“Many young people in my district have dreams but don't know how to transform them into businesses,” says David Gamit, who travelled over 400 kilometres from Tapi district to Ahmedabad with eight aspiring entrepreneurs. His journey to Gujarat’s first Christian business summit reflects a transformative shift happening within the community.
This determination to foster entrepreneurship brought over 150 delegates to ‘Khristi Udhyamotsav 2024’, a groundbreaking business conference and trade fair hosted by the Christian Business Association (CBA) in partnership with EFI-Saksham, a project of Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). The two-day event, held at Vasavada Hall on November 29-30, saw attendance swell to more than 300 during evening sessions, marking an unprecedented gathering of Christian business leaders and aspirants in Gujarat.
“Churches have long viewed the business realm with suspicion,” explains Jimmy Damore, Assistant Secretary of EFI. “This has resulted in our community largely depending on government and private sector employment. Through this initiative, we're changing that narrative.”
The meticulously planned programme balanced business insights with spiritual guidance. Each day began with breakfast and worship, followed by biblical thoughts and intensive business sessions. The mornings featured keynote speeches from industry and ministry leaders, while afternoons were dedicated to practical workshops and testimonials. Strategic networking breaks throughout the day facilitated meaningful connections, and evening sessions, led by Mark Tribhuvan, provided spiritual refreshment through worship and messages from Rev. Vijayesh Lal.
The conference's impact was immediately evident in its business plan competition, where emerging entrepreneurs presented innovative ideas to a distinguished panel. After careful evaluation of business plans, presentations, and responses, Christopher’s Orbit Space secured the first prize of ₹75,000, while Aruka Restoration Poultry Farm and Nissi Chinese won ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 respectively.
“I am very excited to be here, especially because it is rare that two organisations come together to bless the community,” said Cini Baig, Founder of Coffee Jar and one of the keynote speakers. “I have seen pastors and leaders actively engaging, asking how they can help carry this forward. This is the beginning of a revival in the marketplace.”
The event’s vision extends beyond mere business networking. EFI Saksham aims to develop a next-generation movement of small and medium business leaders in Gujarat, targeting to establish 100 entrepreneurs who can reach urban centres through self-sustaining businesses. Their objectives encompass both economic and spiritual dimensions: equipping young people to bring the Gospel into the marketplace, creating ministry openings in urban areas, and guiding entrepreneurs in biblical and business ethics.
The conference featured prominent speakers including Rev. Vijayesh Lal, EFI General Secretary; Noel D'Cruz, Founder & CEO of Zion Foods; and Reji Koshy Daniel, Vice President of Sustainable Banking at E&F Small Finance Bank. Sessions ranged from financial planning to ethical business practices, addressing the pressing issue of unemployment among Christian men, which government data indicates is particularly high.
Harrison Kirit, representing both organising bodies, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership: “The collaboration between EFI-Saksham and CBA has created a unique platform for faith-driven entrepreneurs who can make a real difference in Gujarat.”
The conference also marked the launch of CBA’s new website (cbanetwork.in), establishing a digital platform for ongoing community engagement and resource sharing. This development signals the organisation’s commitment to providing long-term support for Christian entrepreneurs.
“Our objectives of promoting business aptitude and facilitating networking have been achieved satisfactorily,” reflected Joseph Benjamin from CBA’s organising team. “The diverse participation from all parts of Gujarat and from different industries has been encouraging. We look forward to Khristi Udhyamotsav 2025.”
The success of this inaugural event is indicative of a growing recognition of entrepreneurship as a viable path forward for the community. As preparations begin for next year’s summit, the organisers are building on this foundation to create a sustainable ecosystem of Christian entrepreneurs in Gujarat, combining business acumen with faith-based principles in a model that addresses both practical and spiritual aspects of entrepreneurship.
