IBAM EP62: Charity Feeds for a Day. Discipleship Transforms for a Lifetime.
“Charity feeds for a day. Discipleship transforms for a lifetime.” — IBAM
Charity Feeds for a Day. Discipleship Transforms for a Lifetime.
If you’ve ever donated to a cause and wondered months later, “Did my gift really change anything?”—you’re not alone.
Generosity fatigue is real. Many faith-driven givers are disillusioned with traditional charity models. They want to give. They want to see impact. But they’re tired of:
Lack of transparency – not knowing how funds are used.
Short-term fixes – handouts that don’t solve long-term problems.
Spiritual emptiness – giving without seeing disciples made.
As one Christian entrepreneur put it:
“If I were wealthy, I wouldn’t just give handouts. I’d build a business that hires people.”
This longing for sustainability points us to a deeper truth: Business is ministry. Work is worship. And generosity should multiply, not just maintain.
That’s why IBAM (International Business as Mission) exists.
The Three-Fish Model: A Kingdom Upgrade
IBAM’s approach is rooted in what we call the Three-Fish Model. It’s simple, biblical, and transformational:
1. Give a Fish
Provide startup capital—small loans that help entrepreneurs begin. This isn’t a giveaway. It’s seed funding tied to accountability and discipleship.
2. Teach to Fish
Offer training in real business skills: budgeting, marketing, leadership, logistics. Believers learn how to run sustainable, God-honoring ventures.
3. Equip for Disciple-Making
Mentor entrepreneurs so their businesses become platforms for the Gospel. Shops, farms, and logistics companies turn into discipleship hubs.
This is more than economic development. It’s a model for multiplying disciples.
Why the Old Model Falls Short
Let’s be honest: handouts have their place in emergencies. But when it comes to long-term Kingdom transformation, they fall short.
Here’s why:
Dependency – People wait for the next shipment instead of building.
Limited reach – Relief feeds for a day; business provides for generations.
No discipleship – Material aid without spiritual growth misses the Gospel mandate.
Scripture calls us higher: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
Business can be ministry. Work can be worship.
Real Stories: The Three-Fish Model in Action
Elijah’s Chicken Business (Zambia)
Elijah Avesa, chairman of Awana Zambia’s board, partnered with IBAM to start a chicken business.
He said:
“IBAM’s empowerment through knowledge and resources could transform Africa and the world, enabling entrepreneurs like us to support and sustain vital programs like Awana that change lives of children and families.”
Chickens became jobs. Jobs became stability. Stability funded discipleship through Awana.
Fegas’ Logistics Company (Africa)
Fegas Kaumba, an IBAM master trainer, saw his logistics company flourish—not just financially, but spiritually.
“I’ve seen my business flourish while contributing to a sustainable approach for ministry and disciple-making across Africa, thanks to IBAM’s empowering partnership.”
A trucking business became a ministry hub. Employees found work, community, and discipleship.
The Ripple Effect
These aren’t isolated cases. Across Africa, Asia, and beyond, IBAM entrepreneurs prove a simple truth:
Every paycheck can be discipleship in action.
Every business can be a pulpit.
That’s what happens when believers are equipped to integrate faith and business.
The Belief Shifts Every Donor Needs
For this model to make sense, we have to confront some common doubts.
Belief Shift 1: “$10 can’t make a difference.”
Truth: In God’s economy, small seeds multiply. Just like the boy’s five loaves fed thousands, your $10 can launch businesses that transform entire communities.
Belief Shift 2: “Business isn’t spiritual.”
Truth: Work is worship (Colossians 3:23). Business is one of the most strategic ways to disciple nations.
Belief Shift 3: “I gave before, and nothing changed.”
Truth: Relief is transactional. Discipleship is transformational. IBAM sends regular updates and testimonies so you see the long-term fruit.
When these beliefs shift, giving feels different. It’s not charity—it’s Kingdom investment.
Why Now? The Global Need for a New Model
We live in a world where:
Donors are skeptical.
Churches feel stuck in outdated charity loops.
Communities crave sustainable solutions.
This is the moment for the Three-Fish Model. It doesn’t reject generosity—it multiplies it. It doesn’t abandon charity—it redeems it.
IBAM’s mission is to Empower. Educate. Equip.
Not just to give, but to disciple nations through business.
What You Get as an Impact Partner
For just $10 a month, you can become an IBAM Impact Partner. Here’s what that means:
Monthly Updates: Real stories and metrics showing how your gift is working.
Prayer Guides & Devotionals: Tie your giving to spiritual growth.
Community Belonging: Know you’re part of a global movement of believers.
This isn’t a donation. It’s discipleship.
Your $10 fuels loans, training, and discipleship for entrepreneurs who will multiply both income and faith in their communities.
Key Quotes to Remember
“Charity feeds for a day. Discipleship transforms for a lifetime.”
“Business isn’t just economics—it’s ministry.”
“Every paycheck can be discipleship in action.”
Be Part of the Movement
Here’s the choice:
Keep funding handouts that maintain dependency.
Or invest in disciple-makers who multiply hope, jobs, and faith for generations.
👉 Join the movement today atwww.ibam.org.
Don’t wait. Start today.
Become an Impact Partner...
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