I was in the slums of Nairobi in 2002. I remember being completely overwhelmed by the living conditions of the poor: large families cramped into little rooms, putrid refuse scattered throughout, young children left seemingly hopeless. I remember thinking to myself, what can possibly be done?

This scene is commonplace around the world. Nearly half the world's population lives on less than $2 a day. Most of us Westerners think of traditional aid work when we think about serving the poor: give money to an NGO that sends large shipments of food, water, clothing, and medicine to the neediest people in the world. However, traditional aid work has not been proven as sustainable - the request for more is unending.

A year ago, I read an article about a couple of Harvard MBAs who started a company called Pura Vida. The company sells fair trade coffee beans through its website in the U.S., provides jobs for people in coffee-growing countries, and uses its profits to help local children and families. What struck me was what was said at the end of the article: "[They are] deploying core talents, which is oftentimes more valuable in terms of social value than writing a check. Anybody can write a check."

When I think about stewarding my gifts and talents in service to people, I am also compelled to do more than write a check. Like those two Harvard MBAs, I want to offer my core talents: my business acumen, my experience in the workplace, my passion for people. We've all heard the concept: don't just give a man a fish; rather, teach him how to fish. That's exactly what cutting edge social enterprise models attempt to do. These models champion a new way of thinking about and doing business in the world's poor markets - and it arguably brings about greater long term sustainability.

It's great that the world is now talking more than ever before about innovative ways to address some of the greatest social problems of today. And many are now choosing to use their talents for the good of society rather than just building a portfolio. We can thank people like Bill Gates, Bono, Rick Warren, and Paul Farmer, who are bringing these problems out to the forefront of human thought and inspiring many to live to give. As a Christian, I too am burdened for those living in difficult conditions because I believe embracing humanity and solving difficult social problems brings restoration and light to a hurting world.

But there are many Christians who think that these acts of service are not necessary and advocate only for the faithful preaching of the Gospel. The argument is along the lines of the following: What value is there in doing good deeds if it's through hearing the word that people are saved? While it is indisputable that people come to faith in Christ by hearing the good news preached, along with the working of the Holy Spirit, acts of service and compassion are integrally involved in that process, opening up hearts and demonstrating a visible and tangible expression of Christ’s love. In the words of John Raleigh Mott, the winner of the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize and a leader of the Student Volunteer Movement that saw over 20,000 students commit their lives to foreign missions, "These methods [preaching the word and good deeds] must not be regarded as antagonistic to one another. On the contrary, where there true relationship is recognized and maintained, they support and strengthen each other."

Many Christian professionals like me go to their jobs each day in engineering, healthcare, business, education, law, etc. - always thinking that the only way they can contribute towards helping the world is by writing a check to the church. But what would happen if they woke up to the fact that they could steward their core talents in innovative ways to address some of the greatest problems in our world, seeing their work as frontline ministry and bringing transformation to the world?

I'm a business guy so I think in terms of business models to address market inefficiencies and to create value. But I believe there are a countless number of ways that we can make a difference in this world that brings glory to God. I know of engineers who have designed cheap and affordable insecticide treated bed nets in Tanzania to help prevent malaria. I’ve met Harvard graduated lawyers who are fighting against social injustice in some of the hardest places in the world. I’ve read of health professionals who are rethinking ways to deliver cost effective services through local clinics in disease stricken countries. I know of ESL teachers who are helping immigrants better acclimate to the U.S. by teaching them English. I have a friend who faithfully goes to work each day as an accountant, loving her coworkers and making sure that the company books are kept with the highest integrity. This is ministry!

The point is that whatever we do and whatever choices we make can be done in such a way that affects our sphere of influence in a positive, life-changing way. It may mean taking one job that doesn’t pay as much over another because of the impact that can be made. But it would all be worth it because it would mean giving all of ourselves towards the advancing of the Gospel and working together as one Body in faithful obedience to the Great Commission.

Imagine how the world would change. Perhaps the dream of those over 20,000 wide-eyed college students in the early 1900s who willingly gave themselves to the service of Christ in a foreign land will come true in this century: "The evangelization of the world in this generation!"