The Business as Mission Podcast with Mike Baer

The first of several episodes exploring the BAM work of Empower Hope in Nairobi, Kenya. This episode features founder, Bob Cook.

I first met Mauricio Alvarez at a Next Generation Leadership retreat around 2013. I was impressed then and I continue to be impressed by how God has led him and used him. From his native Uruguay to the US for ministry and mission to business as a new thing from God in the world of mission, Mauricio has listened to the Lord and take each step as it’s been made known. Today, Maricio lives and works in Spain as the founder of a heavy equipment distributor with customers around the world and as a member of the leadership team of Open Network, focused on the Latin world.Mauricio encourages us and challenges us with this story. He and his wife serve the community in which they live through business, education, church planting all while serving the Spanish and Portuguese speaking populations of many countries. Listen to his story and enjoy what God is doing through this humble brother. Mauricio has a message for the emerging BAM movement in other countries and reminds all of us that BAM is a journey and a process, not a destination or achievement.For more information, visit B4TNext.com If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer. And don’t miss Mike’s latest book, just released on Amazon and Books.by. You can get a copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F18YN7G6 and books.by/mike-baer

Author and marketing expert, Justin Eklund, discusses his recent book, Brand for Impact, and the key advice he gives his clients about branding in general and kingdom branding in particular. Justin’s company, Grove9, serves all kinds of companies but his passion for disciple making is blessing the BAM community in big ways. Enjoy his story and the conversation he and Mike had a few weeks ago. Learn more at www.grove9.com.If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer. Check out Mike’s book, Gospel Entrepreneur, at books.by/mike-baer

Alex Samwell is a Tanzanian business founder with an amazing history, an amazing company, and an amazing vision. One of the things that stands out about Alex is his compassion and heart for people and the way he uses real business to accomplish great things. His soap manufacturing and sales company meets a real need for the people who live in his country. It may seem obvious but it’s not just about being clean; there are severe skin problems that many of the women and children in his area face; his product addresses those while, at the same time, creating jobs for his neighbors. Enjoy his story and learn why he named his children, Angel, Blessing, and Praise. IBEC Ventures Executive Director, Bob Bush, joins us as co-host on this episode of the Business as Mission Podcast.If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer.

Many of us are familiar with or have even been on “Vision Trips.” The idea is to get to an area or a country to see a need and hopefully hear from God about a way to engage. Many full time missionaries have started out this way. In the world of BAM, many businesspeople have also begun this way—they may not leave their job or move to another country but their hearts are captured for the Kingdom Impact that business can make around the world. Personally, I’ve taken hundreds of business people to the 10/40 window to teach business in the Jholdas Project Business Incubator program (the work of International Micro Enterprise Development or IMED since 1998) and almost every single person has been changed and their eyes open to what God is doing through real business. This episode takes Vision Trips to a new level. Sandra Lynn, marketing consultant to companies in many lands, decided that God didn’t want her to wait on a group or an organized trip from a BAM group. Instead, God led her to go out on her own (not alone) and see what He had in store for her. This is her story and she tells it best. Listen and share this episode with a friend.You can learn more about Sandra’s business, Vertical Ventures at this site, http://Verticalventures.cc, or contact her directly at sandrasoffice@gmail.com.If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast). To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer.

So much of the Business as Mission (BAM) conversation focuses on startups—but what about finishing well? Whether your exit feels far off or closer than you’d like to admit, have you thought about who will carry the torch when you move on?Our guest, Harry T. Jones, has spent years helping business leaders wrestle with this crucial question: Are you finishing well? When I first met Harry in Asheville, NC, he asked me that very question—and it stopped me in my tracks. It’s one thing to start strong, but what about preparing for a transition that honors both God and the mission He’s given you?Harry knows this challenge firsthand. As the former co-owner and CEO of Blackberry Foods, he had to navigate his own exit, answering tough questions about leadership succession, business continuity, and kingdom impact. Today, he leads a Master Mind Group and just released a book, Succession Planning for Impact (available on Amazon), helping BAM leaders plan their transition long before retirement, sale, or leadership change is on the horizon.If you want to learn how to steward your exit well, join us for this thought-provoking conversation.Learn more about Harry’s work at www.cultivatingimpact.biz.If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer. Our book spotlight for this episode is Business as Mission When You’re Not the Boss by Michael R Baer. On Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Business-Mission-When-Youre-Boss/dp/1790616190/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544190742&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=business+as+mission+when+you%E2%80%99re+not+the+boss&dpPl=1&dpID=51HDBLDFi%2BL&ref=plSrch

God is enlisting and mobilizing believers all over the Spanish speaking world and especially in Latin America. BAM LATAM (BAM Latin America) is a network committed to encouraging, connecting, equipping, and supporting Kingdom minded entrepreneurs and business people. The goal, like all of the Global BAM movement is to see Jesus made known among the nations, disciples made, churches planted, society transformed, the environment impacted…through business. Our guest on this episode is Scott Ross. Scott and his family live and work in Lima, Peru where he serves as the Executive Director of Five and Two Global Initiatives, www.5and2global.org and the Regional Catalyst for BAM Global in Latin America, https://bamlatam.org. His journey is interesting and his manner is encouraging. Listen to his story on this episode of the Business as Mission Podcast.If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please follow us so you won’t miss any episodes and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).To learn more about Business as Mission, visit Third Path at https://thirdpathinitiative.com where you will find many free and premium resources available to you. You can also learn more on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BAMwithMikeBaer. Mike’s seminal book, Business as Mission is available in Spanish from YWAM Publishing at https://www.ywampublishing.com/search.aspx?searchterm=business+as+mission and his important message to pastors, The Pastor and the Business Person, is also available in Spanish on Amazon.

Rich Sanders uses this to describe himself, “I am a Christian Capitalist.” That title alone is enough reason to listen to this episode. But Rich rolls many things into this. He’s an attorney, an author, an Episcopalian Priest with a unique online church ministry, a promoter of Christian authors, and the owner of a small publishing house. He’s a powerful personality filled with joy, kindness, and drive. Enjoy his story.You can contact Rich or learn more about his various endeavors at theses locations—Email— contact@goodworksmission.lifeLinkedIn— theChristianCapitalistIG— @thechristiancapitalistAmazon— https://a.co/d/6lVmE1iOnline— www.theChristianCapitalist.lifeWe think you’ll appreciate the candor, openness, energy, humor, and pastoral heart as you listen to Rich’s episode.Support the PodcastIf you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please subscribe and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).You can learn more about Business as Mission by reading some of Mike’s books, such as Business as Mission, The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God, available at www.YWAMpublishing.com

A lot of people have a lot of questions or a lot to say about raising capital. Not all of them know what they’re talking about. Bill Andrews does. Bill Andrews holds a PhD from the Terry School of Business (University of Georgia) and an MBA in Marketing from Thunderbird International University. He’s the former chair of the Department of Management and International Business at Stetson University where he continues to teach. But that’s just the beginning. He’s a rock solid follower of Christ, a mentor to many students over many years, an investor, and the cofounder of the Hatter Angel Network. He’s been married to his wife Carol for 45 years, has 3 daughters and, according to him, 4.5 grandchildren. And, as if that’s not enough, Bill is one of my best friends for nearly 50 years.This episode covers a lot of ground so buckle up and learn!If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please subscribe and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify Creator link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).

There’s a direct and powerful correlation between people seeking to start and grow a BAM company, on the one hand, and those who have qualified coaches to help them along the way. BAM is not an individual sport. It’s not a game for loners. BAM oriented and motivated founders need someone to walk with them in the path. These are the principles of IBEC Ventures as explained by Executive Director, Bob Bush. In this episode, Bob talks about who is ready for a coach, who is qualified to pitch to investors, who is likely to succeed in Kingdom Business, whether a national or an expatriate. And he should know. Bob has been working in the world of BAM coaching for nearly 20 years and has seen dozens of potential and actual founders at various milestones along the way.Today, IBEC is expanding—looking for new coaches to add to their team and for teams of nationals to provide coaching in their home countries. The first IBEC Center of Excellence opened last year in Brazil and is blazing a new path to multiply BAM coaching and, consequently, BAM impact around the world. For more information, go to www.ibecventures.com. Or contact Bob directly via email at Robert.bush@ibecventures.com. So much opportunity. So much need. Do you need a coach? Could you be a coach?The Business as Mission Podcast is produced by Third Path Initiative. Visit https://thirdpathinitiative.com to learn more. If you’ve enjoyed the Business as Mission podcast, please subscribe and give us a rating wherever you listen. We’d also ask you to consider underwriting the costs of the podcast by supporting us at the Spotify Creator link below, on Patreon (www.patreon.com/thebusinessasmissionpodcast), or Buy Me a Coffee (www.buymeacoffee.com/businessasmissionpodcast).

Nicholas (Niko) Gallo’s journey to faith and later to BAM encourages us to believe that God is truly in charge of the details of our life, our path, and our business. From nearly being kidnapped in Colombia, to narrowly escaping deportation in the US, to receiving an innovative business idea from God, Niko tells the story of God’s grace to him and leaves us wanting to hear more! Listen and be encouraged. Nico is always ready to share what God gave him in business (and life) and can be reached at Ng@sulugar.co. If you enjoyed the episode, rate us wherever you listen, subscribe, and share with your network. If you’d like to support the Business as Mission Podcast, you can do so at the Spotify link in the show notes or on Patreon at You can support us as a subscriber on Patreon at patreon.com/TheBusinessasMissionPodcast.

Host Mike Baer shares a very short year end update from the Business as Mission Podcast and a wish for all to have a Merry Christmas. Help us have a breakthrough 2025 by joining our team. You can support us as a subscriber on Patreon at patreon.com/TheBusinessasMissionPodcast or, if you listen on Spotify, you can give via the Spotify link below.

God brought together a garment industry expert and a serial entrepreneur and unleashed their passion for women, business, and bringing the Gospel to SE Asia. Our guest is Liz Henderson and she tells the story of Avodah Global.Avodah Global is an Australian-owned clothing manufacturer dedicated to sustainable and ethical production practices. The company provides training and safe employment to trafficking survivors and vulnerable individuals in Cambodia, aiming to disrupt traditional garment manufacturing models that often involve unsafe working conditions and environmental harm. By establishing small, digitally enabled sewing hubs, Avodah Global ensures quality garment production, environmental responsibility, and fair wages for workers. Their comprehensive services include design, pattern-making, fabric sourcing, sampling, and final production, all tailored to meet the needs of fashion brands seeking ethically made products. Learn more at their website, www.avodahglobal.org or contact Liz directly at liz@avodahglobal.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a rating and subscribe on the platform you listen to and consider supporting the podcast at the Spotify link below.

Mike is joined by Mike Turner, Director of Coffee (yes, that’s his real title) at Serve Hope International. His work is a beautiful combination of providing water purification technology to Central Americans, selling coffee in a “Direct Trade” strategy that benefits customers and growers, and disciple making through the relationships that are formed. It’s a great story and a great product (I just ordered some). Mike Turner can be contacted and you can learn more at https://www.servehope.international, www.buycoffeegivewater.com, and mturner@servehope.international. If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a rating wherever you listen, subscribe, and help spread the word about the Business as Mission Podcast. You can support this broadcast financially at the Spotify link below.

How does a committed disciple of Jesus Christ working through YWAM get the call into BAM? How did God get his attention? What has happened since he said “Yes”? What’s happening now? Mike Davies is the founder of Business as Mission Vancouver and since its inception, BAM Vancouver has grown and its impact has increased nationally and internationally. Listen to Mike’s story on this episode and see what God may be saying to you! Mike’s email is businessasmissionvancouver@gmail.com and you can learn a great deal more on their LinkedIn page— https://www.linkedin.com/in/bamvancouver?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app or their website— www.bamvancouver.org. Check out their events coming up regularly and join in, especially their Annual Conference in March 2025. If this episode is helpful, please rate us and/or follow us. Share with a friend. And, if inclined, support us using the Spotify link below.

Andrew Brummett is a seasoned educator with a vision to bring back proven practices in educating our children—micro-schools. Not just small schools but community based education that fits the size of their location and meets the needs of students “as it used to be.” This is a business opportunity, a community transformation strategy, an international education solution (especially for BAMers), and a way to disciple our kids and grandkids. Enjoy this conversation as Mike and Andrew talk schoolin’. For more information, contact Andrew at this email— Andrew.brummett@thebrooksideschool.org. Please like, review, and share this podcast with others. If you’d like to support the Business as Mission Podcast, you can do so at the Spotify link in the show notes.

Want to know what’s going on globally in the BAM Movement? Want to sense the move of God in the world through business? This impromptu meeting of friends will give you what you’re looking for and remind you that we are all a part of something much bigger than us. I got a chance to visit with key leaders of BAM Global, Mats Tunehag and Joao Mordomo, while at the BAM Brazil Congress in Curitiba. Mats is the Chairman of BAM Global and travels the world sharing fundamentals of business in the Kingdom of God; Joao is the Executive Director of BAM Global and supports BAM initiatives everywhere. We encourage you to learn more by visiting www.businessasmission.com and https://thirdpathinitiative.com. Please like, rate, and share this podcast wherever you listen. Your support is also appreciated; see the Spotify link to learn how.

The day before the BAM Congress Brasil in Curitiba, I had the privilege of spending time with a group of old and new BAM friends. The conversation is wide ranging and a great deal of fun. Listen as Mats Tunehag (BAM Global Chairman), Samara Brandao (BAM Brasil Chair), Danilo Brizola, BAM Brasil leader and founder of Snowman Labs, Inc., Bob Bush (Executive Director of IBEC Ventures, and Joao Mordomo (Executive Director of BAM Global) talk “all things BAM.” For more information, visit www.ibecventures.org, www.Business as Mission.com, www.bambrasil.org, www.triventure.com. and www.thirdpathinitiative.com.

Brazilian couple Joiaquim and Amanda share a passion for Christ in business. Joiaquim is an IT expert working for a well-known multinational company; Amanda is a gifted fashion designer who provides opportunity for women escaping human trafficking. Their story paints a beautiful picture of a husband and wife partnership in service to Jesus Christ for the sake of those who need Him most. We met Joiaquim and Amanda at the BAM Brasil Congress in Curitiba where Amanda was my interpreter. I was so impressed with Joiaquim and Amanda that I asked them to join the podcast and share their story. Enjoy! If this episode blesses you, please give us a rating wherever you listen, subscribe, and share with your network. Learn more at https://dressforfreedom.com or on Instagram at @dressforfreedom .

Stan Bockmann and Dick Weidner are veterans of the BAM movement. Their passion for global discipleship led them to business as mission and their background in the financial world led them to form capital funds to support startups and scale ups around the world. Their current endeavor, the Legacy Generational Fund, acts as a conduit for funds in the neediest and most often overlooked places, places more conventional investors rarely go. LGF is an opportunity for more than investment; it also invites investor involvement in the businesses they help launch. As they raise investment dollars they are also looking to engage the next generation of believers to take the lead in their work. For more information or to give, visit http://Legacygenerationalfoundation.org.