SfK Ministries: Newsletter

SfK Ministries Newsletter
- SEPTEMBER 2019 -

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
(1 Peter 3:9)

While searching for interesting articles to share about the Business as Mission (BAM) Movement, I came across a really great blog post about the basics of BAM, its importance, and how communities are impacted and transformed through BAM businesses. I HIGHLY encourage you read the post in its entirety. It is a great review of what BAM is and also how important and transformative a business can be to the communities they serve.

Business As Mission: How Entrepreneurship Can Open Doors For the Gospel
by : McKenna

The following discussion comes from the Bethany Global University website (https://bethanygu.edu/blog/skills/business-as-mission ) blog.

In the year 2050, it is said that more than 66% of the world population will be living in an urban city.

Unfortunately, as more people from underdeveloped areas move to the city, the rate of unemployment grows higher.

In Mumbai, India, poverty is rampant in the streets. Fathers will say goodbye to their families for months at a time in hopes of finding a job in the city. However, when they arrive, they’ll find that most employers won’t hire you unless you have an education. Sadly, most people from rural villages cannot read or write because they were never taught how or they had to leave school in the third grade to work for their families. Even if they do get hired, they won’t be paid well because they are born of a lower class.

Not wanting to bring shame onto their families, these men are then forced to resort to begging on the streets with no way to get home–having used up all the money they had to get to the city. What was once hope that beautiful morning now slowly shrivels up and dies, leaving the man a restless heap on the corner with a ghost-like look in his eyes.

Something snaps in society, and all of creation groans at the downward spiral of poverty as it wreaks havoc on the now single mother who sells her body to provide for her small family while her three young children lie shivering in the corner.

Can this brokenness be restored? The missionary’s heart weeps at the injustice in the world until the Lord lays the burden of His heart into the missionary’s open hands by giving him the vision to bring hope in the midst of a poverty-stricken world through transformational entrepreneurship.

Nothing is too impossible for the Lord.

Ministry Updates

1. SfK Korea board meeting took place on August 20, 2019 and confirmed the completion of its investment in Hesed Cambodia. Please pray that the board members will continue serving God through SfK Korea and make a great impact in the lives of people whom God cares for.

2. SfK MBA BCT Kathmandu (August 19 - 30) was successfully completed with nine graduates. Please pray that the good and faithful Lord bless these missional entrepreneurs to find creative ways to serve God and serve people through their businesses.

3. A few businesses have been identified as potential members for SfK MB Community during the visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. Please pray that the evaluation process will be effective and fruitful.

4. A new missional business in North Africa. A new member has been admitted to SfK Missional Business Community. Please pray this new missional business will help the love of God flow into the hearts of people in this land where Christians are often persecuted.

5. Hesed Cambodia has dedicated a church to God. This church, Canaan Church, has been built in front of its palm sugar production plant to be the beacon of hope and love for people working at the plant as well as people in the neighborhood. Please pray that God will use this church in a powerful way to advance His Kingdom in this under-reached nation.

6. SfK Tanzania - After the SfK MBA BCT Arusha, two business plans have been submitted and one business plan is under the refining process for the next steps of investment. Also, SfK Tanzania served in a local church pastor training program with a week-long training on BAM. Three SfK Kingdom Fellows participated in the ministry along with the senior pastor of the church. Please pray that this agricultural project will gain traction for the next step progress and the trained pastors will bear fruits in their own ministries.

Upcoming Events & Prayer Requests

September 20-22, 20019: BAM Conference will take place at Bethel Church in Irvine, California.
Please pray that this event will continue challenging and inspiring people to gain their comprehension about BAM and to respond to God's calling in His time.

September 27-28, 2019: In-Person SfK Life Board Meeting in Southern California. The board members will meet with SfK Kingdom Fellows based in Southern California.
Please pray that this gathering of almost 20 like-minded people of God will provide encouragement to each other.

October 7-18, 2019: SfK MBA BCT Chiang Mai has been CANCELLED due to a change in the ministry focus of SfK Missional Business Academy (MBA). More information will be shared early next year. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please pray that the changes made in the ministry focus will develop and refine the way missional entrepreneurs are effectively equipped.

October 28-30, 2019: Korean American Glocal Mission Association (KAGMA) Annual Gathering will take place in Southern California. SfK will participate in this gathering to share what God is doing through SfK.
Please pray that this gathering will draw many people, young and old, to the creative mission platform: BAM.

April 29-May 3, 2020: BAM Congress 2020 will take place in Jomtien, Thailand. This global gathering of BAMers will review what God has been doing through BAMs over the past 20 years and preview what lies ahead. To learn more about this conference and register for this exciting event, please CLICK HERE, and follow the link.