From the Endeavor, February 1997

Businesses share with charity.

RE: Putting their faith to work.

By Tony Gosgnach

A desire to integrate faith and vocation is motivating the work of a ten-year-old organization made up of Christian business people.

"There is always the common goal of : how do we apply what we believe in the workplace?" Says J Hans Vander Stoep, executive director of the Canadian Christian Business Federation (CCBF). "As Christian business people, we need to be involved not only with chambers of commerce, but also express a distinctive Christian perspective on issues as well. We try to interact with all levels of government."

"In the past we have dealt with Sunday shopping, employment equity and electoral reform. Currently the big issue is labor relations."

Mr Vander Stoep says the CCBF has chapters throughout southwestern Ontario with several hundred members, from one man operation to large law and accounting offices. Plans are to expand its membership and Chapter base within the province, as well as establish a presence outside Ontario.

One of CCBF's most unique programs involves contribution to Christian charities. Through its Supporting, Helping, Assisting , Rewarding and Encouraging plan (SHARE), participating businesses stamp their sales slips with the SHARE logo, Customers then give the slips to their favorite Christian charities, which claims a percentage of the purchase price for the business as a donation.

Business people are saying, "I want to do business with people where I know what they're going to do with the profits they make". It's important for them to deal with people who have convictions similar to their own, says Mr. Vander Stoep.

He adds that the organization also functions as informal placement agency.

For information about CCBF call 905 522-8602.