Miracle in the Market Place

By Ed Silvoso

When we understand Jesus came to save everything that was lost, we are able, to see the marketplace as an opportunity, not a threat.

At Riverview Community Bank in Blk River. Minnesota, employees pray regularly for customers. Since the bank opened its doors 18 months ago, 54 miracles have occurred and 60 people have received the Lord during business hours. A hotel chain in the Philippines offers intercession to customers as part of its regular services, reaping thousands of salvations. A European corporation has designated a chair in the boardroom as "Jesus' chair." When faced with perplexing corporate matters, the leaders go to the Lord for guidance. One such inquiry resulted in a $1 billion contract!

These examples illustrate a growing phenomenon: ministry in the marketplace, where the power and presence of God are employed to change not only lives but also the marketplace itself. It's church in the marketplace!

The marketplace is made up of the three arteries through which the life of society flows -business, education and government. It constitutes the heart of a city. To transform the city, its heart - the marketplace-must experience transformation.

To some this may seem like an extra - biblical concept. Does God expect the church to bring transformation to cities and nations?

The answer is a resounding yes. But for us to fulfill this mandate, we must first experience a major paradigm shift.

Many Christians have no trouble believing that the devil – a created being with limited power - contaminated all of creation with just one sin. But they find it difficult to accept that Jesus Christ - who is God-through a perfect sacrifice has made provision to recover all of 'that which was lost: Jesus testified of Himself, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10, NKJV). By this He meant that He came to save not just the lost but also that which was lost.

So what was lost when sin entered the Garden of Eden? At least three things: our relationship with God, our relationship with one another and something else that often goes unmentioned - the marketplace.