Business as Missions
International Interns’ Business As Missions ministry division, also known as BAM, is full of excitement at the opportunities God has presented. BAM seeks to empower people by facilitating the start-up of business enterprises in the national settings in which it serves. BAM’s strategy is two-fold: first, by assisting in forming Christian led businesses, BAM helps the poor of Eastern Europe to care for themselves. Secondly, BAM teaches biblical principles that encourage the nationals to invest in the support of their own pastors and ministries of their churches, including the training of future church leaders and missionaries to the Turk World.
Not too long ago the people of Eastern Europe, including Moldova, lived under the hammer and sickle of Communism. Now, thanks in part to BAM, they are learning the challenges and advantages of the free market economy. Along with that, many nonbelievers will become Christians, because they’ll see the benefits of a Christ-centered life, full of joy and confidence in where they are going to spend Eternity.
Just a little effort goes a long way in helping people transition from total dependence on the “old ways” to self supporting, God-reliant independence. The BAM program seeks to provide financial freedom and a sense of eternal value in Christ.
TABITHA FARM PROJECT – 2001 to present
One of the first Business As Missions ministry projects undertaken is located in the tiny and very poor country of Moldova. This land-locked country happens to be blessed with wonderfully rich and fertile soil. This distinction makes “agri-business” the ideal start-up for this region. BAM had the privilege of assisting a group of believers in launching a farm-based co-op in southern Moldova, which was set up under the accountability of a strong Christian church and its pastor. Being able to tend their fields much more quickly with modern machinery, the co-op members were soon in the position to “hire out” their services to other area farmers. Under the guidance of Pastor Stepan Staucean and his project director, the Association began paying back the loan and making plans to increase their profits in the next growing season. Generous-spirited investment by BAM partners in the USA encouraged these nationals to reach for their dreams and significantly improve their personal and collective God dependence.
IRRIGATION PROJECT -2008 to present
The year 2007 was difficult for farmers in Moldova who watched as temperatures rose to 104 degrees Fahrenheit scorching sunflowers, corn, and wheat fields. Workers at the Tabitha Farm Project were able to save half of the vineyard by hand watering it every day. Despite the drought and loss in crop, the farm project was able to earn a profit from the crops that withstood the heat, and by renting out its farm equipment. The amount, though, was approximately half of what the farm co-op earned the previous year.
The loss of p
rofit from the drought and the inefficient method of hand watering, stirred in the nationals a vision and hope for an irrigation system. BAM immediately got on board to make this hope become a reality.
March 2009 drilling of the well began. The installation of the casing, the pump, the electrical power source, and installation of the first storage tank has all now been completed. The farm already has begun to experience the benefits from having the well. The 2009 Farm Year was successfully completed with a modest, but significant profit! The harvest’s profit was used to invest in additional land next to the well for the storage tank, irrigation system and a small guard house. The profit from the grape crop represented almost 50% of the total Farm profit. It is believed that this significant profit is the direct result of drilling the well, which provided the water to make possible the irrigation of the grapes. Additional profit from the well was made possible through some of the water being sold to neighboring farmers who had no other source of water for much needed irrigation.
IRRIGATION PROJECT PHASE TWO -2010
BAM is now ready for Phase 2, which will complete the Farm Irrigation Project. BAM will need to dig a trench and install the pipe line. A second water tank is nee
ded at the top of the hill. Water will be pumped to the tank on top of the hill and the Farm will irrigate using gravitation flow of water.
The benefits of completing the Irrigation Project:
1. Increased capacity for storing water in the likelihood of future draughts.
2. Additional water will be available to sell to other farms.
3. Reduction of labor costs presently necessary to “hand water” the grape vineyard.
IMPACT
Proceeds from the harvests, in the form of tithes and offerings, go towards training church planting pastors, youth workers, Christian educators, evangelists and missions minded leaders. BAM’s Farm co-op Board and members can see the results of their labors in a physical harvest of crops, and in a spiritual harvest of souls. International Interns, through its BAM and Leadership Development Institute (LDI) divisions, is currently working with a people group in Moldova called the Gagauz that hold much potential for missionary outreach. With a Turkic background and similar language, the Gagauz are the key to evangelizing their distant cousins in the Turk World. Sponsored by BAM profits and trained through the LDI, Gagauz Christians are being used in Russia, Crimea, and Central Asia to reach Turks and Tatars for Christ. BAM harvests yield lasting fruit.
