Discover how our ministry operates a for-profit hospitality business that engages 35,000+ people each year and helps sustain our non-profit ministry with over $2 million in annual revenue and learn how your church or non-profit can do this too!
About the Author: As a cutting edge entrepreneur, a passionate preacher, and an inspirational visionary, Eric Bahme (pronounced "Bame") has spent his life infusing his love for the Lord into his passion for entrepreneurship. Today, Eric serves as the founder and president of KingdomPoint International, a national non-profit organization created to network and empower other ministries through a mission-based entrepreneurial movement. He also possesses a number of valuable roles at Nehemiah Project International Ministries; a business development organization that provides biblically based entrepreneurial courses globally. More recently, Eric has aligned with BGW Sustainable Solutions LLC, a firm that employs architects, MEP engineers, intern architects, designers, drafters, project managers, and personnel in the departments of Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, IT Networking and Administration. With a design portfolio that includes more than 10 million square feet of educational and worship space, BGW has generated more than $1 billion in construction revenue since 1998 and has moved into helping non-profits find sustainable solutions for long-term growth. In addition, Eric serves as teaching pastor at Anthem Church in Portland, Oregon. Born in Arizona, Eric knew from an early age that he wanted to enter the ministry. Following the completion of Eric's education, Eric and his wife Rita accepted their first job as Sr. Pastors of New Life Christian Fellowship in Seattle where they served for 14 years. In 2002, Eric and Rita moved with their daughter, Alyssa, to Portland, Oregon and founded Eastside Foursquare Church, giving birth to a new entrepreneurial model of ministry. The church purchased a large hotel campus with a vision for mission-based entrepreneurialism, which combines solid business practices with the mission of the church. Eastside, a congregation that grew to more than 700 attendees in three years, later planted six campus churches with numerous ministries and witnessed more than 3,500 first time commitments to Christ. During this time, Eric also became a managing partner in one of the top 100 Hospitality Management Companies in the United States, successfully initiating and expanding the company's management contract business and ownership. In addition, Eric received a partner position in Genesis Hotels LLC, a collection of franchised hotels throughout the Northwest.