Asia-Pacific Small Business Fund
Summary
In the Asia and Pacific region, the regional coordinators are using small business training seminars to help pastors and lay leaders develop personal income. The project teaches ethical business practices, accounting, and planning to help leaders run a successful business. At the end of the course, the project also makes small microloans available to the most promising young entrepreneurs.
Cost
The total project cost is $4,500 per country.
BACKGROUND
The church globally has consistently struggled with how to support their pastors. Many pastors, unable to be fully supported through tithes from their congregation, must look for alternative places to work in order to support their families. Though jobs may be available, they often take them away from their ministry duties.
Vision
Vision
Don and Caroline Armstrong have a solution! In Asia and Pacific, they are using a small business training seminar to aid pastors and lay leaders. The course offers business training, teaches ethical business practices, accounting, and planning to help students begin and maintain a successful business.
STRATEGY
Though the training is a huge asset to these growing communities, the follow-up of microloans to begin small business is vital for maximum community impact. Churches pay for the cost of the seminar ($500); Global Strategy wants to offer loans to those who complete the course. We are looking for $4,500 per country in the five countries.
“The idea is to empower local Christians to enter the marketplace and be a witness to their community through their business. In return, they receive a small income and support their local church.“
Don and Caroline Armstrong
Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinators
What’s in Your Hand?
Training
Revs. Don and Caroline Armstrong are leaders in a business training called “What’s in Your Hand,” a culturally appropriate program that teaches basic business skills. This training program was created by Global Disciples, a missions organization specializing in global church planting that prepares their pastors for ministry by offering small business training.
The training program uses biblical principles in its course design, focusing on ethical business practices, accounting, and planning.
Microloans
The post-training microloans are to help individuals start their business. The goal is to have each loan repaid over a two- or three-year period. The funds that are repaid are then used to make additional loans to people who complete the training. The goal is for funds to last through at least three rounds of loans.
Water Buffalo
One area of focus for small business is a water buffalo. A water buffalo costs around $1,500 in Asia. Water buffalos can be used for daily work or rented out to farmers. The first calf is given to the church and the second calf is given to the national assembly. In this way, the church and national assembly receive immediate assistance from the project.
With their knowledge of the small business training program, Don and Caroline are preparing a new generation of pastors for years of service.
Where We Engage
One goal for this project is that it will reach across the region of Asia-Pacific and can act as a point of connectivity and unity among churches. There are six specific countries where the Armstrongs plan to begin the work: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
Total Cost of Training and Loans
Training Seminar
Loans
Water buffalo
$500
$4,500
$1,500
Provided by local church
($27,000 for six countries)
($27,000 for three for each country)
Total for Seminars and Water Buffalo is $54,000
Will you join Global Strategy to make a difference in the livelihoods of people across the Asia and Pacific region?
Ways to make a difference
- Check – make checks payable to “Church of God Ministries” and specify “AP Small Business Fund – 42.30390” in the memo line.
- Online – visit this link
For more information, contact Alyse Hoover at 800.848.2464 or gsprojects@chog.org.
