From time to time, I am asked an important question. “I am interested in serving in a Kingdom business overseas, where can I go to prepare myself?”
Some of the suggestions below are for those who are entrepreneurs, some are for others with a robust business background, while others will be helpful to those with minimalist training and experience. These are some that I am familiar with, but I know there are others. These are a good start and are in no particular order.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/school-of-business-and-entrepreneurship/ The SOBE is a 12-week YWAM school with in-depth training that shifts students’ understanding of business, while providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals needed for a su ccessful Business as Mission venture. The school can be taken online or in a classroom cohort, with the core instruction taking place through over 525 short videos divided into almost as many learning segments.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/bam-moves/ This training will empower business leaders and professionals to partner with God at work, fruitfulness; professionally and spiritually. Cohorts will start three times a year: February, May, and September. The 10-week online program includes six bi-weekly sessions with Bill and Gea. It will take about two hours of your time per week. Due to a smaller group setting, limited space is available. Facilitators are highly experienced practitioners and writers in the BAM movement.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/frontier-operators-forge/ Join a cohort of exceptional mid-career professionals committed to becoming high-impact business operators. Sharpen your execution, refine your leadership, and discover how God can use you to build, scale, and operate companies—first locally, then in frontier markets. Led by entrepreneur Patrick Lowndes.
- Regent University’s Center for Entrepreneurship The Regent University Center for Entrepreneurship (RCE) is multi-faceted and seeks to improve the economic and spiritual condition of disadvantaged populations through entrepreneurship and business grounded in a Christian worldview. Its vision is communities, regions and nations revitalized spiritually, socially, politically, and economically.
- Third Path Initiative: Mike Baer and Elijah Elkins have designed an on-line program which builds on their many years of experience. Business as Mission (BAM) involves all sizes and shapes of businesses dedicated to spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom and to making disciples around the world. The purpose of Third Path is to accelerate your involvement and impact through this movement.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/nehemiah-project-biblical-entrepreneurship-course/ Led by Patrice Tsague of the Nehemiah Project, this provides a certificate in business training and discipleship; open to owners, entrepreneurs, and potential entrepreneurs.
- https://www.openusa.net/internship-opportunities/ Nexus, affiliated with the OPEN Network, offers some internships for business students who want to experience Business for Transformation (B4T) firsthand in the 10/40 window.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/missional-marketplace/ Missional Marketplace is a 7-module online course exploring the role of the marketplace in God’s Kingdom mission in the world. You will learn about the role of everyday work in God’s original design, deepen your theological understanding of the marketplace, and reimagine business as a daily opportunity to honor God, love your neighbor, and proclaim the Gospel in word and in deed to the ends of the earth.
- https://www.bam360.org/ The purpose of www.bam360.com is to empower and equip the next generation of Christian entrepreneurs to make a positive spiritual and economic impact in areas lacking a Christian witness. It is their goal to provide relevant, high-quality resources in the areas of Business as Missions created from years of experience.
- https://businessasmission.com/resources/praxis-course/ Through a free six-session video and discussion series, the Praxis Course aims to help innovative leaders and builders to develop an imagination for what we call “Redemptive Entrepreneurship,” which means to leverage personal and organizational power for the sake of others, and to create products, services, and organizations that join God in the renewal of all.
- Acton University: Acton University in Michigan has many robust academic and experiential study modules which focus on building a solid business with biblical roots. Help build the foundations of freedom and explore the intersection of faith and free markets with them at Acton University in Grand Rapids, Michigan! It’s a four-day exploration of theology, philosophy, entrepreneurship, international development, and market-based economics.
- https://navmissionalenterprise.org/explore/ They are helping fulfill the Great Commission by living out the Creation Mandate in enterprise while following the Great Commandment. Their passion is “Holistic enterprises multiplying disciple makers both in the USA and in the hard-to-reach places around the world.”
- https://buildmde.com/ Marketplace and Development Enterprises (MDE) supports mature believers as they establish economically viable ventures and live out an authentic, disciple-making presence where the Gospel is restricted. They support member business leaders through a clear mission, a distinctive approach, and a deeply relational support model. In short, the mission is to empower and encourage believers to make money and make disciples in unreached marketplaces.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com