Learn ABout B4T

If you desire to reach the least-reached through business, this is your launching point

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BLOG

BOOKS

CHAMPIONS

4Ws

Business for Transformation (B4T) is…

A business located among least-reached people groups with the express goals of being profitable and emphasizing evangelism, church planting, and discipleship.
B4T has two bottom lines: economic transformation and spiritual transformation.

BLOG

From devotional thoughts to stories about transformation in the B4T world, the B4T blog has it all. A great resource for anyone wanting to know more about B4T in bite-sized bits.
READ BLOG>> 

BOOKS

If books are more your style, check out our list of books about business, transformation, and beyond. The list includes Patrick Lai’s latest book, Workship: Recalibrating Work and Worship.
VIEW BOOKS>>

CHAMPIONS

The B4T Champions training is a 7-month discipleship process helping you learn, integrate, foster, and enjoy a unified life of faith and work in your church and community while championing the cause of B4T.
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4Ws

The Witnessing at Work Without Words (4Ws) workshop is designed to galvanize business people to be witnesses of the Gospel at work. The 4Ws program teaches the Biblical principles for work, and practical ways people can model the Gospel in their workplace so as to attract co-workers to ask them about their faith and work.
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Schedule a 30-minute consulation.

What is B4T? Is it the same as BAM?

BAM = Using business anywhere in the world to reach the lost with the good news of the Kingdom of God. BAM businesses have 4 bottom lines: economic, spiritual, environmental, and social.

 

B4T = Using business among least-reached peoples to reach the lost with the good news of the Kingdom of God. B4T businesses have 2 bottom lines: economic and spiritual.

Terms and Definitions

One of the challenges of hanging around cross-cultural workers is the lingo we use. Here are some words you are likely to hear as you get to know us.

B4T (Business for Transformation). 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.

BAM (Business as Mission). Business as Mission is a term being used in Christian circles to describe the integration of ministry goals and business goals to make an impact for God’s Kingdom. As a strategy, BAM generally describes any for-profit business endeavor that seeks to reach people and communities for the glory of God and is not artificially supported by donor funds.

Bi-vocational. Someone who works two jobs, often one for pay and one as a volunteer worker or supported by donors—not a B4T worker.

Transformation. Referring to impacting a community in 4 measurable ways: spiritually, economically, socially, and environmentally.

Missionary. Someone who is paid or supported by churches and donors to serve God in another culture.

NGO (Non-Governmental Organization). An organization that is not government-sponsored, but is a non-profit charity. Christian organizations have multiple NGOs which do a variety of services, including providing medical services, education, job training, or giving aid to the poor. Many micro-enterprise development projects are also NGOs. These are not considered B4T.

Platform. Often refers to business identity used by a worker/missionary as a means of legitimizing his/her presence and work among people in limited access contexts. In many cases, these businesses are paper fronts or do not produce a profit. The worker is heavily dependent on donor funds. OPEN USA does not endorse platform strategies.

10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window forms a band encompassing Saharan and Northern Africa, as well as almost all of Asia (West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia and much of Southeast Asia). Roughly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in 10/40 Window. This Window is populated by people who are predominantly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Animist, Jewish, or atheist.

Tentmaker. A believer who intentionally takes a job with a company in another culture, is fully supported by that job, and strives to witness cross-culturally.

Worker / Cross-Cultural Worker. Someone called to serve Jesus outside of his/her home culture.

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