International Conference on Business and Mission Integration Presenters: Bob Kuhlman Neil Lessman

Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise Development... …The Church …The Entrepreneur...The Community

As an Introduction… …let me hook you with one of the best fish stories you’ve ever heard…

SME Kingdom Business Development…The Vision Profitable and sustainable businesses Mature Christian business leaders Salt and light in the marketplace Stewardship that builds a economic base for local ministry Influence and impact in the community both economically and spiritually

What is an SME? Context is critical –(Serbia vs China vs Brazil) –SMEs will look different based on it’s location due to culture, politics, natural resources... Common Characteristics –Employment — employees –Investment capital — $10k - $250k –Complexity Accounting, human resources, legal, banking, mentoring, education, training…are all important. David Berlancic Croatia

Why work with SMEs? Highest potential for job creation Develop business expertise in the owner and key staff Capacity to impact entire community Large enough for profits to impact local ministry Promotion of justice, truth and integrity Promotion of social inclusion through reconciliation and active compassion Ability for Christian owner to influence customers, employees, and suppliers. Ira, Inc. Sofia, Bulgaria

An SME in Action… …Sergei DUshenko Background… –Left collective with four sacks of potatoes –Refugee from Central Asia Today… –50 employees on 10,000 hectares –No drinking on the farm –Hires former refugees like himself –Helping build building for his seeker-oriented church.

Needs and Challenges for SMEs… Lack of capital and banking services Government corruption Organized crime Poor legal systems Negative view of “work as ministry” by pastors Lack of access to practical training Lack of historical models (eg. former communist countries) Lack of employment Oil Partners Bratislava, Slovakia

Mark from Tyla… Auto Parts Moscow, Russias His story… –Started out selling flowers –Driving in cars by order from the West –Set up an auto parts store His approach… –Keep your promises His challenges… –Signed approval of 20 bureaucrats to start –Fended off repeated mafia attempts to take over –Fired all his workers twice to get them to stop drinking.

How to Get Involved… Ideas Consulting Investment Management Ideas Consulting Investment Management Leadership Development Leadership Development

Businessman Bill Godfrey… Business as Mission in Siberia! Visited twice a year, then helped give birth to ICE (Integra in Irkutsk). ICE is now a network of business clubs, 6 businesses financed a tourist and apartment business owned by ICE. Gave of his heart first, his time second and his funds third…A natural progression. “Love mixed with truth and applied regularly can change the world.”

Vili…a story of “Sweet” Success! The story… –Business launched in 1992 –$30,000 loan from Integra –Today 100+ employees Motivation – to provide for… –Family –Friends –Church –Community

SME Kingdom Business Development…The Vision Profitable and sustainable businesses Mature Christian business leaders Salt and light in the marketplace Stewardship that builds a economic base for local ministry Influence and impact in the community both economically and spiritually

Food for thought… “Do your work in such a way as to provoke the kind of questions to which the Gospel is the only answer.” Lesslie Newbigin