By Brooke Helder, GACX Content Creator
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
Global Advance was founded in 1990 by David Shibley, focusing on pastoral leadership training, church planting, mobilization, and evangelization in developing nations. In 2004, Global Advance launched its Marketplace Missions initiative, equipping Christian entrepreneurs and business professionals worldwide to become catalysts for fulfilling the Great Commission.
In addition to its marketplace mission, Global Advance has a NextGen ministry and the Esther ministry, equipping and mobilizing women leaders internationally.
Global Advance builds Collaborative Kingdom Coalitions, groups of catalytic national leaders working together in evangelistic outreach. Global Advance puts a vision in the hearts and tools in the hands of these changemakers to implement culturally effective, Gospel-advancing strategies in 12 nations in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Global Advance collaborates with GACX member organizations, Discipling Marketplace Leaders (DML), and Activate Global. The three organizations connected through a GACX Forum. Global Advance had leaders from their Kingdom Coalitions wanting to start businesses, and DML conducts business training through the local church. Together they launched business training programs in India and are exploring additional options in Africa.
Director of Marketplace Missions & Empowerment Doug Mann states, “It was just like baking a cake. You get all the ingredients together, and it works.”
Global Advance also works closely with Activate Global, specifically in Pakistan. Due to turmoil and unrest in Pakistan, Global Advance was hitting roadblocks in fulfilling its training goals. By partnering with Activate Global, the two organizations launched business training programs in the remote villages of Pakistan and created small businesses through micro-lending programs.
“It was rubbing shoulders with like-minded people that got us interacting and pursuing our ideas, not just doing things ourselves, but working together. We all have the same goals and objectives, which started countless ministry opportunities for us internationally,” reflects Mann.
One practical outcome of these collaborations is its force-multiplying effect on Global Advance launching Kingdom Business Networks (KBN) worldwide. KBNs are groups of men and women business leaders that come together for community, collaboration, biblical training, and mentorship, equipping them to work, produce, and influence others for God’s glory. Together, these business leaders are making plans and strategies for how they, as a group, can impact their communities and nations in the name of Jesus.
Mann concludes, “One of the reasons we like networking through GACX is because we’ve seen the outcomes. By working with other GACX members, we’ve engaged more people in marketplace ministry and expanded our reach for the Kingdom.”