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.
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 Ground Before the Cross is Flat….even for Children
It probably seems odd that in a “business” discussion, we’re even introducing the topic of children, especially when we’re talking about The Ground Before the Cross is Flat. However, I have to confess that at one time I considered children to be….well, chidren. Somewhere I grew up thinking that children are to be seen, not heard. I grew up thinking that church is for adults…and we take care of the children to get the adults to come.
However, for those of us who have a dramatic impact in the “real” world, outside of the four walls of the institutional church, we need to have our Biblical worldview inform all our mindsets.
I recently read Transforming Children Into Spiritual Giants: Why Children Should Be Your Church’s #1 Priority by Georga Barna. I realized that our children are our future leaders, our
future Marketplace Ministers who are willing to be strong moral and spiritual leaders. To be wise stewards of God’s Kingdom work, we must diligently attend to the spiritual growth of our own children and all ages of children.
Here’s what my friend, Suzanne Elliot, founder of KidShift and thought leader in children’s and family ministries, says,
“How the current generation of church leadership teaches and interacts with families currently raising children, places a significant stake in the direction and influence of tomorrow’s church. Kids, today, are being raised to get along, to not stand out, to make decisions collectively, in short, and to be a community. In response to this inclusive culture, the church is teaching kids to be good people. Honesty, sharing, kindness, obedience and getting along with others are the core values of most Christian curriculum.
“While these are all wonderful Christian values, I think we’re missing something important. I wonder if we are raising a generation who not only doesn’t know how to lead but that shuns leadership. While history shows us leaders do emerge in every generation, the question remains, “What sort of leaders?” I believe the church has to make a shift that shakes up the core of how today’s church leaders think of kids and their place/role in church. In this wicked-fast-changing world, we must think about the church of tomorrow. And its future leaders may be sitting next to mom and dad during worship, but they are texting their friends because they don’t belong and they don’t have a role and they don’t know it should be any different.”
What do you see as some of the core issues in training our children to be spiritual leaders?
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
OPIN Apprentice Program
Because of my passion for Marketplace Ministry, I’m actively involved as an instructor for the OPIN Apprentice Program. Their vision is to raise up a generation of
marketplace ministry leaders, those committed to living an integrated work-faith life.
Here’s where you can help. The program is growing and we’re looking for other Kingdom-minded leaders and business owners who’d be open to hiring an apprentice or intern for this coming summer. The employer is asked to provide a “real work experience” for this college intern. And, much of the training in marketplace-ministry is handled by the leaders and instructors, including me.
You can view more information on the program in this brochure about the OPIN Apprentice Program.
So, I’m wondering if you could help in any of these areas;
1.) What business owners or leaders might be interested in this type of program for summer of 2010? If someone comes to mind, please forward this posting to them, direct them to the website, or invite to either contact me or Troy Austin, who’s Executive Director of this program.
2.) Which organization’s might be open to a presentation/guest speaker on this topic or other topics related to marketplace ministry? Again, I’d appreciate the introduction.
3.) Any other recommendations you might have?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
It Rips The Fabric of Our Lives
“It rips out the fabric of our lives and leaves a gapping, ragged hole.”
I had coffee today with a women whom I recently met while speaking at eWomen Network on SISU Thinking: Turning the Conditions You’ve Got Into the Business You Want. She was frustrated with her job; it seemed to demand 50-60-70 hours a week from her, robbing her of time with her husband and three young children.
Our conversation reminded me of a sales consulting trip that I took with a colleague to London last May. This was not a pleasure trip; this was planes, trains and automobiles for 5 days!
Of course, we had a great time with clients!
However, there were no family dinners for relaxation at the end of the evening. I missed my foreign exchange daughter’s graduation. My colleague missed his daily workouts. At the end of the trip, he commented, “Travels rips out the fabric of our lives and leaves a gapping, ragged hole.”
His comments hit a bull’s eye with me.
I’ve chosen to organize my life so that I don’t travel extensively. However, I wonder what other items I allow to rip the fabric of my life, disrupting key personal relationships with my family, friends and God.
How often do I blur the boundaries between work and family, answering e-mails or text messages while I’m at dinner with my family? How often do I have great intentions of spending time with God, only to decide to meet with a client instead? In my effort to balance the demands of life, am I really serving two masters and ripping out the fabric of my life, leaving a tattered soul.
High impact leaders develop strong relationships, strong relationships with their families, with themselves, with their followers and with God.
What kind of boundaries do you have in place that protects your relationships with your family and those closest to you?
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
As a Marketplace Minister, Can You See the Invisible?
“Can you see me? ”
My 17-year-old daughter and I were waiting in a crowded station to board the L in Chicago when she caught sight of a homeless man walking toward her asking, “Can you see me? Can you see me? Can you see me?”
Not knowing stranger-homeless protocol (having been raised in the suburbs), she locked eyes with him, “Yes, I see you!” And…we were engaged in an engaging, eye-opening conversation!
As the train approached, he said, “You know, I’m invisible to everyone else. Thanks for seeing me.”
It was then that the homeless man’s words hit me! How often do I NOT see people in MY world.
What would happen if I, as a Marketplace Minister, followed my 17-year old daughter’s example…what if I followed Jesus example and saw the “invisible” people in my world?
Are there people in your work and neighborhood that are silently asking you, “Can you see me?”
Will you choose to see people like Jesus would?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: The Gift of Community
“My house burned down—everything is gone.”
Olga and her family moved here from Nevada about 5 years ago. As she tells the story, she says, “I cried every day. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have any friends.” And, not speaking English, only Spanish, she says, “I couldn’t communicate.” “Emotionally, I never would have survived my house burning down.”
“But now, I can make it, she says.” Having invited Jesus into her life about 4 months ago and becoming involved in a local church, she says, “I know that God’s heart is good…that he cares for me. For He has given me friends at church who are helping me.”
How are you, as a Minister in the Marketplace, giving the gift of community to those you interact with every day in the work place? How are you introducing them into the community of Christ followers who can get them through the difficult times they will invetibly encounter? Do they know that God’s heart is good, because of your love, care and concern?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, 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