Business as Blessing in Uganda

David Thomas describes himself as “an engineer and business manager kind of guy.”

A director of manufacturing for Beltservice Corporation and an elder from Kirk of the Hills PCA in St. Louis, Thomas joined MTW’s Business As Mission (BAM) director John Tubbesing on a trip to Kampala, Uganda, last year to put his business acumen into practice in an international setting.

Uganda’s economy has far too few Christian businesspeople, while the Muslim and Indian influence in business is growing significantly. That is one reason MTW is helping entrepreneurs who are emerging from a small business incubator run by a Ugandan named Moses Engwau. “Much of the business climate here in Uganda is corrupt,” explained Carolyn Phillips, MTW Uganda missionary. “Many times whatever you order, you expect it to be late and poorly done. Moses has a vision and a dream to see the business climate transformed because the gospel transforms.”

Thomas’ task while in Kampala was to coach these aspiring entrepreneurs and help Tubbesing and other MTW leadership assess the center as a potential BAM venture. Thomas had the opportunity to speak to participants in the 14-week biblicallybased business program, which covers everything from cash flow and marketing strategies to how to use one’s business to edify the kingdom.

Business with a greater purpose
Thomas met Michael, a recent graduate of the program who started a soap company that hires people from the slums. He also met Jalia and Daniel who began a jewelry company that employs single mothers and boys who would otherwise be street children. Jalia and Daniel lead Bible studies with their employees and several former Muslims have come to Christ as a result.

“At its core, Business As Mission helps people provide for themselves, but the ultimate vision is for them to use their businesses for kingdom purposes,” Thomas said.

“[The trip] cemented in my mind that whether you are digging ditches or a leader in a business, it is part of God’s work and you can do it in a manner that blesses the world, your employer, your employees, and your co-workers.”

As a result of Thomas’ trip, MTW Uganda decided to become the financial backer for the business center. The hope is that businesspeople from PCA churches in the U.S. will consider taking weeklong trips to come alongside the Ugandan instructors at the business center and serve as teachers, mentors, and business coaches.

“The exciting thing about this is that it’s Uganda run,” Phillips said. “[But Americans] can bring in an outside perspective with business expertise. This is a developing economy. Coming from a developed economy, we can really help.”

Are you a businessperson with a heart for missions? Use your business experience to mentor young entrepreneurs around the world! Visit mtw.org/BAM or email [email protected].