SfK Ministries

SfK Ministries

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

SfK December 2024 Newsletter

 





Matthew 1:21

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 
 

Stand Outs: Creating Counter-Cultural Companies with Biblical Values


by Jon B, Contributor for The Stone Table Nov. 25, 2024 Issue BAM Articles



“There’s something different about this business,” the elderly woman who lived above our shop said.  

She made a hobby of calling the police on us. Three times she reported us before we even opened the doors to our coffee shop, her imagination running wild with fears of drunk men throwing bottles or loud music shaking the walls. She even convinced herself we were going to destroy the building, like some villain from an old Soviet nightmare. 

Okay, that last one might have been true. Who knew that foot-and-a-half thick piece of concrete in the middle was so essential to the building? She had stumbled upon a moment of justice this time, but did it really justify all the clogging of pipes to flood the shop, spitting on our baristas, and regular storming of the shop with a team of fellow residents? 

We’d been running the shop for a few months in Tbilisi, Georgia (the country, not the state). It was a cool summer evening when we finally finished decorating our specialty coffee haven. The walls were lined with faces of people from around the world, a bookshelf of dusty old Russian novels, and a kilim rug that hung above low, Turkish-style seating.  

We’d hardly found our niche, balancing the interests of the locals and Persian immigrants who could barely afford a cup of tea and the Russian moguls and Indian medical students whose standards I supposed may be impossible to live up to. 

I was across town, picking up a few last touches for the shop when the phone rang. It was Dachi, one of our baristas. 

“Sorry Jon,” he started slowly, “we weren’t sure if we should bother you, but the shop is on fire.” 

I froze. “Wait, what?!” 

Continue Reading...
MINISTRY UPDATES
  • MB Academy - The BMT 2024 ended on Nov 30th after 16 weeks of training. A total of 13 people received their certificates of completion or participation. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve these promising people of God for His Kingdom. 
  • MB Academy - SfK conducted its MB Connect on November 21st. Team 5 consisting of six members delivered their presentations about "People and Culture."  All were excited and inspired by their presentations.
  • MB Academy - SfK completed its BAM Field Trip 2024 in November successfully. God opened several doors of opportunity for serving the least of His brethren. We honor Him for His grace and guidance. Also, SfK visited another restricted-access nation in Southeast Asia to explore ministry opportunities. After a seminar, a BAMer Network was initiated and business collaboration with SfK ITAM USA was established. Praise the Lord! Please pray that all these new-found relationships will bear much fruit for the Lord's glory. 
  • MB Community - SfK has accepted another member into SfK MB Community in December 2024. This business has been serving in a South Asian nation for a dozen years. We are thrilled to serve alongside this missional business. Please pray that the members of MB Community will continue building up their bonding and collaboration opportunities.
  • MB Community - SfK accepted the invitation to serve as a member of the board of directors of a missional business that belongs to the MB Community located in Central Asia. Please pray that this opportunity will expand SfK's ministries in Central Asia.
  •  SfK Network - SfK Life and SfK Korea held their respective board meetings in November. Particularly, SfK Korea held its second in-person board meeting. Please pray that all members of the boards will continue to serve with passion and commitment faithfully. 
  • SfK Network - One of SfK's partners, to which SfK made a short-term emergency loan to bridge its cash flow, successfully paid it back. Praise the Lord for the opportunity for us to collaborate. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. December 19, 2024: MB Academy - SfK will hold its last MB Connect session. Rev. Sunki Bang will lecture on "BAMer and Money" and lead the discussion. Please pray that this session will help solidify the understanding of biblical money management in the lives of missional business entrepreneurs.
 

2. MB Academy - SfK will continue to hold its flagship programs in 2025, such as its BMT 2025, MB Connect, and BAM Field Trip 2025 and the initial preparation has already begun. Please pray that these programs will be prepared and executed in a manner that will truly honor our God. 

3. MB Network - SfK is working on updating its Strategic Plan and preparing its Business Plan. Please pray that these planning processes will receive God's favor and honor Him in a godly manner. 

4. SfK Network - SfK has begun the initial work to collaborate with a few organizations to transform their governance paradigm. A couple of scholars have joined this initiative to establish a solid foundation. Please pray that this initiative will progress under God's guidance to be fruitful in His eyes. 
  
5. May 2025: SfK Network - Both SfK Life and SfK Korea boards of directors agreed to hold an In-person Joint Board MeetingPlease pray that this joint meeting will strengthen the collaboration between two entities. 
Thank you for standing with SfK through prayer and financial support to equip and empower missional businesses in Asia and Africa. 

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We pray that our good and faithful Lord, who came to die to save us from out sins, will continue to bless you richly so that you may become a greater blessing for people in need around you and the world. We also pray that we will celebrate Christmas with a grateful heart for His mercy and grace. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
 
Please consider partnering with SfK to support missional businesses.
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