The role of the business host is vital to the success of every Business Mission Trip. Our goal is to help you, the business host, in your efforts to reach the business and professional people in your realm of influence.
Below are several reasons that we need you to live out our vision of global success:
- Lasting value
While we only come on short-term mission trips, you remain with the people for the long term. - Effective Service
You have a thorough comprehension of the people, the culture, and the struggles the nationals face. Without you, we have no way of understanding all the things that might be happening (good and bad) behind the scenes. - Efficiency
You have experiential knowledge, which is needed to be efficient with time and money. - Connections
It is through your connections that we will have access to Christians, the business people, and universities.
Responsibilities of a Business Host
- Oversee the Business Mission Trip events in your ministry
We have developed a step-by-step training program that can be taught to and operated by a few business-minded nationals in your country, but it will take your oversight. We anticipate this program fitting in neatly with the leadership teachings you have probably presented to your people.
- Identify and involve the business-minded people in your mission field
According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, Jesus is the Head of the Church and we are the Body. We have been placed in the Body of Christ to fulfill a unique part of the overall plan. All over the world, there are people who have been called and gifted by God to be active in the business world. You will need to identify these people and encourage them, with us, to take their place in the Body. We are coming to help you mentor and develop them.
- Help create the team agenda and coordinate the Business Mission Trip events
Keep in mind that a Business Mission Trip is not a group trip in the traditional sense; it is a custom designed trip for teams of two people. For efficiency, we have identified the five major aspects of a Business Mission Trip agenda. The agenda will be finalized prior to our arrival in order to maximize the skills of the team. The five aspects of a Business Mission Trip are as follows:
a) Business Mentoring – The participants that are skilled at speaking on a business topic from an ethical and Christian perspective will make their presentation to groups of up to 30 people. This is not a preaching session on prosperity; it is a teaching session on the “how to” of business. The meeting location is typically the local church at a time that is not in conflict with a regular church service or another meeting. The business-minded people in the congregation are encouraged to invite their business associates to attend because it is not a preaching service. The businessƒ host is responsible for arranging these meetings and preparing any materials or equipment needed.
b) University Lectures – Business Mission Trips are primarily to metropolitan cities where there are colleges or universities with business departments. Usually, arrangements are made for our participants to speak to some of the business students on business topics. The business host is responsible for arranging these lectures, with our assistance.
c) Business Visitations – A good way for us to build stronger relationships is by visiting with the business people at their place of business. We only come if invited by the business owner or manager and normally spend about 60-90 minutes at the place of business. This is a time for our participants to see some of the challenges the business owners and managers face. It also gives the opportunity for the business owners and mangers to ask more direct questions of the participants. The business host is responsible for arranging these visitations, with our assistance.
d) Biblical Teaching – This is the opportunity for the participants to open the Word of God and present Biblical lessons to the general congregation. They may instead teach to the Bible School Students at a Bible Training Center or Seminary. This could be at a Sunday morning, Sunday evening, or midweek service. The sermon or teaching is most often connected to one of the men or women of the Bible who demonstrated exceptional business skills. The business host is responsible for arranging for these church services, with our assistance.
e) Cultural Events – Every country, region, or city has unique cultural events and sights that would be of interest to the Business Mission Trip participants. As a general rule, the business host should take the lead to expose participants to “the best of the best” in the area of cultural experiences/tours. This could range from attending a one-ring circus in Russia, to visiting the pyramids in Egypt, to the running of the bulls in Spain, or to visiting the Jewish concentration camps in Poland. Some of the participants will want to spend a night with a traditional national family in a “bed and breakfast” style arrangement. The business host is responsible for arranging cultural events for the participants to enjoy.
- Direct all of those involved to “follow the system”
The goal of the system is to standardize the routine activities of each trip in order to maximize the efficient use of everyone’s time and energy, thereby making us all more effective in reaching people for Christ. The Business Mission Trip system is not fully developed and will most certainly change from time to time as we constantly monitor and perfect each aspect of our trip. We encourage you to partner with us as we develop the system so that all points of view might be considered.
- Identify and help us train the personal guides for each team
Keep in mind that a Business Mission Trip is not a “group” trip; it is a “custom designed” trip. A team consists of two American business people and one guide/interpreter. The guide/interpreter is part of the budget and is paid wages for the entire week to be with the team. The guide/interpreter begins by meeting the Business Mission Trip team at the point of arrival, spending each day with the team from morning until evening, and escorting the team to the point of departure from the country or city. The business host will be responsible for arranging sleeping accommodations for the interpreter/guide at local host homes.
If the team consists of two men, then the guide must be a man. If the team consists of two women, then the guide must be a woman. If the team is a married couple, then either a man or woman would do. The typical profile of the guide/interpreter is someone between the age of 20 to 30 years old, who is active in the church, who speaks English well enough for conversations, and who knows how to get around town using the conventional modes of transportation, like bus, train, taxi, etc. The pay for this individual will fall in line with the general wages in the economy plus one to two meals per day with the team. The payment to the guide/interpreter will normally be in the range of $50 to $70 per week. The guide/interpreter is not expected to interpret for the speakers at the public lectures. The guide/interpreter will handle cash to pay various expenses for the team.
- Oversee the spending of all money
The budget for the Business Mission Trip is designed to pay for everything related to the trip including funding for your ministry to cover some of your overhead. This budget will be agreed upon prior to our arrival. Money will be transferred to your bank account prior to any financial needs you may have relating to the budget. Good stewardship is essential in handling this budget. You will be responsible to see that the budget is followed and all bills are paid promptly from the money that is sent to you.
- Communicate regularly with the GBSF office or trip coordinator
Communication (primarily via e-mail) during the entire process is vital to the success of the trips.