1. Mission Purpose of the ICCC

The mission of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is to serve as

a vehicle in extending the operation and principles of the wisdom, love and rule of God

Almighty through His Son Jesus, into the marketplaces of the world.

Central to this mission is the purpose of releasing business people into the walk of God’s

Kingdom; helping release the anointing into their respective businesses, and redeeming businesses, business people and finances for the Lord through the outward manifestation of a inward walk of faith. Also central to this mission is the mobilizing and networking of Kingdom entrepreneurs, executives and governmental leaders into the purposeful, strategic, global Kingdom initiatives underway in our day.

2. The Kingdom Focus of ICCC

The Kingdom focus begins with the fact that there is a “Kingdom of God” and there is an arena of darkness. The Kingdom of God is a ruling force superior in every way to the principalities of darkness. Likewise when God created man, he gave man dominion over the earth. Adam relinquished man’s dominion by disobedience. Redemption and restoration of man’s dominion over the earth, as well as his reconciliation with God, was made possible by Jesus. Jesus announced His earthly ministry with the words, “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” There is a higher order and way of doing things that comes from an understanding and acceptance into our lives of the Kingdom perspective.

A significant distinctive of the ICCC is that the Kingdom focus is being brought to the forefront in the marketplace, the place of business, education and governmental decisions. ICCC operates on the premise that there is a unique contrast between one who merely professes Christianity in the marketplace, compared to one who actually brings Gods Kingdom rule and reign into his or her business activity. (See ICCC material for further teaching on this subject.) The Kingdom perspective begins with acknowledging that it is possible to operate in God’s Kingdom rule on the earth here and now. The Kingdom can be all embracing and can guide every area of our personal and business lives.

The Kingdom of God deals with the priorities we set within our everyday activities, business, family and community – based on our obedience to the principles, initiatives, and agendas that come from the throne-room of God. Jesus said we should pray that His Kingdom come and His will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. This requires unrestrained obedience to God’s purposes and principles in the operation and decision-making process of our business activities. The Kingdom focus illuminates the Biblical principles that release God’s blessing.

The Kingdom focus places great significance on the role of the Person of the Holy Spirit, as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom focus involves a distinct difference in the business executive or business owner’s attitudes and utilization of money, people and power. This difference in attitude evolves from spending consistent time in the presence of the Lord. This Kingdom focus – in essence God’s perspective – is strategic and becomes the guiding force for daily decisions.

Becoming a genuine Kingdom Ambassador requires the obedience needed to receive the authority to actively and consistently direct God’s power, and to exercise dominion here on earth, as was God’s design for our lives from the beginning. God’s word reveals clearly that His Blessing is directly correlated to operating in obedience to His Kingdom principles.

3. ICCC Initiatives and Perspectives

The ICCC’s long-term strategies include releasing and making available the Lord’s resources into Kingdom agendas; stimulating development of member businesses and services, and undertaking strategic national and international initiatives that have as their objectives the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in the marketplaces of today’s world. Implied in these strategies is the development of an interactive network of mature, dedicated, Christian business, educational and governmental leaders. The ICCC network aggressively seeks to conduct business according to Kingdom principles within the context of the world’s systems, providing a practical witness and forum available for the LORD to demonstrate the difference between those who follow Him and those who do not (Mal. 3:18).

Understanding the times is central to the development of effective and anticipatory Kingdom responses to today’s constantly changing conditions in the marketplace. Major paradigm shifts are currently underway, involving nations, markets, economies, ethnic groups, resources and global relationships. These changes, discontinuities and the disillusionment being experienced around the globe, the ICCC is committed to the demonstration of the principle in Malachi 3:18.

This is a time of unusual strategic alliances between the Lord’s chosen in the marketplace, and a group of uniquely chosen persons of the world; much like Pharaoh in the time of Joseph, or like King Cyrus during the time of the Babylonian captivity. The Pharaoh’s and Cyrus’s of today are persons in strategic, pivotal positions who, while they may not be among His disciples, are used by Him as gatekeepers and facilitators for His redemptive purposes.

In summary, the ICCC is a worldwide network of committed business people who view their businesses and their role in business as instruments for God’s purposes. The ICCC serves to encourage, edify, connect, unite and launch, like-minded Kingdom business owners and executives into meaningful dialogue, plans and ventures appropriate to God’s agendas for our day. The practical outworking of the ICCC is to approach business from a higher plane – with the result of releasing the authority, wisdom and power of God through Jesus Christ into the operation of the marketplaces of the world.

4. The Prophetic Birthing and History of the ICCC

The ICCC was birthed in obedience to a vision given over a six-year period to Swedish businessman J. Gunnar Olson. Gunnar relates, “I had carried the vision for several years, but now the Lord showed me the time had come to take a bold step and dress the vision in words.” The timing for the release of the vision was confirmed by a sign of encouragement from an American businessman who made a special trip to Stockholm, Sweden to meet with Gunnar. His message to Gunnar was “Now is the time to speak out what you have in your heart,” and he gave Gunnar a package containing 2000 lapel pins that became the ICCC symbol we use today.

This was the first in a series of prophetic confirmations, which led to the startup of the ICCC. God also led Gunnar in a similar supernatural way to each of the other five founding members of the International Board of Directors of the ICCC.

In the early hours of Monday the 22nd of July 1985, prior to the inaugural meeting of the ICCC, Gunnar was weeping before the Lord, feeling totally inadequate for the task that lay ahead. At 2 am his phone rang and a woman he had never met gave him the following prophecy:

“This is the time when this new thing shall be done. It is a plantation, which is clean and pure. I see great trees and many smaller trees and bushes. The big trees will protect the plantation when the storm is breaking loose. This is a shelter for many people. No one will be able to touch what l am now doing. The enemies will try to destroy but l will hit them on their fingers. They will not succeed. Here is neither high nor low....only Jesus. The Lord will use these for many remarkable miracles. The trees and bushes are full of fruit and berries containing great power.

When people see what I am now doing they will envy you, but they shall not be able to enter in. The Lord is showing- the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. He will send it down to all those who believe that the Lord is faithful and real, already here. It shall not be taken away from the Lord’s people and will remain when Jesus comes. It shall not be capable of being shaken here on earth.

 Many who think that they have much to offer will become very small when they come, because what they bring cannot last.

There are many things to be shown, many things to be experienced.

Do not let what I am doing rock you out of balance. I will do unusual things. Just remain calm and in peace. All the answers come from Me. You can trust Me completely. Do not trust in flesh and blood. Yield yourselves to Me and lean on Me.

Irritations will arise, but remain in peace. They have not heard and understood the Holy Spirit. I will protect you in spirit, soul and body and put my wall of fire around you. You will grow in spirit in a new way. The Lord will give you new gifts. You will be able to communicate with your dear ones in the Spirit, and they will understand you completely. The Lord will speak. You will be bestowed a wisdom that will astonish many. You will see My power in such a way that you only can be at rest. You will be like a child who is ... not leaning on your own understanding.
Remain in the purity of heart, the faithfulness, the rest ... lest you lose your orientation. You are My servant, and you shall feel that you are completely free, completely happy and fulfilled ... dressed in My glory as when l polish My jewel. The Lord will use you specially.

Keep your eyes on the Kingdom that cannot shake ... that begins here - that the Lord sends to all those who hold Him faithful. It begins already here and shall not be taken away from you. The golden chain that is about to be closed with the last link tells that all is finished. When that last link is put into place, all has been fulfilled. This will all come to pass when My servant has gone to be with the Lord.”

 On Wednesday 24th July 1985, the inaugural meeting took place, and the ICCC was formally registered in Brussels, Belgium. Today there are members in about 100 countries around the world. As the International Directors travel extensively, new ICCC chambers continue to be formed. Gunnar commented recently, “When looking back on the short history of ICCC, I feel as if I have had to run as fast as I could in front of a big train, so as not to be run over! I am deeply touched and humbled when thinking of all the loving work performed by the members of the International Board and members in individual countries.”

A more complete account of the history and activity of the ICCC is detailed in BUSINESS UNLIMITED – Memories of the coming Kingdom, a book by J. Gunnar Olson, Chairman and founder of ICCC.

5. ICCC Organization and Ministries

Structurally, the ICCC operates under the authority of an International Board of Directors. Each member of the International Board is responsible for a domain, or a functional sphere of influence and accountability that extends into the operation of the national chambers. In this capacity, in conjunction with the committees that they establish, the International Directors set the basic policy and direction for their respective domains. This includes oversight of projects, activities, financial commitments and policies at the national or sub-national levels.

The domains include Agriculture; Finance; Governance/Administration; Intercession; International Liaison; IT-Development, Membership/Networking/Mentoring; Micro-Enterprise; and Teaching and Training.

Within the framework of the various domains are the individual ministries, outreaches and services of the ICCC. Among others, these include:

• Books and Teaching Series for Kingdom Transformation.
• Biblically-based Business Development Video Series.
• Shalom Israel Foundation.
• Worldwide Member Network.
• National and International Seminars/Conferences.
• Market Calling Magazine (featured on the ICCC web) and Newsletters.
• Resolve - Christian Mediation and Arbitration Service.
• Marketplace Intercession Accessibility.
• Business Lifeline - offering advice/council to member’s businesses in crises.
• Coordination of assistance in developing nations. •
• ICCC sponsored national and international projects.

Local Chambers operate under the direction and leadership of the ICCC National Board for the respective nation. The ICCC National Board operates under the direction and leadership of the ICCC International Board.

5.1. ICCC Membership

Membership assumes agreement with and support of the aims, doctrines and values promoted by the ICCC.

The fee structure is determined by whether a firm or a member is a part of one of the three categories listed below:

1. Developed Nations* Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

2. Developing Nations** Algeria, Argentina, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji Islands, Gabon, Grenada, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Oman, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela.

3. Emerging Nations***
All nations not listed above.

* fee structure for Developed Nations.
** fee structure for Developing Nations.
*** fee structure for Emerging Nations.

Membership fees are payable annually. Categories for the respective countries are determined by the ICCC International Board of Directors based on OECD guidelines. The International portion of the membership fees are fixed by the ICCC membership at the biennial International General Meetings and the International Board makes unilateral revisions to the fee structure in conformity with such membership decisions.

Membership categories and Annual Business Turnover figures that determine membership fee structure, are defined as follows:

 
Small Businesses

(Annual Business Turnover below: $100,000* $50,000** 15,000***)
This membership category is intended for small businesses/consultancies with turnover below the threshold. This fee category also includes Executives, who do not own their own business or operate their own consultancy that wishes to be a member.

Medium Businesses

(Annual Business Turnover below: $500,000* $250,000** $75,000***)
This category is intended for medium businesses / consultancies with an annual turnover below the threshold.

Large Businesses

(Annual Business Turnover above: $500,000* $250,000** $75,000***)
This category is intended for large businesses / consultancies with an annual turnover above the threshold.

Students

Student status is available to any full time student. Upon graduation, status must advance to regular Member.

Please contact the ICCC National Office for more information on the cost of membership in your nation.

5.2. ICCC Member Benefits

Summary of Member Benefits

In addition to the benefits associated with the network, meetings and other services, members will be kept informed and aware of significant trends impacting economies, markets and global relationships and alliances in terms of what the Lord is doing in these days.

The primary benefits of ICCC membership include:

• National and International Conferences.
• Information resource base access.
• Training, discussion, seminars and workshops that provide principles and models for operating a Kingdom business; and guidelines for stewarding your business and employees.
• The means to communicate regularly and interactively within the organization.
• The means to identify, develop, mobilize and network resources and opportunities (including finances) for Kingdom purposes.
• Fellowship, networking and the ability to connect and facilitate for Kingdom purposes locally, nationally and internationally.
• Mobilizing the Josephs and Daniels of today into Kingdom-purposeful activity.
• Availability of practical intercession, and the principles of effective spiritual warfare.

5.3. International General Meetings

The International General Meeting (IGM) is convened once every two years. This membership meeting is designed to consider and approve the business activities and developing opportunities of the ICCC, to evaluate the effectiveness of the work of the ICCC, and to provide a vehicle and forum to network and build up the members and local ICCC groups. International Leadership gatherings are also held during alternate year when there is no IGM.

6. ICCC Global Impact

The accelerating change in the infrastructures of doing business necessitates and underscores the importance of establishing significant global interrelationships, both within the ICCC membership and outside the membership. The ICCC is positioned and prepared, as an organization, and as individual members and businesses, to operate within the world’s systems from a Kingdom perspective in the days ahead:

• As a vehicle to mobilize and release its members into the fullness of their calling.
• As a light in arenas of darkness in the markets of this world.
• As a networker in making a positive impact on individuals, businesses, economies and nations.
• In establishing strategic alliances with key secular groups and individuals who will serve the purposes of God’s Kingdom in our era.

7. The South African Office and Support Details

International Office Contact Information.
The ICCC International maintains a web page at www.iccc.net.

You can contact any of the current directors of ICCC - South Africa on:

Renier Schonken     – 082 332 0226 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
David Grimsley – 083 654 8003 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Alan Webster – 083 556 3037 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Eben Nel – 082 576 3268 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please open the ICCC website at www.iccc.net for exciting links to member businesses and other business ministries. The web site is also a very important resource base for the development of business activities. Once having received your personal membership number, you will have access to the members only section on the Internet website, and to the ICCC Action Plan and other relevant information.