Business as Missions

Narrative is a powerful tool - and there is nothing as effective at transforming the man within - than storytelling.
Stories have been such a part of human culture for so long, that some anthropologists suggest it is actually part of what makes us “human”. Many people have made it their life’s pursuit to discover or develop new and interesting ways to tell stories, from the earliest cave paintings to sophisticated forms of computer animation. As a businessman, I have learned firsthand the power of a good story, especially one that teaches important lessons and promotes positive change.

My journey as the business owner of a video game creation studio has been a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs.

I started my business out of a desire for success and wealth, and that led me down a path of pride and self-centeredness.

However, life has a way of humbling us, and I had what I call "a Nebuchadnezzar moment" - a moment of true insanity. I had become so puffed with pride that I surveyed my kingdom and declared it was achieved "by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty."
But, just like God did with Nebekenezer, he stripped away my health, wealth, and sanity. As a result of ignoring God’s principle of "rest”, I developed severe spinal nerve pain and became enveloped with crippling anxiety. Eventually my business collapsed.

As I reflect back on my journey, I can see now how God was working in my life even when I didn't realize it. God used that experience to teach me the important lesson that “life isn’t all about me”, and to shape me into the person He wanted me to be.

Exhausted and running out of options, my wife and I decided that I would accept a position as a director managing B2B relationships for one of my former clients located in a post-Soviet central European country. We sold our house, abandoned the idea of the “American Dream” and left for our new home.
Over the next several years, God confronted the lies that I had believed, miraculously healed my spine and anxiety in an instant, and only then restored my business to be many times more successful than before. It is written, God’s “gifts and his call is irrevocable.” But I needed humility to understand that the purpose of the success He gave me was not to give me a comfortable life, but so that I could learn to use business as a powerful tool for missions.

To accomplish His greater purpose, God introduced me to BAM(Business as Missions). BAM is the idea that businesses can be used to spread the gospel and make a positive impact in communities. BAM involves creating sustainable businesses that provide jobs, support local economies, and meet the needs of the community. The goal is to use these businesses as a platform for sharing the love of Christ and making a difference in people's lives. This is not just good business - it’s biblical, fulfilling Jesus’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
One of the most significant benefits of Business as Missions is that it allows us to use our skills and resources to build relationships and sustainable businesses - while also showing God’s love to the communities we serve Not only do these businesses elevate people and create real value in the local economy, but doing daily life side-by-side with the people in these communities (who might not otherwise even speak to a Christian) allows them to see the practical outworkings of faith in the life of our families.

My experience with Business as Missions has been life-changing. Doing business in these communities led me and my family to create relationships there. And taking the focus off of ourselves encouraged my family to invite people into our homes, where what began as the simple act of sharing a meal often led to the sharing of stories, hopes, dreams, and struggles. Moving from business relationships to personal relationships allowed others to observe how the love of Christ creates a warm family environment; and that encouraged them to seek that for themselves and their own families. Inviting outsiders to fellowship with a community of believers turned out to be an unbelievably attractive force.
If you're a Christian businessman or entrepreneur, I encourage you to adopt an attitude of Business as Missions.Business as Missions is a powerful way to love nations and grow businesses at the same time. By using our skills and resources to create sustainable businesses that benefit the community, we can make a difference in people’s lives, promoting positive change for people and communities by sharing with others the love that has been so freely given to us.