Business as Mission Strategic Plans
Ben and Leonora Newell
March 16, 2016
Business as Mission (BAM) is a strategic missional approach to sharing the Gospel in word and deed. It encompasses both historical and somewhat new approaches to missions. BAM utilizes the lessons learned from mission stalwarts such as Joseph and Paul while embracing ideas and opportunities from individual contemporary Christian business people who have no fame. These individuals are people of entrepreneurship and kingdom building and they are missional by how they live their lives and run their businesses in the secular world. BAM encourages Christians in the workplace to live their faith in such a way that they stand out for their good deeds, compassion, fairness, ethics, and overall excellence in their job, vocation and business.
BAM is being introduced and practiced by Missionaries, churches, and individual Christian business people along the border of Texas and Mexico and throughout the world. They are sharing resources and empowering impoverished people who lack access to both financial and spiritual capital. People who may be considered poor are not without abilities and dreams. They are just like everyone else with dreams of their kids going to college, getting a good job, taking care of their own family without assistance from the government, and being a productive part of society and community. BAM is a tool for them to accomplish their dreams and goals and thus help further the Kingdom of God on earth.
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) is utilizing BAM through their outreach and activities all over the world with a special emphasis in Texas. CBF is encouraging and inviting stateside churches within our Fellowship to participate in BAM through their rural poverty initiative, Together for Hope (TFH). TFH addresses poverty in the 20 poorest counties in the US and beyond.
One such BAM initiative involves the making of compressed earth blocks (CEB) with the ultimate purpose of construction with these blocks to further the quantity and quality of homes in the Colonias along the border of Texas and Mexico. CEBs are building blocks very similar to adobe blocks. The BAM initiative is being spearheaded by local church and Christian business people in the border areas. Emanuel Baptist Church in Laredo along with their local Baptist Association are working together to train local volunteers to build blocks and build homes with the CEBs. Other individuals, businesses, and organizations are partnering to provide technical, financial, and volunteer resources to the initiative.
CEB homes can be built in an affordable manner that will assist people in Colonias with equity building and skill enhancement. Our method includes the holistic approach of volunteerism, self-help building, and professional contractor partners all working together to build a great house at a great price. The approach is different than other church mission efforts in that it does not build a house for someone for free. It helps them build it themselves at an affordable price. It also requires the client to purchase the home versus it being a gift from the church. This is intentional as we try to work alongside people by helping them get into their own home. This requires that we build a wide array of partners and resources. We are currently working with non-profit affordable housing organizations, banks, and local mission enabling organizations like Stepping Stones of Laredo and the Holding Institute of Laredo to help bring home buying education, access to mortgage loans, and credit improvement counseling to people living in Colonias.
The intended results of CEB home building are many.
· Affordable homes (668 SF starter homes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath) for $45000-$50000. Our 3 bedroom, 2 bath house is budgeted at $75000. This is construction cost only.
· CEB homes will have an operational cost (electrical) of about half of traditional wood and insulation construction.
· CEB homes will last for over 100 years.
· With the inclusion of a metal roof with the CEB we will effectively build a fire-proof house. Metal and CEB are fireproof building materials.
· CEB homes are insect proof and sound proof.
· Creation of family and community volunteerism movements where neighbors help neighbors. The concept requires family members, friends, and others to make CEBs and then help in the construction of the walls and other finishes of the house. Sweat equity to the max. Additionally, the CEB making activity will provide blocks for community purposes as every fourth block made will be reserved for community priorities like churches, community centers, and infrastructure.
· Development of the skill sets among Colonia residents that involve CEB making and CEB home construction can be transitioned into new jobs and wealth creation.
· Will offer churches and church planters the opportunity to be engaged in community and economic development within a Colonia, a poor community along the border of Texas. Thus, they are more likely to be welcomed as someone bringing physical resources as well as spiritual resources. We hope that this turns into house church plants in every Colonia we serve in. This is a great opportunity for CBF churches to partner with local border churches in the establishments of effective missions in tough places.
CBF and TFH have purchased the first CEB machine and it is currently being managed and operated by Lorenzo Ortiz, pastor and Christian businessman from Laredo, Texas. Mr. Ortiz will be the field representative for the initiative as it relates to Colonia mobilization and construction building processes. Mr. Ortiz is an experienced construction contractor with a passion to share his gifts with people in the Colonias and beyond. We plan on building a BAM CEB house structure starting in March 2016 in Laredo with further CEB homes planned for later in 2016.
BAM initiatives in Texas are just beginning. There are many opportunities for CBF and our affiliated churches, along with committed Christian business people, to strategically impact God’s Kingdom plans for Colonias and other poor communities. There are plans for BAM mission trips where the bulk of the service opportunities relate to teaching, learning and sharing entrepreneurial resources in Colonias. Furthermore, there are plans to create microloan funds specifically focusing on Colonias. Also, we are crafting plans to create Kingdom Business Incubators in strategic Colonia locations; thereby, helping provide valuable job skills and startup business help.
There are opportunities for everyone to embrace BAM as their missional calling. This does not mean that people have to wait to participate along the border, but that they can begin to implement their BAM plans where they live and work as well. BAM is a 365 day, 24/7, missional calling. We invite you to come alongside CBF and TFH and our partners as we “Together” live out our faith in the workplace and beyond.
For more information on TFH “Business as Mission” efforts focusing on the border, please contact Ben and Leonora Newell, CBF Field Personnel and BAM Coordinators for the border.
, 870-995-3518
, 870-995-3519