Doing Business with God

Doing Business with God

World Partners Foundation

352 Summer Ave.

Reading, MA 01867

USA

Stichting World Partners

Koningin Julianastraat 33

6668 AG Randwijk

The Netherlands

www.worldpartners.org

Doing Business With God

Copyright © 2022 by Hans Hamoen

First edition

ISBN 978 90 77992 968 (paperback)

ISBN 978 90 77992 975 (e-book)

Translation: Patty Law

Design: Route 5

Coverphoto: © Depositphotos

All rights reserved.

Printed in the Netherlands with Inside Out Publishers. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address Inside Out Publishers, PO Box 2573, 3800 GC Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

“The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

(2 CORINTHIANS 8:15)

Foreword

Many Christians know about Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby, and the spiritual heroes – Truett Cathy and David Green – who founded those companies. Probably fewer know that the idea of ‘Business as Mission’ has an even longer pedigree, dating all the way back to the time of Christ. Hans Hamoen’s book is a fun and readable introduction to that history which includes some current examples too.

I first met Hans at a conference over twenty years ago. At that time, he was one of a very small number of people who were not just talking about ‘business as mission,’ but speaking about it from personal experience. His initiation into BAM took place during the Cold War while doing business behind the Iron Curtain. Through those experiences – which are captured in his previous book And Nobody Knew – Hans witnessed God’s faithfulness and power countless times. It is fitting, then, that he should write a follow-up book that puts his personal experience of “Doing business with God” into broader historical context.

For those interested in the nuts and bolts of BAM, he also provides a helpful list of ten essentials, or “pillars,” of BAM which he learned from his experience both as a practitioner, and later as a mobilizer-equipper through World Partners. Whether you’re just beginning your BAM journey, or you work for a global network of BAM businesses, you’ll find valuable material in this book.

Steve Rundle, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics, Biola University, USA

Co-author of Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions

Recommendations

It is story time! Hans Hamoen has made a significant contribution to the literature in support of the BAM movement. Doing Business with God contains an innovative and inspiring blend of his personal journey in BAM with many enlightening historical stories of the Nestorians, Moravians, Basel Mission; and individuals such as Arthur Guiness, Hans Nielson Hauge, L.G. LeTourneau, and Bill Job. The reader comes away with a clear understanding of how business is a dynamic and God-inspired means for living like Jesus and “giving people hope”.

Larry W. Sharp, PhD

BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures

USA

Hans has combined his love of history with his practical experience in ‘Business as Mission’ (BAM) to provide an entertaining and educational read. This is not a book based on academic truisms, but on the real, practical experience of one of the great pioneers in the BAM movement. Anyone interested in BAM should read this book to give their work historical context and important practical insights.

Mark Polet,

Biologist at Environmental Technology Initiative

Canada

May I encourage you to go to your kitchen, make a long coffee, pull up a large chair and read this lovely book in one sitting. As you read you will start to experience “serendipity” as you uncover some real gems from the annals of Hans Hamoen and I guarantee that you will be blessed. As you turn over the pages through these stories you will bump into many happy, chance discoveries as the holy spirit reveals to you new happy discoveries. Come on this journey to the sawmills of Kalimantan along the trade routes from the east to the lowlands where Hans grew up. From the daisy pickers in eastern China to the fields of Iran he sheds light on the great ‘‘Business as Mission’’ pioneers through the centuries as he reminds us of his 10 pillars which are a great model for any would be BAMMER considering their calling to ‘Business as mission’. May your light continue to shine brightly Hans.

David Skews

CEO of Turn the Coin Ltd, Speaker and Trainer

United Kingdom

Want to be challenged to live outside the comfort zone of a well-off Christian lifestyle? Then this book will inspire you to become an influencer.

The testimony of Hans Hamoen is both impressive and authentic. In our now long journey fellowship I had the privilege to be part of his ministry, to experience some of his mission adventures live, the inspiring summit experiences with numerous people, communities and whole regions blessed by this ministry, but also the valleys in between with their challenges and accompanying symptoms. And it is precisely here that Hans has become a true role model for me, a modern-day hero of the faith, a motivator and enabler, often against inner and outer odds, faithfully following his calling.

Let yourself be carried along, get up and start your ‘‘Business as Mission’’!

Alexander Dappen

Associate Professor, Executive EES Tubingen

Board member Worldpartners from 2011-2016

Germany

Hans Hamoen is a pioneer in the ‘Business as Mission’ (BAM) movement. Hans the entrepreneur, founded a trading business then used it to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain, his passion grew to develop dozens of BAM businesses as a tool for sharing the Good News. Hans integrates his business experiences with his love and knowledge of Church history to present the story of God using businesspeople, over the centuries, as a tool to complete the Great Commission. I encourage you to read and enjoy this book!

Gary E. Venable

Entrepreneur business leader

Founder of All Systems and other companies

Investor and advisor to multiple BAM enterprises

USA

“From the Nestorians to the present, Hans Hamoen takes us on his and others journeys as followers of Jesus who practice and promote ‘Business As Mission’ (BAM). For anyone interested in or already involved in BAM, this book will be both an inspiration and a reminder of how to do business with God using business as a mission and with whom they can join or partner. Just like Hans, it’s precise and concise!”

Brian Sparks

COO IDH Capital

B4T.org Core Team

Switzerland

I met Hans Hamoen for the first time in 2016. He gave me his book, “And Nobody Knew... The secret World of Hans Hamoen, Businessman and Bible Smuggler”. This book tells his story about using his businessman identity to do miraculous things for God in restricted countries.

I am so glad to know his new book, “Doing Business with God”. It is not just about Inspiring stories of Hans, but his spiritual journey with God’s word to him: ‘Give people hope’ - to empower and raise people through business in underprivileged countries.

I wish this book can be translated into different languages and inspire like-minded businessmen all over the world.

Tony Yeung,

Founder and Chairman of Media-Go group of companies.

Hong Kong

Bringing Good News to the Dayaks in East Kalimantan, a view of the Heavenly Mountains, the Kersten Consortium, the mission of brewer Arthur Guinness, or the Life Motto of the ‘Banker of God’, Friedrich Raiffeisen − you can find it all in this beautifully written book. Together with the experiences of Hans Hamoen, who can tell with passion about his many encounters.

Jelle van Veen,

CEO - Dayseaday Group

The Netherlands

Preface

Although sometimes recognizable on their own, many facts and quotes have been intertwined with the text for a smoother reading. Where there seem to be misstatements or divergent interpretations, it is due to variations in source materials, where the facts of historical events evolved over time, competing with eyewitness accounts. Some persistent fables, on the other hand, have been exposed.

Difficult choices had to be made about which points were most relevant to include. Unexpected gems that were hardly mentioned or were absent from other accounts have been included here as anecdotal trivia. These treasures bring many people and events to life in surprising ways.

With two exceptions, all Bible references come from the New International Version.

Part I

Introduction

I am a businessman, an entrepreneur, and a traveler at heart. Even in the autumn of my life, this globetrotter just can’t stop! As a young boy, I was fascinated by the game of supply and demand, buying and selling, and all the associated logistics. I loved how the whole world is open to us, with every conceivable product or service. I have always seen that as a challenge that can bring out the best in a person, especially done with others. And if you do it for others, then the circle is complete — everyone benefits! As the Apostle Paul wrote: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little” (2 Corinthians 8:15).

Business isn’t just about making a profit. It’s also about what you do with your profit. Where do you draw the line between providing yourself with a comfortable life and helping other people, other communities, even other regions to achieve a better life? For those of us who feel called to work for social justice, we happily blur that line; it is a natural response to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a welcome chance to give back.

But how do you give this “hands and feet,” as a beginning or experienced entrepreneur? How do you combine your nose for business with witness and social justice? How can it become a natural way of operating? That is the heart of ‘Business as Mission’ (BAM), and this book is a practical tool for answering these questions.

The title, Doing Business with God, has a double meaning. It refers both to doing business under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and consulting God about the direction and challenges surrounding business projects — with the last word left to Him, since He sees all and knows more than we do. My fellow “BAMmer,” Bill Job, who I will introduce later, says that communicating with God carries many of the characteristics of a normal human relationship, but we must learn to hear Him.

Doing Business with God shows you, through real-life adventures, how BAM began, evolved, and continues today. Stories of legendary pioneers, such as Count von Zinzendorf, Arthur Guinness, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiﬀeisen, as well as contemporary entrepreneurs of faith, shed light on what business as mission requires, how it works, and how you can do it. Using practical examples of projects I have been involved with, you can begin to walk the path yourself, elevating your business to a greater purpose, that is a blessing to others.

Friends, when we seek to be a blessing with our business, we create the most sustainable operating profit possible: treasure in heaven, “where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

Hans Hamoen

Netherlands

2022

PROLOGUE

From Pews to Garden Tiles

[Solomon sent a message to Hiram, King of Tyre] “My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber… [Hiram replied] “I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food for my royal household.”

(1 KINGS 5:6-9)

What a beautiful day that Monday morning was. The already hot sun and clear blue sky promised a beautiful flight over East Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo. I was to fly from the port city of Balikpapan to the center of the jungle be resurrected. This would be my third visit to the jungle of the Mahakam River. The Mahakam is one of the largest rivers to run deep inland and, for the Dayak people who populated the area, it was their lifeline. The river provided them with water and fish, and it was their main supply and sell route.

“Pesawat terbang untuk Melak sudah siap,” sounded from the boarding counter. “Penumpang diminta naik. Passengers for...”

The plane was ready so we boarded. Expectant and excited as always, I made my way to the plane.

I groaned when I saw the plane, which had wings and a propeller but that was about it. I crammed in, together with a dozen strangers, but I couldn’t stuﬀ my long body into a seat. One of the two pilots knew what to do.

“If you take the front seat, you can put your legs between us!”

Above the Mahakam River (archive Hans Hamoen)

I groaned when I saw the plane, which had wings and a propeller but that was about it. I crammed in, together with a dozen strangers, but I couldn’t stuff my long body into a seat. One of the two pilots knew what to do.

“If you take the front seat, you can put your legs between us!” I didn’t like it but I had no choice. With a lot of rumble and roar we soon were in the air. This experience reminded me of other adventures I’d had…

Flying above Romania, the weather was so bad that the captain of the Antonov craft asked us passengers to report landmarks. “Sit by the portholes and tell me where we are. The radar’s down, so we are flying by sight.”

High in the air over Mexico we were being hit by lightning and started to fall for miles. The flight attendant and meal cart launched up the aisle, a passenger (who hadn’t fastened his seatbelt) slammed into the ceiling, and another raised to an uncomfortable level above the toilet — during the act!

On one flight to Dubai I actually wondered if my purpose on this earth had been fulfilled. I saw the plane shoot forward, the walls move, and the wings actually flap up and down.

On this particular flight to Melak, my feet were in between the instruction manuals and the flight data, the ones that the crew regularly consulted to stay on course. If I slid a little further down, I could take over the wheel with my feet.

I decided to focus my attention instead on the spectacular landscape we were passing over. Indonesia, with its mountain terraces, rice fields, and towering trees, enchanted me every time I visited. The name “Belt of Emerald” doesn’t begin to capture the breathtaking variations of green.

After about half an hour we approached the city of Samarinda for a stopover in order to drop oﬀ some people and pick up others. I stretched out and peered through the cockpit window.

“Where’s the runway?” I asked the pilot.

“There is none,” he replied laconically over his shoulder. “But there’s a grass field there where the people are. They’ve gotta move first.”

The plane’s landing must have been announced, because suddenly the people on the ground started scrambling to get out of the way. Soon my pilot delivered me and several local forest workers safely to Melak. From there I would complete the last leg in an all-terrain vehicle. It went a lot smoother than the first time I went to Talu. I remember two trainees from an agricultural college wailing when our truck got stuck in the middle of the jungle at night. I also recall the surprise satay an old woman brought us, like a ghost from within the trees. Jungle manna it was!