The b4t team meets the third Monday of each month, from 4:30-6:00 pm at the Rockrimmon Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend these discussions.

Leadership Team Meeting Dates:
March 19
April 16
June 18
July 16
August 20

Church-Wide Open Meeting Dates:
May 21
September TBD 

The Business for Transformation (b4t) at Woodmen Valley Chapel exists to engage the talents of people to assess, align with, and act on ministry opportunities to create or enhance sustainable economic enterprises that improve lives and advance the kingdom of God.

In short, b4t is ministry through sustainable economic enterprises.

The Woodmen Valley Chapel b4t team has seen firsthand that in  poverty laden places people with enterprising minds want to work and like to work, but often need a boost up to get them started, with coaching, as they begin a new experience—starting and running a small business.

This can be an enterprise as simple as raising chickens to sell, or producing eggs to take to market, or the business of selling filtered water. Here is a place for WVC members to use their business skills and experience for the Kingdom.

To lots of Americans, these business concepts are very simple. But for many of the poor in impoverished countries, these concepts may be beyond their grasp, or as is often the case, financially out of their reach. We assist by solving problems, with education, and with small loans that are to be repaid. Notice this does not say handout or gift. While the start-up funding is important, in most cases the more valuable resource that Woodmen members can provide is their business “know how” that comes from experience in American business enterprises. When faith and business talent intersect for the transformation of peoples and societies spiritually, economically and socially, then the adventure begins for the greater glory of God.

Business for Transformation is about viable, and hopefully sustainable and profitable businesses; intentionally integrated with a Kingdom of God purpose and perspective to positively impact people and communities, spiritually and economically, in cross-cultural environments, either domestic or international.

Numerous opportunities and the necessary in-country contacts have already been identified in several places, including Guatemala, Brazil, Spain, and Morocco. Short term mission trips are planned for later in 2010 and thereafter to take WVC business minded men and women to these pockets of opportunity.

Consider joining a group of business leaders who see their marketplace skills, talents, and experience as being available to be used by God for His purposes. Your current role of creating products, services or systems, structuring finances, or in marketing and sales, could become a passion of unleashing the Kingdom calling for your giftedness.

The b4t team meets the third Monday of each month, usually beginning at 4:30 pm at the Rockrimmon Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend these discussions.

The Team
Dick McCaskill
MJ Coon
Jeff Gott
Jack Hagar
Judy James
Brad Jonswold
Lou Sagastume
Mike Scandrett
Ray Walkowski

Project: Anthony Alfier, International Systems, LLC and Poma, a retail clothing store.
Needs: Mentoring and direction for B4T consulting.
WVC/B4T Representative: Gary Ganz

Project: Digital Workshop in Alicante, Spain.
Needs: General business planning counsel and specific digital imaging expertise.
WVC/B4T Representative: Sumeet Gulati and Chase Pettus

Project: Jump Start (at-risk youth) entrepreneurial project for the Westside Community Center.
Needs: Business development ideas and training program for "fireplace starter kits" to be manufactured, marketed and sold as a buisness model.
WVC/B4T Representative: Chris Ryan and Mike Scandrett

Potential Project: Alhumbra Teteria and Café in Granada, Spain.
Needs: General business advice with particular emphasis on financial modeling and café operations. Start-up opportunity.
Status: Alhumbra is still in the middle of a tenant dispute and does not have access to a location.
WVC/B4T Representative: Ray Walkowski 

Internet Sites:
BAM Survey 2007: kindgomstrategist.com/tag/bam-strategy
Business as Mission Network: businessasmissionnetwork.com 
EC Group International: ecgroup-intl.com
Global CEO Network: ceoglobalnetwork.com
The Lausanne Movement: lausanne.org

Suggested Further Readings:
Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
God is at Work by Ken Eldred
Great Commission Companies by Steve Rundle & Tom Steffen
Just Business. Christian Ethics for the Marketplace by Alexander Hill
Kingdom Business. The Ministry of Promoting Economic Activity by David R. Befus
On Kingdom Business. Transforming Missions through Entrepreneurial Strategies by Ken Eldred & Tetsunao Yamamori
Profit for the Lord by William J. Danker
Tent Making. Business as Missions by Patrick Lai
The Word on Finances by Larry Burkett
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
Your Work Matters to God by William Hendricks & Doug Sherman