Reformation Ministries International Corp

The basic dream

RMIC is the acronym for Reformation Ministries International Corporation, founded in the spring of 2004. RMIC is the beginning of another vision and dream that Marilyn and I have. Yet, it is not just a vehicle for our dream but for the dreams of many others. Perhaps those of you, who have a dream to be a missionary or to be involved with a dynamic missionary enterprise, will find RMIC to be your vehicle for realizing the success of your dreams. RMIC has mission contacts and outlets for ministry in many parts of Mexico, Central America and even in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

How big the dream is and what value it represents, we are not given to know? Only God knows.

The tent making and Business as Mission

We have introduced the concept of Paul's testimony of making tents to supply the larger portion of all his needs and those who worked with him. He did not refuse donations for he knew that the worker is worthy of his hire. However, most of his ministry was supplied by the work of his own hands and others who worked with him in the tent making business.

We need to introduce you to a similar but strategically different economic reality within the Kingdom. This is the Business as Mission reality or BAM as it is referred to. BAM is similar to and has many overlaps with Tent Making but the big difference is in the strategic application. Tent making can also function as BAM. Let me explain.

Jeremiah 29:4-7

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile'"(Jeremiah 29:4-7, NIV).

Here we see the Lord telling Israel through Jeremiah to do Business As Mission in Babylon so as to bless Babylon and to bless themselves.

Mats Tunehag

"The BAM concept is holistic in nature, believing that God has the power to transform people and communities; spiritually, economically and socially. The dichotomy between sacred and secular is not Biblical, but this false dichotomy has deeply affected our views on work, business, church and missions. BAM is a part of a wider global movement, recognizing and responding to God's call to take the whole gospel to the whole man in the whole world."

Mats Tunehag has been involved in developing the BAM concept globally; nationally, regionally and internationally BAM networks and consultations. Some of his first lessons learned were in Central Asia, where he has been involved since the late 80's. He also initiated and convened a global think tank on BAM under the auspices of the Lausanne-movement. See www.lausanne.org

So it is easy to see how that one could have a source of income from an investment or from a privately owned company and not actually be witnessing of their faith and principles through that company. In our concept of both tent making and business as mission we strongly believe in the principle of witnessing to all those that we serve with the integrity and the quality of our service. When we are given the opportunity we are also able to make a personal application of our faith for the benefit of those we serve.

I am personally convinced that Paul's own business experience was more than just making money. We in the Christian community have coined the phrase "tent making" to differentiate between someone who was self supported and someone who received donations. In truth, Paul's business was both. Like our own business experience, he received his income from the business but he also testified with his business and it opened many doors in diverse cultures that otherwise would have remained closed. There were also others with whom he shared this same experience. You will recall Lydia, the lady who had a business selling cloth that was dyed purple, a very expensive material in those days.