Transforming communities through business training

In the Sahel region of Africa, Jesus followers are being encouraged to combine business training with Bible studies as they work to make a difference in their communities and bring Jesus to their neighbours. 

OM’s microbusiness ministry team begins by running simulation-style business training in communities. As part of the training, trainees receive a small loan and spend two to three weeks starting and running a real business.  The programme shows people how to take a skill they already have and turn it into a profitable business. 

Once the training is completed, they invite the graduates into the graduates into a follow up group where they continue to meet for coaching and support whilst they grow their businesses.  Many of these groups are also savings and loans groups where the community save together with the money used to grow their business. 

 “The training is offered to any poor or marginalised people in need of economic upliftment. This could be due to life circumstances or as a result of persecution due their faith in Christ,” Adam*, one of the group leaders, explained.  

“Believers who attend will be discipled, strengthened and encouraged whilst non-believers who attend will experience Christ's love in action and hear the gospel each time they meet. It is here where we can continue to witness and usually where Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups start. These Bible studies are aimed to help people discover who Jesus is.” 

Since the entrepreneurs are active in the marketplace running their businesses, it gives them an authentic presence and opportunity to spend time talking to people and sharing their faith. The hope is that this leads to more opportunities to invite these people to join DBS groups – however, in countries where Christian gatherings are forbidden, the disciple makers have to meet in secret. 

Overcoming adversity 

Daouda* works in a country in the Sahel where he sells clothes, Picot beds, chairs, traditional loincloths and dyed loincloths. Financial insecurity has led to the closure of several markets in his city, but despite this, his business has been slowly growing and is having a positive impact in his community. 

"My business and the training I received has made it possible to train 12 young men and women in entrepreneurship,” he said. “These young people already had their own businesses but had never received entrepreneurship training.” 

While at work, those supported by the microbusiness ministry are encouraged to find a "person of peace" – a reference to Luke 10, which speaks of a receptive community member who shows hospitality, welcomes outsiders, and opens doors for the gospel within their social network. 

Daouda has also been able to find several people open to conversations about faith. “We often discuss biblical themes, but I haven’t been able to start a Bible study due to the fact that local authorities have banned certain gatherings,” he explained. 

Samba* works in the same country. A former photographer, he owns livestock and also pastors Jesus followers as they grow in their faith. 

He said he has faced challenges because of security concerns in the large city he recently moved to. “My photography stopped due to the security situation. I have met many ‘people of peace’, even house churches that had started. But all dispersed because of the security issue,” he said. 

However, he is currently supporting a few women by giving loans towards small businesses they have started, and he monitors and coaches these women for their business development.” 

Herds and honey 

One woman who has been supported by a loan is Yasmine*. She has started to bake cakes, which she takes to the training school to sell. This gives her the opportunity to talk with other women in business. 

She also breeds cattle in her home village. “I entrusted the supervision to my little brother. At any time, I can go there for the maintenance and care of the animals. I see the positive changes on my income [and] also the ministries. Currently I am starting to save the money for the repayment.” 

In another country, livestock of another kind are helping young people in the community. Youssouf* manufactures parts for beekeeping equipment and sells honey from his own hives. 

“The honey is sold and we offer help and activities to help young people in the community,” he said. “I have met many people of peace. We have a DBS group with five members, and this has grown two more groups from it.” 

“For many, this is the first time they have run their own business and brought sustainability for themselves and their families,” Adam said. “Many gave us feedback that they had learnt a great deal from our trainers, such as record keeping, the benefit of managing their money carefully and that you can start a business on a very small amount and grow from there.  The feedback we get most often was that they didn't think they could start a business, but after going through our programme have now started one.”