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A MISSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE BUSINESS AS MISSIONS FUNDING (BAMF) MODEL

Background of the Study

Business as Mission (BAM) has been growing in importance in recent years as a missions strategy. Conferences such as Urbana 2009 and Lausanne Cape Town 2010 have dedicated tracks on the topic of BAM. What is BAM? Mats Tunehag, 2006, says “Business as Mission is about real, viable, sustainable and profitable businesses; with a Kingdom of God purpose, perspective and impact; leading to transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically and socially – to the greater glory of God.” Ken Eldred, 2005, says “Kingdom Businesses [BAMs] are for-profit commercial enterprises in the mission field of the developing world through which Christian business professionals are seeking to meet spiritual, social and economic needs.” Rundle and Steffen, 2003, says “A Great Commission Company is a socially responsible, income-producing business managed by kingdom professionals and created for the specific purpose of glorifying God and promoting the growth and multiplication of local churches in the least-evangelised and least-developed part of the world.” In his book Kingdom Business, David R. Befus listed “5 basic paradigms or models for ministry through productive economic activity”: 1) Ministry service business – the development of self-sustaining enterprises such as Christian clinics, dental offices, schools, and bookstores, where the ministry charges a fee for services 2) Ministry endowment enterprises – for a local foundation for the long-term support of Christian ministry in the field 3) Tent-making enterprises - to provide legal entry, financial support, and a ministry context for expatriates 4) business incubators – the creation of new businesses for target populations needing income or employment 5) Micro credit programs – revolving loan programs for people who have a business idea. The second model listed by Befus is the model that will be the focus of this study. Instead of calling it “Ministry Endowment Enterprises” (Befus), this type of missional business model will be referred to as the Business as Missions Funding (BAMF)* model (BAMF was first suggested by Dr. Wan). In the history of missions, businesses have played a major role in financing missions, such as the Student Volunteer Movement. The missiological study will include looking at the biblical and historical basis of the BAMF model and case studies of selected businesses which follows the BAMF model.

The Researcher

Over the years God has touched my heart to give to missionaries and missions work. I’ve supported missionaries and missions work in addition to giving to the church mission fund. I’ve supported campus ministry workers, overseas missionaries, ethnic ministry missionary, mission mobilizer, and seminary students. It’s apparent that fund raising is a critical issue for a person to go on the mission field. Many of the missionary organizations require the missionary to raise 100% of the support before they can leave for the mission field. I’ve seen last minute appeals from missionaries who are just short of the 100% support and they are scheduled to leave in a short time. It seems that money is always a big issue for the missionary to get on the field and stay on the field. I’ve also been on the church mission committee where we have to decide how to allocate the church mission fund to support missionaries, mission organizations, our short-term mission trips, and annual mission conference. Thus, one missionary may only receive a small portion of the total amount we raised. The fundraising model is good because it requires individuals to raise support usually from multiple churches and individuals. This is good because it increase individual and church involvement and their prayer support base. However, I believe that more missionaries can be on the field and more missions work can be done if there is more money to support the work.