Business as Missions (BAM)
by Debi Lopez
Business As Mission (BAM) is a mission strategy whose time has come. Business as Mission seeks to integrate business with the mission of making disciples of all nations. These businesses are created for the specific purpose of glorifying God and promoting the growth and multiplication of local churches in the least-evangelized and least-developed part of the world.
Maybe thinking “tentmaker” will help you conceptualize BAM. A tentmaker is a Christian who uses his profession or work skills in order to live in an unreached area so that he may reach people cross-culturally.
This biblical strategy was at times used by the Apostle Paul who made tents to pay expenses while his primary intent was to spread the Gospel (Acts 18:3). Tentmaking always has a discipleship purpose and motivation.
If our goal as the Church is to finish the Great Commission by engaging the unreached peoples of the world, then we promptly grasp that the majority of these peoples live in countries closed to missionaries in the poorest countries of the world. This means that we must continually find creative ways of getting into these countries and engaging these peoples.
BAM businesses are often allowed access where traditional missionaries are not typically welcome. These business can stimulate the local economy, create income for local churches, and provide a sustainable way for local Christians to be self-sufficient. Historically local people and governments are receptive to new businesses that employ their people and have long-term potential to bring new capital into their economy.
BAM companies seek to influence employees, partners, suppliers, customers, and the local community for Christ. Some of the objectives of BAM might include: creating jobs and providing dignified work for the poor or marginalized, introducing essential services/products into a community, transferring skills and training, modeling biblical principles of stewardship and business ethics, discipling through real-life situations and problems, and strengthening the local church by helping to establish new church plants or providing economic stability for believers.
Do you have skills and/or professional experience in a business or trade? You name it, and it is some-thing a developing or underdeveloped country needs. Do you have a passion to share the Gospel with the unreached in creative ways? Since 80% of the poorest people live in the least evangel ized parts of the world, godly business people can have a tremendous impact on the spiritual and economic welfare of these communities.
So you see, Business as Mission is about real, viable, sustainable and profitable businesses; with a Kingdom purpose, perspective, and impact; leading to transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically, and socially—to the greater glory of God. I hope I’ve helped you see that you too can be a part of Kingdom purpose without “doing missions.”
BAM is an opportunity for the blessed American to be a radical blessing to all peoples of the world. Are you up for the challenge? If I’ve whet your appetite for more on Business As Missions, I encourage you to explore some of the recommended books listed below:
Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business
Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions
God Is at Work: Transforming People and Nations Through Business
Business as Mission: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice