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”I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has been born … who is Messiah and Master…Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” (Luke 2:10,14) Why was the first Christmas such a big deal?  What […]

I gave a workshop at a conference in Seattle in October on themes related to BAM. The coordinator asked that I provide a list of resources so the participants would have some “go to” places for next steps. Here is the handout I provided. Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com —– The best

Jesus is the primary example of integration of faith and the marketplace. He practiced a trade, and earned respect of the community, not entering “ministry” until he was thirty. Then his “ministry” was primarily in the context of the marketplace, not the synagogue (church). It is difficult to think of a Jesus teaching and not

In September 2024, the Lausanne Movement celebrated 50 years since the first Lausanne in 1974 when Billy Graham and John Stott declared the necessity that “the whole church take the whole gospel to the whole world.”  This years’ Lausanne IV gathering in Seoul, Korea was attended by about 5,000 delegates.  I was invited to attend

This is Thanksgiving week in the USA. Let’s take the opportunity to highlight one of the many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for historical models for us to learn from. Once again, IBEC Board member and entrepreneur, Dave Kier, shares some interesting stuff. Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com —–

Freedom businesses are businesses committed to the Quadruple Bottom Line just like any other BAM business, but with an added dimension.  They focus on training and hiring survivors of human slavery.  The employees have been rescued from the trafficking industry, and are being restored to the dignity God intended for them. The process is not complete

At 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, the armistice for World War I was signed.  This “war to end all wars” had involved most of Europe and cost the lives of nearly 17 million, plus that many or more wounded. My maternal grandmother’s sister served with the Canadian Forces and

My father’s father was a small businessman; three of my uncles owned their own businesses. All of them, as most of their generation, apprenticed with their family or with senior businesspeople. The world today is amazingly different. Robotics, Blockchain, metaverse, Generative AI, Coopetition, big data, and machine learning were unheard of a generation ago. Then,

Business as Mission (BAM) measures itself with four key indicators (KPIs).  These are: Is the business continually moving toward profitability? Does the business create jobs? Does the business make Jesus known and make disciples? Is the business careful with creation? These questions are on our mind constantly as we coach and consult with BAM businesses.

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