Youth With a Mission Global Leadership Team Statement: YWAM and Business as Mission

YWAM recognises the importance of the growing and strategic movement of Business as Mission (sometimes called Transformational Business). This movement will make an impact on the discipling of nations. Transformational business activity acts as a catalyst for God's Kingdom:
>>Creating an environment for demonstrating the ways of God
>>Providing jobs and dignity for the poor and enabling sustainable development for communities and nations.
>>In nations resistant to the gospel, transformational businesses are often the best entry strategy and an understandable gospel presence.

This kind of business activity reinforces the biblical emphasis on productive work, dignity and livelihood. Therefore, we embrace 'business as mission' (transformational business) as an integral part of the Kingdom of God. We believe that God will lead YWAM and/or individual YWAMers into business. The mission objectives of those business activities should be clear from the outset, for example: as an entry strategy for an unreached people, to sustain development for the poor, as a context for discipleship, as a means to raise money for the sending and/or support of missions. Clear Great Commission objectives will protect the mission force from being eroded as a result of individual YWAMers or YWAM bases doing business for financial gain only.

Generally mission and business spheres should be legally and operationally separate to avoid conflicts of interest, confused roles or unclear identities. However, YWAMers who initiate such transformational businesses do not automatically have to leave YWAM and may wish to maintain their YWAM accountability and possibly their YWAM identity. Transformational business activities should be conducted in such a way that they do not adversely alter the public perception of YWAM. Some business entities may benefit from being YWAM Affiliates.

YWAM GLT, August 2003.

See YWAM's Business as Mission Resource Center (off site)