Have you ever felt unsure about how to connect with people in the business world? Maybe you’ve been in a conversation with a business leader and wondered, “How do I explain what I do in a way that resonates with them?”
As missionaries, many of us face this challenge. We’re passionate about the mission field and committed to our calling, but when it comes to engaging with business leaders, we can feel out of place. Sometimes, building relationships with people in the business world feels intimidating. It can feel like we’re speaking two entirely different languages.
But the truth is that we share more in common than we might think. Just like us, business leaders are often driven by a sense of purpose, values, and vision. So how do we, as missionaries, engage them meaningfully? How do we bridge that gap? How do we build relationships that not only feel genuine but also open doors for deeper partnerships we may not have expected?
In a recent interview with Lee Domingue, founder of Kingdom Builders, Lee shared principles every missionary can use to make fruitful connections with business leaders that are mutually enriching, helping us reach the world for Jesus working together as partners in Christ.
1. Understand Their World
We know what it’s like to be immersed in our mission, fully invested in the communities we serve. But in the same way that we expect others to try to understand our work, we also need to take time to understand the world of business leaders. This begins with learning what drives them—understanding their goals, their language, and the challenges they face.
Business leaders are often navigating high-stakes environments, and their decisions can impact thousands of employees and customers. They deal with profit margins, market trends, and organizational growth; we deal with the needs of the people we serve. By investing time in understanding their context, we create a bridge of mutual respect.
Instead of jumping right in to explaining our vision or present our fundraising need, let’s first take the time to listen. Let’s listen to their stories, learn about their day-to-day realities, and show genuine interest in what they do. This effort will demonstrate that we’re not just seeking financial support, but we value them as partners in the broader mission of bringing God’s hope to the world.
2. Focus on Shared Values
When we look closely, we’ll often find that business leaders and missionaries share many of the same core values. Hard work, stewardship, leadership, and creating positive change in the world are values that we both hold dearly. As missionaries, our task is to highlight these shared values in our conversations with business leaders.
One key to building relationships is to frame our mission in ways that resonate with their values. Christian business leaders so often want to be part of something bigger than themselves––something that aligns with their vision for the world, makes an eternal impact, and leaves a legacy. When we explain how our work is accomplishing or has the potential to accomplish those goals, we can connect on a deeper level.
Let’s take, for example, a business person who is passionate about investing in people’s souls and in creating a sustainable financial future for their family. If our mission involves helping local entrepreneurs start businesses and introducing them to Jesus, we can show them how investing in our work aligns with their values. We can paint the picture of how their involvement can create lasting impact not only in a financial sense but in the spiritual and social well-being of their families and community.
3. Be Clear About Our Vision and Impact
One of the most important things we can do when connecting with business leaders is to communicate our mission’s vision and the impact we’re making. Business leaders are used to making data-driven decisions. They need to see the value and the return on investment, even in mission work.
This doesn’t mean we have to reduce our calling to cold, hard numbers. Rather, it means we should clearly articulate the tangible impact of our ministry. We’ve all seen the incredible ways that God moves in the places we serve—lives transformed, communities revitalized, hope restored. These are the stories we need to share. Let’s talk about the families who have been fed, the churches that have been planted, the youth who are finding hope. When we make our vision concrete and our impact clear, we give business leaders something they can stand behind.
We can also provide transparency in how resources are used. Business leaders appreciate accountability, and when they know their investment is making a difference, it builds trust. We can create reports, newsletters, or even short videos that visually show the impact their partnership is having.
4. Build Authentic Relationships
In the mission field, relationships are everything. Whether we’re building trust with a new community or discipling a young believer, authentic relationships take time and intentionality. The same is true when building connections with business leaders.
We should approach these relationships with the same heart we bring to any of our other ministry work—servant-hearted, genuine, and focused on the long term. It’s not about making a quick pitch and moving on. It’s about walking alongside them, listening to their insights, and sharing our heart for the work God has called us to do.
Over time, as these relationships deepen, they can grow into true partnerships where both sides are contributing to Kingdom work. A business leader might initially help financially, but as trust grows, they might offer their expertise, connections, or even come alongside us in prayer.
5. Be Bold in Our Ask, but Sensitive in Our Approach
We know that God is our ultimate provider, and often He uses people to supply what we need to continue the mission. When the time comes to ask a business leader for support, let’s be bold—but also sensitive.
We can confidently present our needs because we know they are for a God-ordained purpose. However, it’s important to approach the ask with humility and respect, recognizing that business leaders receive many requests. Let’s be clear and specific about what we need, whether it’s financial support, resources, or strategic advice. At the same time, we should give them the space to consider how they might get involved without pressure.
6. Pray and Trust God for Favor
Finally, we must remember that God goes before us. As missionaries, prayer is our lifeline, and we should be praying not only for the business leaders we connect with but also for God’s wisdom in how we approach them. He knows their hearts and their desires, and He will guide us as we step out in faith.
Whether we’re seeking financial backing or simply building new relationships, God is the one who opens doors. As we trust Him, He will lead us into connections that may surprise us in the most wonderful ways.
As we seek to connect with business leaders, we have an incredible opportunity to build Kingdom partnerships. By understanding their world, focusing on shared values, communicating our impact, building authentic relationships, and trusting God, we can bridge the gap between the mission field and the marketplace. Together, we can see God’s work expand in ways we never imagined.
You can listen to the full interview with Lee Domingue here:
How Missionaries Can Build Kingdom Partnerships with Business Leaders with Lee Domingue
