IBAM EP80: My First IBAM Trip: The Story That Shaped Business as Mission

“This is exactly what the Lord called me to do.”

— Steve Adams | IBAM

How one unexpected journey confirmed a calling and laid the foundation for IBAM

This episode of the IBAM Biblical Podcast is not a teaching lesson, a framework, or a polished success story. It’s an origin story.

In June of 2007, Steve Adams took his first-ever business-focused mission trip. At the time, he didn’t yet know what IBAM would become. He didn’t have a system, a model, or even a clear name for what he was stepping into. What he had was a growing sense that God had been preparing him for something new—and that this trip mattered.

That first journey would eventually shape the vision, values, and structure of IBAM as it exists today. But at the moment it began, it felt uncertain, unfamiliar, and even intimidating.

This is the story of that first trip—and why it still matters.

A Background Shaped by Missions, But Not Like This

Before 2007, Steve already had exposure to missions. He had gone on three medical mission trips to Thailand in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Those trips were meaningful—but they were also highly organized and choreographed.

This new trip was different.

It was exploratory
It was unstructured
It focused on business, not medicine
And it required stepping into the unknown

Steve describes himself at that time as a “neophyte” and “naive baby missionary.” He was 43 years old, traveling alone, and doing something he had never done before.

There was no sense of control—only obedience.

Traveling Into Former Enemy Territory

The destination was southern Russia, specifically the city of Krasnodar near the Caucasus region. For Steve, this carried emotional weight.

He was born in the mid-1960s and grew up during the Cold War. In his childhood and young adult years, the Soviet Union was considered the mortal enemy of the United States. Russia was not just a foreign country—it was a place associated with fear and opposition.

When he arrived at the Vienna airport for his connecting flight, he passed through a long tunnel with a document check that felt like a “point of no return.” It was in that moment that the gravity of the trip hit him.

Despite the fear, he went forward.

Arrival, Grace, and an Unexpected Welcome

Steve arrived in Russia in the middle of the night. He was met by a missionary couple he knew from Wisconsin. The airport guards were exactly what he expected—stoic, expressionless, and intimidating.

Then something unexpected happened.

At passport control, a woman looked at him, smiled, asked no questions, and stamped his passport immediately. He was through in minutes—a process that normally took much longer.

For Steve, that moment felt like confirmation. God was already at work.

The Purpose of the Trip: Artur and Sergei

The purpose of the week was simple in theory.

Steve was there to spend time with two businessmen, Artur and Sergei, who owned a large home improvement store—similar in concept to a Home Depot, though smaller and specific to that country and era.

They were considering a major expansion and wanted input from an American businessman with experience in both banking and retail. At the time, Steve was a banker and also owned a small group of pet supply stores.

They wanted his perspective on risk, feasibility, and decision-making.

What Steve didn’t expect was how deeply their personal stories would shape his understanding of Business as Mission.

Who Artur and Sergei Really Were

At first glance, Artur and Sergei seemed unremarkable.

Artur appeared clean-cut, professional, and reserved
Sergei was larger, muscular, gruff, and emotionally expressive

Both men came from Muslim backgrounds, which was common in the Caucasus region.

Then Steve learned Artur’s full story.

Artur had once been a Russian mafia assassin.

During one assignment, he was preparing to assassinate a government official at the official’s daughter’s wedding. As he had the man in his sights, Artur heard God speak to him: “No, Artur. No. You’re mine.”

He stopped.

He put the gun away.

He cried out to God.

Soon after, an older man who had witnessed to him many times led him to Christ. Artur then went to his mafia bosses and told them they could kill him, but he was leaving.

They never touched him again.

For Steve, this was his first real encounter with Business as Mission lived out through radical transformation.

Former Enemies Sharing Meals and Dreams

Throughout the week, something deeply meaningful unfolded.

Three men—once shaped by opposing worldviews, national identities, and histories—shared meals, conversations, and dreams.

A Cold War American
Two Russian businessmen
Former enemies by history
Brothers in Christ by faith

They talked about business plans, families, leadership, and calling. It wasn’t a formal program. It was relationship.

Steve describes it as a beautiful thing.

A Business Decision That Became a Defining Moment

As the week progressed, Artur and Sergei shared more about their expansion plans. While reviewing them, Steve sensed something was off.

He shared a story from his banking career.

Years earlier, he had worked on a restaurant loan involving a successful family business that wanted to relocate and build a new facility. His supervisor pointed out a critical risk: the restaurant would have to double its business just to break even.

The advice was simple but profound:

Don’t bet the farm
Stay in the game long enough to learn
Avoid unnecessary risk

Steve shared this perspective with Artur and Sergei. They admitted they were not at peace about the expansion. After discussion, they decided not to move forward.

About a year later, the global financial crisis hit. Artur and Sergei later told Steve that the expansion would have taken them down.

This moment became foundational for how Steve thought about business, stewardship, and mission.

Reflection on Calling at 30,000 Feet

As Steve boarded his return flight from Krasnodar, he reflected deeply.

Years earlier, God had asked him to leave banking. That decision began his journey into entrepreneurship. Now, over a decade later, everything was coming into focus.

In that moment, Steve realized:

This was exactly what God had called him to do
Business was not separate from mission
His past experience had purpose

That first trip clarified the future.

The Early Years: Testing, Learning, and Adapting

After 2007, Steve continued exploring and refining the vision.

He met with mentors
He traveled to multiple countries
He tested different approaches

Early IBAM work involved traveling teams, in-person training, approving loans, and even physically carrying cash across borders. Systems were inconsistent. Tools varied. Lessons weren’t always consolidated.

But the learning was invaluable.

Steve estimates that well over 100 startups were launched during those early years.

A Major Shift During COVID

When COVID halted travel, IBAM was forced to adapt.

Everything moved online.

What they discovered surprised them: local partners could lead the process just as well—if not better—than visiting teams.

This led to the development of the master trainer model, where:

Local partners train entrepreneurs in their own culture
Loan funds are managed locally
IBAM provides guidance, consultation, and oversight

he core was no longer banking. The core was discipleship.

The Heart of IBAM’s Work

Steve is clear about what truly matters.

At the center of IBAM is:

The disciple-making entrepreneur
Solving local problems
Applying leadership within their own community
Multiplying impact through faith and business

Entrepreneurs already understand leadership and problem-solving. When equipped and discipled, they become catalysts for transformation far beyond what outside missions alone can accomplish.

From Banker to the World

Steve reflects on his journey with humility and gratitude.

What he learned in his 20s and 30s as a banker now serves entrepreneurs across the world. In his 60s, he’s passing those principles on to others.

And it all started with two men: Artur and Sergey.

They were IBAM’s first students.

Conclusion: Small Beginnings, Lasting Impact

This episode is not about strategy. It’s about obedience.

It’s a reminder that God often uses:

Unclear beginnings
Uncomfortable steps
Ordinary conversations

To shape something far greater than we can imagine.

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/SF164pTXqx4

👉 Join the mission atwww.ibam.org

All content in this article is drawn directly from EP 80 of the IBAM Biblical Podcast, including:

Steve Adams’ personal travel story (June 2007)
His background in medical missions and banking
The accounts of Artur and Sergei
The business expansion decision
Reflections on calling, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of IBAM
Descriptions of early IBAM work and the transition to the master trainer model

No external sources, interpretations, or additions were used beyond the transcript itself.