Merari Peña runs the Forever Crystals network of jewelry stores.
The Business As Mission (BAM) movement has been growing stronger around the world over the past few years. ‘Business’ and ‘mission’ don’t seem quite such strange bedfellows any longer.
But many Christians still have not had the opportunity to think through how the two worlds can overlap.
BAM Vancouver has helped many to do just that over the past few years – and will do so again next Friday (March 6), at the Westin Wall Centre in Richmond.
The Business as Mission Conference is “a one-day summit of talks, activities, panelists and connection”:
It’s more than a conference. It’s a movement, a cultural shift, an intergenerational gathering of everyone who wants to make a difference for God’s kingdom in and through their business.
It’s learning together how to live out the Great Commission by creating businesses that not only thrive – but are designed to create thriving for others, too.
BAM Conference 2026 will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals, students and passionate individuals from all over the world, connected by a common cause to create, invest in and build businesses with kingdom impact.
Two of the key speakers are Merari Peña and João Mordomo.
Merari Peña
Merari Peña is the driving force behind Forever Crystals, a jewelry brand that beautifully illustrates the integration of faith and business. A native of Puerto Rico from a missionary family, Merari originally stepped into the family jewelry business to support her father’s ministry work in Cuba. What began as managing two small kiosks has since evolved into a thriving international enterprise.
Today, Forever Crystals operates nine company-owned retail stores, seven franchises in Puerto Rico and a distribution network extending to Costa Rica and the Caribbean. Under Merari’s leadership, the company employs nearly 90 people and is known for its ‘affordable luxury’ and high-quality Swarovski elements.
Forever Crystals is quite open about their missional aims. Apart from sharing the gospel message directly in their stores, it also shines through all of their business ethos and operations. Company materials explain:
Our responsibility with clients, employees and shareholders goes beyond just simply providing a product. We strive to give back with grace what has been given by grace to us. We provide this in many ways that include . . . strategic partnership with missionary organizations, providing employment in a dignified and creative environment and using our operation towards helping in the progression of the great commission.
From holding prayer within the company to feeding the homeless and supporting Operation Christmas Child, Merari demonstrates that a business can be profitable, sustainable and a tangible vessel for God’s missional love.
João Mordomo
João Mordomo is a missional entrepreneur.
João Mordomo is known as a passionate communicator and has spoken and ministered in over 60 countries.
He has authored and contributed to multiple books, including the Lausanne Occasional Paper on Business as Mission; World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition; and Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (Brazilian Edition), as well as co-edited or contributed to several study Bible and encyclopedia projects.
With doctorates in Intercultural Studies and Religious Studies, specializations in entrepreneurship, management, leadership and intercultural communication, he designs and teaches BAM-related courses at several universities, in addition to teaching organizational leadership and intercultural studies.
João is a global catalyst with a pastor’s heart and a strategist’s mind. A missional entrepreneur, academic mentor and missiological creative, he lives at the intersection of faith, business and the Great Commission.
Go here to read about all the speakers, including:
- Josh & Loretta Davis: JL Davis Enterprises
- Adrian Di Francesco: Marketplace Leader
- Russ & Sandy Rosen: Bez Arts Hub
- Sherry Lali: Lago Apparel
- Rosaline Oh: AHAVA
- Patrick Elaschuk: Global Missions Pastor, Tenth Church
- Alex Thompson: Power For All
- Jee-Woon: J’s Kitchen
Coldest Night
Several local groups are taking part in the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser this Saturday (February 28).
Their site states:
Each year in February, tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of home to shine a light of welcome and compassion in their communities.
Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $75,000,000 across Canada in 190 Canadian communities – 100% of net proceeds stay local to support our CNOY charity partners. Learn more about our history.
These are some of the local participants:
- Vancouver Broadway: CityReach Care Society
- Vancouver DTES: First United
- Burnaby: Burnaby Community Services & Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby
- Richmond Brighouse: Richmond Food Bank Society
- Richmond Gilmore Park: Chimo Community Services
- Surrey Whalley North: Surrey Urban Mission
- Langley Brookswood: Brookswood Baptist Church & Langley Food Bank
- Langley Gateway: Salvation Army Gateway of Hope
Go here for the full list of BC participants.
Man of the Shroud
The Man of the Shroud exhibition
The Man of the Shroud Exhibition will be hosted at Saint John Paul II Academy in Surrey March 5 – 8:
This is the final opportunity for parishes, schools, groups, individuals and families in the Lower Mainland to experience the Man of the Shroud Exhibition before it retires.
The exhibition has been travelling across Canada since 2004, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of the faithful.
Read about the compelling evidence of the Shroud of Turin and engage with a full-size, museum-quality replica.
There are also limited tickets to participate in student and adult guided presentations led by Dr. Cheryl White, an International Shroud Scholar. These sessions integrate history, science, art and faith in a powerful and spiritually enriching way.
The exhibition is free, though donations are appreciated; registration is required. Go here for the complete schedule.