Christian businesses set the bar

Ghana (MNN) ― A crippling poverty rate of nearly 30% and an unemployment rate of 20% in Ghana is now seeing an upswing with potential for economic growth.

This attracted in Global Advance Marketplace Mission Conferences with the hopes of Christians setting the bar for business excellence in Ghana.

Marketplace Mission Conferences were held last month in Accra and Kumasi, the two most-populated cities of southern Ghana. These conferences are intended to train up business professionals in God-honoring business practices and provide them with useful tools.

Through the Marketplace Mission Conferences, 30 Ghanaian business entrepreneurs were put through 100 grueling hours of Strategic Business Training.

Training includes seminars such as biblical principles for business, entrepreneurship, financial principles, marketing planning, integrity and a business leader's role in the Kingdom of God.

Global Advance targeted Ghana because of its unique position as one of the few English-speaking countries of West Africa. Also, according to Business Today, Ghana is projected to experience an economic growth rate of 4.5% this year. In all of Africa, Ghana was in the top 10 regions for most growth experienced over the last decade.

With these factors in mind, Ghana is perfectly positioned with potential to be a major future economy in West Africa.

What makes Global Advance Marketplace Mission Conference training so unique is the pairing of Christian stewardship standards with practical business knowledge. Attendees of the conferences are trained to have high standards of excellence.

When Christians make headway in society with positive impact in their community, people notice. This, in turn, opens up great conversation starters as business men and women can share their hope and joy in Christ motivating them to have high business standards and to love their neighbors.

Please pray that Christian business men and women in Ghana would set good examples in a country positioned for economic growth. Pray that this example would warm hearts towards helping their community and searching out the God who started it all.

CLA Offers America's Top Christian Nonprofit Fundraising and Financial Management Academy

Contact: W. Scott Brown, Christian Leadership Alliance, 703-597-8413

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) announced today that David Dahlin, executive vice president, Compassion International and Wes Willmer, senior vice president, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) will offer keynote dinner addresses during CLAs 2011 Christian Nonprofit Leadership Academy, Denver, Sept. 20 - 23 at the Denver Renaissance Hotel. (www.ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org/Academy) 

The Christian Nonprofit Leadership Academy offers in-depth courses in fundraising and financial management for Christian nonprofit organization leaders. The 20, 10-hour courses offered at this Academy provide insights into best practices for fundraising in today's economy, as well as guidance on how ministry leaders can achieve excellence in financial management.

"We're pleased that David Dahlin and Wes Willmer will be sharing insights with nonprofit leaders at the Christian Nonprofit Leadership Academy. Compassion International and ECFA are among the leading organizations in the Christian nonprofit world," said Mark L. Vincent, Acting CLA president and CEO. "Our coursework is excellent as well. Our faculty has collectively raised hundreds of millions of dollars for Christian ministries nationwide, and has helped manage finances for some of the most recognized and well-respected ministries in America."

"Our goal is to equip steward leaders who raise and manage funds in a biblical way," said Vincent. "We're innovators. Whether it's harnessing social media, evaluating up-to-date demographic trends or implementing new ideas, CLA is focused on helping ministries excel."

The courses offered in the fundraising track include: Fundraising Planning in a New Economy, Major Donor Development, Social Media Strategies, Donor Perceptions, Donor Engagement in a 2.0 World, Capital Campaign Strategies, Dynamic Direct Response Strategies and more. The courses offered in the financial management track include: Introduction to Risk Management for Nonprofit Organizations, Investment Policies and Strategies in a Changing Economy, Tax and Legal Issues for Christian Nonprofits and more. 

Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) is a national association representing more than 6,000 individuals, from nearly 4,500 Christian nonprofit organizations nationwide. For more news and information, visit CLA's website,www.ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org. To learn more about CLA's Christian Nonprofit Leadership Academy visitwww.ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org/Academy.