At the start of 2026, Jonathan*, who is based in French West Africa amongst the Fulani people group, asked 12 people to be part of a church planting school. The training combined spiritual growth with business training; while they are at the school, each participant also runs a business — some start new businesses, while others continue running businesses they already started. The training includes a Bible overview, digging into God’s revelation of Christ throughout Scripture and equipping the participants to become fruitful church planters and leaders. Afterwards, the participants are encouraged to start a business and do 'business as mission.' The business gives the believers an authentic presence in the marketplace where they seek to meet people and begin church planting.
Jonathan, who is himself Fulani, said the people in this region are hungry for the gospel and that he spends a lot of time in the marketplace talking to people about what they believe.
“I say things like ‘do you know that God’s Word has so much to say about business: about managing money properly, about serving customers, about excellence in operating your business, about strategy, about how to manage people and how to lead people?’" he said. “Many folks whom I engage are amazed and this often gives opportunity to open up further conversations. From there, people are invited to become part of a Discovery Bible Study group, aimed to help people discover who Jesus is.”
This is how he is intentionally integrating business and the Bible to bring people to the knowledge of who Jesus is and, God willing, to put their faith and trust in Him as well.
In June, Jonathan said that God worked through the 12 participants at the school and his own conversations with people to bring 480 people to Christ within a two-month period. “This is something we have never experienced since the beginning of this ministry!” he said.
OM’s Microbusiness Ministry now has people working all over the region. Jonathan said, “I invested my savings in the training centre, which was the best idea I have had and the best thing that ever happened to me. Today I am so happy with these results, even though for weeks it's been difficult for me to make ends meet financially; today I'm encouraged, and I would like you to join us in celebrating.”
* name changed
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