Active in over 20 countries today, the vision for Partners Worldwide began in 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya, when a group of North American business people travelled to see first-hand the community development work they were supporting financially through CRWRC. Led by the East Africa regional director of CRWRC, Doug Seebeck, now president of Partners Worldwide, the business people met with communities that were renewed and strengthened by the work of CRWRC.

The final visit was in Kibera, the second largest urban slum in Africa, to meet clients of the micro-loan program that CRWRC was implementing. With the hot sun overhead, and raw sewage flowing beneath their feet, the group listened in as one micro-entrepreneur described the challenges he faced in trying to grow his business and the vast need for jobs he would create—if only he could grow.

It was in front of that micro-business kiosk that John Vander Ploeg, one of the visitors, made a startling yet insightful observation. “Doug, here’s the thing,” he said. “You are affirmed in the church because of your role as a missionary. You’re at the top of the ladder. Pastors are on the next rung. Then come teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, even farmers. But the church keeps successful businesspeople at arm’s length. […] We are not allowed to sit around the ministry table and plan with you about how things will be done. Our role is to wait outside in the foyer and be told how much to write the check for.”

He asked a bottom-line question. “Is there a way for businesspeople to become personally involved and use their management expertise, their leadership, and their financial and business skills to become part of the solution to ending poverty, instead of being seen as part of the problem?”

“In that instant, it hit me,” says Doug. “In order to end poverty, we must connect the rich and poor directly in partnerships so that the lives of everyone will be transformed.” The vision for Partners Worldwide began.

After being launched as an organization within CRWRC in 1994—then called Partners for Christian Development—the first business-to-business partnership was formed in 1997 to fully embrace businesspeople in the work of addressing poverty. The Partners Worldwide team returned to Kenya and met with Kenyan businesspeople to create a shared purpose statement which declared, “As Christians in business from the U.S. and Kenya, we covenant to work together to grow small, medium and large businesses that create good jobs, support communities, and build a strong and vibrant Kenya. Further, we will pray for each other and live out our faith in the workplace; we will provide training to become more excellent in business; we will provide access to affordable capital; we will be advocates for the poor in our countries.”

Partners Worldwide soon discovered that the failure to affirm business as a worthy calling was not a challenge unique to North American churches. “Businesspeople all over the world felt the same disconnect—Haitian, Kenyan, Honduran, Indian, Filipino,” Doug says. “We’re unlocking those bondages. We are celebrating businesspeople and entrepreneurs as uniquely wired by God to redeem and restore the marketplace to be everything God intended it to be.”

After eight years as a part of CRWRC, in 2005, Partners Worldwide established itself as an independent business ministry, yet continues to partner with the CRWRC today. “We have relationships with CRWRC in countries all over the world,” says Doug. “They are the best in community organizing. Their values and ours are in perfect alignment—we come alongside local communities and leaders, and work together in partnership to build on local solutions.”

According to Doug, when the Body of Christ really works together—each one using their unique gifts and skills—it’s the most powerful thing out there.

One Kenyan entrepreneur, Simon Ngeru, doubled his metal fabrication and bicycle business in 1994 when Partners Worldwide first connected him with North American mentors. Simon was so impacted by the partnership that he formed CHESS, the first business affiliate of Partners Worldwide that provides business training, mentoring and loans to over 700 small and medium business owners in metropolitan Nairobi today. “Simon wasn’t CHESS when we met him,” says Doug. “Simon was Simon, one businessperson we engaged in partnership, and walked alongside.”

Today, more than 45 local business affiliates of Partners Worldwide continue to grow and impact their communities. Partners Worldwide walks alongside nearly 17,000 businesspeople in over 20 countries. Through business training, Partners Worldwide equips thousands of businesspeople to follow their call and live out business as ministry. Over 400 volunteer mentors—both local and North American—encourage their peers in long-term partnerships. Partners Worldwide also provides over 3.35 million USD each year in revolving loans. The global network advocates Biblical business practices and work opportunities for the poor.

The results? Business owners maintained and improved 25,062 jobs this year, and created another 1,638 brand new jobs! Jobs provide joyful work and sustainable income for employees who support their families with dignity, send their children to school, and can afford other essentials such as housing and medicine. Most importantly, people with jobs become change agents of Christ’s love by helping others in their community. 

~ by Jacqueline Klamer, Partners Worldwide

Learn more at www.partnersworldwide.org,
or take a look at My Business, My Mission
by Doug Seebeck and Timothy Stoner