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| Meet the Business Men's Fellowship |
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| Business Men's Fellowship USA - The National Organization |
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The Business Men’s Fellowship is a non-profit member-based organization of Christian men in business. We are men whose lives have been transformed through relationship with Jesus Christ. We understand the pressures of the marketplace and what they can do to a man, his family, and his business. We've come from all walks of life and backgrounds, with a myriad of life experiences. But, we share one common thread: relationship with a living Savior. We have discovered the peace that Jesus promised to us even in the midst of difficulties.
Most people forget that Jesus was a businessman, a Carpenter. He understands the stresses and obstacles we face in the marketplace on a daily basis. So, yes, God really cares about you, as a man, and your business!
Our goal is to penetrate the marketplace with that knowledge. The place of action to fulfill this vision is the local chapter where testimonies of businessmen present the path for men in business to choose to live a Spirit-directed life through Jesus Christ.
Business Men’s Fellowship USA is an organization of men in business answering the challenge of the Great Commission of Jesus. Together, we can change the culture of the American marketplace.
At the local level, members elect leadership from chapter officers to National Directors. Though each chapter operates independently, chapters fall under the leadership umbrella of the National Organization. Our National Service Center is located in Oakland, CA.
Twelve elected men sit on BMF's National Board of Directors. BMF also has a Spiritual Advisory Board.
Responsibilities of the Business Men’s Fellowship National Organization:
The responsibilities of BMFUSA include:
- Operating National Service Centers to respond to the needs of BMF members and chapters
- Creating publications and tools for use by the local chapter and members,
- Serving as an umbrella of leadership to local chapters. National leadership is elected by local representatives at an annual meeting.
- Convening as a Board to provide direction and a roadmap for chapters to follow.
The national organization recognizes that each chapter of Business Men’s Fellowship is unique. The men of BMF understand that different localities have different preferences and needs. BMFUSA has developed operational guides, each offering a unified direction for the organization. The operational guides allow enough room for chapters to run meetings based on their unique combination of membership, culture, and business community.
Financial Accountability
BMF is a non-profit organization and a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability. Visit www.ecfa.org for information on the practices followed by BMFUSA.
BMFUSA’s National operating expenses consume less than 10% of our annual revenue. Responsible spending has allowed BMF to develop new materials and programs for its members and chapters. The National organization is funded through membership fees and the ongoing contributions of members and supporters.
Members are able to make tax-deductible donations to both the National organization and the local chapter. Many chapters and members contribute on a regular basis to the national outreach fund to advance the work of BMF.
ECFA - Applying a Higher Standard - Serving a Higher Purpose
| Business Men's Fellowship - Local Organizations & Meetings |
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The national organization recognizes that each chapter of Business Men’s Fellowship is unique. The men of BMF understand that different localities have different preferences and needs. BMFUSA has developed operational guides, each offering a unified direction for the organization. The operational guides allow enough room for chapters to run meetings based on their unique combination of membership, culture, and business community.
The local chapter operates its finances independently of the national organization. When a new chapter is created, the BMF National Service Center assists the local leadership in completing the requirements for their chapter to be certified under the umbrella of the BMFUSA’s 501(C-3) non-profit organization.
Our Vision Statement: The men of the Business Men’s Fellowship are changing the culture of the marketplace by impacting men for Christ, empowering them with God’s Spirit, and dedicating their lives and resources to bring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world.
The Business Men’s Fellowship is a member-based non-profit organization. Our vision and purpose are funded through membership commitments and the ongoing financial contributions of members and friends.
BMF’s financial and accounting practices are reviewed annually by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). The administrative operating expenses of BMF account for less than 7% of our annual income.
Your trusted membership investment will enable the continued development and production of materials to fulfill the command Jesus gave each of us in the Great Commission.
Your additional monthly giving, along with the investments of others, will continue our efforts to bring Christ to the business communities of our nation.
Standard Membership:
$10.00 monthly via credit card ($120 annually) or a single charge of $120.
Contributing Membership for the Retired:
$50.00 annually - for members on fixed income
| Changing the Culture of the Marketplace |
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The men of BMF are also involved in other activities that are changing the culture of the marketplace. Some sponsor highly successful golf tournaments to benefit other ministries or programs. Others sponsor sports programs to benefit youth organizations. Most often, the meal speaker is a professional athlete who tells the story of his relationship with Jesus.
Some chapter members visit nursing and retirement home residents on a regular basis, letting them know that God has not forgotten them in their final years of life.
Just as dedicated, are the BMF members who regularly visit local correctional facilities, bringing inmates the good news and opportunity for change through Jesus.
| BMF Members & Their Local Churches |
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We encourage our members to support and attend the local church of their choice. Many of our members serve as board members, elders, and leaders supporting the work of the church we attend. BMF members envision the growth of the local church coming through their BMF evangelism efforts.
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The Business Men’s Fellowship together with the local Church...
Obeying
the Great Commission
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The outreach efforts of the local church:
The Business Men’s Fellowship is called to mobilize and equip Christian businessmen who desire to reach their peers in business with the salvation of Christ. BMF is not called to manage or operate a local church men’s ministry. However, because BMF members are local church members, they have a sense of responsibility to transfer the heart of marketplace evangelism to other Christian businessmen. With that in mind, BMF has created a resource package the businessmen of the local church can use to establish a BMF Chapter.
Will the local church have any responsibilities to BMFUSA?
Should businessmen from a local church men’s group decide to start a BMF chapter, the church itself has no financial commitment or responsibility to BMFUSA. Our single call is to equip Christian businessmen to bring the salvation of Jesus Christ to our nation’s business communities.
In September 1995, a number of Christian men from across the USA came together in Kansas City, Missouri to discuss and explore marketplace ministry. They all carried the vision for an organization that could not only bring Christian businessmen together, but could also provide a setting that could reach out to others. It was at these meetings that Business Men’s Fellowship USA was birthed.
The following year saw BMF expand into an international organization.
Today, BMFUSA numbers over 150 chapters and growing. BMF chapters span the globe--in Canada, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, the Far East, and Africa.
On March 24, 2006, Wendell Nordby began serving as President of BMFUSA. Wendell had retired from the leadership of a large construction firm which he founded. He has also served as an ambassador, representing BMFUSA at meetings with leadership of Business Men's Fellowship International and other marketplace ministries.
Board
Ronny Svenhard, Chairman
Wendell Nordby, President
Charles Fuller, Vice President
Chris Davis, Treasurer
Louie Schrimsher, Secretary
Jack Cole
Chuck Damato
Bill Keith
Tom Kovacs
Mark Miller
Gary Passero
Dario Rabak
Staff
Dian Scott, Director of Administration
William Potter, Central USA Service Center
C.F. "Buz" Swyers Director of Media
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