of developing real businesses as practical vehicles for demonstrating Christian lifestyle and giving witness to the truth.
Business as Mission can take various forms.
Tentmakers enter closed countries and take jobs for which they qualify. They support themselves with a legitimate profession and are able to bear witness to the message of the cross.
Establishing businesses in the country provides jobs, addressing the unemployment problem and allowing relationships to develop which promote discipleship in the work place. When done intentionally, individuals are brought to Christ and churches are established.
Such businesses may be micro enterprises, or Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs). They may be set up on a strictly for-profit basis, but can also be not-for-profit ventures.
Consulting and training services for businesses, whether local or international, allow for interactions with people on various levels: methods, marketing, planning, ethics, financing, and other business related topics.
"Business as Mission is not just a means to an end, an entry point . . . it is the work. It is where the love of Christ is manifested (Great Compassion) and disciples are made (great commission)." Peter Kuzmic
BAM is becoming a key method for CrossWorld as we seek to "mobilize teams to make disciples and train leaders which will result in movements of reproducing churches among the unreached."
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."I Cor 10:13