The Vision
 To establish a network of Internet cafes
among UPG communities - as viable Christian
businesses run by missionaries who have an
entrepreneurial outlook.
 The icafes can offer Internet access, computer
courses, distance education, coffee, purified
water, business services etc.
The Goal
The establishment of an incarnational churchplanting movement in the UPG community.
The Community Internet Cafe
 21 computers – one for firewall, 20 for
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clients
Computers are donated from USA, Hong
Kong, Australia
Located in UPG communities
Also have a range of other services
No games, no noise, Internet café to
attract leaders, businessmen and
students as clients.
At 50c per hour, 50% occupancy, can
earn $1,000+ a month net profit. (Third
World missionaries are happy to live on
$200 a month)
Configuration
 Windows 2003 Server on server
 Linux Thin Server Protocol
 Donated recycled computers act as thin
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clients
Users see Windows, programs reside on server
only
Thin clients can run on floppy or CD and be
wiped clean easily, no HDD required
Fast server ensures quality user experience
Maximize memory on server – 2 GB +
Cuts costs as only P2 or better are needed
Only one Windows 2003 Server license
Use OpenOffice or Google Docs for docs,
spreadsheeets
Software
 Use Open Source whenever
feasible
 Must be culturally appropriate
(e.g. no Solitaire or card games in
some M. nations)
 Use filtering/blocking software to
prevent access to pornography
 Use Yahoo Mail / Gmail for email
esp. now Gmail can be used for
your domain
 Replace Photoshop w. GIMP or
other free alternative
Games
 Must be Christian compatible
 No violent, criminal or demonic games
 Chess, checkers, golf, soccer, educational games,
Christian games, Tetris, puzzles, skill development
games
 Games may just attract 9-14 yr olds and the noise may
drive away more mature customers who you want to
win to Christ
 Games can earn revenue when the Internet is down
 Learn4Good
http://www.learn4good.com/games/index.htm
Business Services
 High-end HP all-in-one e.g. 7410 or
better – photocopying, scanning,
photo-printing etc
 Excel / Quickbooks / Data Entry
 Burn CDs / DVDs – separate PC or
CD Burner
 Coffee, Internet access cards, phone
cards, computer accessories
Communication Services
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VOIP / Skype / Yahoo Messenger
Headsets
Webcams / Video
Text to email / free text
Webmail
Communicate with relatives
overseas
 Send cash payments (working on a
system for this)
Educational Services
 Computer classes – basic Word,
Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Web
Design etc
 English Classes
 Homework Help
 Health & Community
Information
 Quickbooks classes
 Computer Maintenance
Training Materials
 http://www.cybermissions.org/icafe/
 http://www.cybermissions.org/icafe/cd/
 These training materials are updated
now and then to keep up with the latest
ideas
The Team
 At least an entrepreneur, a computer
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technician and a ministry expert. May
also include a community development
person.
All team members must be mature
Christian believers with a positive “get
it done” attitude.
Team elects leader.
Being vulnerable to each other’s
strengths.
Share revenues of icafe as income to
support their ministry.
The Criteria
 Entrepreneurship / Leadership /
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Resourcefulness
Mature faith in Christ and
personal formation.
Commitment to the project.
Heart for UPGs
Unity in the team
Financial integrity
Adequate technical skills
Adequate start-up capital and
good location.
Locations
 In or near a UPG community.
 Near school, college or business
district.
 Preferably on the second-floor of
a building with a security guard
outside.
 Clean, cool, professional
environment that will appeal to
premier high-paying customers.
 Malls are an excellent location if
the rent is reasonable.
The Process
 Select location
 Select team – entrepreneur, computer
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tech, ministry expert
Take team to 6 week training course
Develop business plan and ministry plan
Test and check team
Sign franchise agreement & reporting
arrangements
Set-up location – phone, DSL, etc
Receive computers
Coaching period (6 months) – solve
problems, establish ministry
Start a house church from icafe contacts.
Attend annual icafe conference for
upgrading and refreshing.
The Importation & Selection Committee
This committee consists of
high level national
leaders who can assist
with:
1. The process of
importing the container
load of computers.
2. Selecting the locations
of the icafes and
3. Finding the most
appropriate organizations
to partner with.
ISC Operation
 Supervises the entire process in that nation –
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(see slide 9)
Meets at least monthly for 6 months to a
year then disbands if no further
importations are planned.
Makes the tough decisions about who gets
what in the way of resources.
Manages the setting up of the Internet cafes
and resolves problems with partner
organizations.
Arranges for 6 week training course and the
visit by a supervising staff member.
Is accountable to international partners and
funders and must produce a final report..
ISC Members
 National level Christian leaders with a
heart for missions to unreached
peoples and a positive “can-do-it”
attitude.
 Members should include: someone
with high level government contacts
to help with importation, a expert on
the state of the work in the UPGs, a
‘logistics and shipping’ person and an
expert in computer technology.
Partner Organizations
 Christian missions and NGOs that apply
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to the ISC to receive an icafe. ISC selects
from applicants.
Should be organizations of integrity that
have a known track record working
among the targeted UPGs.
Must supply icafe start up costs, location,
phone, Internet connection etc. Need
about $1500 per icafe in capital.
Partners supply the staff for the icafes –
an entrepreneur, a technical person and a
ministry expert.
It is compulsory for partners to send all
icafe staff to the 6 week training course.
Selecting Partner Organizations
 Best to use invitation – that is quietly
look around for good partner
organizations then choose the most
suitable.
 This avoids the rejection and loss of face
of a “open” application process.
 Inviting people takes more time and
needs to be done diligently and carefully
but is more secure, low profile and
generally less prone to error.
Qualities To Look For
 When selecting partner organizations you
are seeking people with a heart for ministry
who can also manage details well and run a
small business in a sustainable fashion.
 Need experienced “get up and go”
entrepreneurial types with a vision for the
use of computers in ministry.
 Need to be focused on reaching the
unreached, not on just extending local
churches.
 Need to be highly incarnational and able to
understand church-planting movements.
Common Mistakes To Watch For
 Insufficient start-up capital.
 Poor selection of icafe staff.
 Icafe staff not sent for training.
 Not businesslike/poor problem-solving skills.
 Over-concerned with status. Expect new computers.
 Not focused on UPGs – just a church program.
 Lack of computer maintenance.
 Forget to form bible study groups and house churches.
What Do The Supervising Staff Do?
 Supplies the computers.
 Helps find the funds for all importation and training
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costs. Does NOT supply rent or phone lines etc.
Make initial shipping arrangements.
Trains the ISC in managing the project.
Trains the UPG missionaries in icafe operation.
Reports back to funding agencies.
Is there as a reference body to the ISC.
Makes a field visit to check on the project.
Makes online in-service training available for free to icafe
staff to keep them technically updated and spiritually
refreshed.
What Is The Icafe Training Course About?
 Icafe operation and computer maintenance
 Business principles & entrepreneurship
 Islamics / ministry to UPGs
 Developing a business plan.
 Developing a ministry plan
 How to establish a church-planting movement.
 Team-building
What Are The Expenses?
 Supervising staff supply
computers, training and funding.
 Partners supply location, phone
lines, Internet connection,
utilities, furniture, staff.
 Icafe missionaries pay for their
own food and lodging during
training at a minimal costrecovery level which will be
negotiated.
 ISC pays for the cost of their board
meetings etc.
Revenue From An Average Icafe?
 With 20 client machines, given at
least 50% occupancy and 1 hour per
customer at 60c per hour.
 12 hrs x 10 clients per hour = 120
clients per day
 Income = 120 x 60c per hour x 25
days per month = $1800 per month
Profit & Loss
 Rent = $300 a month
Internet = $100 a month
Phone etc= $100 a month
Deprecation = $150 a month
 Total fixed costs = $650 a month
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 Missionary wages (4 indigenous missionaries) = $250 per
month each = $1000
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 This leaves $150 a month for “extras” and ministry expenses. If the icafe
is run well it can achieve much more than 50% occupancy.
Extra Revenue
 Can be obtained from
computer classes, VOIP,
business services, purified
water, coffee, books,
stationery, computer disks,
printing & binding etc.
 Extra services can be easily
added and tailored to the
cultural interests of the UPG.
 Can increase revenue by 50%
plus.
Price Points
 Should be about the same as
the well-known commercial
rates for a high quality service.
 Do not compete on price compete on quality and on
atmosphere.
 Do not give away the services,
people value what they pay for.
 Value the sustainability of your
ministry.
Is It Christian To Charge Normal Rates?
 Paul, Priscilla and Aquila sold
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their tents!
The icafe must appear to be a
normal commercial operation.
The gospel is offered free of
charge through friendship
evangelism.
The icafe can offer free extras
in literature etc.
It is Christian to be wise!
Contact Us
 Cybermissions.Org
514 E.Desford St.
Carson CA 90745
 Email: johned@aibi.ph
 Phone: 1-310-549-6791