On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies

This is an excellent book for this interested in participating in foreign missionary work abroad either for a limited duration or a life time. This book is divided in two parts: why new strategies on doing missions must be implemented (it advocates doing so through business endeavors that are favorable to building national infrastructures) and examples of how these strategies have yielded results and those that have not. The book is a wealth of information on a paradigm shift for doing foreigh missions, a necessary read for all involved in such a calling.

This book (along with Eldred's, God Is At Work) is the owner's manual for every Christian who has ever wondered if there just might be something redemptive about work. There is no fluff, no wasted words, no mental lapses, no insider-theological-jargon in this book. Instead, this book is packed with superior Bible exposition (especially see Wayne Grudem's, "How Business in Itself Can Glorify God"), many realistic examples, historical precedence, completely actionable conclusions, and a one-stop-shop bibliography. Every pastor who takes seriously his responsibility to "tend the flock" must become completely conversant with the content of this book... and then must go out an LEARN about the world of his parishioners-at-work. Every Christian --especially every investor and every owner-- who reads this book will be wonderfully encouraged or strongly convicted and then powerfully motivated to make money make an eternal difference. As a devoted follower of The Christ and a successful entrepreneur with Fortune 100 clients and assignments in Asia, North America, and Western Europe, I urge you to redeem your time by buying, studying, and implementing this book. Vic Downing, Silicon Valley California.

I found this book just by searching on the title after reading a paper that a friend in India wrote on kingdom business. I have been hungry to learn what it means for me as an entrepreneur to have a Matt 6:33 'his kingdom first' mentality in running a for profit venture. I devoured this book and found it to be one of the most helpful I've seen yet, even though a primary focus of the book is more along the lines of how to advance missions more effectively. The first section covers eleven case studies each written by a different author involved in a kingdom business. True to the title, most of these are ventures that seek to make a positive impact in Christian missions, particular in countries with restricted access. They are mostly (but not all) small companies primarily with a local presence trying to figure out how to survive in a self-sustaining way in addition to finding ways to serve people with a meaningful impact economically and spiritually. This is in juxtaposition with larger multinational, leading edge businesses or businesses with a presence only in a western country. However, I found many lessons and examples in the case studies that can benefit a Christian business person in these other environments as well. The second part covers 9 essays on the subject of business and ministry, kingdom companies, etc. again each written by a different author. And the third section is a review or analysis of the case studies and the lessons learned. These sections were full of thought provoking nuggets for me as well. The appendices also include a fairly comprehensive bibliography of related reading material. I came away with a stronger conviction that in all of my endeavors, business or otherwise, I should be asking "what can I do to seek first his kingdom?". In addition to a business plan I need a kingdom plan. My background and experience in business can be instrumental directly in meaningful efforts to spread good news and help people, as opposed to being only a mechanism to help fund these efforts. I've purchased a couple of extra copies for others as their interest in kingdom business topics grows.