Supporting development in Mongolia

The work ADRA * is doing in Mongolia is exciting, including a business component, and I wanted to share it here. Not quite kingdom business, at least not explicitly, but certainly kingdom work. Enjoy!

*The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was initiated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The basis for its existence, its reason for being, is to follow Christ’s example by being a voice for, serving, and partnering with those in need.

ADRA seeks to identify and address social injustice and deprivation in developing countries. The agency’s work seeks to improve the quality of life of those in need. ADRA invests in the potential of these individuals through community development initiatives targeting Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health and Basic Education. ADRA’s emergency management initiatives provide aid to disaster survivors.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency Canada (ADRA Canada) is an independent humanitarian agency established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church whose mission is to empower the poor around the world and in Canada with the resources, skills and opportunities to live a better life with dignity and hope. Our vision is to achieve a world without poverty.

You are the light of the world..

by Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

Imagine you wake up during the night and there is no light in your house because of a storm which knocked the electricity out. You open your curtains hoping that the light outside the window will light up the house but there is no light on the outside either. The entire neighborhood has no light. The storm was unexpected and no one was prepared. No candles, no lamps, no flash lights.

One by one, your neighbors begin to get up and notice the same thing, they begin to worry. It is dark, damp and no one has a light. The entire neighborhood is concerned and scared. Without light people cannot see where they are going, the elderly, the children and the handicapped are at risk of hurting themselves. Without light thieves can easily break into houses and stores because no one will notice them.

Imagine that this lasts for days, weeks, months and years. Of course overtime people will develop alternatives to illuminate the night until the real light comes back but no matter how great the alternative, it will only provide a temporary fix until the real light appears.

When Jesus appeared on the scene over 2000 years ago to begin His public ministry, He found Himself in the midst of darkness; the poor faced economic uncertainty, the church and state were corrupt and oppressive, and entrepreneurs were greedy and manipulative. There was complete darkness. Although temporary lights provided direction until His appearance, Jesus, the real Light, was now here.

As followers came to Him for answers concerning their conditions and how to address the problems of their day within the government, church and economy, His response was not an escape plan from the world nor ammunition to overthrow the government and church leaders; rather He reminded them that they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Jesus recognized that the reason the world was in such darkness was because there was no light. He encouraged them to not run and hide from a world full of darkness but to make themselves visible to all by the works that they do.

Over 2000 years later, much has not changed; we still face economic uncertainty, corruption, oppression, and a marketplace full of greed and manipulation. The consequences are mortgage crises, bankruptcy and corporate bailout by the government. The marketplace is in darkness and in need of light.

Light is something that enlightens and illuminates, and provides direction and awareness. Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses are the light of the marketplace. Our economy is facing tremendous turbulence - illustrated by the mortgage and financial crises - and the only hope seems to be government bailout.

We all know that the government cannot solve market problems; all it can do is bandage the problems or provide a short fix. Solutions to permanently address market problems must come from the market and not the government. The role of government is to provide sound economic policies that are market friendly.

Since the solution of the market crisis must come from the market and not the government, Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses must provide leadership to solve the problems of the market.

We are the light of the world; the reason why there is darkness in the marketplace, causing uncertainty and financial crisis, is because we are not letting our light shine. Our light must not be kept under a bushel nor hidden. This is the moment to let our light so shine before men so they can see our good works and glorify our Lord who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Are you letting your light shine in your industry?

Don't Worry, Be Happy

by Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy

You may remember these lyrics from the popular Grammy winning song in 1988 by Bobby McFerrin titled "Don't worry be Happy." The song is kind of soft and funny but it illustrates a little of what Jesus was trying to bring across when He stated in Matthew 6:25 that you ought not to "worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on." For "life is more than food and the body is more than clothing." Jesus goes on to point out in Matthew 6:32 that He knows that we have need of things. He uses the example of the lilies and the birds in Matthew 6:28 which do not work, yet our heavenly Father provides for them. How much more will He provide for us, His own children, who are created in His image and in His likeness?

In a sense, Jesus was trying to get across to us that we ought not to worry because we are blessed. If you breakdown the word "bless" to a literal meaning today you will find that it also means happy. According to the Google online dictionary, happiness is marked by joy or pleasure or good fortune. It is an emotional state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction based on the recognition of our good fortune. So I can rename this devotional this way; don't worry be blessed.

I know, you are currently facing many difficulties; gas prices are unreasonable, food prices and airline tickets are up, furthermore you have not received a raise and business may not be going as it should. Why should you not worry? And why should you be happy? Does worrying about the situation ever help?

When you worry about something you actually make it worse. Not only does worry not change the situation but it also disarms your ability to resolve it. Worrying puts you on the defensive and demonstrates a lack of faith in God. Even Jesus recognizes this when He states, "worrying does not add one cubic to your stature" (Matthew 6:27). Worrying gives the circumstance greater power than it deserves. Worrying demonstrates a lack of faith in God. Worrying is a violation of the first commandment "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). When you worry, you are turning the object of your worry into a god.

Worrying is like a cancer that slowly destroys your immune system. So don't worry be happy! Yes in the midst of trials, tests, persecutions, difficulties, financial trouble; be happy. James, the brother of Jesus states it this way; "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). That is right, look at the problem in the face and begin to smile and express your excitement, because whatever you are facing, God is working it together for your good.

"Why should I be happy when I should be crying?" you may ask. Because whatever you are facing right now is good for you. Here are the benefits of trouble and trials:

1. They shape your character
2. They cultivate your patience
3. They bring you closer to God
4. They enhance your prayer life
5. They strengthen your faith
6. They perfect you where you are weak
7. They cause you to be grateful

Without trouble, many of these benefits cannot be achieved and if it is up to you, you will never know that you have achieved them. So go ahead, be happy because whatever you are going through God is working together for your good. He is using your trials to cultivate in you great virtues that are essential for life and godliness. You can now understand why Bobby McFerrin's song is appropriate for us as believers; it reminds us that in the midst of difficult situations, we remain blessed. So whatever you are facing, don't worry be happy!

The Purpose of Kingdom Business

by Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner



"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Bill Gates are known to have made billions of dollars as captains of their industries and have given billions of dollars in philanthropic contributions to society through the creation of several foundations. Whatever their motivation was, they are known to have contributed significant amounts of wealth to society and are still contributing today. Very few individuals will ever contribute more money to society than these men. To my knowledge, none of them claim to be Christians except for John D. Rockefeller, a devout Baptist who tithed to his local church since his very first paycheck.



As great philanthropists as these men have been to society, their business practices are not to be envied; they built their wealth by employing shrewd, manipulative, morally questionable, and sometimes illegal, business tactics. Their goals were to build wealth by any means as long as they later gave back to society. If they stood before God's judgment and recited their good works before God as a basis for eternal rewards and favor, God's response would be He did not need their money but their lives; the money did not belong to them in the first place but to God; they were mere stewards of His money.

Our giving must be the substance of our lives rather than the substance of our earnings. God's question to them would be, "How did you treat your employees, your customers, your vendors? Were you a light for Me in the marketplace? Did you acknowledge my Son?"

When we consider the purpose of kingdom business, many people today make the mistake of approaching it the same way that these robber barons approached it: let's build great businesses that generate lots of profit so we can give back to society. This is a very self-centered, godless approach.

God does not need our money; He needs our lives, our ministries. These men's theology is a works-based theology rather than a faith-based theology. God cares not just about how much money you make but how you treat your employees, how you respond to the laws of the land, how you manage your businesses, and how you treat your customers. He cares about how you conduct the entire business. "The earth is the Lord's and everything therein"; therefore He can fund His work any way He wills. The purpose of kingdom business is not to fund the gospel or missions but rather kingdom business is the mission. It is an instrument by which we are to fulfill the Great Commission and not just support the Great Commission.

Kingdom businesses are a transformational tool for the marketplace. It is God's business; managed by God's stewards, for God's purposes. Yes, one of those purposes is making financial contributions to the advancement of His kingdom but it would be a mistake if we think that making financial contributions to the kingdom is the sole purpose of business. If that was the sole purpose, then the robber barons should be models and heroes of kingdom business since they have given to society more than any of us will probably ever give. However, with all their giving our society has become more sinful and secular. Their giving has not changed much about the eternal direction of our society.

God is not looking for philanthropists; He is looking for marketplace missionaries. He is looking for individuals who will accept the call to see and do business differently. God is looking for people who will see their businesses as pulpits and see themselves as shepherds in the marketplace. They are to see their businesses as instruments to fulfill the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Like one preacher once said, "we are to preach the gospel and if necessary, use words."

What is Kingdom Business?

by Patrice Tsague

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)

We all know what business is; it is a commercial activity that is designed to generate a return for the owner(s) (at least that is how most people define it within a pure capitalist framework). Entrepreneurs start businesses so they can generate a profit and long-term wealth for themselves. There is nothing inherently wrong with this view, though it is a very limited view of business and has potential dangers to fuel our greedy nature. As born-again believers and servants of King Jesus, we do not just operate businesses but our businesses must be kingdom businesses. In other words, our businesses are not owned by us but by the King, so we call them kingdom businesses or the businesses of the King.

Well what is a Kingdom business?

First let's look at what it is not:

1. It is not a tool to generate money to support missions - Yes I know many of us see business as the ideal instrument to support missions but the problem is that all the resources in the kingdom are the King's and all these resources must be committed to realize His mission, not just to gain business profits. The business itself is a mission.

2. It is not a tool to make money using the Bible - the scriptures are very clear; godliness is not a means for gain. We do not start businesses owned by the King just to make money because the King already has money. Money is generated through obedience to the King and proper stewardship of the Kings' resources.

3. It is not a strategy to isolate ourselves from the world - Unfortunately despite King Jesus' instructions that we ought to be in the world though not of it; many believers continue to look for ways to isolate themselves from the world. This is unscriptural. Kingdom business should take us further in the world not take us out.

4. It is not a business operated by a Christian - just because you are a Christian in business it does not make your business a kingdom business. For your business to be a kingdom business, you must submit your life and business to the lordship of King Jesus. What then is a kingdom business? It is a profit making enterprise under the lordship of Jesus Christ, operated by born again believers. It honors the Lord Jesus Christ through its products and services, it is managed based on biblical principles, serves as a light in the marketplace, and its profit is used for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth.

Simply put, a Kingdom business is God's business, managed God's way, by God's steward, for God's purposes in the world. Only born again believers can operate kingdom businesses, and the business operations must be managed by the guidelines of the King which are found in the Bible. Moreover, the products and services must be approved by the King; thus there should be no sin products. The business must be a platform for ministry where we demonstrate our salt and light to a dark and dying world. And of course it must be profitable since the King is concerned about the proper stewardship of His resources. However, the profit is not for us; the operators of a kingdom business, but for the King; the owner of the business, so we must use the profits as He directs.

Are you operating a kingdom business? Evaluate the business you currently manage and make sure it is operated under the ownership, guidelines and purposes of King Jesus.

Dare to Dream

-Patrice Tsague, RCE Partner



"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

It was 1963, a young minister stood on the steps of the capital and shared with the nation a dream he had about the future of America. In spite of the realities of his time, he was able to project beyond his reality and see a hope and a future. He dared to dream. Here is some of what he said:


"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.


I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.


I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."


Today we are experiencing the reality of this dream. When most people think of a dream, they think of the thoughts, ideas and stories that wander in their minds while they sleep. The reality is that we seldom remember those dreams. When I speak of a dream, I speak of a vision, a preferred future, or a hope of a future that you desire and is in line with the purpose of God for your life. This dream is not developed in your sleep but while you are awake and alert. It does not catch you by surprise; rather it is intentional on your part.



What dreams do you have? What do you believe God for in your business or personal life? You may be saying to yourself, "I want something better but my current circumstance makes it impossible." I challenge you to dare to dream. Dare to imagine a better future. Dare to see your business achieving those revenue goals, dare to see yourself acquiring those new contracts, dare to imagine a state in your life where the things you are believing God for come to pass.



If Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream can come to pass, so can yours. As a matter of fact, yours may be even more possible than his was. For his to come to pass, a combination of political, social, economic and spiritual factors had to work together at the same time. No one could have imagined that. Yours may not even need all of those elements to become a reality.



The key to realizing your dream is to have dreams that are God-centered and others focused. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream was not about his personal benefits but was for the benefit of others and was in line with God's will for the nation. What dreams do you have? Are they God-centered? Are they others focused? Remember to dare to dream because God's thoughts toward you are of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ramadan has begun

We received an email today from a friend who does business in a country where it is a given that everyone will fast during Ramadan. Even those who are excused from fasting due to one of the accepted excuses (ie pregnancy) are pressured to join the fast.

Please pray for our friend, that God would be her wise counselor and protector, giving her insight and discernment at how to conduct her life, business and sharing during this season of heightened spiritual seeking. Pray for those who have heard the good news, that it would be food for their souls and they would turn to you for more. Pray for those who might be considering who Jesus is. Pray for those whose families do not understand them, and that whole families would come to know and receive God's forgiveness and love.

Amen!

Connectivity for Africa?

by Jason Benedict ⋅ September 2, 2008

Finally, we are beginning to see a decrease in broadband prices for parts of Africa, and it looks like we can be hopeful about greater and cheaper connectivity in the future. Retail rates for 512kbps are now down in the $90 - $200 USD range[1] in certain countries, and while this is still outrageously expensive, it marks progress. Furthermore, there are currently at least 10 major fiber projects going on in Africa, and several of these are scheduled for completion in the next couple of years. What this means is that Africa will finally be connected to the rest of the world with affordable internet. In fact some are even projecting a glut of bandwidth[2].

The story of broadband in Africa is basically one of low connectivity, high prices and monopoly. Until now the only options for connectivity have been expensive satellite, and the SAT3/WASC/SAFE monopoly (SAT3/SAFE for short). Essentially, SAT3 connects Portugal to West Africa and on to South Africa where it connects to SAFE and then Asia. Some of the current reductions in price are due to a loosening of the SAT3 monopoly over the last year. SAT3 and SAFE have a capacity of 120Gbps and 130Gbps respectively. When other cables come online Africa’s connectivity will be measured not in gigabits but terabits.

Some Projects to Watch:

SEACOM – To link RSA, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, India and Europe. Expected to be online in 2009.
GLO 1 – To link Nigeria and other West African Investors to Portugal. Expected to be online the by the end of 2009.
EASSy – To link South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and the Sudan. Projected to be online in 2010.

The kind of connectivity we are describing here is essential to economic development on the continent. It appears that the Sub-Saharan regions with the most connectivity will be West Africa, South Africa and East Africa. This should open up a host of economic and educational opportunities. Sectors to watch will be ICT, Business Process Outsourcing, professional and technical services, medicine, finance, education and transportation.

The Kingdom impact of greater connectivity for Africa is largely dependent on our vision and the initiative that we take now. The benefits of economic development seem obvious. It seems like there will be BAM opportunities in the sectors mentioned. Additionally, this kind of progress will move people around, and these people movements will create opportunities for the Gospel. There could be dramatic shifts in personnel location and training dynamics with all kinds of strategy implications for each.

Jason is a strategist with the Regent Center for Entrepreneurship. He is also a contributing editor with Momentum Magazine (where this is also published) and serves as a missionary with Calvary International. He has written a book on business as mission titled Eden Inc.


[1] Africa Broadband Price Cuts - Retrieved: 09/02/08

[2] Six Submarine Cable Projects Not Watertight – Retrieved: 09/02/08