This is to answer the question, “what is CBI”? The official name of the organization is CB International, and in the US, it is a nonprofit organization with a 501C3 designation. It is often referred to as Christian Business International. The purpose of CBI is to help people to help themselves.
To understand what that actually means, let me give you background on the philosophy behind CBI. First, everyone needs some sort of help at some time or other. To really help a person, the help they get must be appropriate to fit the issues that person is dealing with. In the case of CBI, the goal is to help people who are struggling financially because they are having trouble supporting the themselves and their immediate family. To just give them money does not address the core problem, and it can often cause more harm than good. In addition, you may know that about 75% of the new business starts in the US fail to succeed. In many of those cases, the person starting the business did not know how to actually operate a business. And sometimes, they chose a business that was not likely to succeed in that given location. So, the most effective way to help many people with this issue is to help them choose an idea for a small business that fits their location and their skills.
Add to that concept the issue of being a follower of Jesus. Jesus gave His followers a command. That command, in a simple form, is: ”As you are going, make disciples”. Therefore, the basic concept of CBI is to help people learn to start a business matched to their interests, their locations, etc., and combine that with insuring that the operation of that business is in accord with concept of Christian values. Each CBI business should have the goal of operating completely within the teachings of scripture. In that way, each business has the ability to create a Kingdom Impact at the business as well as supporting their local church and community. There are many people who will walk into a Christian business who might never visit a church. Be sure that you notice that there is no such thing as a “Christian” Business per se. There are only businesses operated by Christians.
Certainly, the training includes evaluating business potential in a given location and doing enough market evaluation to demonstrate the viability of that business. It includes developing a three-year business plan and the associated budget skills that must be a part of that. Along with the business aspects, there is training in operating a business in a given location/culture that is based on scriptural requirements. In some locations, that is somewhat difficult, but in such locations the impact of a of Christian oriented business will be much greater. Therefore, the training does include defining the Kingdom Impact desired as well as the financial impact desired.
When an individual completes the training, that person can be considered for a loan from CBI to be used to start their business. The loan is expected to be paid back with little or no interest. The money paid back is to be used to fund more businesses which allows the process to continue for more people. In addition, CBI plans include providing mentors for the new businesses to help them with the many issues that affect small, new businesses. In some locations, a Christian Business Alliance can be used to support these new businesses in both business matters and spiritual matters.