EQUIPPING: The Ambassadors for Business Mission
The EQUIPPING acronym describes the mission of Ambassadors for Business. Each letter describes a key point in the journey to becoming an ambassador for Christ in the marketplace. Scripture passages, encouragement, and resources are woven into the letters of this acronym. Join us in the journey of living boldly for Christ each day!
ENGAGE:
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15
The starting point in becoming an ambassador for business is an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As ambassadors for Christ we engage with Christ in our own personal relationship first. We are then able to help other people engage more in their own relationship with Christ.
QUESTIONS:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Throughout life we encounter big questions we must ask and answer for ourselves:
- What is the purpose of life?
- Who am I and why am I here?
- Where did I come from and where am I going?
The answers to these questions create a foundation that guides us in all aspects of our personal and business lives.
UNDERSTANDING:
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!" - Philippians 1:21-22
IDENTITY:
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
When we understand that our identity is rooted in Jesus Christ, we become new in our thinking and motivation. This new identity releases us from our worldly chains of desire and establishes our focus on eternal things.
PRINCIPLES:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
Instead of following the ways of the world, Christians focus on the eternal. This guides us to build our foundation on biblical principles. Incorporating scripture reading into our daily routine provides a beneficial way to build our knowledge of biblical principles so we can live our lives based on truth each day.
Download the AFB Bible App provided by Back to the Bible for a simple way to keep equipping yourself with the true principles of scripture throughout the day.
PURPOSE:
"The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." - Proverbs 20:5
Knowing you have a God-given purpose in life and have been equipped with spiritual gifts is pivotal to becoming an ambassador for Christ. For many Christians, however, discovering how to apply these gifts can be a complex journey.
Here at Ambassadors for Business, we highly recommend the Life's Core Purpose assessment - the details can be found through the resources page on the Ambassadors for Business website.
INTEGRATE:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
Ambassadors for Christ in the marketplace encourage people to build a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ - this means building relationships that matter on a foundation of trust and respect. We earn the right to share our faith by genuinely caring about others as we live out God's call on our life.
NETWORK:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:18-20
How's that for the power of coming together? We display the power of the Holy Spirit when we meet over coffee, within small groups, or at large networking events. Our light shines as we gain confidence through our relationships and share Christ in all we do. This helps us grow our network and the network for the Kingdom of God.
GROW:
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
How are you equipping yourself for growth in all aspects of your life; body, mind, and spirit? Ambassadors for Business president, Bob Willbanks, share his own personal story of growth.
"Back in 2003 I was challenged by the pastor of our church to read the Bible in a year. I did and have never stopped. But here's the thing - it took nine years for the truth of the Bible to break through my stubborn nature. That was the day I gave my idol - alcohol - to God. The result has been a wild ride leading me to this ministry and encouraging others to walk boldly in faith throughout the week. My spiritual growth started in the Word of God and the challenge one brave man set before me to read it in a year. If you have never done it, I challenge you now - download one of the many Bible Apps that contain reading programs and stick with it. You'll never be the same..."
EQUIPPING:
We pray this acronym and the corresponding Bible passages guide and encourage you to spread the absolute truth of scripture to those you interact with in the marketplace!
(This article was complied and edited from newsletter notes by Bob Willbanks).