2012 Ei Forum:
Re-Imagine
Power

By: Calvin Chin

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 (NIV)

What is gospel entrepreneurship? The Ei Forum brings this idea to life by gathering together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, and pastors one weekend a year. Since its launch in 2006, the Ei Forum has grown in size and influence, fueled by an ever-increasing passion for entrepreneurship in New York City and beyond.

This year, the Forum will take place at the new W83 Ministry Center starting on the evening of April 13 through the afternoon of April 14. This event invites entrepreneurs in arts, for profit, and not-for-profit, investors of time, talent, and resources, and pastors to unite around a common vision of using entrepreneurial ventures to transform cities and further human flourishing.

This initiative has launched a number of ventures and partnerships inside and outside of New York, including Restore NYC—an organization which brings healing to women previously victimized by sex trafficking, Tegu—a company which designs, builds, and sells creative toy blocks to provide jobs in a developing nation, and Working Proof Gallery—a company that promotes art and social responsibility through the curation of affordable artistic prints.

Churches in both Louisville and Chattanooga are now supporting entrepreneurs and the latter has started a not-for-profit initiative called Launch Chattanooga. Both of these partnerships developed through relationships forged at past Ei Forums. Several foundations have embraced gospel entrepreneurship and are important investors of this initiative. These stories provide a glimpse into the fruits of a community working out their kingdom calling together.

God’s Spirit continues to lead the way every year as this gospel-centered entrepreneurship movement grows. Forum participants in 2012 will Re-imagine Power based on Acts 1:8. Power is a word that carries great weight and responsibility. We constantly see it wielded for both good and evil across all sector lines and national boundaries. As Christ’s followers we will come together to deepen our understanding of the source of true power and how we can, in our distinctive roles, access and steward this power for God’s glory. It is our hope that the Forum will impart not only Biblical wisdom to its participants but also exhort them to faithfully use their God-given power to build, support, or invest in culture-renewing ventures.

Helping us to think about Re-imagine Power will be speakers, including David Gibbons, founder of New Song Church Network and Xealot; Dr. Tim Keller; Sebastian Traeger, founder of Razoo; Rev. Tim Lucas, founder of Liquid Church and Christianity.com; Calvin Wong, founder of ICE Lounge and Community Connect; and other key leaders from the Ei community. For more details or to register visit www.faithand work.org/eiforum

We look forward to exploring together how God’s power can move in and through us to inspire, heal, transform, and mobilize His people as He uses us to continue His work.