Partnerships in business are common today. Did you know that WhatsApp became successful because of the partnership between Brian Acton and Jan Koum who complemented each other in their journey toward their eventual sale to Facebook ten years ago for $22 billion? Other successful partnerships include the likes of CVS and Target stores, Apple and MasterCard, McDonalds and Starbucks, Uber and Spotify, and hundreds more.
A partnership is a relationship in which two or more people, organizations, or countries work together as partners (Collins dictionary). The agreement allows the parties to cooperate and advance mutual interests so each can achieve their mission and amplify their success.
IBEC Ventures is a fairly well-known BAM coaching and consulting group (www.ibecventures.com). Global Frontier Missions (GFM) is an evangelical mission organization dedicated to training missionaries preparing to go the least reached people groups of the world. “Missionary Training” is what GFM focuses on doing with excellence (www.globalfrontiermissions.org).
So far so good. We are speaking the same language, and we are focused on the same ends.
What next?
GFM has an amazing training program (https://www.globalfrontiermissions.org/missionary-training/missionary-training-school) and they want to add a BAM specialization track to prepare practitioners as cross-cultural business entrepreneurs, managers, and employees. GFM realizes that it takes a business-wired person with specialized skills and a long-term commitment. Moreover, it requires training and hands-on experience in business, missional living, and cross-cultural expertise.
Through the Business as Mission (BAM) Program at Missionary Training School (MTS) and in partnership with IBEC Ventures and local business partners, participants will learn best practices in missional business and marketplace, either as an entrepreneur or an employee, while receiving coaching and hands-on training from BAM practitioners.
So, what is in it for GFM?
GFM will be able to offer to their students a proven BAM training program that includes/covers:
- 10 hours of individualized BAM coaching
- Cross-Cultural and International Business Skills
- Integrating Faith and Work
- How to be a Kingdom Employee
- Biblical Foundations for Business as Mission
- Business as Mission Strategies
- Creating a Business Plan (Lean Canvas Model)
- Marketing and Advertising
- Human Resources basics
- BAM Principles and Best Practices: A Path to Capital or a Kingdom Employee tract is available. See link for details.
So, what is in it for IBEC?
IBEC will gain more BAM clients and have the privilege of participating with what God is doing in many new areas of the world through business. IBEC also will now have a partner to recommend for training and experience, something new for IBEC.
Why is this important?
- Large portions of the unreached world today remain so because of a lack of legal access to these restricted locations. Business as Mission (BAM) also known as Business for Transformation (B4T) or Marketplace Ministry, provides a creative, legal, and sustainable way for Christians to enter and establish an identity in communities historically closed off to traditional missionary witness.
- Businesses serve as a way to transform a community as they provide needed services, jobs, and wealth creation. Missional businesses offer an excellent way to meet physical and spiritual needs.
- Being an employee of a company allows one to live and work incarnationally interacting with many people in a community. Living missionally in an employee context gives people ample opportunities to do life with their coworkers as they seek to share Christ.
How about a testimonial from a couple who has received training from both IBEC and GFM:
As we look back over the path God has led us through over the past few years, we cannot express enough gratitude for the roles that MTS and IBEC have played in it. From opening our eyes to the complexities and joys of the missions world, to helping us narrow our focus to Business as Mission (BAM) as a tool for evangelism and discipleship, the training and coaching we’ve received has been invaluable. We are now a few months into operating the BAM venture God has led us to, and are regularly benefitting from the investment and training we have received from these resources. We would readily recommend GFM and IBEC to anyone who has a desire to see the nations reached for Christ through business. R & S – Missionary Training School Alumni and small business owners in Thailand.
For more information on the GFM-IBEC partnership check out:
https://www.globalfrontiermissions.org/business-as-mission-bam-marketplace-ministry-program
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com