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"God loves the smell of our sweat. I know that's a strange thought, and please keep using deodorant, but I think it's true. We have a core value at NCC: work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God. God loves the sound of our voices when we are singing praises to Him. But I also think he loves the smell of our sweat when we are serving Him. Service is how we love God with all of our strength."
For those of you that don't know, Mark Batterson is the pastor at National Community Church in D.C. I love the way that Mark highlights how God loves and is glorified not when we work hard and give him all our strength.
You guys may also know that Mark's church decided to build a coffee house rather than a church building, since it allowed them to be directly in the community throughout the week. But what I love most is that they understand that just being a Christian business isn't enough. Christ demands excellence and since their opening they continue to be recognized as one of the Top 5 Coffee Houses in the Washington DC Metro area.
That message of God being glorified in our works continues in this issue as we highlight a great message on the perspective of work and ministry from Andy Stanley. We also take a glance at the BBL Event with Henry Cloud and other upcoming events this fall along with some creative business and ministry efforts involving ex-prisoners and empty shipping containers.
By the way, if you're looking to connect with other people who have a passion for Business as Mission, join 400 others on the Business as Mission Network on LinkedIn.
Justin Forman
Director - Business as Mission Network
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Taking Care of Business with Andy Stanley of North Point |
 In any job, its easy to lose sight of the bigger goal and get caught up in the routine. When it happens, I think it's easy for us to lose sight of the ministry that is found in how we go about the work in the office. On the ride home yesterday I listened to North Point's message series with Andy Stanley called, "Taking Care of Business."
I think the first message in particular was really good. It's not a business as ministry message, but instead helps define the purpose of work and what our attitude about work should be. It's a broad based message that reaches out to anyone with a job -- not just the person with some ability and finances to start their own business.
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Event Spotlight: Henry Cloud Speaking at BBL CEO Summit and Fall Event Schedule |
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| Microfinance Spotlight: Hope Intl Celebrates 10 Yrs with 10 Events |
 In celebration of 10 years investing in the dreams of the poor through micro enterprise development and over 1 million lives touched, HOPE International is launching a new campaign to reach out to constituents and potential constituents across the country from the east coast to the west. The 10.ten.10 event series, beginning in Lancaster, PA on September 29, celebrates 10 years of operation through 10 events in 10 different states. This is a grassroots effort to unite and mobilize supporters of Business as Mission and HOPE International across the country. Events vary in format and style, but each event will include fellowship with other Business as Mission supporters and a presentation of how the rapidly-growing Christ-centered micro finance movement is making an impact on livelihoods and lives around the world. |
| Business as Mission Group Launched on LinkedIn |
 Alright, so who's addicted to LinkedIn? Anyone so addicted that they have a shortcut to their LinkedIn homepage on their phone?
We've launched a Business as Mission Network Group on LinkedIn as a way of identifying other people who share a passion for both business and ministry and are looking to connect with others in the industry.
Over 400 people have joined, so go ahead and get in on the action by clicking here to join:
After joining, click here to email us a couple of sentences about your business as mission story so we can welcome you to the group
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| Ex-Prisoners, Entrepreneurship and Ministry - Christianity Today |
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 This might be different from some of our other conversations but it is nonetheless creative and unique in its ability to combine business and ministry. The recent highlight of The Prison Entrepreneurship Program in Christianity Today deserves some recognition (Here's the link to their website) for its incredible idea and its inspirational leadership. Numerous events along with the Washington Post have also featured the group in a recent article. Here's an excerpt from the article, click to see the whole article at Christianity Today.
"Catherine Rohr, a private-equity investor, was a long way from Wall Street when she decided to visit a prison in Sugar Land, Texas, four years ago. What she witnessed there changed her life. I thought I was going on this zoo tour to see these wild caged animals. Instead, I saw many men who were repentant and had their hands up in the air, worshiping God," Rohr, then 26, told CT. "I found it ironic that the closest I ever felt to God was in prison on Easter weekend. I had been so condemning of these men, but I felt that they really knew God."
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| Regent Center Entrepreneurship Roundtable in Dallas |
 John Mulford of Regent Center for Entrepreneurship emailed a couple of days ago to remind us about the upcoming roundtable in Addison, Texas (Dallas Metro) on Monday, October 27, 2008. The roundtable will introduce people to the Center's work and to opportunities for partnering with them. The meeting will be held at the Corporate Office of Beckett Interests (address below) from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jim Beckett has graciously offered to host the event. |
| Notre Dame Student's Inspiring Idea to Convert Shipping Containers to Affordable Housing |
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 Many of you know, I'm a diehard Michigan State Spartan fan. It was a good day today watching the Spartans led by running back Javon Ringer run off to something like the 9th victory in the last 12 games against Notre Dame. But enough about football ...
During the game I learned about a really inspiring business plan to convert empty shipping containers into creative housing opportunities. This name of it is called "Por Fin Nuestra Casa." Translated in English this simply means "Finally, a home of our own." For its creativity alone, I'd recommend watching the video that was aired on NBC a few weeks ago. Its inspiring to see what kind of creative ideas students can come up with.
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| Dr. Neal Johnson Hired as Business School Dean at Bakke Graduate School of Ministry |
 From the Bakke Graduate University Website ... "Dr. Neal Johnson is settling into his office and beginning the exciting task of launching BGU's Business School with two approved and accredited business degrees - a values based MBA and the Master's in Social and Civic Entrepreneurship (MASCE). With a career extending from academics, to business, to law, to theology and a 3-year mission assignment in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to this new enterprise, as well as the following degrees: - PhD (Fuller Seminary - focused on faith-based business management practices); JD (University of New Mexico - focused on international development), MPA - Public Administration (Univ of Oklahoma), graduate banking degree (SMU) and BA in Political Science
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