SfK Ministries: SfK August 2021 Newsletter

Synergy for the Kingdom

1 Corinthians 3:6,7

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

AUGUST 2021

"Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast": Seven Tips for a Healthy Business as Mission
July 24, 2021/in IBE Ventures Blog
by Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures

What is that supposed to mean? I think of myself as a strategy guy so why is culture so threatening? Peter Drucker made the statement so maybe I had better find out what he meant by it.

It seems that business guru, Drucker, says that the culture of a company may be more important than strategy. He is aiming at the human factor – the people of the company – and how they work together implementing the plan. It may make all the difference.

Simply put, culture is the way of life in a company at its core; it is the way the company operates toward fulfilling the goals and includes the core values and behavior of each employee. It is the habitat in which strategy lives, the way things are done. Many experts affirm that “…any strategy that doesn’t take into account the culture of the organization is likely to fail. Leaders in organizations tend to focus more on strategy. The strategy is relatively easy to understand and create. Culture is complex and intangible, and hence, tends to get less attention from top leaders. But ignoring culture leads to underperformance and may even lead to the organization going out of business.”

Ministry Updates

SfK MB (Missional Business) Community - Many missional businesses are still suffering and struggling to get back on their feet due to the persisting COVID-19 threats and their adverse impact on their businesses.
Please pray that God will extend His special mercy and grace to these godly businesses as they remain resilient under dire circumstances.

SfK MB Academy - SfK held its seventh Post BMT in July with the topic covering Transformation. The session was led by Rev. Dongho Song, CEO of NOW Mission.

SfK MB Academy - SfK completed a 4-week training for a minister and a businessman living in Liverpool, U.K. He and his team serve a church consisting of refugees from an I nation, a Muslim country, in Liverpool, UK and three churches in Turkey. A subsequent BMT for its members is under consideration. Please pray that this initial training will establish a strong foundation for their projects in these two countries for this strategically important group of believers.

SfK MB Fund - SfK held a follow-up call on a chicken feed business in a K nation in Central Asia to consider an investment in its expansion project.
Please pray that our discussion will come to fruition that is mutually edifying.

SfK MB Trading - Joybells America, the trading arm in the U.S., is seeking to establish a stable management team.
Please pray that God will open the door of opportunity to experience God's providential goodness at the end.

SfK Network - SfK has updated its website. Please browse by clicking here. sfkministries.org

Upcoming Events

1. AUGUST 2021: SfK MB Community - A member in L country is finally opening up its business. Please pray that this business will be blessed and become a blessing to this closed nation with deep poverty.

2. SfK MB Community - A member in Cambodia is discussing a joint venture with a major company in Korea. Please pray that this endeavor will be aligned with God's way and wisdom.

3. SfK MB Academy - SfK will hold its second online training program in 2021: i.e. BMT 2021 from August 14, Korea time. Please pray for this 16-week journey to be fruitful to all involved in the program. - photo

4. AUGUST 2021: SfK MB Academy - SfK will continue to hold its Post BMT program. Two participants will present their Strategic plans to all participants for feedback. Please pray for God's guidance in launching a new initiative.

5. SfK MB Academy - SfK is considering an English online BMT 2021 primarily for refugees in U.K. and business people in Central Asia. Also, SfK is in discussion to offer a short business training for refugees who try to settle down in the U.S. in cooperation with one of the global ministries. Please pray that the new initiatives will seek and depend on God's guidance.

6. SfK MB Fund - SfK will continue its due diligence and discussion for potential investments in projects in a K nation and the Republic of Georgia. Please pray that all particles concerned will be in unity in discussing the way forward.

7. SfK MB Fund - SfK's partner in Korea is planning to establish a crowdfunding platform in Korea in order to facilitate sustainable investments in missional businesses. Please pray that they will continue to seek God's wisdom in discerning the best way forward.

8. SfK Network - SfK Life and SfK Korea will hold their Q3 board meetings online in August. Please pray that all members of both boards will remain faithful to their commitments to the vision, mission, and core values of SfK Ministries.

Thank you for standing with us with your prayer and financial support in our endeavors to equipping and empowering missional businesses in Asia and Africa.
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We pray that God will bless you abundantly so that you may become a greater blessing for people in need around you and around the world.

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