Marketplace Ministry and Micro-Venture Capital Initiatives
I’ve recently become involved in the Board of Directors for a start-up non-profit, Cheetah Development. I’m graciously extending an invitation to you to meet the U.S. board as well as one of our Tanzanian board members, Chilwa Kiliaki. Mrs. Kiliaki was born in a poor village in Tanzania and has worked her way to become a leader of economic policies for the country of Tanzania. During our informal gathering on Wednesday, she’ll share how Cheetah’s work can have
impact in Tanzania. I’m told that she’s a dynamic and brilliant African woman.
Often I’m asked, “Why Cheetah Development?” I’m certain the unasked question is, “Why Cheetah…..when there are so many other non-profits serving those under-developed countries?”
There are a number of compelling reasons.
1. Being an entrepreneur at heart, I’m always looking for opportunities to help other entrepreneurs. I am enormously blessed to be born in the United States of America. This blessing is not be squandered for “we are blessed to be a blessing.” We are to be wise stewards of the unique gifts and talents that we have. That’s also one of the reasons that I’m involved with the Opin Apprentice Program.
2. Cheetah Development is filling a niche that other economic-development initiatives aren’t addressing. For example, the Nobel-prize winning model of micro-finance typically addresses projects that have smaller capital requirements, usually $100-200. On the other spectrum Venture capitalists, who see Africa as an awakening economic giant, are poised to invest $2million and above. But, what if a project needs a loan for more than $200, but less than $2 Million? That’s where Cheetah Development specializes, providing micro-venture capital to support entrepreneurs that can build a sustainable economy for their village.
3. As mentioned, Cheetah Development takes a distinctively different approach than many aid organizations I’ve experienced. It’s a servant leader approach. When Ray Menard, the founder, does the preliminary investigative work for this project, he starts with dialogue with the village pastors. (The church is the strongest social institution in most of these villages.) Invariably, when asking about the greatest needs of the village, the village pastors say that they feel helpless to really help the people of their village; to really help means to provide jobs. Without jobs, the villagers can’t buy food to feed their families, medicine to save their dying children or an education to give their children a hope for a better life.
Ray then asks the pastors to introduce him to those who are gifted as entrepreneurs in the community. I find this interesting…the pastors know who the entrepreneurs were! Then, Ray sits down with these entrepreneurs to discuss their ideas on how to help build a thriving economy of their village. Again, I find this interesting; the entrepreneurs know what needs to be done. The problem is that they don’t have the financial resources or mentoring to pursue the project.
In many ways, I find Cheetah Development’s approach a Culture Shift from traditional aid models. Cheetah’s hope is to build pride in achievement and hope for the future, not dependency. Or, as Ray says, “Our goal is not to give fish; but, to teach fishing and to build fishing pole factories, a fish cannery and a distribution system for the fish.”
4. I want to be involved in initiatives that are making systematic and sustainable impact. I’m being challenged by principles discussed in the Faith Beyond Belief series. As a Christ follower, I am to not only be Charitable, but that I’m also to address issues of injustice, including Systemic Poverty (Luke 4: 18-19). Many of the U.S. aid organizations I’ve supported have taken the Charity approach. Although this approach leaves me with a feel-good-because-I’ve-done-my-part attitude, I believe it’s been counter-productive in much of the developing world, leaving many countries weaker than they were before our involvement.
If you’d like to join us, please send me an e-mail at Danita@SalesGS.com or call me at 612-267-3320.
I’d also like to hear about the areas you are called and empowered to address.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Marketplace Ministers Investing in “Lost Generation”
As I’ve “matured,” and are becoming a bit more reflective on my life, I often think about those incredible people who spent time with me when I was younger. Those teacher, mentors, Bible Study leaders, piano teachers, managers and leaders are my heroes. Their investment into me inspires me to be intentional about investing this new generation of leaders being raised up and why I’m challenged that The Ground Before the Cross is Flat…even for Children.
It’s for the reason, that I’m involved with the Opin Apprentice Program, where they are training young business professionals to be true leaders in the marketplace.
It’s because of my growing desire to invest in this younger generation, that I’m inspired by this palindrome on the Lost Generation! Watch and then pass along.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
As a Christian Entrepreneur, Are You Willing to LIVE for Your Beliefs?
This is a story I wrote a couple of years ago as I reflected on the experiences of delivering Bibles to persecuted Christians in Eastern Europe. As a Christ-follower and Christian in the business world, I hope you find encouraging.
Are You Willing to LIVE for Your Beliefs?
At 1 o’clock in the middle of night, we tapped lightly on the door of their second-story apartment, hoping not to waken others in the building. As Yolonda and
Yori creaked open the door to access the situation, we whispered, “We’re Americans…..with Bibles.” Their faces quickly transformed with delight. Quickly they opened the door; they pulled into their tiny apartment, whispering their incredible story. Only 5 days earlier, the Russian Politzi (police) had swept through their community, confiscating all Bibles and Christian literature. And, to their horror, setting the pile ablaze leaving a charred hole in the middle to their church building. They were delighted with our delivery. A delivery they called a miracle. A miracle they were willing to risk their very lives for.
In 1980, I delivered Bibles to Christ-Followers in Communist Europe. At that time, it was illegal for people to share their beliefs with the their children, their family, their friends, or their neighbors without risk of losing their job, risk of imprisonment, or in some cases, risk of loss of life. And, accepting Bibles and Christian literature from Americans was illegal also.
23 years later, the courage of Yolanda and Yori continues to inspire me…and to challenge me.
When hearing of the Christ followers who live in persecuted parts of the world, I’ve been asked, “ Danita, are you willing to die for your beliefs in Jesus Christ as the Savior?” Without hesitation, I have responded, “Yes, absolutely.”
However, I’m realizing that answering, “Yes” to that question is comparatively easy to answer as compared to the next question, “Are you willing to LIVE for your beliefs in Jesus Christ?”
Now that’s tougher. Significantly tougher. It means that when I’m talking with a neighbor who’s having a personal crisis, will I ask, “May I pray for you?” When I work with a client who’s lost all confidence because his business is failing, will I ask when prompted by the Holy Spirit, “Where is God in all this?” When I sit across the restaurant table from a successful entrepreneur, will I ask, “What’s your purpose, your calling, in life?” Am I willing to not only die for my beliefs, but am I willing to LIVE my beliefs on a daily basis?
An ancient Jewish writer says, “Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” An offering? What does that mean? Webster defines offering as gift or contribution. So, this writer was encouraging us to live our lives as a contribution to God, to live our beliefs out in everyday life. In addition to a life of gratitude, it may mean taking someone new out to lunch versus the friend I’ve gone with for the last 6 months. It may mean turning down one down one job in favor of another one when you feel God leading such. It may mean spending time with your husband and kids when you’d rather be out taking a class on something new. It may mean letting the person who’s in a hurry cut in front of you….and you not getting angry but praying for the personal.
This “living sacrifice” stuff is scary. Fear stops some of us cold in our tracks. For others of us, fear causes us to compromise, play it safe, don’t be too radical. The voice of fear sounds different for each of us:
“People are going to think you’re weird. They will reject you.”
However, God is faithful.
Tell us your story about God’s faithfulness.
Also, thought you might find this of interest, Walking with the persecuted in China.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
The Lord’s Prayer and the Marketplace Minister: Part 3
This is a continuation of The Lord’s Prayer and the Marketplace Minister Part 1 and Part 2.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
“Father, I know that there are a myriad of difficult decisions to make when running a business. I pray that you will guide the leadership of the company to be wise in partnerships, strategic alignments, vendors, suppliers and clients to work with. I ask that you give them wisdom to succeed within the principles that you have laid out for them.”
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Glory and the Power forever and ever.
“Lord, this meeting with this client is about You, it’s not about me. It’s about expanding your presence and your wisdom, that more and more people would see that You can indeed accomplish the impossible (Ephesians 3:20). May Your Name be praised and glorified in all that I do and in all they this business undertakes.”
So, how would you translate The Lord’s Prayer into the work that you’re doing? I’d love to hear from you.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
The Lord’s Prayer and the Workplace Minister, Part 2
This is a continuation of some of my reflections on how the Lord’s Prayer might be applied to our calling as Marketplace Ministers.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
“Father, you know that the leaders of this business you’re calling me to work with are having a difficult time meeting short-term revenue goals and creating a long-term sustainable company. In James 1:5, it says that if we ask You for wisdom, that You give it abundantly when we believe. Therefore, I ask that You provide them the wisdom, insight and discernment to make decisions that will allow them to create a company culture that prospers, providing fulfilling employment for those who work there. I know that all of us are in need of You. Therefore, I come to you on behalf of my client to ask for Your blessing.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Father, where there is angry, hurt, bitterness and hatred within the company that is harming it’s ability to be as successful as it could be , I ask for Your Presence that those relationships might be healed. May this company be known as a place where Love, Faith and Hope reign. In addition, if there is any unforgiveness for vendors, suppliers, or clients, I ask that those relationships be healed also. May this company operate in their unique giftedness and be a vessel by which your wisdom and insight flows.
So, what adaptations would you make to the Lord’s Prayer to customize it to your work?
I look forward to hearing from you. In addition, you might enjoy this exploration of The Lord’s Prayer.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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About Danita
Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
Connects in Conversation
"Danita delivered a powerful, insightful and thought-provoking talk that dramatically kicked off the new semester with great success. She is a polished, professional and prepared speaker, yet connects with her audience as if she were having a conversation with a good friend. Thank you, Danita!"- Heather Lam
Communications & Marketing Director
Moms In Step, Woodridge Church
Medina, Minnesota