Other Stories

Clínica Bíblica: The Business of Healthcare; the Ministry of Healing

The Clínica Bíblica Hospital and Medical Centre in San José, Costa Rica, has grown and adapted over 75 years to boldly proclaim the kingdom of God through improving the medical and spiritual well-being of a community in need. Clínica Bíblica (literally, ‘Bible-Based Clinic’) is a Christian ministry-become-enterprise. From opening its doors in July 1929, the Clínica Bíblica committed itself to bringing medical care to the Costa Rican population regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay.

Today, the majority of patients arrive not in taxis or luxury cars at the front doors of the hospital, but by public buses coming from the various neighbourhoods and slums surrounding the city. These poor (and often refugees from nearby countries) who fall through the cracks of the national Social Security system, enter Clínica Bíblica’s doors to receive the medical care they are prevented from receiving at a state hospital. Quite simply, Clínica Bíblica’s policy is not to deny medical care to anyone, regardless of citizenship or financial ability.

With so much ‘charity,’ how does Clínica Bíblica remain financially sustainable? This is the key: Those who can pay for the medical services and medication they receive do pay. And they will, because they want the best.... More >>

 
 
Asian Company

A manufacturing enterprise in Asia was started in 1988 with an idea, 5 employees, and $10,000 in capital. Within 15 years, the enterprise had grown to 350 employees, exports of $3,000,000 and $400,000 in profits.

The founder "Jim" had some early misunderstandings regarding the purpose of his business and good business practices. He thought that because he was doing "God’s work" that God would cut him some slack and not make him adhere to normal business laws that other successful business people follow.

Jim assumed that the business was only a vehicle for something more important. He didn’t realise that people would connect his authenticity in business with authenticity in other things, including his words. Pressures in the business that should have caused Jim to trust God more wore him down instead. He expected ministry to happen after work rather than through opportunities in business. He did not look to daily normal business activities as a means to disciple people... More>>

 
 
BA Company

In Singapore in 1991, John who was a career missionary was given an interest in a consultancy business by a local Christian business man. The business man would continue as Principal Consultant and make the money, John would disburse it. Sensing that there was something more, they set up BA as a limited liability company to own the consultancy and other businesses that the Lord might give them. John understood that BA was to establish righteous, redemptive businesses, dedicated to the Lord and operating on kingdom principles.

John shares: "There is power in discipling in the workplace, where most Christians spend much of their time and where their character flaws will be exposed. In church the Word may only be spoken: in the workplace it must be lived, and Christian responses modelled in real (e.g. ethical) challenges. It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish, but it is better still to teach a suitable man to manage a fish farm. Then he will learn not just a practical skill, but character and ethical skills". More>>

 
 
Highfield Happy Hens

Daniel knew that his life was not heading in the right direction. At the age of 15, he had left school with no qualifications and become a regular at the local Police station, stealing cars to fit in with his new-found friends.

With no job prospects on the horizon, he decided to make the long trek up the hill to Highfields Happy Hens in Etwall, Derbyshire in the UK. The farm had become well known in the village for providing work for young people who had been excluded from school or become petty criminals.

“My mates thought I was mad to go there as it was also known for its ‘Christian values' and I was far from being a Christian – that's for sure!” he admits.

To his delight, farm owners Roger and Beryl Hosking agreed to offer him a part-time job as an egg collector.  More>>

(extract from Transformational Business Network eNews, from Faithworks Article)