Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Mission began with a seed idea planted by David Boyd, Chancellor of the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii in the spring of 1993. At that time Mike McLoughlin and his family were attending a three month Crossroads Discipleship Training program offered by the University in conjunction with Youth With A Mission. The McLoughlin family was planning a 2-year mission trip to Zambia. (http://www.scruples.org/web/moreinfo/zambia/zampro93.htm ) Mike’s wife Sue was a Medical Doctor and it was easy to plan her ministry in Zambia since there would be much demand for her services. However, Mike was a businessman by training and had skills in communication. He felt strongly that God was calling him to apply his business experience in the mission field rather than abandon it and work in an administrative capacity.

The Idea: Christian Business People Discipling a Nation

David Boyd met with a number of students including Mike to discuss his initiatives in Business and Missions. David believed that a business and missions partnership would be an innovative paradigm for missions in the 21st Century. He advocated the importance of discipling business people who could disciple the marketplace and in turn disciple a nation. For example, if an entrepreneur could be won to Christ in a community and discipled in his Christian faith so that his business practices changed he would become more trustworthy as a businessperson. Trust is a very important commodity especially in the developing world context where there is so little trust in the marketplace. A trustworthy businessman would attract more customers and his business would prosper in the long term. In turn his competition would be forced to adopt similar business practices to stay in business and thus the marketplace would be influenced by the positive presence of the Christian businessman. Taking that one step further, if the Christians in business began to address some of the social injustices perpetrated in the marketplace (minimal wages, rent extortion, etc.) that person could disciple his community and in turn the nation.

The Business Ministry Launched

This talk inspired Mike to plan a discipleship program for Christians in Business in Zambia. Later that year Mike attended a Business and Missions 2000 Conference at which he presented his proposal for a ministry to business people in Zambia. His initial goal was to conduct 6 seminars and train 150 people.

During the two years in Zambia with YWAM Zambia Mike developed a seminar for Zambian Entrepreneurs called Planning A Successful Small Business (http://www.scruples.org/web/seminars/pssb.htm). He conducted the seminar in over 6 locations training over 1,000 entrepreneurs in 15 separate events. The results of these seminars and an evaluation of the missions trip can be found at http://www.scruples.org/web/moreinfo/zambia/zamrevw.htm.

One of the results of the seminars was that the participants began to change the way they conducted their business. These changes had a material effect on the business and resulted in increased activity. Some of the stories of these changes can be found in the Chapter Two of Planning A Successful Small Business: Understand Your Purpose (http://www.scruples.org/web/seminars/pssb/chapter2/purpose.htm). What David Boyd discussed in 1993, Mike was able to accomplish in a small measure during his time in Zambia from 1994 to 1995.

Vision for a Worldwide Marketplace Ministry

The success of the Business Ministry in Zambia spawned a greater vision for a worldwide ministry. Mike felt called more to a people group (Christians in the Marketplace) rather than to a geographic location. Mike also felt that YWAM was well positioned to have an influence on the marketplace in a worldwide capacity. The world is experiencing an unprecedented growth in small marketplace enterprise. In the 21st Century small enterprise is poised to be the dominant form of employment for most of the world’s population. YWAM presently has 700 operating locations in over 180 countries, many of which are experiencing this growth in small enterprise.

YWAM lacking in the Commerce & Industry Mindmolder

However, YWAM has not had a marketplace ministry tract. Although, Commerce and Industry is one of the Seven mind molders upon which the University of the Nation is organized, there has been very little activity in this area within the organization. During his time in Zambia, Mike developed a proposal for a School of Small Business and Missions (http://www.scruples.org/web/seminars/sbschool.htm) This proposal inspired a number of YWAM people to organize a School of Christian Entrepreneurship in England.

Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Mission Launched

When Mike returned home to Kelowna, BC, Canada in early 1996 he met with Paul Martinson, Director for Youth With A Mission in British Columbia, Canada to discuss the development of a Marketplace Ministry within Youth With A Mission. Out of these discussions a ministry was birthed with the goal to disciple business people in character as well as in business skills. Mike also agreed to join the staff of the YWAM Winfield BC base as a volunteer missionary and report to Paul as his immediate covering. Mike also gathered a few individuals within YWAM to act as a Ministry Reference Board he could report his activity to and from which he could receive feedback and direction. You can find out more information and the latest news for Marketplace Mission at the YWAM Marketplace Mission Home Page http://www.ywamconnect.com/sites/mpmission 

The Seven Realities of the 21st Century

The Seven Needs for a Marketplace Ministry

Without God’s revelation through His Son Jesus Christ, the human race would be lost in its sin and doomed to destruction. So it is for Christians in the Marketplace, without God’s revelation to them of His purposes and truths for them in their marketplace context they are doomed to operate as the world operates and come under the same judgment. As the Bible says, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18 NIV) By and large, the church has left Christians in the marketplace to fend for themselves and discover how best to do business. Without God's revelation, the people perish and that is exactly what is happening for Christians in business. Too often they end up chasing money just as the pagans do without a thought to serving God in business. As Jeremiah said: "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good." (Jeremiah 4:22 NIV). Christians in business need to know how to do good. They need an understanding of God's truth as it applies to their business activity. They need a revelation of how they can practically apply that truth to specific marketplace situations and then they need the will to obey God and implement it in their situation

In my search for teaching material to equip Christians in the Marketplace I wrote to over 100 business people that I knew asking them for resources that had helped them as Christians in business. One of them runs a Christian bookstore. He replied: " I began immediately to look for books that might be suitable but was unable to find any that were really excellent... My findings so far have been from microfiche and computer lists and talking to our sales representatives. One sales rep was sure he had the answers for me but when I ordered the book in to look at I was not impressed... All the books I found are what I would call 'glorified ethics books' and not suitable for teaching purposes." The replies I received from others were equally lacking in good teaching resources for Christians in business.

Paul asked the Romans the question, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Romans 10:14 NIV). This question is relevant to any group of people who lack knowledge about the truths of God. This is especially true for Christians in the Marketplace who have a hard time finding the resources to equip them in their Christian faith in the marketplace .

YWAM Marketplace Mission will seek to address this need through the development and publication of a comprehensive library of resources for Christians in the Marketplace.

When business people become Christians they often look to more mature Christians for models of right Christian behaviour. It is easy for a new believer to adopt a Christian language or methods of prayer from the church pastor or missionary. For business people, however, there are too few mature Christians whom they can look to as role models for them in business. Because the church has failed to disciple Christians in business, new believers from the business community look to worldly role models in the pursuit of business success.

Yet it is very important that when business people become Christians they have a model of business conduct that is consistent with their Christian faith. As the Bible says,  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Christians in the Marketplace need to know what the "new self" looks like in their marketplace activity. Unfortunately, they bring with them into their new Christian faith, all the old habits, patterns and practices of conducting business. They continue to do business as the world does business because they do not know there is a better way and they have not seen older more mature Christian business people do it differently. The great need for them is godly role models who will disciple them in their Christian faith in business. Paul said to his converts: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. -- 1 Corinthians 11:1. Christians in business need an example to follow, a model of the example of Christ in business.

Many of the titles of books and resources that are available focus on business wisdom and insight from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is a good place to start in understanding God's purposes in business. Solomon had many wise rules to obey that will result in a person being successful, yet to succeed spiritually Christians in the Marketplace must practice relationship more than religious rules.

Jesus, who referred to himself as "one greater than Solomon" is the source of all truth. (Matthew 12:42). He had much to say about money and business in his teaching and in his parables. Christ’s teachings focus on the character of God, our relationship with God and our relationship with each other. He said, Be perfect, therefore, AS your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48, emphasis mine). Jesus teaches us that what is ethical in business is that which is consistent with the character of God rather than that which is consistent with a set of rules from Proverbs. As we grow in our relationship with God our character will reflect His character and we will "be perfect" not just by obeying a set of rules but by being like God. So although Proverbs has much to say about wise conduct for Christians in the Marketplace Christ who summed it all up in one command, "Love one another." (John 13:34).

The Christians in the Marketplace need healthy relationships with other believers in the Body of Christ who will support them in their situation and hold the accountable. Most of all, Christians in the Marketplace need a strong relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Because Christians in the Marketplace are often perceived as "tainted" by their pursuit of money they are sometimes considered by the Christian community as "spiritual lepers," outcasts, and ones who are "unclean". What Christians in the Marketplace do is often referred to as "secular" work and considered of lesser value than the "spiritual" work done by persons working in full time Christian Service Work.

Yet, in terms of their position in society Christians in business are strategically placed to effect the purposes of God. They have control over resources, people and institutions. They interact with the world on a constant basis. They stand at the crossroads of life in our society. They know what is going on in the marketplace and what to do about it. There are few Christians who have such a great potential to impact the world for Jesus Christ as Christians in business.

However, the church does not seem to respect this potential. It does not seek to disciple business people in the context of their business activity. It does not challenge business people to minister in the marketplace. It would rather those business people who feel called into the ministry leave their secular employment and work for the church.

Although in many Churches dualism (dividing callings into secular verses spiritual) is not taught as an explicit doctrine, it is often modeled. Seldom are Christians in the Marketplace asked to give testimony of how they serve God nine to five in the marketplace even though their experience represents the common experience of most of the church congregation. Rather missionaries and other Christian workers or experiences are presented to the church as the models of true godly activity.

Thus not only do Christians in the Marketplace need to be educated about their role in the marketplace; many others in the Christian community need to be awakened to God’s purposes for Christians in the Marketplace

I have often had conversations with business people about doing business with Christians. They do not like to do business with Christians. To them Christians are very demanding and they do not want to pay a fair price for the services. I have also heard that Christian business people are really no different than any other people in the way in which they treat their employees.

A good business reputation is important for the success of Christians in business. However, it seems many Christians in business lack a good reputation. For example, I received a letter from a pastor who was a former businessperson. In response to my question concerning his experience with Christians in business he stated: "If I want my car repaired, house repaired, renovations, any of the trades, etc. except for the rare exception I would never use a Christian person. At one time I did, as a way to help out each other, but in 99% of all cases workmanship was poor at best. Punctuality was non-existent, consistent attendance at the job-site was virtually non-existent - plea for money before the job was complete was a familiar swan song. Follow-up to finish details would take months. Many Christian lawyers and accountants are of a similar nature in my experience.... Secular businesspersons are "tough" as we hammer out a deal, but they almost always follow through to the end. Christians were nice and smiley at the beginning but turned sour as time went on. For me personally, this has never ceased to amaze me, how it is so wide spread and I have no idea why it is."

Not only do Christians in business suffer from a poor business reputation, but also, they suffer a poor reputation as Christians. There is a well-known businessman who is a prominent member of a Pentecostal church. He gives large sums of money to his church and supports other charities.

However, among his many business interests he owns a magazine distributing company that is the largest distributor of pornographic magazines in his city. When confronted about the apparent contradiction he simply stated that he does not allow his Christianity to influence the decisions he makes in business. That man will never serve the purposes of God in his business. If Christ is not Lord of all of your life including your business activity He is not Lord at all in your life.

Thus there is a tremendous need for Christians in the Marketplace to not only know the good they ought to be doing in their situation but also to do it and be obedient to that knowledge. Marketplace Christians are the presence of Christ in the marketplace and need to have a sound reputation as godly, upright and faithful stewards of God’s gifts and resources.

In business results count. Either the business is profitable or it is not. If it is not it will cease to be a business. There is a myth in the marketplace that to be a successful and profitable business one must play the game as everyone else does or one cannot be competitive. It is believed by some that unethical business practice is the only means for a business to survive in a competitive marketplace

Christians in the Marketplace must believe that they can succeed honestly. Thus they need to see that living their faith in the marketplace produces results that will enable them to be effective in their calling and faithful witnesses to Christ.

YWAM Marketplace Mission will seek to address this need through identifying best practices; positive models; and successful examples. Then, the ministry will encourage the replication and multiplication of these results through schools, seminars and other training events. Specifically, YWAM Marketplace Mission will seek to train and equip marketplace ministry missionaries who will take the message to the global marketplace at every strata of the economy and proclaim that Christ is Lord of the marketplace and he has an army that will establish the Kingdom of God in the marketplace.

Global Movement of God in the Marketplace

YWAM Marketplace Mission is not alone in this effort to bring the marketplace under the Lordship of Christ. There is a picture emerging of a global movement of God in the marketplace. Of the 500 plus organizations listed at the Scruples Web Site, 158 provided a founding date. Of the 158, 69 or 43 percent were founded in the last ten years. The same is true for publications. Of the 244 books listed at Scruples, 149 or 61 percent were published in the last ten years.

Principal Founder and Director of Marketplace Mission – Mike McLoughlin

Mike McLoughlin is the Founder and Director Marketplace Mission. He was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In 1981, he graduated from the University of California, Riverside Campus with a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics. After working for several summers in the Oil and Mining Industries he entered the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at University of British Columbia (UBC) graduating in 1983.

At that time Mike was baptized at Granville Chapel in Vancouver after receiving Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Mike was challenged to serve God first in the marketplace during an encounter with a cynical Business Professor who questioned the motive of his students to be in the business program. The professor made the statement that he knew why everyone there was enrolled in the MBA program. He mocked the students and stated that there only motive was money. Then he asked if there was anyone in the class who was there for any other reason then that they wanted to get rich. Mike was the only one to indicate otherwise and was put on the spot to explain his reason. Mike did not state a specific reason other than that he was a Christian which brought a big laugh from the professor. This encounter had a defining impact on Mike’s view of his career in business. It brought clarity to the question of which master he would serve first – God or money. Mike choose to serve God first and the seed for the marketplace ministry was planted in his heart.

Since receiving his MBA Mike has worked in the voluntary sector with the Canadian Cancer Society as their Fund Raising Administrator and the United Way of the Central Okanagan as the Executive Director. In 1989, he launched his own Marketing firm – Okanagan Target Marketing -- to provide direct mail services to small business clients. He also assisted entrepreneurs to develop Business Plans and conducted training in Small Business Start Up for the Government of British Columbia. At the same time he had the position as Business Manager for his father’s Cherry Orchard in the Okanagan where he grew and marketed 60 tons of Cherries annually for four years.

He joined Youth With A Mission in 1993 and spent two years in Zambia where he trained 1,000 people in entrepreneurship and Biblical principles for small businesses. During his time in Zambia he also helped to launch the Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia which has a present capitalization of $3 Million US and will finance 10,000 Micro Loans to Small Business owners over the next 5 years. While in Zambia he also produced a Radio show for small business entitled the Business Basics that airs on Radio Christian Voice in South Central Africa.

Presently, he oversees the Scruples Web Site, an Internet resource for Marketplace Christians; and the Bizetmiz Web Site, an Internet Web site for Christian business people interested in Missions. He also conducts training seminars for Christians in small business and provides Small Business Coaching Services to ministries and churches that operate income generating activities.

He lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada with his wife and three children and works as a YWAM volunteer staff person for the local YWAM training base. He can be reached at scruples@csi.com. For more information on Mike’s skills and abilities please check out http://www.ywam.ca/mktpmin/web/sponsors/mike.htm

Ministry Covering – YWAM British Columbia Board

Mike McLoughlin is submitted as YWAM Marketplace Mission to the leadership of YWAM Canada. He reports to the YWAM British Columbia board of which he is a member. His direct supervisor is Paul Martinson, who has served as Director of YWAM BC for the past ten years and is presently Chair Person of the YWAM Canada Leadership Council. For more information on YWAM Canada please visit their site at www.ywam.ca

Ministry Location and Target

It is the vision of YWAM Marketplace Mission to develop a multifaceted international ministry to facilitate marketplace ministry in urban and rural communities throughout the world. The focus is the marketplace. The target people are Christians or Pre Christians who need to be discipled in their Christian faith in the context of their working lives. The Ministry Vision is to know God and to make Him known in the marketplace. The vision carriers will be a worldwide network of Marketplace Missionaries.

Ministry Purpose

To equip Christians in the marketplace with the strong Biblical Principles and sound business skills so that they may "become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which they shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of life. (Phil 2:15-16)

Long Term Strategies – Threefold Cord, Knowledge, Ability & Capital

Source, pool and provide capital resources for Christians in the marketplace to use to initiate business and implement the Biblical principles and business skills available to them through the Ministry. A special focus of these resources would be for the poor who are seeking to be economically self sustaining.

These three Strategic Initiatives form a threefold cord of knowledge, ability and capital that will provide the foundation for accomplishment of the Ministry Purpose.

Strategic Objectives:

Also, during his time in Zambia Mike worked with a group of Christian Entrepreneurs to organize a venture capital company. The name of the company was The Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia (CETZAM)