Many of us learn best through the narrative. Stories demonstrate what we mean by “real business” and “real mission”. IBEC consultants helped this business in Asia to grow and develop.
An Architect and the Making of Disciples
Andrew is an architect. He loves boats and the water, and he owns a boat-building business in Asia, where he lives. Andrew also loves Jesus and wants more people in his country to follow Him.
Andrew is a legitimate business owner in this country. Unlike most employers in the country, he is honest, fair, caring and supportive of employees, clients, vendors, tax authorities, accountants and neighbors. He can live out his faith in the workplace and use his profession to impact his staff of about 30 employees. In short, Andrew is “Jesus” to those who have never heard the good news.
When Andrew bought the business, there was not one employee who loved and followed Jesus. Recently I received this email from Andrew:
“A 56-year-old man just decided to follow Jesus and was baptized yesterday! He has a wife and two 20-something boys. He is a changed man and even his wife can see it. Please pray for him and his family, as I understand his wife will seek approval from her family to follow his ‘new faith’ in Jesus.”
Now Andrew has disciples on both sides of the cross — many following from afar and one following more closely. Andrew continues to run his business for profit, for creating jobs, and for making followers of Jesus.