Contact: Wesley Strackbein, 210-340-5250, ext. 222

SAN ANTONIO, Tx., Aug.15 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than eleven hundred participants representing states from Alaska to Florida and foreign countries from Malaysia to New Zealand were on hand for Vision Forum Ministries’ first-ever Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families held at the Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas this last weekend.

“Our goal for the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp is to equip families with biblical tools for business success -- to proclaim principles from God’s Word that apply to wealth-building and business finance,” explained Doug Phillips, founder of Vision Forum Ministries.

“This effort appears to have struck a chord, as we were blessed to welcome a cross-current of Christian entrepreneurs to our first event, including corporate CEO’s, small businessmen, as well as wage earners looking for a fresh start. Many men came with their whole families,” noted Phillips. “Yet while our attendees came from diverse backgrounds, they shared one thing in common: the desire to pursue business in a way that honors God and builds up, not breaks down, the family.”

Session topics at the inaugural bootcamp included: “The Rebirth of Family-Friendly Christian Entrepreneurship, “Creative Models for Raising Capital Without Debt Bondage,” How to Cultivate an Entrepreneurial Spirit with Your Children,” “Building An E-Commerce Business,” “Top Ten Legal Issues Every Family Entrepreneur Needs to Understand,” “A Biblical Model for Successful Agrarian Entrepreneurship,” and “A Christian Entrepreneurial Vision for Marketing and Retailing,” among others.

“God has commanded man to ‘take dominion of the earth,’ to steward the resources set before him wisely and creatively as part of a full-orbed family vision of faithfulness,” observed Phillips. “Many Christian entrepreneurs who joined us this last weekend found hope as they embraced this charge, and we look forward to watching the fruit God brings as these families pursue new business endeavors for Christ’s glory.”

Vision Forum Ministries was pleased to award more $8,000 to winners of their Business Plan Contest during closing ceremonies at the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp. Jonathan Lewis of Goldendale, Washington received the $5,000 Grand Prize for the Adult Contest for his business proposal for Seraphim Energy. Other winners in the Adult Category were Rob Weaver of Ponder Pictures who took the second place prize of $2,500; and Woody Robertson, David Socolofsky, and Richard Heki, the three of whom tied for third place. Thirteen-year-old Christopher Youngblood came away with the “Budding Entrepreneur -- Captain of Industry Award,” which included a $500 cash prize, for his business plan for In His Hands Medical.

For more information on the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families,visit: http://www.visionforumministries.org/events/eb/001/

To interview Doug Phillips about his vision for the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 210-340-5250, ext. 222.