WHY I TRAIN – THE JOY OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL
As an entrepreneur and veteran trainer with iBAM, John has experienced the joys and challenges that come with traveling to parts of the world where people face persecution for their beliefs. Here, he explains what keeps him returning to even the most remote, rugged locations to share Kingdom as Business.
The incredible thing about trainings is that when we give up control, we come to rely on the Holy Spirit. It’s all about the Kingdom. We realize we’re here to share the gospel with someone who might not even speak our language. His message is universal.
Some of the countries I go to are challenging. In Central Asia, for example, the culture is very different, and the area is remote. It seems like every time I go, I manage to get sick. But the Holy Spirit has taken ahold of my heart and continues to bring me back. He has given me more than I could ask for. One of the pastors from our partner church there has become my prayer partner. We communicate almost every other day, and he prays for me more than people I see daily in the U.S.
The reward is seeing folks complete trainings and grow their businesses through sharing the gospel. Recently, I received a phone call from an entrepreneur, Rami,* who completed training with us in Central Asia. We helped him expand his brick-making business and navigate the challenges of being a business owner. Rami heard about men who needed work, so he went and spoke to them about Kingdom As Business. One man was a slave, and Rami bought him out of slavery, welcomed him into his business, and paid him a fair wage. I don’t often think about modern-day slavery, but this story highlights the power of Kingdom as Business to deliver people from the most hopeless circumstances.
I’d like to think I’m making a difference, and it is amazing that we bring global churches together through partnerships all over the world. It’s a joy to be in the position to serve people who could potentially be in jail or lose their jobs because of their faith and desire to be Christian.
Once I was in Bangkok in the back of a Tuk Tuk vehicle. I asked the driver if I could share the gospel with him. He permitted me to, and I began to read. After several minutes, the driver stopped and turned around. He had tears in his eyes. He said he had goosebumps — this was in 90-degree, 100 percent humidity weather. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, “but I want to learn more.”
It was one more confirmation for why I train.
*The name has been changed to protect the innocent.
TRAINING OUR TRAINERS
Like a sports team, the work of iBAM is only made possible by a strong group of players who bring their individual skills and experience to Business As Mission. A key part of our team is made up of our iBAM trainers. They are volunteers from local churches in the U.S. who have experience as entrepreneurs or employees in a business or educational setting.
As you have heard from John, and others who have taught for iBAM, our field trainers are compassionate entrepreneurs and business people who feel the calling to share their knowledge and experience with other believers. Initially, when someone expresses interest in becoming a trainer, we share our vision, mission, and values with them. From there, they are introduced to our proven curriculum. Here is what the process looks like for someone on the path to becoming a trainer.
THE STEPS TO BECOMING A TRAINER
- Participate in an iBAM seminar in person, online, or over the phone.
- Fill out a one-page trainer’s application that includes a reference from your church.
- Attend a “Train the Trainer” workshop online or in person.
- Commit to Phase 1 training and meet your cohort leader.
- Spend 5–7 days (plus 1–2 days for travel time) on site.*
- After completing all training, complete a post-training survey.
From there, we pray that our trainers continue to learn and gain responsibility. Many of our trainers, like John, go on to do more than one trip each year because they have a calling to be trainers.
Do you feel the calling? Call or email iBAM to begin the process. We look forward to connecting with you and embarking on this journey together.
*iBAM assists with all travel, lodging, insurance, and security arrangements.