Business as Missions
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
How can we help the lost and destitute of Africa in a way that produces sustainable and reproducing life transformation through Jesus Christ?
Many good hearted attempts are made to help Africans by giving financial aid handouts. While this is a good stop gap measure, it is not a viable long term solution. One study we recently read indicated that the countries in Africa that have received the most foreign aid are doing the worst. We know that Christ has commanded us to care for the “least of these my brothers and sisters,” but how do we most strategically accomplish this with our limited resources?
We think part of this answer involves presenting not only the Gospel and Bible teaching to the least of these, but also physical help through the planting of a sustainable small business governed by Biblical ethics. Helping Africans establish a profitable small business brings many potential benefits. First of all, it provides a job to a family when good jobs are scarce. This income then allows for housing, food, and medical care. Employment renders accountability by weeding out those who would rather have a handout than work. It creates relationships, credibility, and trust with the community. It provides a great opportunity for evangelism and discipleship (especially in areas closed to the Gospel). It builds psychological health. It gives hope and promise to the future when life in Africa is fleeting. Why plan for the future, they reason, if you are not even sure if you are going to have food to eat today?
Our colleagues Rodger and Lynne Schmidt have been in Mozambique five years. They have developed an internship program with eight Mozambican young men. They are discipling these men and training them for future church leadership and ministry in Mozambique. As part of this discipleship program they are launching a chicken egg business, MozOvos. This discipleship model is designed to equip these Mozambicans for life, ministry, and employment simultaneously. We are excited about this ministry and can’t wait to join them, and give them the help they need!