The Missional Entrepreneur Endorsements
“Business as mission is an increasing phenomenon in the church. Both the nature of some closed countries and the call for all kinds of people to be involved in God’s global mission have opened the door and shown the need for new ways to do mission. In The Missional Entrepreneur, Mark L. Russell provides a helpful guide for those willing to do more than business as usual. It will help them engage in the Father’s business.”
Ed Stetzer - president, LifeWay Research, coauthor, Compelled by Love
“Mark Russell’s book is part primer and part provocateur. It raises important questions about how business as mission is defined and practiced and the characteristics of the more (and less) effective practitioners. It will prove especially challenging to those who assume that the motives and practices of traditional missionary work can be transferred successfully to a business context.”
Steve Rundle - Crowell School of Business, Biola Univeristy; coauthor, Great Commission Companies
“The Missional Entrepreneur comes out at an opportune time as two major trends converge. More and more nations are closed to traditional preaching and church-planting missionaries, but they still welcome missionaries who can do something that the national government perceives to be ‘useful’—like fixing teeth, or teaching English, or improving agricultural yield, or proliferating micro-businesses and other ways for locals to make a living.
At the same time, more and more local churches want to make a difference in their country and in people's lives—this side of death. Mark Russell has practiced what he now preaches, and he has likely reflected upon the work of more missional entrepreneurs than anyone else. This book is destined to inspire, catalyze, and inform a generation of new-breed missionaries.”
George G. Hunter III - School of World Mission and Evangelism, Asbury Theological Seminary; author The Celtic Way of Evangelism
“Mark Russell’s The Missional Entrepreneur is rooted in a holistic approach to business as mission. His analysis of two types of businesses—‘blessers’ and ‘converters’—is one of the most powerful arguments for holistic/integral mission that I’ve encountered. The book is worth getting for this chapter alone, although there is much more to savor as well.”
Dewi Hughes - theological advisor, Tearfund International
“Mark L. Russell’s global and cross disciplinary experience enriches his book on business as mission (BAM). With great insight, he probes BAM from theological, historical, cross-cultural and practical angles. This book is a significant contribution to the BAM movement.”
Mats Tunehag - senior associate for business as mission, Lausanne Movement & the World Evangelical Alliance
“If you think you must give up your career or business to serve God, then think again. There are opportunities to use your business skills overseas, and Mark Russell will show you in Scripture both why and how you can be strategically involved in God's work. This book demonstrates that business and mission belong together!”
Dr. Russell S. Woodbridge - visiting professor, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; theological educator, Kiev, Ukraine
“The Missional Entrepreneur is broad in scope and yet remains accessible, providing a clear and comprehensive overview of business as mission and its significance for Christians today. Russell deftly draws together global and business realities with biblical foundations and mission strategy, constantly anchoring his text with stories and examples. Aspiring practitioners and business as mission veterans alike will find The Missional Entrepreneur both thought-provoking and practical. For newcomers to the subject of business as mission, this book would make for an excellent introduction.”
Mark Plummer - director of the Introduction to Business as Mission Course and cofounder of the Business as Mission Resource Team, Youth With A Mission International (YWAM)
“I’ve longed for a book to put into the hands of business leaders and college students who desire to be salt and light in their respected fields. Russell’s The Missional Entrepreneur will be a ‘go-to’ book for years. His research is thorough; his exegesis is diligent; his application is practical; and his passion is contagious. May his principles and practices help Christian businesspeople see that their job is not merely to fund the mission, but actually to help lead in the mission; thus bringing hope, healing, and redemption to a world that is broken economically, socially, environmentally and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ.”
Tony Merida - teaching pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS; assistant professor of preaching, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
“The Missional Entrepreneur comes at just the right time as the business as mission movement continues to gain attention and momentum. Mark writes with clarity, relevance, and biblical wisdom, but most importantly, provides practical areas of application. Aspiring entrepreneurs, missions committees, and anyone interested in seeing business bring the good news to the world need to read this book!”
Peter Greer - president, HOPE International; coauthor, The Poor Will Be Glad
“One might say that Mark Russell has given us the book we need on a topic whose time has come—except that actually the concept of business as mission has biblical roots as old as Abraham. In fact, this book emphasizes that the Abrahamic great commission of being a blessing to the nations can be fulfilled in as many creative ways as there are ways of doing honest business. The book is thoroughly biblical, showing dimensions of Paul's missional life, for example, that we easily overlook or misunderstand, but it is also very thoroughly researched in relation to today's globalized marketplace. Full of practical wisdom gained from wide experience in different cultures, the book is an inspiring introduction to the richly holistic understanding of mission that flows from a truly biblical integration of the creational and redemptive dimensions of our responsibility.”
Christopher J. H. Wright - international director, Langham Partnership International; author, The Mission of God
“The Missional Entrepreneur is a welcome addition to the exploration of the emerging concept of business as mission (BAM). Insights arising from Dr. Russell's extensive interviews of BAM practitioners are especially thought-provoking. The book’s multifaceted discussion of BAM makes it indispensable reading for all interested in mission strategy.”
Tetsunao Yamamori - president, WorldServe Ministries
“Mark Russell has given us a vivid explanation of what business as mission is and how we can be involved. With practical and biblical insights, he shows us how to integrate work and mission, creation and relationships. Mark’s experiences and real-life stories will enlarge your vision and ignite your passion for BAM. This is a fun, informative, and easy read!”
Kent Humphreys - ambassador, FCCI/Christ@Work
