Entrepreneurship and Missions

Throughout many conversations with missionaries across the world, I have come to know the importance of entrepreneurship as it relates to missionary work. Due to the current political state of many nations, a person is not permitted to enter a country as a “missionary.” Rather, the person must be able to provide economic benefit to the nation or they will not be permitted to enter and live there. Other than just for simple financial reasons, entrepreneurship can provide a pathway into lands with unreached people who are in need of the Gospel. Not only is entrepreneurship necessary to enter these places, but it allows for bridges to built in the communities themselves. In a lot of cases, the missionary is someone who looks different, talks different, and grew up in a very different culture, but entrepreneurship can provide a way for that missionary to become a vital part within that community. There are many ways this can play out: for one, the entrepreneur can meet a need for the people in the local context. Through their venture, the economic, financial, and even social needs can be met through the entrepreneurial work. Therefore, it is clear that entrepreneurship is a necessary and beneficial thing for missionaries.

For a real world example, one of my close friends is preparing to be sent as a missionary to the Middle East. As mentioned above, no country will approve a VISA if his occupation is listed as a “missionary,” and so my friend is wrestling through how to start a business in that context and what kind of business is needed for the people. Without an entrepreneurial mind and proper guidance, my friend will not be able to effectively enter and witness to the people in the Middle East. While many people study and use entrepreneurship in Western contexts, it can also be a useful and necessary aspect to missions as we attempt to share the good news to all people.