What is Success? Advancing Spiritual Impact in BAM: Best of BAM Blog It is easy to be confused by how success in business as mission (BAM) is defined today from a spiritual perspective. Once-upon-a-time the core concept of BAM was to have a spiritual impact. The reality that a business needed to be profitable should also have been a given, after all, a business that does not make money can’t survive or, as we say in BAM, cannot be sustainable. Even with this relative simplicity, being able to measure spiritual impact seemed elusive. Early definitions struggled between Business AS Mission and Business FOR Mission both of which held that a central purpose was spiritual transformation. Early theological debates centered around the secular-sacred divide, could business even be spiritual? There were common perceptions of money and profit, often portrayed as evil and exploitive among Christians, that needed to be overcome. Business AS Mission assumed that when operations aligned with spiritual values, businesses could and would produce spiritual results when driven by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Business FOR Mission simply used the profits of a business to support traditional missional activity. Today the definition of BAM has expanded to include an emphasis on poverty alleviation and job creation etc., issues that are also popular in the secular social enterprise world. However, one danger we face is that while we are expanding, we might also lose what makes us distinctive, appearing to put less and less emphasis on spirituality or spiritual impact. Yet, without intentional spiritual impact BAM is not any different than any well-meaning secular program. |
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Ministry Updates - BAM Congress Online (April 28-30) was a success! Praise the Lord for His grace. SfK has taken part in the Congress as a sponsor, a participant in a fireside chat, and as a panelist on the Investment Panel. It was a great encouragement to all who listened to BAM stories, testimonials, biblical reflections, various developments, and above all, God's direct impact on the hearts of people. The following photo explains BAM in 26 letters of the English alphabet A to Z. Please pray that the Congress will gain more momentum as BAM Global Movement.
 - BAM Congress 2021 has introduced a new song titled, "We Seek Your Kingdom," based on the tune of Abide With Me. The song highlights the 24- hour faith in every sphere of life. It was named the BAM Anthem. Please watch and listen to this inspiring song and share it with your friends if you have been equally inspired. Please pray that more BAM practitioners will appear as this song is spread among all peoples around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lp2mMpSa1E
- Hesed Cambodia has been adversely affected by the COVID-19. To continue employment, several ministries and churches have stepped up to help. Noteworthy is Retired Pastor Dongho Kim. He has sold 56,000 bags of dried mangos. Jubilee Presbyterian Church in Norristown, PA, and New Jersey Harvest Church in Closter, NJ have also sold Hesed's dried mangos and palm sugar products. We are deeply grateful to God for their help. Please pray that God will help overcome the pandemic soon to mitigate the great adverse impact on people in developing nations.
- Joybells America, SfK's B2B marketing platform in the U.S., made a sale to a distribution company in New Jersey. It is still a small step, but a giant stride in terms of making the first inroad into the U.S. market. Please pray that this initial momentum will continue to develop into sustainable demand.
- SfK MB Academy conducted its fourth Post BMT session in April on the subject of Accounting and Finance.
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Upcoming Events
1.May 15, 2021: SfK MB Academy Open BMT will be held online from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Korea time. If you are interested in getting equipped to operate a missional business effectively or know someone who is, please register early, as participants will be limited to 80 slots. 
2. May 2021: SfK Korea will hold its board meeting online and SfK Life will hold its in-person board meeting. Please pray that all discussions and decisions will be based on honoring and glorifying God.
3. August 14-November 27, 2021: SfK MB Academy will hold its Online BMT (Business Management Training) 2021. Interested participants are encouraged to apply early since the number of participants will be limited to 12. Please pray that the preparation will be made in a way to edify each other.
4. Republic of Georgia is a nation in Eurasia. Together with a missional business from the Netherlands, SfK is conducting a feasibility study for establishing an animal feed plant. A Georgian man has been retained to help the initial research process. Please pray that this endeavor will bear meaningful fruits.
5. SfK MB Trading is considering a couple of missional business product lines to be added to its US marketing program. Please pray that the initiative will gain cooperation from all parties concerned to produce synergy for the Kingdom.
6. SfK MB Fund has decided to make an equity investment in MOI (Moment of Inspiration) Coffee in Cambodia, a member of SfK MB Community. Please pray that this investment will empower the missional business to the next level of seeking a holistic transformational impact.
7. May 2021: SfK MB Academy will hold its Post BMT to be led by Professor Sunghoon Kim of the University of Sydney on the subject of Organizational Behavior. Please pray that the continuing training will equip missional entrepreneurs to better lead their businesses.
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Thank you for standing with us in equipping and empowering missional businesses throughout Asia and Africa with your prayers and financial support. Your support tremendously encourages us to continually move forward.
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May the Lord bless you abundantly in the midst of this persisting pandemic so that you may become a greater blessing to people in need around you and around the world. |
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