Business with Intention
A number of years ago I was introduced to Steve, the founder of iBAM, through my brother-in-law, Ben. At that time, Steve was a successful entrepreneur in the process of growing his pet supply franchises and I was struggling with a variety of complexities in my newly formed design business. I phoned Steve for advice and found him to be wise, gracious, and really generous with his time. Through his advice and encouragement, I was able to navigate through some pretty troubling waters. I remain grateful to this day.
Fast forward 15 years to another conversation with Ben, who again suggested that I connect with Steve for advice. This time we sat across the table from one another, and caught up on each other’s lives, reflecting on our career transitions. His pet supply franchises had multiplied across numerous states, but the growth didn’t come without cost - constant travel, work, and stress reached a tipping point. He had an epiphany that it was not worth it. He made up his mind and walked away from a business he poured so much of his life into, because he recognized what it was costing him. The decision to walk away came at a high financial price that most of us would not have been willing to pay, but Steve is not like most people. He shifted his focus and energy toward his Lord, his marriage, and later, a new ministry.
In the early 2000’s Steve went on a mission trip to Thailand. On the flight back he sat next to a pastor and was reflecting with him on the trip. Steve shared how he felt a misalignment of his gifts to this mission experience. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved the experience of seeing and helping the orphans, yet it’s just not my thing. If I could use businesses and my entrepreneurial gifts for kingdom purposes, I just know I could help those in the toughest places on earth spread the gospel.” Little did Steve know what that revelation would mean for his life. Steve began to apply his business talents to missions, starting small in 2001 and continued through 2010 in the countries of Jordan and Georgia. In those early days there were many failures. It was important for the locals to own the business that they helped start but this was tricky without a good model in place. By 2014 they had created a stable foundation for their processes and became an official non-profit named iBAM (International Business as Mission) with an official board of directors.
“Business as Mission” is a relatively new concept in our world today, and one that is very attractive on so many levels. Small businesses are the backbone of most economies and they are welcome nearly everywhere, especially in developing countries, and even in closed nations - of which there are 70 closed nations in the world today. Blending business with mission is a win-win because it fosters sustainability with gospel truth. Successful businesses provide a platform for mission and access to share the gospel, which in turn, exposes people to Jesus while demonstrating that true kingdom living encourages flourishing in the here and now.
Too often missionaries struggle in their mission and some of that struggle can actually come from their funding. If their paycheck comes from a church or from raising support they have little motivation to start or grow a sustainable business - which greatly enhances their mission. And some lack time because they are too busy fundraising to ever consider starting a business. iBAM has tangibly demonstrated how businesses create amazing inroads for evangelism and discipleship. For one, the owners are taking considerable risk to share the gospel (typically through starting a small group/house church). This is a powerful testimony for those outside the faith who often ask... “why would this person risk so much unless perhaps the gospel is true?!”
Today there are 35 businesses in 7 countries and growing! While this number is impressive, their vision is so much larger. Today they are working with larger mission organizations to create the iBAM model within their structures. This will enable 35 to become 350 much faster than iBAM going it alone through organic growth.
Steve brought in a partner, Jeff, to act as the Vice President of Global Operations. As a young man Jeff was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, but was not coping well. He came face to face with Jesus on April 19, 1982 (Good Friday) at 9:30 pm while sitting in an alley tripping on acid. How’s that for a dramatic conversion story!? Just as he was saved from a dark place through a Jesus intervention, Jeff seeks to bring the light of the gospel into the darkest places on earth. In the early 90’s he was a missionary living in China and focused on the neighboring most-closed country in the world. He sought out ways to legitimize his presence in this country in order to avoid exile or execution. Teaching English was one of the ways he justified his presence, but also allowed him to share the Christmas story to many who had never heard it before. This experience opened Jeff’s eyes to the need for an alternative way to gain access into closed countries. iBAM has become a really effective way to pour into a local economy, teach kingdom values, and reach people with the gospel.
This is all very exciting to me, especially having lived within the framework of business my entire adult life. Typically business is siloed from our faith resulting in a compartmentalization of our work and our faith... I love how iBAM brings them together, a framework which we see encouraged and practiced in the New Testament - God has never promoted compartmentalizing our lives, so why do we? Is iBAM going back to a model we should have never abandoned in the first place?
There is so much to say about iBAM, but let me close this blog with another practice I find inspiring. They read passages of scripture and simply ask three questions:
1. Look back: How did it go applying what you learned last time we met?
2. Look up: What does this scripture say to you in your words?
3. What should you do about it; how will you practically apply it?
At first glance this seems overly simplistic, but I have learned through these iBAM leaders that this method produces powerful moments and growth when paired with a commitment to prayer. This is how movements have happened historically, and how they are happening now.
It’s encouraging to see the examples of these men who have willingly walked away from worldly success to pursue a costly mission call in their lives - assessing their gifts and experiences in business and missions and applying them toward kingdom causes.
I love how they demonstrate that being GOOD at business is GOOD for the kingdom when both are done for God’s glory and His purposes.
Check them out at www.ibam.org