BAM EXPLAINED: what is a Missional Business?
According to BAM Global, “a missional business is a for-profit, sustainable company that is intentional about advancing the purposes of God’s Kingdom”.
One of the main ways to identify a BAM business is by looking at a concept called the Quadruple Bottom Line. Traditionally, the ‘bottom line’ refers to a company’s net profit - their revenue minus their expenses.
Most businesses focus solely on maximizing this number, but a missional business takes a different approach. Rather than focusing only on profit, they measure success in four key areas:
Spiritual transformation
Financial sustainability
Social impact
Environmental stewardship
In this blog, we highlight four Canadian companies that are living out these values in their unique sectors.
1. Spiritual Transformation - Flo Energy Solutions
On their website, you’ll learn that Flo Energy Solutions is an HVAC company that optimizes building performance for food retail environments, serving clients like ALDI and Walmart over the past 25 years.
What sets them apart is a surprising element on their website: a Director of Spiritual Operations. This role includes leadership of the company’s prayer team and intercession for Flo’s customers, team members, and others. It’s a clear sign that spiritual wellbeing is one of the company’s priorities.
Founder and President Bryan Elliot describes the company’s journey on the BAM Canada podcast.
You may not have a team member dedicated to prayer, but how might your business prioritize spiritual health?
2. Financial Sustainability — Rise Above Finance
As a financial planning firm, you might expect Rise Above to focus exclusively on profit. Instead, their approach to money is rooted in Biblical stewardship, guiding clients to see money not as good or bad, but as a tool God can use for His purposes.
Through their Stewardship Journey, they help clients eliminate debt, create giving plans, and invest wisely — all through the lens of Kingdom values. It’s practical discipleship applied to everyday finances.
Their commitment to helping others handle wealth with wisdom is a powerful example of business as mission.
Want to hear more about Rise Above’s story? Listen to co-founder Enoch Weng’s podcast episode.
3. Environmental Stewardship — Enviro-Stewards
True to their name, Enviro-Stewards is an engineering firm dedicated to sustainable solutions that conserve energy, optimize yield, and reduce environmental impact — all while maintaining profitability.
Listen to CEO Bruce Taylor share his innovative stewardship strategies on the BAM Canada podcast.
Their business reflects a deep conviction: we are called to steward the Earth’s resources, both individually and organizationally.
That mission extends internationally through their work with Safe Water Social Ventures (SWSV). In partnership with communities across Africa, they introduce systems for generating clean water in sustainable, revenue-generating ways.
Have you considered the environmental footprint of your business? If not, take this opportunity to start now.
4. Social Impact — JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters may not explicitly mention God or faith on their website, but their values speak volumes: quality, community, honour, and sustainability.
As a national coffee chain, JJ Bean defies industry standards through their commitment to excellent coffee, sourced from local farmers who are paid above fair-trade prices, produced in small batches to ensure quality.
At the heart of their work is a desire to honour people. Whether it’s team members, customers, or suppliers, JJ Bean fosters a culture of respect and dignity – what some might call love in action through business.
Listen to founder, John Neate, dive into the heart of their business on the BAM Canada podcast.
BAM in Practice
Missional businesses may look different across industries, but two things remain constant: a commitment to the quadruple bottom line, and a desire to serve God by serving people.
Whether you're in finance, coffee, HVAC, or engineering, your business can be a vessel for Kingdom impact.
