God is at Work

Presented By: Jessica Markwood

“Those two pioneers of

civilization – Christianity and

commerce – should ever be

inseparable.”

– David Livingstone

Meet Ken Eldred

CEO of Living Stones Foundation

CEO of Inmac for over 20 years

Assisted in the founding of several other

successful companies

Involved in business in the US, China, Europe,

India, & other locations where he does short-term

advising

A Quick History of Missions

God has always communicated his gospel in

relevant ways

“Despite an increase in the overall missionary

effort, the last century has seen Christianity

achieve no net gain.”

Missions Today

6% of money given to Christian causes goes to foreign

missions

$15.6 billion to 317,000 missionaries in “Christian World”

$2.1 billion to 106,000 missionaries in “Evangelized Non-

Christian World”

1 missionary per 14,000 people and $3.00 per person

$0.3 billion to 10,500 missionaries in “Unevangelized World”

1 missionary per 38,000 people and $0.50 per person

The average missionary budget has not changed in 30 years,

despite inflation

Barriers to Missions

It is difficult to enter as a traditional missionary

It is difficult to conduct evangelism as a traditional

missionary

There is a growing distrust for Westerners

Full-support missionaries in poor nations are

frequently accused of being everything from CIA

agents to drug dealers

Militant & political opposition

Potential for lifestyle gap

Business is a solution that compliments preexisting

medical, educational, linguistic, & evangelistic

workers while overcoming many of the barriers of

traditional missions.

Why Business People are

EffectiveKingdom business is a model for fully self-sustainable business

Kingdom business brings much needed expertise, technology, & capital

Kingdom business creates jobs

Kingdom business builds the local economy & blesses the nation

Kingdom business provides access to many locations

Kingdom business presents the gospel by word

Kingdom business presents the gospel by deed

Kingdom business enables local funding of the church

Kingdom business can be a valuable partner for other missions efforts

Kingdom business taps into an underutilized yet highly capable resource in the church

Business for Missions

Supports functions for

missions

Front for missions

Fundraising source for

missions

Business and Missions

Engagement in business and missions as

separate entities

“Tentmaking”

Numerous pitfalls

Business as

Missions

What is Business as

Missions?

Kingdom business is for-profit business ventures

designed to facilitate God’s transformation of people

and nations spiritually, socially, & economically.

Who’s Involved?• Authentic & skilled business

professionals who use their talents to further the

worldwide mission of the Church through Kingdom

business

• “The businessperson’s ministry is to serve others through useful goods & helpful services and to infuse each personal interaction with the

fragrance of Christ. That is his high calling from God.”

Business Missions in

HistoryBusiness as Mission & Scripture

Business as Mission has been a constant theme throughout

the course of history

“Those engaged in Kingdom business must consider

themselves agents of transformation rather than agents of

individual salvation or business development. The difference

might seem subtle, but I believe it is significant. As agents of

economic & spiritual transformation, we should seek to

develop spiritual capital in a nation.”

What is Spiritual Capital?

Relationship

s

Integrity

Serving

Quality

Characteristics of Kingdom

CompaniesPresence of a Christian(s) with a sphere of influence

A product or service in harmony with God’s creational purpose

A purpose that is larger and deeper than mere financial profit

Product and service that is offered with such excellence that it invites the opportunity to witness

Customers are treated with dignity & respect

Employees are equipped to achieve greater potential in their life and work wholeheartedly with faith, hope, and love

All aspects of business are considered outlets for ministry & subject of prayer

Culture of organizations line up with God’s word & Kingdom purposes

The business runs on grace

Servant-leaders

3 Pillars of Kingdom

Business

1) Profitability & Sustainability

2) Local Job & Wealth Creation

3) Advancement of the Local Church

How to Transform a Nation

Addressing the interconnectedness of

Economic, Political, & Moral-Cultural

systems

Working with individuals

Meeting people where they are

Three Segments of

Kingdom Business

Microenterprise Development

Small & Medium Enterprises ($5000 -

$100,000)

Overseas Private Equity ($100,000 +)

Capitalism & Democracy

On the macro level, Kingdom business should be

striving toward capitalism & democracy

The overwhelming advantage to capitalism is the

notion of inalienable property rights

Historically, democracies have been more

profitable in every sphere

Rewards of Kingdom

Business“Businesses that subjected themselves to biblical principles

were rewarded by the trust, loyalty, & satisfaction of their

customers.”

“Kingdom business professionals are uniquely qualified to

speak about integrity in business and would be remiss to

repeat the mistake of focusing on transforming economic

systems without paying attention to the requisite underlying

moral and spiritual transformation that is needed.”

Arguments

Obvious bias

Misinterpretation of Scripture & historical events

Using Christ as a poster-child for capitalism &

democracy

Diminutive Language

Theology of Retribution

Getting Involved

Integra Ventures

World Partners

Business Professional Network

Mission India

International Microenterprise

Development

Pura Vida

“God is in the business of doing the outrageous …

Jesus also compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed.

Though originally the smallest of seeds, it grows to become a tree

larger than all other herbs, such that birds can rest in it. God’s

Kingdom will grow beyond our expectations. God will do the

outrageous. We can achieve only the ordinary; only God can do

the extraordinary. Not even the sky is the limit.”

Are there repercussions of eliminating the environmental

(“planet”) element? If so, what are they?

Do we have to change culture to bring about spiritual

transformation?

In regards to Eldred’s statement about microenterprise

being an initial step, but not a long-term solution – do you

think that certain tactics are more effective for certain

groups? Should all cultures be pursuing business

development like the West?