Redemptive entrepreneurship
Propose-driven companies fuelling transformation locally and globally
At Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, we believe entrepreneurs are uniquely equipped to tackle economic, social and spiritual poverty as
redemptive entrepreneurs.
Just as God’s Kingdom is bigger than the Church and embraces the whole earth, your vocation is bigger than running your business and presents a much bigger Kingdom opportunity. God calls you into His redemptive plan for creation (1 Thessalonians 2:12) and invites you as a business leader, and your staff, to employ your skills, passion, and profession as part of your faith and response (Titus 3:14).When businesses start to embrace this exciting reality, they begin to play a critical role in forming a compassionate and creative community of redemptive action.
Here’s just three examples of how Canadian businesses are answering the call to become redemptive entrepreneurs.
The Schmidt Investment Group (SIG): Since 2015, SIG in Edmonton, Alta., has been focused on increasing education for children in rural Guatemala. In partnership with FH Canada, they launched Expand Hope (EH), a social impact foundation of SIG. Founders Marvin and Leah Schmidt used this innovative revenue model not based on private donations, but on harnessing the power of successful businesses to drive social change. This allows for-profit businesses to succeed while generating significant impact to kids in Guatemala.
Brew Life Cafe: For the past five years, New Life Church in Duncan, B.C., has embraced justice and equity through a relationship with Acul, Guatemala. The church launched a coffee partnership and opened the Brew Life Cafe which today imports 1,000 pounds of raw coffee annually from Acul at an equitable price. The coffee is then roasted and sold through the church cafe. Each year this relationship provides over $2,500 in support for FH programs in Acul. Creativity and a commitment to relationship are providing hope and flourishing in both Duncan and Acul.
Stattonrock Design & Build: “It’s uncommon for businesses in the same industry to work together without competition,” CEO Randi Dueck explains. “In our industry you’re doing your thing, holding your cards close.” For the Duecks their partnership with Acul, Guatemala meant co-operating with other businesses in the industry. Stattonrock came together with four other businesses to create Comunidad (community in Spanish). Comunidad is a way to welcome more businesses into the purpose these companies have found through their Guatemala-partnership. Over the last four years Comunidad, has rallied over 80 companies and raised more than $290,000 for community development.
We want to help Canadian entrepreneurs align your passion with purpose to bring mutual transformation both locally and globally. That’s why we launched our Impact Partner Program. This innovative opportunity offers businesses a meaningful way to help vulnerable families overcome poverty while transforming your own people with purpose-driven work that enhances your purpose and impact.
Canadian entrepreneurs have the opportunity to foster similar redemptive action in FH partner communities by supporting locally initiated social venture projects. These projects are created by community leaders to increase income generation for local families. At FH Canada we’re excited about the recent growth we’re seeing in redemptive entrepreneurship, both here in Canada and around the world. We invite you to join us in this Kingdom opportunity!