TRP Limited
(a) Company Background
“Michael”, the founder of “TRP Limited” moved to Turkey in 1997 after working 13 years in the medical
sector. He was motivated by his passion to see a reproducing and self-sustaining church movement
there. The prayer guide Operation World calls Turkey the “largest unreached nation” on earth. In a
population of 71 million, there are only about 2,400 national Christians in about 75 small
congregations.
Michael first opened a liaison office for medical equipment imports. Then in 2000, while on a trip to
his home country, he met the owners of a large, global, food trading company. The CEO was
sympathetic to Michael’s Christian vision, and because the company wanted to expand its business
with Turkey, agreed to train and mentor him as a food and agricultural products buying agent. Using
$110,000 in private capital, Michael and his wife established TRP Limited in 2001 as a trading and
consulting company.
The learning curve was very steep, but Michael was able to find a Christian mentor who had extensive
international business and trade experience.
In only their first season, TRP Limited accounted for over 20% of the bottled Turkish extra virgin olive
oil exports to the U.S., sold in some 7,000 stores in 30 states. They have developed their own brand
that with a distinct “natural, healthy and fair-trade” emphasis. TRP Limited’s other work includes
having a consulting role with a large importer of edible nuts into China, negotiating a contract with a
Fortune 500 company in the area of renewable energy, as well as other food and agricultural
projects.
(b) Description of Specific Business as Mission Practices
Michael was the only foreign speaker at a national Turkish Food Symposium in his sector. His work
has given him the opportunity to speak on television and to be written up in the most popular national
business newspapers. His role in the business community led to Michael being asked to serve as
the secretary of a Turkish Community Association in his city.
Michael’s business and community involvement have given him the opportunity to share the good
news with his employees and others in the community. His real life experience in the Turkish
business world has enabled him to have more empathy and authority in counselling work with those
in the small church where he serves with two others as a non-paid pastor.
Michael is passionate to see more business people who are walking with Christ share the vision and
play an active role in Turkey. On a voluntary basis, he has been involved in setting up a loose network
of about 200 believers within Turkey, and another 50 outside of Turkey, who are interested in
pursuing business in that country. Business educators and students, as well as experienced
business people have made short term visits to assist Turkish and foreign entrepreneurs in Turkey.
Several “Turkish Business Consultations” have been held. A web site is being set up to facilitate
networking and to encourage believers doing business in Turkey.
(c) Analysis of Company and Practices
The company is self-supporting, but the start up capital has not yet been repatriated.
Adhering to Christ-honouring business ethics has limited some opportunities for financially profitable
business. Fluctuating bureaucratic and economic conditions and instances of corruption have added
to the challenges of doing profitable business in an ethical manner in Turkey. Michael hopes that
recent reforms will improve the business environment as Turkey pursues a road to full EU
membership.
(d) Lessons Learned
Be Customer and Market Centred: Without customers and effective ways to get the product to the
market no company can survive. Marketing means “loving your customer as yourself.”
Sometimes Free Advice Can Be Valuable: Government, academic experts and mentors from the
Christian business world will sometime give gratis assistance. Mentors can turn out to be people that
we already know but whose business skills we have not previously valued.
Get Professional Help: Attorneys, accountants and consultants can be costly, but the mistakes that
are made by not using them can be deadly.
Balance & Rest: After periodic periods of neglecting God and family because of the demands of the
business, the need for accountability and a plan for rest and renewal became evident. Current
practices include one day per week to walk in the hills or at the coast to listen to God, pray and plan
for the business as well as church and family needs. An abundant prayer life and deep knowledge of
God and His word are NOT optional if one wants to do effective spiritual work in the business world.
(a) Company Background
“Michael”, the founder of “TRP Limited” moved to Turkey in 1997 after working 13 years in the medical
sector. He was motivated by his passion to see a reproducing and self-sustaining church movement
there. The prayer guide Operation World calls Turkey the “largest unreached nation” on earth. In a
population of 71 million, there are only about 2,400 national Christians in about 75 small
congregations.
Michael first opened a liaison office for medical equipment imports. Then in 2000, while on a trip to
his home country, he met the owners of a large, global, food trading company. The CEO was
sympathetic to Michael’s Christian vision, and because the company wanted to expand its business
with Turkey, agreed to train and mentor him as a food and agricultural products buying agent. Using
$110,000 in private capital, Michael and his wife established TRP Limited in 2001 as a trading and
consulting company.
The learning curve was very steep, but Michael was able to find a Christian mentor who had extensive
international business and trade experience.
In only their first season, TRP Limited accounted for over 20% of the bottled Turkish extra virgin olive
oil exports to the U.S., sold in some 7,000 stores in 30 states. They have developed their own brand
that with a distinct “natural, healthy and fair-trade” emphasis. TRP Limited’s other work includes
having a consulting role with a large importer of edible nuts into China, negotiating a contract with a
Fortune 500 company in the area of renewable energy, as well as other food and agricultural
projects.
(b) Description of Specific Business as Mission Practices
Michael was the only foreign speaker at a national Turkish Food Symposium in his sector. His work
has given him the opportunity to speak on television and to be written up in the most popular national
business newspapers. His role in the business community led to Michael being asked to serve as
the secretary of a Turkish Community Association in his city.
Michael’s business and community involvement have given him the opportunity to share the good
news with his employees and others in the community. His real life experience in the Turkish
business world has enabled him to have more empathy and authority in counselling work with those
in the small church where he serves with two others as a non-paid pastor.
Michael is passionate to see more business people who are walking with Christ share the vision and
play an active role in Turkey. On a voluntary basis, he has been involved in setting up a loose network
of about 200 believers within Turkey, and another 50 outside of Turkey, who are interested in
pursuing business in that country. Business educators and students, as well as experienced
business people have made short term visits to assist Turkish and foreign entrepreneurs in Turkey.
Several “Turkish Business Consultations” have been held. A web site is being set up to facilitate
networking and to encourage believers doing business in Turkey.
(c) Analysis of Company and Practices
The company is self-supporting, but the start up capital has not yet been repatriated.
Adhering to Christ-honouring business ethics has limited some opportunities for financially profitable
business. Fluctuating bureaucratic and economic conditions and instances of corruption have added
to the challenges of doing profitable business in an ethical manner in Turkey. Michael hopes that
recent reforms will improve the business environment as Turkey pursues a road to full EU
membership.
(d) Lessons Learned
Be Customer and Market Centred: Without customers and effective ways to get the product to the
market no company can survive. Marketing means “loving your customer as yourself.”
Sometimes Free Advice Can Be Valuable: Government, academic experts and mentors from the
Christian business world will sometime give gratis assistance. Mentors can turn out to be people that
we already know but whose business skills we have not previously valued.
Get Professional Help: Attorneys, accountants and consultants can be costly, but the mistakes that
are made by not using them can be deadly.
Balance & Rest: After periodic periods of neglecting God and family because of the demands of the
business, the need for accountability and a plan for rest and renewal became evident. Current
practices include one day per week to walk in the hills or at the coast to listen to God, pray and plan
for the business as well as church and family needs. An abundant prayer life and deep knowledge of
God and His word are NOT optional if one wants to do effective spiritual work in the business world.
Solutions, Resources And Opportunities For Your Kingdom Business
... business as no ordinary mission
Kingdom Business Case Studies
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