What is Micro-BAM?
Business as Mission
Many people have heard about Business as Mission (BAM), but there are some common misconceptions about what it is:
Business as Mission is NOT simply:
- A way to engage Christian business people in mission
- A way for missionaries to have access to a closed place
- An alternative or supplemental financial resource for mission agencies
- A program for alleviating poverty
…although these things may happen as a result.
But it IS…
- Real business by real business people
- Providing Products & Services
- Making a Profit
- Creating Jobs
- Aligned with God’s purpose by sharing the Gospel and giving back to the community through business activities
How did Business as Mission come about?
It’s really been around since the beginning… the very beginning. When God “took the man [Adam] and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen 1:15). Since everything that God created was good at that point, Adam looked forward to working every day! It was only after the fall that work became difficult (Gen 3:17), but like all things, God seeks to restore what is broken back to its proper form.
Business as Mission is simply doing business the way God has always intended for it to be done: producing excellent products and services; creating sustainabilty and generating profits; treating customers, employees, vendors, and other work-related people in ways that reflect Christ; showing integrity in making ethical decisions; helping the poor, widowed and orphaned; and giving all credit to God and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in a business context.
The Sacred-Secular Divide
But many churches have taught that business is secular, and therefore bad (or less good), while ministry work is sacred, and therefore good and more holy. This is unbiblical since God created all things, which means that God has an honorable purpose for business and we should not be afraid to be involved in it. Here are 7 Biblical Business Principles:
1. Business/enterprise was an original part of God’s creation before the fall. (Gen 1-26-31)
2. Business people are mentioned and praised throughout Scripture, including Lydia (seller of materials), James and John (fishermen), Philemon (businessman), Paul (tent maker), Luke (physician), Jesus (carpenter).
3. Business is God’s chosen means of providing for the needs of our families. (2Thess 3:12, 1Tim 5:1-8)
4. Business is God’s means of providing for the needs of our churches. (Prov 3:9-10, 1Cor 16:1-2, Mal 3:10-12)
5. Business is God’s means of providing for the poor. (Eph 4:28, Prov 14:31, Prov 28:27)
6. Business is a means of interacting with the lost and a platform for sharing our faith. (Acts 18:1-3)
7. Business is a means of demonstrating the grace of God in our lives. (Matt 5:16, 1Tim 6:1)
A Micro version of BAM
Every believer who is doing business should be following biblical principles that God has given us to run a business, whether that business involves investing millions of dollars, producing cutting-edge technology, driving a taxi, operating a convenience store, or selling eggs and tomatoes in front of one’s mud hut.
Micro-Business as Mission, or Micro-BAM, refers to micro-businesses that are run by the working poor in developing countries used intentionally for sharing the Gospel in word and deed. Videre looks to discover and foster entrepreneurs who are faithful believers by equipping them with biblical business training, coaching and discipleship in business, and microlending so that they might not only get out of poverty, but have spiritual and social impact through business as well. These businesses can range from sewing and chicken selling to motorcycle repair shops and small restaurants.
