The Business Professional Network (BPN)
- Seeks ways to encourage and support others in the task of "missions through business."
- Connects western world business resources with needs and opportunities in the developing world
- Provides training to nationals in business principles and integrity
- Administers trust funds (revolving loan funds) and helps entrepreneurs find access to capital
- Assists and encourages other organizations working in business-related missions.
For many years, medical personnel have had opportunities to help in needy parts of the world, but the efforts of business professionals have not been well coordinated. BPN networks the western world business community with economically struggling communities of the world. In some ways, the business person can help as no one else can. Helping improve someone's means of making a living is not aid or hand-outs; it is self-sustaining help that "keeps on helping."
The ultimate goal of our services and assistance is to bolster the witness of Christ around the world. |
BPN President, John Warton, interviewed on KPDQ by talk show hostess, Georgine Rice, during last year's Mission Connection Northwest 2008 along with U.S. business owner John Forsythe and Australian business consultant Peter Bennett. John explains how ‘business and mission’ rightly belong together as part of 21st century mission strategies.
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The Business Professional Network has received “The 2008 Chairman’s Award” for our humanitarian work from KPMG, the international network of firms providing clients in 144 countries audit, tax and advisory services. This award is part of KPMG’s Corporate Citizenship initiative, which recognizes many “people [are] trapped in a desperate cycle of poverty and deprivation. At KPMG we feel it is our duty as global citizens to help relieve this need wherever we can.” The BPN was nominated for the award in the Portland area by Eileen Wallace, who tra veled to El Salvador where our micro and SME loan program has been operating since 2001.
For information on how your company can be involved in business development programs that create jobs and break the cycle of poverty, call us at 503-670-7970 or e-mail John@bpn.org.
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IN MEMORIAM
Peter Hammond was a veteran leader of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He was the creative developer of the Word in Life Study Bible, a thick volume highlighting the wisdom and instruction of God for those who’s work life is in the marketplace. According to Pete, 75% of all Bible characters were not religious leaders; among Christians alive today that proportion is probably higher."Work," Pete said,"“is our calling to function like our Creator. It is having responsibility for resources for the benefit of God and others." Peter Hammond was an early presenter at the BPN conferences and a visionary who steadfastly encouraged the emerging Business as Mission movement. |
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