Author and pastor JD Greear wrote, “Whatever you are good at, do it well to the glory of God and do it somewhere strategic for the mission of God” (The Next Wave of Missions). Looking at Acts, he points out that the gospel got to some places in the first century world faster via the hands of Christian merchants than by the hands of the apostles!

Many things in our world have changed since the first century, but the truth remains that businesspeople can often go places that vocational religious workers cannot. So, will you help reach the hard to reach places of the world? You might be surprised how well it complements your skill set and passions. Do you fit one of the following profiles?

Ground-breakers

These agents of change lead with new ideas, methods, directions and strategies. They have proven to be capable of starting and seeing new opportunities. We have some entrepreneurs in Crossworld who have opened up frontiers for disciple-making by doing new things in faraway places.

In the world of business, we need such people. One such couple, John and Natalie, had already started a successful business in the U.S. before they moved to an economically challenged area in Asia to create jobs. They are loving their neighbors by being sound businesspeople.

Business developers

These people have the ability to develop a profitable and sustainable enterprise. They understand markets, the workplace, customer needs, financial analysis and can get things done. They create community value through hiring people for new jobs, ensuring social justice, and focusing on social enterprise and community development. They prove to the community that they are desirable and needed and all the while they live and love like Jesus. They build upon the ideas of a ground-breaker.

Many people in the U.S. work in such positions as business owners, managers or experts. Their unique expertise is needed overseas to do the same thing — to reach the nations!

Kingdom-minded employee of an international company

Sometimes they are called job takers or tentmakers because they work for a company in another country, yet intentionally seek to make disciples. They build relationships and trust, and develop integrity, credibility and sustainability. They may be English teachers, engineers, medical professionals, managers, IT experts or just about any other kind of professional.

A friend of mine is a chemical engineer who asked for a transfer within his company from the U.S. to Asia. Not only has he enjoyed the unique experience of living cross-culturally, he has had many opportunities to share Jesus with his new friends and coworkers.

Vocational cross-cultural workers

These people have received training in cross-cultural disciple-making, yet still work in the business world. However, they may only work part-time in the money-making side of the business, focusing more on developing leaders, community involvement or understanding culture.

For example, my friend James works at a for-profit company in Asia, but his role in their community development department allows him to spend face-to-face time with people in the community, building relationships and sharing life. His job and his passion for disciple-making have seamlessly blended in his life.

Read more about disciple-making.

Larry Sharp served 21 years with Crossworld in Brazil as teacher and principal of Amazon Valley Academy and president of Missão Cristã Evangélica do Brasil. He returned to the U.S. in 1993 to become vice president at Crossworld’s home office. After 20 years as an executive, he is now Vice President Emeritus and a business consultant for Crossworld.