See how God is working through The Barnabas Group!
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Business as Mission ("BAM") is growing as a missions strategy. Not just to provide a legitimate reason to be in limited access countries - although it does do that. It also goes beyond just creating much-needed jobs - although it does that as well. As Barnabas Group ("TBG") Partner, Jim Seiler commented, "the Gospel falls on rocky ground when the hearers don't have jobs." The marketplace is the biggest mission field in the world and using business skills to build relational bridges is a natural context for Kingdom-minded people to demonstrate Christ's love and make disciples.
So it was no surprise that there was a waiting list of TBG Partners wanting to fill the ten spots available to engage in a two-hour SWOT session focused on BAM.
Encompass World Partners
is a 118-year-old mission sending agency, serving 228 people groups in 34 countries. From women making jewelry in the Philippines, to operating an extreme sports chalet in the mountains of Japan, and a cashmere export business in Central Asia, BAM is a growing component of Encompass' disciple-making strategy.
However, there are challenges to mixing the worlds of a non-profit mission agency with for-profit businesses. Employment and compensation issues get complex. Which activities are "missionary" (donor supported) and which ones are business (company paid)? Questions arise around business ownership, and use of profits (or covering losses). Add into that the diversity of U.S. and foreign laws. These were among the issues on the table during this engaging SWOT discussion.
Encompass' Executive Director, Dr. Dave Guiles, stated that he "found the conversation stimulating, and appreciated the depth of experience and perspective that each participant brought to the table. The input we received helped us focus on the perennial need for clarity, metrics, appropriate policies, legal counsel and more."
First-time SWOT participant and Associate TBG Partner, Quinn Taber, observed,
"it was an honor participating in such a rich discussion with participants bringing unique insights from real estate, tech, wealth management, church planting, and more. I was thrilled to see the various ways we inspired new frameworks and solutions for Encompass, but I am also grateful for the way my own view of BAM was challenged and strengthened."
SWOTs provide an opportunity for you to put your experience to work for Kingdom purposes. So watch your inbox for SWOT invitations from our OC SWOT Coordinator, Alan Weisenberger! You can also reach out to him directly at
alan@enLumenLS.com
, 714-981-5585.
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