Bible Colleges/Seminaries
DML offers three courses at a certificate, diploma, BA or MA level for Bible Colleges and Seminaries. These courses are as follows:
1. Church-based Business as Mission:
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to understand the relationship between the Church and the Marketplace, together with the practical implications for the church, missions, business and our personal lives.
Course Objectives: The student who successfully completes this course will meet the following objectives. The student will have a framework for the role of the church in the Marketplace from a Biblical perspective and be challenged to engage a Marketplace Ministry.
2. Integrity and Finance:
Course Description: Most who find themselves in positions of Christian leadership throughout the world have little or no background in managing personal and organizational finances from a scriptural perspective. The purpose of this course is to develop scriptural principles of integrity and financial stewardship that can be applied within both personal and organizational financial contexts. The learner will develop competencies in understanding basic bookkeeping, interpretation of financial statements and financial integrity and credibility
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course the student will be able to state the need for personal integrity in society and the life of the church, define integrity and demonstrate how it is relevant to many contexts of life, recognize the enemies of integrity and explain how to avoid them, and interpret the meaning of basic financial spreadsheets and financial ratios
3. Development and Social Change:
Course Description: Development and Social Change provides a Biblical rationale for engagement in efforts to address issues such as poverty, injustice and ecological destruction. During the residency, learners will focus on a Biblical framework that provides practical and ethical guidelines for engaging in development and social change. It also considers the effectiveness of various development theories, initiatives, and strategies; and presents a framework for analyzing and appropriately responding to poverty at the community level. Special emphasis will be placed on practical tools through which learners can engage their own communities, helping their churches and ministries find practical, effective methods for poverty alleviation and development.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course students will be able to describe the fundamental approaches used to bring about development and social change, and to what extent those approaches have been effective in their own context, present an in-depth explanation of the Biblical basis for followers of Jesus to engage in development and social change efforts, and recognize important elements for successful change efforts, and address some key issues such as avoiding unwise dependency upon external resources and relying more upon local resources.
Pastor/Church Leaders
The work of DML is to equip the local church to have a ministry that disciples people in the workplace to do their work to the glory of God. Just as a church might have a youth ministry, a women’s ministry, or a men’s ministry, the church also needs a workplace ministry. This is where the majority of our members spend the majority of their time each week. Our goal is to teach pastors and church leaders the biblical and theological foundation for this ministry by spending time together to understand the God of Business, looking at the Old and New Testament, and then looking at the need for reconciliation and the role that the Church can play in that.
This is done through our foundational workshop. Upon conclusion, if a church would like to have this ministry, there is an application of intent to be filled out, and the church is then challenged to do what we call a “Business Month.” This is a month in the church calendar where the pastor will preach on “Work as Worship” and “Business as Mission.” We provide sermon outlines if needed. The church together is given thirty days of devotions to read through daily. In doing this, the pastor is “turning the soil” to prepare the members for the training that DML offers for businesspeople.
Once the “Business Month” is completed, the DML team will assess the church to see whether the Basic Business Training or Leaders in the Workplace training is needed. The training is then offered and is completed with a commissioning service.
Once this initial training is completed, the church can then identify members who can be trainers for subsequent classes. A training of trainers will be given, with the resources needed to have an ongoing ministry in the church focused on supporting people to be saints, priests, and ambassadors in the workplace. Mentoring, advocacy, and discipleship is continued with those who have gone through the training.
Countries
Country & Partner Overview: Where DML is Working
West Africa: Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo
Central Africa: Cameroon, Burundi
East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania
The Church in Africa
The Africa of today is far different than the Africa of a quarter century ago. But the next quarter century will be even more amazing as Africa begins to come into its own economically and politically. By 2050 the population will have doubled from its current 1.29 billion to 2.53 billion. The “Christian” population has gone from approximately 9 million in 1900 to well over 350 million in 2018; by 2025 that number will reach 633 million. By 2050 it is expected that the world population will add 2.2 billion people: Africa will account for half of that growth (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Africa)! The opportunity before the African Church to reclaim the marketplace for Christ is significant but the tools for how to do this are lacking. The desire of Discipling Marketplace Leaders is to equip the local church with the tools necessary to help local church members recognize their ability and potential to be light in the midst of darkness, to be the church every day of the week.
DML has a commitment to partner with other ministries where and when possible. These partners are referred to as “implementing partners.” Our prayer is that God would lead DML into partnership with those ministries who have similar passion, purpose, and values. DML is committed to not starting our own organizations in the countries where we are working. We believe that what we have to offer can best be utilized by existing structures who are exhibiting the ability to train and equip leaders in the local church. As we are invited to share the message in a country we begin to look for a partner where there is a common vision. DML helps provide the initial funding for staff with other funds to help with administration. Conferences and training events are expected to be self-funded.
Our implementing partners are as follows:
Our Environmental Bottom Line: Filtered water bottles for all!
- Burkina Faso: working with AEAD and the Assemblies of God Church, as well as with CMA (Christian Missionary Alliance).
- Burundi: working with ICM Burundi and a number of denominations across the country
- Ghana: Hopeline Institute, working in Accra, Tamale, and Sandema; also working with SIM Ghana and the Assemblies of God.
- Nigeria: Development Associates International Nigeria, working in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Jos.
- Cameroon: working with HUTSEED
- Uganda: ICM Uganda, working in Tororo and Kampala
- Kenya: Africa Theological Seminary, Kitale.
- Ethiopia: Working with the Kale Heywet Church across the country
- Tanzania: ICM Tanzania, working in Dar es Salaam, Iringa, Morogoro, Mwanza, and more.
- Liberia: Working with the Harvest International Ministries Unlimited.
Our partners outside of Africa:
- Nicaragua: Working with Jesse and Jari Rodriguez.
- Global Advance: Africa and SE Asia
- SE Asia – a number of different partners, not listed for security.
For more information on our implementing partners, please visit the specific country page.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a land-locked country in West Africa, with a population of approximately 20 million people. Approximately 60% of the population is Muslim, 19% Catholic, and 4% Protestant. Burkina Faso ranks at 151 out of 190 countries for the ease of doing business, according to the World Bank.
DML has joined hands with three partners in Burkina Faso: AEAD, the Assemblies of God, and the Christian Missionary Alliance.
To make a donation, please click here and select “Burkina Faso” in the dropdown menu.
Burundi
Burundi is a land-locked country in East Africa, with a population of approximately 12 million people. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa and the poorest country in the world, with more than 75% of the population living below the extreme poverty level. Burundi is mostly Christian, with 62% Roman Catholic and 25% Protestant. Burundi ranks at 166 out of 190 countries for the ease of doing business, according to the World Bank.
DML has joined hands with ICM Burundi to carry out the ministry of DML. Watch this Youtube video.
To make a donation, please click here and select “Burundi” in the dropdown menu.
Cameroon
Cameroon is a country in West Africa with a population of 23 million, with about 80% Francophone and 20% Anglophone. Cameroon ranks 163 out of 190 countries for the ease of doing business, according to the World Bank. There are significant challenges in the rate of paying taxes as well as being able to trade across borders.
DML has joined hands with HUTSEED, a local non-profit based in Yaoundé, led by Joy Ade.
The vision of DML Cameroon: We hope to facilitate community transformation in Cameroon through the local church by equipping and discipling marketplace leaders to grow financially, spiritually, and socially using DML resources that promotes an understanding of Business as Mission.
Platforms of Entry to Cameroon: Our platform of entry will be through the local assemblies, Christian NGOs, state agencies, and Bible societies.
Video: Maxcelline | Video: Joy
To make a donation, please click here and select “Cameroon” in the dropdown menu.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a beautiful country with beautiful people. It is a country that is so rich in history!
But Ethiopia ranks 161 out of 190 countries (2018) for the ease of doing business. To start a business, Ethiopia ranks 174 out of 190 countries. This means the structures are complicated and the cost is high. Access to credit is also ranked at 173 out of 190 countries, and credit is important to the growth of a business. The median income in Ethiopia is $660/year.
We are thrilled to have two partners in Ethiopia who are passionate about Church-based Business as Mission.
Partners in Ethiopia: Kale Heywet Church
The Kale Heywet Church is the largest evangelical church in Ethiopia, with over 11,000 churches and twelve million members! The Kale Heywet Church has a Business as Mission Office, with Yoseph Bekele at the helm, and he has trained to be a DML trainer. He is now preaching, teaching, and equipping churches to have marketplace ministries, training their members to do their work as an act of worship.
To make a donation, please click on “Donate” and select “Ethiopia” in the dropdown menu.
Ghana
Ghana is known for its cultural richness and for being the gate to West Africa.
But Ghana has significant challenges when it comes to the ease of doing business. While a few short years ago, Ghana was ranked in the 70s out of 189 countries, it has since dropped to 108 out of 190 because of the devaluation of the Ghanaian currency and the significant challenges with electricity.
But a challenge that has been going on for some time is the very high-interest rates for loans, which are critical for the growth of businesses. The bank interest rates start at around 37%, followed by the micro-finance companies in the 60%, and the informal sector reaching as high as 80-100%. No one can take loans and grow a business with those rates.
Discipling Marketplace Leaders has joined hands with Hopeline Institute to roll out the ministry of DML. DML is also working in the far north of Ghana with SIM, as well as the the Assemblies of God Ghana.
To make a donation, please click here and indicate “Ghana” in the dropdown menu.
Kenya
Kenya is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the Great Rift Valley, exotic wildlife, and comfortable climates.
Kenya is ranked at 80 out of 190 countries in the ease of doing business, according to the World Bank annual ratings. From 2008 until 2018, Kenya ranged in their ratings from a high of 140 in 2013 to a record low of 80 in 2018, so there have been significant improvements in recent years. We thank God for that! But high taxes, an inequitable application of law, and high rates of corruption still creates many difficulties for Kenyans in doing business.
Discipling Marketplace Leaders has joined hands with Africa Theological Seminary (ATS) to do the work of DML.
To make a donation, please click here and select “Kenya” in the dropdown menu.
Nigeria
Nigeria is known as the country in Africa with the highest population; at 191 million, it is #7 in the world, with a median age of 18 years old. By the year 2050, Nigeria is set to become the 3rd most populous country in the world! This can mean exciting things for an up-and-coming workforce, but Nigeria is also very challenged as it relates to the ease of doing business.
Nigeria is ranked by the World Bank as 169 out of 190 countries for the ease of doing business. This is a very low score, with the biggest challenges being seen in the area of electricity and an efficient and equitable application of the rule of law. The per capita income in Nigeria is $430 USD/annum, and Nigeria recently passed India as having the highest number of people living in extreme poverty.
DML is partnered with Development Associates International Nigeria, headed by Dr. Abraham Gaga. Freeman Okoro is the main staff person assigned by DAI to the work of DML. DML is currently working in Kaduna, Abuja, and Jos.
Please hear what Freeman has to say about DML: Nigeria video
To make a donation, please click here and select “Nigeria” in the dropdown menu.
Tanzania
Tanzania is known for its extraordinary wildlife and for Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
But it is also a country that struggles with the challenges of doing business. Tanzania ranks at 132 out of 190 countries in the ease of doing business, with the average per capita income at $930 USD/annum. Trading across borders and access to credit are two of the biggest barriers that Tanzanians face.
Discipling Marketplace Leaders has joined hands with ICM Tanzania to address some of these challenges. ICM Tanzania seeks to train and equip church leaders both formally and informally, and Discipling Marketplace Leaders will help to reach many of the pastors already trained to begin discipling their members to the purpose of doing business to the glory of God.
To make a donation, please click here and select “Tanzania” in the dropdown menu.
Uganda
Uganda is known as the “pearl of Africa” with the source of the River Nile found in its borders, as well as the famous mountain gorilla. But what is lesser known about Uganda are the struggles that the majority of Ugandans face in doing business.
Uganda ranks at 115 out of 190 countries for the ease of doing business, with the average income per capita being $660 USD/annum. Starting a business and getting electricity are two of the biggest challenges that Ugandans face (ranking 168 and 169 out of 190 countries).
DML has joined hands with ICM Uganda to address some of these challenges. ICM Uganda seeks to train and equip church leaders both formally and informally, and Discipling Marketplace Leaders will help to reach many of the pastors already trained to begin discipling their members to the purpose of doing business to the glory of God.
Uganda Video 1 | Uganda Video 2
To make a donation, please click here and select “Uganda” in the dropdown menu.