Testimonies

Bulawanong Adlaw BAM Philippines! Business As Mission (BAM) Philippines has impacted my life and my business (Golden Prince Hotel & Suites) in a way that it changed my perspective on how I viewed my work life and my church/spiritual life.

Before I heard of BAM Philippines, I always thought that my time spent at my workplace/business was separate to my time spent with my church family and friends on Sundays or midweek. I was invited to a short dinner meeting by Sister Angel Si back in August 2023 at LeMon Restaurant in Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, little did I know, that it would be the meeting that would set up BAM Phillippines Cebu to what it is today.

As I slowly join in the events organized by BAM Philippines Cebu and absorbed the Biblical messages shared by its speakers, I realized that God has placed me in a unique position to lead a business of about 100 employees, not for my own gain but to position the Hotel as a Mission Field for Christ. I may not be a pastor in a church but this business that He provided is the pulpit, and the employees and customers who visit us, are the congregation.

With this, I pray that God will allow me to continue to work with BAM Philippines to serve His Mission for my life here on Earth. Daghang Salamat!

My father passed away in 2017, leaving the family business in our hands. Since then, I’ve felt “unqualified” for the role. However, we committed the business to the Lord, recognizing Him as the true owner and seeking His guidance to honor Him. Our prayers were answered in 2021 when I was invited to an online Business As Mission fellowship, which led to Cebu’s first BAM Conference on May 6, 2022.

I was amazed to see so many Christian businessmen eager to honor God in their work. With the guidance of Bro Richard and Sis Cathy Tan, we started small fellowships, growing from 20 to around 70 participants. We’ve held about 6 fellowships and 2 conferences in just 2 years—praise God! In our family business, we intentionally pray with our workers, who now share personal prayer requests with us. While there are still areas needing His touch, I’m learning to move from feeling “unqualified” to being “undone” by Him. God is still at work in me, my family, and the business!

As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I embrace my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

We started our business to help the less fortunate, having come from humble beginnings. By God’s grace, we grew to supply both private companies and government offices. Despite being told that winning government contracts required connections and corruption, we refused to compromise our values.

After our first proposal was rejected, we held firm in our belief that God detests injustice. Trusting in His promise, we eventually won projects without bribes. When asked about our success, we said, “We don’t know anyone inside, but we have a divine connection.”

Last year, we learned about BAM through a friend. We were struggling after losing millions due to refusing corrupt practices. Before the conference, I prayed, asking if we could survive in business while maintaining righteousness. God answered us at BAM, showing us others who honor Him without compromise.

Hearing testimonies from successful leaders who prioritize integrity encouraged us deeply. We realized that God has reserved people who refuse to compromise, and we became more committed to serving Him, recognizing that our business belongs to Him.

Thank you to everyone involved in BAM for your leadership. We need guides who can help us run businesses by God’s principles. To God be the glory!

I was introduced to Business as Mission (BAM) by Brother Bertram Lim during a spiritual consultation. At that time, BAM was about to hold a conference, and I had never heard of it before. However, because I respect Brother Bertram, I decided to register, despite my initial hesitations about the cost and time. I invited a friend and our pastor to join me for support.

Our company has been around for about 40 years, long before I became a Christian 30 years ago. Previously, we focused solely on profit, often ignoring legal and moral concerns. After becoming a Christian, I struggled with the misalignment of our business practices with God’s desires. While my church offered guidance, it often lacked specific relevance to business.

I wish I had found BAM sooner, as it would have accelerated my learning. Gradually, we began adjusting our practices to honor the Lord, including having a pastor visit us weekly. Some employees have grown spiritually more than I have, highlighting my need for growth. When I attended the BAM conference last year, I had no expectations but left feeling inspired and challenged. We continue to align our practices with God’s will, which has been difficult, especially in areas like paying taxes—now at least three times more than before, a challenge for someone with my past. Although our business still has areas for improvement, I trust that, by God’s grace, we will progress.

BAM truly embodies God’s promise: “My plans are to benefit you, not to harm you, to give you hope.”

If I am a Christian business owner but I love money more than God, what will become of me? God said, “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but loses his soul?” You may have the world at your hand, but where is your soul?

God created us for a purpose — to spread the Gospel, thereby making Jesus known. But how, if what we are doing is contrary to His teaching?

BAM was used by God for me to see, with a 20-20 vision, His purpose in my life; that I can do more than meets the eyes. BAM allowed me to realize that my thoughts, words, and deeds must go hand-in-hand with what He wants me to accomplish, His way. After all, OUR BUSINESS IS HIS, NOT MINE.

Praise God for BAM.

Thank you Chair Richard and Sis Cathy. We pray that you reach more business owners and go full circle doing God’s business with a BANG, if I may say it.

In January 2023, Pastor Tony encouraged me to attend the BAM conference in October 2023. I thank the Lord for guiding me to obey, as it was through this conference that God prepared me for the trials of faith I recently faced. The conference served as a powerful reminder that God is the true owner of the universe, including the business He has entrusted me to manage, and I am merely His faithful steward. I was reminded to uphold righteousness in running His business, for He Himself is righteous.

In April and September 2024, I encountered two incidents where law enforcement officers attempted to extort me, falsely accusing my business of violating environmental laws. Living in a country ranked 115th out of 180 in the global corruption index, blackmail and bribery are sadly an open secret. Many business owners lack the courage to speak up against such extortion and choose the easier path of paying under-the-table money. Although initially, in both instances, the officers threatened me with severe penalties and even imprisonment if I did not comply, I firmly said no. Miraculously, my refusal left them speechless. They were shocked by my response and eventually let me go, not knowing what else to do or say.

Through this conference, God also confirmed His calling for me to pursue an aquaculture business. I now see that this venture fulfills the BAM 4 Ps: Purpose, Profit, People, and Planet. The BAM exposure and the trials I faced have made me realize that God is preparing me to help fellow Christian business people carry out His mission through the businesses He has entrusted to them.