"I DIDN'T KNOW CHRISTIANS KNEW
ANYTHING ABOUT BUSINESS."
Introducing Venture Latvia
By Marsha Hill  | Andi McElfresh, Jekabs Bikis and Kim Akers of
Richardson First Baptist instructed Latvian
and Russian business people during
classes held in Partners office. |
What are some of the good things that a church does? When I ask this question, people answer: evangelism, meeting needs in the community, teaching about Christ, gathering believers to worship God.
Who pays for these good things? That's right, the people in the church.
What if the people in the church can't pay for these good things because they don't have jobs? Much of the good that a church can do is hampered, maybe even halted.
I went to Latvia in January and July to initiate a BBI program, Venture Latvia. American churches can now help their sister-churches in a new way, by assisting people already active in the church to establish or grow small businesses.
Good stewards of the church become better stewards as their businesses grow. Financially healthy churches can develop and expand life-changing ministries such as Sunday School, youth programs, and evangelism.
 | Car mechanic, Edmunds Pavars, is a deacon in
his church. His business expansion into diesel
engine repair will mean more living-wage
jobs in the community.
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I'll give you an example of how Venture Latvia works.
In July, eight business people from First Baptist Church of Richardson, Texas, joined me in Latvia. In the months before their arrival, Signe Kurga (a Partners staff member) and I worked with the Texans to organize their schedule. Meetings were set up with banks, accounting firms, business schools, the Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations to help them understand how business is done in Latvia.
But, more importantly, the week included visits with Latvian and Russian business people. Through these visits, potential candidates for training, mentoring, and possible loans would be identified.
The week was phenomenal. We shared openly at all meetings about our Christian motivation for our research and were received graciously and often encouraged, even by non-believers. Our group was invited to speak at a business club meeting along with the Vice-Mayor of Riga. After that particular meeting, an attendee remarked, "I didn't know Christians knew anything about business."
You see, many people in Latvia believe that success in business requires cheating your customers and your employees. With free enterprise only possible since 1991 after 50 years of communism, few models of ethical AND successful small businesses exist.
 | Leonids Zidulich makes dentures at home. Turning
his dining room into an office is the first step
towards working with his daughter,
who plans to be a dentist.
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By week's end, two business people stood out as good candidates for next steps-mentoring and small loans. When the loans are finally made, Signe and I will manage them. When repaid, the funds will be available for future loans. Interest paid provides a portion of Signe's salary.
God has gifted American business people with some very particular skills. These skills have enabled us to financially bless our churches and missions programs. But I want to challenge you to think and pray about giving your most precious assets-your time and your skills-to help Christian business people in Latvia provide for their families, churches, and communities by helping them become better business people.
There is significant work to be done for the Kingdom. Let's do it.
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