This article goes in conjunction with the podcast episode. To listen click below!
There are many ways to utilize your skills and serve God intentionally and internationally. We want to highlight some of these definitions and companies as they might help you understand how your current career path, whatever it may be, can be used by God in an overseas context. God is doing neat things overseas and we want to provide an opportunity for you to hear how He may be wanting to use you!
There are three styles of working vocationally overseas we want to highlight:
“Business as Mission [commonly called BAM] is about real, viable, sustainable and profitable businesses; with a Kingdom of God purpose, perspective and impact; leading to a transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically and socially – to the greater glory of God.”
- Mats Tunehag, Chairman of BAM Global
BAM is the general term for many practices with similar strategies. Business as mission, or ‘BAM’, is just one widely used term in the English language, other terms have developed in other languages. To learn more about BAM visit: https://businessasmission.com/ or https://ibecventures.com/
“Business for Transformation (B4T) Businesses striving for profitability and sustainability, which are strategically placed in unreached areas. B4T businesses create jobs and bless the local community in Jesus’ name—generally through transformation, and specifically through evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. B4T Businesses are held accountable to two bottom lines: spiritual and economic impact in the local community.”
-Open USA.
One of the key differences in B4T is 2 bottom lines and the focus on least-reached peoples. To learn more about B4T visit: https://www.openusa.net/
Tentmaker: a believer who intentionally takes a job with a company or a relief or community development NGO in another culture, is fully supported by that job, and strives to witness cross-culturally. These companies are not considering a spiritual bottom line.
The key difference in tentmaking is you are taking a “normal” job and intentionally working in a least-reached country. To learn more about tentmaking visit: https://crossworld.org/
Note: One of the big differences of business-minded missions is their self-sustaining nature. They often do not involve support-raising efforts as the business needs to be profitable in this model. Many missions organizations also need various people with various skills so if you are looking into this and it is not the right fit, God still has a plan for you! Reach out to us here and we would love to help point you in the right direction.
Not ready to branch out on your own overseas? we would love to help!
Join us on our 3-month missions mentorship program! When you take a step of faith and join our program, you will be mentored by an experienced missionary and live among the unreached. Many of our grads have gone on to live successful lives overseas; our goal is for you to find clarity and confidence in your journey to finding your role in the Great Commission. Click the link above to learn more about this option!
We also have two new opportunities in Summer 2025!
We have a 1-month trip where you will spend 5 weeks at our base in Europe learning the same skills, in less time. This is perfect if you are curious about missions but unsure about life overseas or cannot make the time commitment of our typical 3-month journey.
We also have an internship opportunity based out of Athens, Georgia. You will gain experience working hands-on with our stateside staff and learn what it takes to support our overseas missionaries.
To learn more about these and if you have any questions, send us an email at hello@cafe1040.com. We would love to partner with you on your journey!
Additional Resources:
Books - https://www.openusa.net/books/
More defining terms - https://www.openusa.net/learn-about-b4t/
