by Mike Baer

 

We’ve had quite a ride. For over 40 years, the Business as Mission (BAM) movement has been breaking ground (even before it was called that)—taking the Gospel to the marketplace and planting it right in the middle of real life. This idea—that business isn’t second-tier, but rather a high calling from God—has flipped a lot of thinking upside down. From scattered dreamers and explorers in the 1980s to a global movement with countless books, companies, conferences, podcasts, YouTube channels, degrees, and investment funds, BAM has gone from fringe to full-on force. But here’s the big question: is this just the beginning… or the end of a chapter?

It’s possible that we’re at a crossroads. Ronald Reagan once said that freedom is never more than a generation from extinction. I think BAM is the same. If we don’t pass it on with intention and heart, it won’t last. But Paul’s words to Timothy (in 2 Tim. 2:2) give us more hope and a better plan—train up faithful people who will teach others. That’s the long game. That’s how movements survive.

Put those two thoughts together, and you get a bit of a wake-up call. We need to raise up the next generation of BAM leaders—not just to keep the movement alive, but to take it somewhere we’ve never even imagined. This is about legacy, and legacy means people.

Now, I’m not saying we’re old… but let’s be honest, many of us are turning into “OGs.” In hip-hop, that stands for “Original Gangster”—someone who’s been around from the start. In BAM, that’s a bunch of us. We’ve pioneered. We’ve fought the early battles. And now it’s time to pass the baton to the NGs—the New Gangsters. The next wave. The future of BAM.

From where I sit—with my Boomer perspective—I’m actually pretty hopeful. (And I want to call out the Gen Xers and Millennials too, we all need to think about building from generation to generation, no matter our age or stage.) Gen Z (Zoomers) are full of fire. They’re purpose-driven, passionate, and looking for a cause that’s worth their lives. Reminds me a bit of my generation—we protested war, launched campaigns against hunger, reshaped politics, and kicked off the Jesus Movement. There’s power in this next crew. But here’s the issue: most of them don’t know what “missions” even means. They’re globally connected but often spiritually short-sighted. They don’t know the need, the urgency. Most haven’t yet discovered the next step beyond TikTok activism. That’s the first challenge—help them fall in love with Jesus and His mission.

Then comes the second challenge. Once they’re on fire for Jesus, they still face a stale set of choices: either be a good little layperson in the marketplace, or go “pro” and join the ministry as a pastor or missionary. Two tracks. Black and white. But we know better. BAM throws out the old two-track map. We don’t accept the sacred and the secular divide. We preach Jesus as Lord of all, and business is one of His tools to heal and bless this broken world. So let’s show this new generation that there are more than two doors.

Before they choose, we’ve got to reach them. And here are a few ways to start:

1. Build relationships

They’re open. They’re curious. They’re not anti-OG. In fact, I had a great conversation just yesterday in Mendoza, Argentina with a college student. He was full of questions. The interest is there—if we’ll take the time.

2. Learn their language

Yes, they may talk in half-sentences. Yes, they may say things that make zero sense to you. But rather than correct them, why not learn their code? Language builds bridges.

3. Go digital or go dark

These kids were born with smartphones in their hands. They don’t just use technology—they live in it. We’ve got to show up where they are, not expect them to come find us in analog land.

4. Teach, but also listen

I love teaching (guilty). But they’ve got ideas too. If we want BAM to grow, we need to hear what they’re saying. Their insight might just be what the movement needs next.

5. Get into their schools

Most Christian schools, colleges, and seminaries barely know BAM exists. Some ignore it. Some oppose it. And this is where life decisions are being made. We’ve got to show up and speak up.

6. Be present in young churches

Many of us still go to the same church we’ve been in for decades. Nothing wrong with that, but if we want to impact Zoomers, we need to show up in churches where they are. Be an OG in a NG church. Sit among them. Serve with them.

7. Pray diligently for them

This isn’t just strategy—it’s spiritual. Ask God to show you who He’s raising up. Ask for eyes to see them, ears to hear them, and a heart to invest in them.

 

God’s not done with BAM. He’s just getting started. And His plan has always been generational. When Paul was nearing the end, Timothy was just getting started. Who’s your Timothy? Are you looking? Are you asking God to show you? Are you pouring into the next one up?

Don’t just finish well. Pass it on well.

 

Together, Towards, Tomorrow
Building from Generation to Generation

That’s the theme of the BAM Global Summit this year. Join us and discover what God is doing through business as mission.

 

 

Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash