The Mission Of Business - Companies Around the Globe are Mixing Profits with Gospel Ministry.
"In Trujillo, Peru, a hybrid effort is underway, teaming the church with a for-profit business. Peru Mission began in the late 1990s, under the care of Christian Missionary Society based in Statesboro, Georgia. Much of Peru Mission's funding comes from Presbyterian Church in America congregations. "We have a high view of the church as community," explains Brad Ball, a businessman and early Mission member. "When you work in the context of the church as community, the church isn't just a club you belong to, but it's a place where people's lives get intertwined and people are interdependent, and it's territorial."
Peru Mission has already planted two churches, one of 200 members and another of 50 members, both led by ordained Peruvian pastors. Medical missions are operating. The next step is to boost the local economy. Unlike the typical BAM, Peru Mission starts a church first, and then follows with businesses. Peru Mission is already making microloans of $50 to $100 in one village to finance street vendors in small convenience stores called bodegas.
Now, the company wants to make a bigger economic dent.
Four local carpenters make roof trusses under Peru Mission supervision. After a leave of absence, Ball is returning with an MBA from the University of Tennessee and a six-year plan to churn $950,000 in donations into building a 16-station carpentry and woodworking center. The business will use local, exotic hardwoods to make fine doors and furniture.
The effort is expected to make a profit of $74,000 by year four and net $1.1 million by year six. Though initial funds will come from donations, the for-profit shop will self-sustain and plow earnings back into the business, as well as into local schools, health centers, and community clinics.
Local churches will cooperate parish-wide with Peru Mission to give oversight to the woodworkers not only in trade, marketing, and business skills, but also in lifestyle issues with their families. "The facility itself is in the community," says Ball. "These guys are part of the community. The economic part has to be in that context, as opposed to the more individualistic model of being a business leader. It will be a positive approach to accountability.""
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The effort is expected to make a profit of $74,000 by year four and net $1.1 million by year six. Though initial funds will come from donations, the for-profit shop will self-sustain and plow earnings back into the business, as well as into local schools, health centers, and community clinics.
Local churches will cooperate parish-wide with Peru Mission to give oversight to the woodworkers not only in trade, marketing, and business skills, but also in lifestyle issues with their families. "The facility itself is in the community," says Ball. "These guys are part of the community. The economic part has to be in that context, as opposed to the more individualistic model of being a business leader. It will be a positive approach to accountability.""
Read More about The Mission of Business.
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