YWAM Business as Mission Course finishes well
Second six-week training scheduled for 2009
YWAM’s Business As Mission Resource Team launched the first ever Introduction to Business As Mission (iBAM) Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand earlier this year. The iBAM course is designed to take men and women with a calling to business and equip them to become cross-cultural entrepreneurs for the Kingdom of God.

They came from Togo, Cameroon, Netherlands, Germany, Central Asia, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States to learn more about becoming cross-cultural entrepreneurs. Twenty people participated in the first-ever Introduction to Business as Mission Course (iBAM 2008) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which began on January 26 and ran for six weeks. Among the participants were Youth With A Mission workers, missionaries from other agencies and business professionals. Seasoned business practitioners shared their experiences and coached course participants, most of whom came with a vision to develop their own start-up projects. Each student enjoyed a focused learning environment that prepared them with the skills they need to achieve their business goals. The bulk of the teaching came from practitioners with much first-hand experience in the field; as a result, it was authentic and passionate, not just theoretical.
Here is some of the feedback we received about the course from participants:

“The iBAM course gave me a better understanding and through the course I got a clearer view of my business and transformational goals…… I’m better able to integrate biblical thinking into my business.” Anne M.L.“The iBAM course provided a variety of experienced BAM practitioners, coaches and resources in one place for a period of intensive BAM equipping.” Bradley M.“Neil’s teaching this week was delivered ‘Asian-style’ and included a dynamic mix of biblical principles, first-hand BAM experience with words of wisdom, stories and cultural training. The most impressive of all was Neil’s commitment to live out his passion for God in word and deed- it was evident in everything he did this week and left an impact on us all.” iBAM Week 3 Report“Years of experience gained in six weeks.” Evan K.A key element of the course was a week-long field trip to visit established business-as-mission companies. Participants interacted with practitioners in their own context, seeing how principles discussed in the classroom were applied to real businesses operating in challenging cultures. The 20 participants divided into four groups and traveled to China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Northern Thailand.
Here are some comments about the week-long field trip:

“Real needs, real people, real profit, real glory—it’s a REAL enterprise.” iBAM participant.“Through this trip, four classmates and I soaked up the Chinese culture as we met with Chinese business people, interviewed BAM practitioners, and learned the realities of doing kingdom business where unique challenges exist.” iBAM participant, China Field Trip.“One of the lessons from this course, highlighted for me practically during the field trip, is the value of finding locals, training them and releasing them in their gifts.” iBAM participant, Indonesia Field Trip.NEXT DATES: The Business as Mission Team will be offering the 6-week training course on Business as Missions next year from January 24 to March 7, 2009. This course is designed to equip YWAMers, missionaries, students and business professionals who want to be launched into Business as Mission. The training course will be hosted in Chiang Mai, Thailand due to its central location in proximity to established business as mission projects. To download an application pack or more information visit www.businessasmisison.com/pages/thecourseHere are more comments from iBAM 2008 participants:

“The business of people and nations is the business of God.”“It was great to see all the families.”“I was blessed by the course and the whole set up.”“The staff did an amazing job! I am impressed with how well they sought the Lord and heard from Him. Thank you!”“Your passion for the Lord and BAM is evident!”“The iBAM course equipped me to live out my passion for business ministry in the world for the glory of God.”

The Business As Mission Resource Team works in close partnership with experienced BAM practitioners and seasoned business professionals to facilitate the six-week course. Experienced BAM practitioners, lecturers, and business professionals will teach and facilitate learning processes throughout the course providing support as you develop your business plans and personal development goals. A key element of the course is a weeklong field trip, where you will visit business as mission companies working out the reality of building the Kingdom of God in business. For more info visit www.businessasmisison.com/pages/thecourse