Missional Business in Southeast Asia: Kristine’s Journey
When Kristine traveled to Southeast Asia with her church 12 years ago, she never imagined how profoundly God would shape her life.
During that trip, she met a SIM entity director. Through meaningful conversations and a shared heart for women in this least-reached area, her love for the country deepened and took root.
When Kristine returned to the United States after the short trip, the love she felt for the women she had met stayed with her. Just six weeks later, she was on a plane again—this time heading back to the same Southeast Asian country.
Kristine visited communities where missionaries were serving. She met local families and witnessed their resilience in the face of significant challenges.
As she learned more, the statistics became personal. Millions were living on less than a dollar a day, and many had never heard the gospel. The massive amount of waste also underscored the urgent need for environmental ministry.
Amid these challenges, Kristine noticed women weaving discarded plastic and other waste into colorful bags.
Watching this creative transformation of trash into innovative bags sparked a big idea. These beautiful bags were products that people could purchase.
“I met women who were weaving bags. God just whispered to see if we could sell them,” Kristine said. “Twenty years of corporate project management led to God inviting me to be part of this mission and start a missional business.”
She brought a few bags back to her home in the U.S., simply to share their story. However, they quickly got her employer’s attention. The company unexpectedly purchased 200 as corporate gifts.
Soon after, Kristine started selling the bags at farmers’ markets and craft markets. Each time she shared the story behind the bags, people connected with it.
“It’s been fun to see how God took this concept and has made it multiply,” Kristine said. “It’s just amazing to me how He’s used my corporate background to be a part of this.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
Today, this business partners with the women who weave bags from recycled materials. It creates income opportunities while building relationships in a community where the gospel is not widely known.
From Corporate to Ministry with SIM USA
Leaving her career to serve the Lord in missional business was not an easy decision for Kristine. But it was undeniably led by the Holy Spirit.
“Even though I had been sending missionaries, doing member care, and evangelizing with my church, I could not see transferring or shifting from a regular job to full-time ministry and support raising… especially when I had been getting a paycheck for 20 years,” Kristine said.
Through prayerful conversations with friends and SIM staff, her perspective began to shift.
“If that’s where God is calling you, He will provide,” a friend told her.
That encouragement stayed with her. In time, what once felt impossible became a step of faith she was ready to take. Kristine chose to leave her corporate career and serve with SIM USA.
SIM USA office staff gave Kristine invaluable support and guidance during this transition.
“I was like, ‘How do I do this? I don’t know how to do this,” Kristine reflected. “So, I really appreciate SIM’s structure, and it really is important to have someone in the key roles here at the office. They really walk us through that process.”
A friend on staff at SIM helped Kristine create a presentation she could share with potential supporters. It clearly outlined her ministry vision and financial needs.
“I would share the presentation with people and just tell them what I was doing. And then the money just started coming in,” Kristine said.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
In every step of this transition, Kristine saw God’s faithfulness unfold. What began as a leap into the unknown became a testimony of His care.
Weaving Provision and Gospel Hope in Southeast Asia
Today, Kristine is based in the United States and regularly travels to Southeast Asia to support and minister among the women. She supports the business and helps oversee its operations, partnerships, and long-term vision.
The goal of this business is to partner with women in a least-reached community, weave with repurposed packaged materials, and see lives transformed.
The women can learn about and follow Jesus through education, discipleship, and Bible studies. The business also helps care for local ministry workers. A percentage of wallet sales goes to missionaries in the country who are struggling to stay on the field.
It provides additional income for families living on less than two dollars a day. At the same time, it produces environmentally sustainable products. These serve as a bridge for sharing Jesus with others and mobilizing people for global missions.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
“It has grown into opportunities… For the women to feed their families and hear about the love of God, to give missionaries some supplemental income, to save packaging from going into the ocean, and to give the churches in this country an opportunity to partner in Muslim ministry,” Kristine said.
These efforts weave together provision, care, and the hope of the gospel. The fruit is evident in the women’s lives, with half now following Jesus from Muslim backgrounds!
Mayumi’s Journey of Gospel Hope Through a Missional Business
Behind every bag, there are personal stories of transformation, faith taking root, and hope growing in the lives of these women.
Mayumi is one of the women who encountered Jesus through weaving bags. She has not only learned practical weaving skills and earned income through this business. She has also discovered a personal relationship with Jesus.
Kristine recently shared the story of Jesus healing the paralytic with Mayumi.
“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.” John 5:1-9
Mayumi listened attentively as Kristine explained how Jesus forgives sin and restores life. After Kristine finished sharing, Mayumi made an exciting announcement.
“Kristine, I now know this Jesus!” Mayumi declared.
For Mayumi, weaving bags was not just a way to make income. It was a pathway that the Holy Spirit used to draw her into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Serve Least-Reached Communities with SIM USA
Are you interested in using your skills to make a tangible impact in the lives of others? Your talents, creativity, and professional experience can open gospel doors in least-reached communities.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
Your work can open doors for people to encounter Jesus in places where traditional ministry may be limited. Alternate pathways offer a unique way to serve, reflecting God’s love through tangible work.
How could your career or skills become part of God’s global mission? Connect with a SIM USA coach to learn more.
Names and details have been changed to protect the privacy and safety of workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
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Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.