On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies
More than one quarter of the world’s people have little or no opportunity to hear the gospel. While few of the unreached care to investigate the claims of Christ, they are concerned about their own economic advancement.
This is an opportunity for the gospel. On Kingdom Business proposes a new model for using business in missions: kingdom entrepreneurship. Kingdom entrepreneurs are “job-makers,” starting for-profit businesses of all sizes-real businesses that meet real needs.
On Kingdom Business provides a conceptual foundation for kingdom entrepreneurship and explores its contemporary development using case studies of kingdom businesses and reflecting on the lessons kingdom entrepreneurs have already learned.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Probably nowhere can you find the range of actual examples and keen insights offered by the spectrum of contributors to this landmark book. We are deeply indebted to both the contributors and the editors for so stout and comprehensive a set of documents, on so crucial and yet baffling a challenge.”
—Ralph D. Winter, President, William Carey International University
“Forthright, practical, and compelling! On Kingdom Business addresses the tough questions surrounding profit making in the name of Christ, and convincingly validates the fact that authentic ministry can indeed take place within the context of authentic business.”
—Christian Overman, Executive Director, Worldview Matters, Inc.
“Kingdom entrepreneurship has come of age as global Christian businessmen and women unite to extol the virtues of investing in God’s kingdom. On Kingdom Business is definitely recommended reading for discerning Christians committed to Great Commission ministry.”
—John Vong, Research Director, Geneva Global, Inc.
“Businessmen and women are fulfilling the Great Commission by more than giving money. On Kingdom Business tells their stories and reveals the methodologies that work in today’s world.”
—John H. Warton, Jr., International Director, Business Professional Network
“Business is not a necessary evil or a cover for the ‘real work’ of missions but a way to create investments, jobs, economic vitality, and a hearing for a credible gospel. It is hard work, but these pages are filled with the examples and learnings of extraordinary men and women-evangelistic entrepreneurs.”
—Fred Smith, President, The Gathering
“Today’s mission context demands the mobilization of tens of thousands of businessmen and women committed to spreading the gospel through genuine business. On Kingdom Business reveals several best practice models and discusses key issues related to kingdom entrepreneurship.”
—Chuck Madinger, Missions Pastor, Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky
About the Author
Mr. Eldred has founded numerous successful companies, including Ariba Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARBA), the leader in the Internet business-to-business industry, and Inmac, which went public in 1987 and later merged with Micro Warehouse. He was named Silicon Valley “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1988. Internationally, Mr. Eldred is co-founder and director of Epicenter Technologies, a 1,000-person call center business based in India. He has also founded other ventures in Europe and China.
Currently, Mr. Eldred is an investor and founder/CEO of Living Stones Foundation Charitable Trust, where he focuses his efforts primarily on charitable projects. He serves on the Board of Advisors for Crosspoint Venture Partners, named by Forbes as the most successful venture firm for three years in a row. Mr. Eldred is also chairman of Parakletos Venture Capital. He is in much demand as a speaker and as an advisor to various business ventures.
Mr. Eldred holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. He was the Lauder Executive-in-Residence at Auburn University School of Business and was named a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
Mr. Eldred is the author of God Is at Work: Transforming People and Nations Through Business (Regal Books, 2005; Manna, 2009), named the number one book in the field by the Business as Mission Network, and the co-editor of On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions through Entrepreneurial Strategies (Crossway Books, 2003), winner of a 2004 Christianity Today Book Award. He has been profiled in Executive Influence by Christopher A. Crane and Mike Hamel (NavPress, 2003).