IBAM- International Business As Mission Biblical Entrepreneurship

IBAM- International Business As Mission
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Welcome to the IBAM Biblical Entrepreneurship Show with your host, Steve Adams. This weekly show inspires and equips Christian entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that honor God and uplift impoverished communities. Join Steve for solo episodes and expert interviews as we advance the Great Commission by sharing insights, mentorship, and real-life stories of how biblical entrepreneurship is transforming lives and spreading the Gospel globally. Get ready to be inspired and empowered!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Donate to the IBAM mission here- https://www.ibam.org

  1. 3d ago

    EP 113: God’s Blueprint for Building a Business

    Can business success and wholehearted faith really belong together? In this episode, Tom Carter talks with entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and King’s Council founder Rylee Meek about his journey from pursuing financial success to building businesses from a biblical worldview. Rylee shares how, by 2019, he had reached what felt like the financial pinnacle of his companies while feeling spiritually bankrupt and deeply unfulfilled. That season forced him to wrestle with a question that had followed him for years: Could he be successful and still be a good Christian? His search took him back to Scripture, including Joshua 1:8, and ultimately helped shape the King’s Council, a ministry focused on discipling entrepreneurs through a biblical framework. Rylee also walks through the business framework he sees in the Genesis creation account—from vision and atmosphere to structure, order, momentum, multiplication, dominion, and Sabbath. He explains how entrepreneurs can use that framework to identify where their businesses may be out of alignment. The conversation also explores fear, indecision, wise counsel, and the difference between constantly asking God for clarity and having faith to take the next step. As Rylee puts it, “God blesses our footprints, not our butt prints.” If you are an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone considering stepping into business, this conversation offers a challenging look at what it means to pursue excellence, steward your gifts, and bring Kingdom culture into your work. 00:00 Introduction01:22 Riley Meek's Journey05:38 Discovering Purpose09:58 Impactful Business13:05 Framework for Success22:00 Practical Advice24:15 King's Council26:07 Conclusion 5 Key Takeaways 1. Financial success does not automatically produce fulfillment. Rylee describes reaching a financial high point in 2019 while feeling spiritually bankrupt and asking whether that was really what life was about. 2. Scripture can shape the way entrepreneurs build. Rylee says studying Joshua 1:8 and the Bible for himself changed how he viewed success, business, and stewardship. 3. Genesis provides a framework Rylee applies to business. He connects creation with vision, atmosphere, structure, order, momentum, multiplication and dominion, and Sabbath. 4. Fear can keep entrepreneurs trapped in indecision. Rylee encourages seeking counsel and wisdom while refusing to stay stuck on what he calls “the fence of indecision.” 5. Faith does not always come with complete clarity. Rylee explains that his prayer shifted from asking God for constant clarity to asking for faith to move in a direction while trusting God with the outcome. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/gNSrYDGGn5I Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 113: God’s Blueprint for Building a Business

  2. Aug 31

    EP 112: From Quiet Faith to Bold Kingdom Leadership

    What happens when faith stops being something you practice only on Sunday and becomes part of how you lead, work, and serve every day? In this episode, Tom Carter speaks with Michelle Schaffer, founder of Kingdom Alliance, author, speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur, about bringing Christ boldly into the marketplace and using business as an opportunity for discipleship. Michelle shares her journey from keeping her faith relatively quiet in her early career to building a faith-centered community focused on personal development, professional growth, leadership, and discipleship. She explains why she believes business can reach people who may never walk into a church or attend a Bible study—and why the way believers lead can give others an opportunity to encounter Christ. Michelle also opens up about the structure behind her academies, including studying Scripture, weekly activations, accountability, engagement, biblical affirmations, and putting what participants learn into action. She shares the remarkable transformation of one reluctant participant whose life changed through the discipleship experience. The conversation also explores Kingdom identity, leadership modeled after Jesus, pursuing wisdom and excellence, overcoming complacency, and using your voice in a way that encourages others to use theirs. For Michelle, the goal isn't simply to create people who receive information. It's to develop people who activate what they learn—and ultimately become disciples who raise up disciples. 00:00 Introduction00:36 Meet Michelle Schaefer02:27 Michelle's Story11:58 Discipleship Success19:48 Michelle's Books22:51 Practical Tips26:52 Global Impact30:16 Conclusion Five Key Takeaways 1. Business can become an opportunity for discipleship. Michelle believes people who may never enter a church or Bible study may still interact with believers through business—and can encounter Christ through those relationships. 2. Faith is meant to move from information to action. Her discipleship approach combines studying Scripture with activations, accountability, engagement, workbooks, and biblical affirmations. 3. Leadership should point back to Jesus. Michelle says everything in her programs models the leadership of Jesus and continually turns participants back to the Word of God. 4. Kingdom identity can influence every area of life. She describes seeing participants change careers, start businesses and ministries, improve relationships, increase income, and reconsider where God was calling them to focus. 5. Believers should resist complacency. Michelle encourages Christian business leaders to keep learning, pursue wisdom and excellence, actively pursue Christ, find a community that pushes them forward, and live their faith beyond simply showing up at church. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/1YUF-UwIZEw Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 112: From Quiet Faith to Bold Kingdom Leadership

  3. Aug 24

    EP 111: How Adversity Can Lead You Into Your Calling

    What happens when following God means walking away from everything familiar and starting again with almost nothing? In this episode, Steve Adams sits down with author, redemption speaker, and transformational storyteller Selvin Hicks to hear a remarkable story of adversity, faith, business, and purpose. Selvin shares openly about being arrested 19 times, carrying 12 felonies and five misdemeanors, and spending much of his twenties working in the secular entertainment industry. Then his life began to change. After stepping away from his businesses and spending months seeking God, Selvin felt led to leave Atlanta and move to Tampa—with just $199 to his name. Now, while rebuilding his life and business, Selvin is serving people experiencing homelessness through food and clothing campaigns and using his entrepreneurial work to support that mission. Steve and Selvin explore how business can disciple us, why difficult seasons can break pride and deepen faith, and how adversity can help remove the masks that keep us from living authentically. Selvin also explains the principles behind discovering your true North Star, removing the mask, and aligning purpose with action. For entrepreneurs walking through uncertainty, Selvin leaves one clear encouragement: pray your way through it. Keep God at the center when you make the plan, when you launch, and when the hard seasons arrive. 00:00 Introduction00:48 Inspiring Stories01:11 Selvin Hicks' Journey03:22 Personal Transformation06:27 Finding Purpose14:11 Challenges and Faith24:01 Coaching and Guidance27:23 Conclusion 5 Key Takeaways Adversity can become preparation for purpose. Selvin views much of what he experienced earlier in life as preparation for what he is walking into now. Business can disciple you. Selvin says the harshness he experienced in business created a longing for something more and ultimately pointed him toward God. Removing the mask is part of discovering your calling. Selvin explains that you have to move beyond the facade and become honest about who you actually are before identifying your true North Star. Knowing where you are going changes everyday decisions. A clear guiding direction makes it easier to determine whether individual choices align with the person you are striving to become. Prayer belongs at every stage of entrepreneurship. Selvin encourages believers to pray before making plans, while building their businesses, and throughout difficult seasons—not merely after trouble arrives. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/9eSDwqWrM5E Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 111: How Adversity Can Lead You Into Your Calling

  4. Aug 17

    EP 110: Faith, Business, and the Fight Against Chaos

    What if the way you run your business could create opportunities for conversations that go far beyond business? In this episode, Tom Carter speaks with Scott Beebe, founder and head coach of Business on Purpose, about building businesses around biblical principles while helping owners move from chaos toward greater clarity and purpose. Scott shares the four foundational areas his team focuses on with business owners: purpose, people, process, and profit. He explains why these four areas can either become cornerstones of a healthy business or sources of pain when they are neglected. One of Scott's central ideas is simple: “Your process is your product.” Products can look similar from one company to another, but the process through which they are delivered can become a meaningful differentiator. The conversation also explores vision, mission, unique core values, the difference between principle-based and strategy-based leadership, and Scott's own journey through seminary, sales, pastoral ministry, nonprofit work in Nigeria, and eventually business coaching. Scott also shares a powerful story of a successful business owner who admitted, “I've got everything I've ever wanted and I could not be more unsatisfied.” Years of excellent coaching created the trust that opened the door to a deeper conversation about Jesus. You'll also hear Scott's perspective on profit, generosity, scaling a coaching business, the challenges of people and money, spiritual disciplines, and removing technological distractions so leaders can make space for quietness and walking with Jesus. 00:00 Introduction00:48 Kingdom Impact01:36 Guest Scott Beebe04:18 Empowering Businesses06:00 Business Story08:46 Business & Faith13:06 Core Values24:54 Distraction & Focus26:08 Get in Touch27:32 Conclusion 5 Key Takeaways 1. Your process can become your differentiator. Scott argues that in many businesses the product itself may be a commodity. What differentiates the business is the process through which that product or service is delivered. 2. Purpose, people, process, and profit are foundational. Scott describes these as the “four Ps.” They can function as foundational cornerstones—or become four areas of pain when they are not intentionally developed. 3. Build from enduring principles, not only changing strategies. Strategies can change as circumstances and innovation change. Scott emphasizes grounding business leadership in principles drawn from God's Word. 4. Excellent work can earn the opportunity for deeper conversations. Scott's story about one of his team's clients illustrates how years of being a “world class coach” created enough trust for a two-hour conversation about the gospel. 5. Faith and business cannot be completely separated. Scott says life and business “necessarily intersect.” What happens at home follows us into work, and what happens at work follows us home—making spiritual disciplines, quietness, and time with God's Word especially important. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/wRvBbiXwS-0 Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 110: Faith, Business, and the Fight Against Chaos

  5. Aug 10

    EP 109: Your Story Is Bigger Than You

    What if the story you have been holding back is exactly what someone else needs to hear? In this episode, Devin Shubert shares how an unexpected experience involving Willie Robertson became a powerful confirmation of his calling, his approach to influence, and the reason he believes entrepreneurs need to stop hiding their stories. Devin introduces the SOS Method: Social Media, Opportunities, and Stages—a simple approach to becoming more visible, building meaningful relationships, and getting your message in front of more people. For social media, he breaks the strategy down even further with the ABCs: Attention, Beliefs, and Call to Action. Get people’s attention. Be bold enough to shift beliefs. Then clearly tell people what to do next. But influence is not only about attracting customers. Devin explains why people who never buy from you can still become dedicated followers, advocates, referral partners, collaborators, and connections who open unexpected doors. His challenge is to prioritize relationships over busy work and recognize the opportunities already around you. He also shares what entrepreneurs need when they want to take their message to bigger stages, including a clear niche, a signature framework or talk, a place of influence, and speaker or media materials. The episode closes with Devin’s deeply personal story of nearly losing his life, the moment he believes Jesus told him he still had a story to tell, and the mission that followed. His challenge is simple: Stop hiding. Start sharing. Don’t take your story to the grave with you. 00:00 Welcome & Introduction01:15 Inspiration & Achievement04:14 Adoption Story09:30 SOS Method17:13 Power of Story26:29 Voice & Influence35:21 Legacy & Mission36:11 Conclusion 5 Key Takeaways 1. Your Presence Online Should Match Your Calling Offline Social media is a place to intentionally share your message, story, and business. Devin challenges listeners to stop posting simply for likes and start posting for legacy. 2. Use the ABCs of Social Media Devin’s framework is simple: A — Attention: Give people a reason to stop and notice you. B — Beliefs: Be bold enough to shift what people believe. C — Call to Action: Give people a clear next step. 3. You Don’t Need More Followers—You Need the Right Relationships Not everyone who connects with you will become a customer. They may instead become an advocate, referral partner, collaborator, supporter, or someone who introduces you to another opportunity. 4. Take Your Story to Stages Stages can include podcasts, summits, panels, virtual stages, and physical stages. Devin encourages people to prepare their message so they are ready when opportunities appear. 5. Your Story Is Not Just About You Devin’s closing message is that your story can meet someone else’s need. His challenge is to stop hiding what you have lived through and start sharing it with the people who need to hear it. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/52C23g5HT4A Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 109: Your Story Is Bigger Than You

  6. Aug 3

    EP 108: Is It Biblical to Build Wealth?

    Is building wealth compatible with faithful Christian living? In this episode, David and Jason Benham explore what the Bible says about wealth, work, multiplication, and Kingdom impact. They explain that wealth is not the problem. The deeper issue is our motivation for gaining it and our intention for using it. Drawing from Scripture, they outline three biblical aspects of wealth: the reason, the requirement, and the reward. The reason is to provide for family and future generations while promoting God’s Kingdom agenda. The requirement is faithfulness, which they describe as multiplication. The reward is income, inheritance, and influence. The brothers also challenge the divide between sacred and secular work. They share how they came to understand that believers in the workplace are ministers right where they are, are already on mission, and can view their work as worship. Using the image of a bucket and a river, they distinguish riches from wealth and explain why they pursued both business growth and investment income. They also recount the loss of their HGTV show and the moment they realized a promised platform had become more important than the One who gave it. Through business success, public opposition, fear, repentance, and renewed courage, their message remains clear: believers were made for impact. Income is not the final goal. It is a resource that can be leveraged to provide, promote, multiply, and advance truth in every area of life with boldness today. 00:00 Introduction01:03 Wealth & Kingdom06:49 Cultivating Resources10:06 Rewards of Wealth19:38 Mission & Ministry30:58 Stand Boldly31:55 Conclusion 5 Key Takeaways 1. Wealth Is a Resource, Not the Source The Benham brothers define wealth as a financial resource that gives people options. God remains the source, while resources can be cultivated and used to provide for others and promote His Kingdom agenda. 2. The Reason for Wealth Is to Provide and Promote Biblical wealth has two purposes: providing for your family and future generations, and promoting God’s Kingdom agenda on the earth. When impact is absent, income can easily become an idol. 3. Faithfulness Means Multiplication Using the parables of the talents, David and Jason argue that faithfulness is not merely maintaining what has been entrusted to you. Faithfulness involves multiplying spiritual and financial resources. 4. Your Workplace Can Be Your Ministry Believers do not need a traditional ministry position to be in full-time ministry. They are ministers where they are, they are on mission, and their work can become worship. 5. Kingdom Impact Requires Courage Kingdom impact involves a collision between opposing forces. Believers should not shrink back to protect income, influence, or platforms. They are called to move forward by faith, stand for truth, and use what they have been given for impact. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/o-aNZtvT2WM Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 108: Is It Biblical to Build Wealth?

  7. Jul 27

    EP 107: How to Lead as a Kingdom CEO

    What does it mean to lead a business as a Kingdom CEO? In this episode, business and podcasting coach Stephanie Gass shares how she moved from hustle, striving, and trying to build what she thought would succeed to operating in partnership with God. Drawing from 15 years as a full-time entrepreneur, she explains why God—not the business owner—is the true CEO and why major decisions should begin with prayer, stillness, and the question, “Lord, what would You have me do?” Stephanie organizes the conversation around three key practices: surrender, speak, and steward. Surrender means committing plans to God and refusing to carry the weight of business or ministry alone. Speak means recognizing that your voice is part of your assignment, whether you communicate through a podcast, a book, a training, or a room. Stephanie also shares how starting a podcast with simple equipment helped her reach more people in less time than years of short-form social media effort. Stewardship extends beyond money. It includes time, energy, family, health, boundaries, rest, and the capacity to serve well. Stephanie encourages Kingdom leaders to build rhythms of rest, work, and worship, and to plan their week around God first, family second, and business third. This episode is an invitation to stop striving, stop hiding, and stop burning out. Instead, lead with surrender, use your voice boldly, and steward what God has entrusted to you with wisdom, obedience, and trust, so work remains sustainable, peaceful, and aligned with the calling God has given you. 00:00 Introduction00:57 Meet Stephanie03:07 Operating as CEO06:10 Surrendering to God09:07 Speaking Boldly14:56 Stewardship Talk19:08 Final Thoughts 5 Key Takeaways 1. God Is the True CEO Kingdom leaders may carry important titles, but God remains the ultimate authority. Before making major business, hiring, ministry, or leadership decisions, bring the plan to Him, become quiet, listen, and ask: “Lord, what would You have me do?” 2. Surrender Makes the Burden Lighter Business and ministry become heavy when leaders try to carry everything alone. Surrender means actively partnering with God, committing plans to Him, and trusting Him to establish the way forward. 3. Your Voice Is Your Assignment Whether you speak through a podcast, a book, a virtual training, an in-person room, or written content, you are called not to hide. Fear, comparison, and concern about what others think should not stop you from sharing the message God has given you. 4. Long-Form Content Can Create Sustainable Impact Stephanie explains that podcasting allowed her to reach more people while spending less time than she had spent producing short-form social media content. A growing library of long-form episodes can build trust, generate leads, and continue reaching people in the future. 5. Stewardship Includes Your Whole Life Stewardship is not limited to finances. Kingdom CEOs must also steward their time, energy, health, family, rest, boundaries, and capacity. Sustainable leadership follows a rhythm of rest, work, and worship—and plans around God first, family second, and business third. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/JGWPtrDpivo Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 107: How to Lead as a Kingdom CEO

  8. Jul 20

    EP 106: From Near Shutdown to Industry Leader

    John’s business journey did not begin with momentum, polished systems, or a clear strategic roadmap. It began with broken equipment, leaking roofs, outdated operations, regulatory pressure, and a company that was barely surviving. In this conversation, John shares how military discipline, perseverance, prayer, mentors, and a commitment to integrity helped him lead the family business through years of uncertainty. What started as one of the smallest companies in its category eventually became the largest, serving major retailers and earning vendor recognition. But this episode is about more than growth. John and Steve explore what it means to put faith into action, lead with excellence, care for employees, choose the right people, and continue doing the right thing even when others appear to prosper by compromising. John also reflects on the mentors who helped him avoid unnecessary mistakes, the responsibility he felt toward employees and suppliers, and the role Psalms and Proverbs played in keeping him grounded during difficult seasons. The conversation closes with a powerful reminder for Christian leaders: success does not remove struggle. Leaders still have to get up, press forward, and depend on God every day. John’s challenge is simple and practical: put your faith into action, talk less, do more, and never give in. 00:00 Introduction01:01 John's Faith Journey03:01 Family and Faith04:20 Military Career09:58 Business Struggles14:04 Keys to Success21:04 Balancing Family27:33 Excellence and Faith32:57 Business Growth40:16 Transition and Legacy49:50 Encouragement Five Key Takeaways 1. Perseverance often matters more than appearance or natural advantage John did not see himself as the strongest or most obvious candidate during military training, but he refused to quit. That same perseverance carried into business. 2. The right mentors can shorten the learning curve Retired industry professionals helped John identify practical improvements and avoid mistakes they had already experienced. 3. Faith should become visible through action Core beliefs have little value if they never affect decisions, leadership, integrity, or the way people are treated. 4. A company reflects the standards of its leader When leaders compromise, others often follow. When leaders pursue excellence and consistency, they set the tone for the organization. 5. Finishing strong requires continued dependence on God John does not present himself as someone who has mastered every challenge. His message is to keep pressing forward, get up after failure, and continue putting faith into action. Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/L84hKxup4z4 Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org

    EP 106: From Near Shutdown to Industry Leader
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About

Welcome to the IBAM Biblical Entrepreneurship Show with your host, Steve Adams. This weekly show inspires and equips Christian entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that honor God and uplift impoverished communities. Join Steve for solo episodes and expert interviews as we advance the Great Commission by sharing insights, mentorship, and real-life stories of how biblical entrepreneurship is transforming lives and spreading the Gospel globally. Get ready to be inspired and empowered!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Donate to the IBAM mission here- https://www.ibam.org

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