Denis (aka Clarkie) owned and operated a very well know Car Dealership for many years, employing 16-20 staff, and subsequently made a very successful career in Finance and Insurance, where he also employed staff.
After raising a family, Coralie began, grew, and sold 3 different businesses in various areas of the Food and Hospitality Industry, winning two prestigious awards along the way.
Denis and Coralie passionately believe that no one is more strategically positioned in a city or community than Christian believers operating in the marketplace. Business Edge, their assignment from God, is to see that you are encouraged, strengthened, equipped, and inspired to succeed in your business or work.
As Business Edge Founders and Business Pastors they are practitioners of marketplace ministry, being individually experienced in running successful businesses, having a keen understanding of the unique challenges, spiritual and lifestyle demands business people frequently face.
Denis and Coralie are Licensed Marketplace Ministers with Christian International USA since 2007
https://wwwchristianinternational.com
Denis and Coralie are committed members of a local church. They have 3 married, adult children, and 7 very handsome and gorgeous grandchildren.
Did you ever wonder about Business Edge? This is the citation read before we were honoured with this Unsung Heroes Award [secularism] 2017 .
“The scriptures are full of small enterprise, Zebedee, Philemon, Lydia, Paul and even our Lord to name a few. Most of the other names including those of the original apostles that are mentioned in the New Testament are those of working people. It is Greek thinking and non-biblical thinking which separated the church as sacred or spiritual, from business and employment as secular or of the flesh. God is moving to change this and make all of life, business included, the context for the Lord Jesus to be revealed through us. Denis and Coralie Clark are the Founders and CEO of Business Edge, a unique support business dedicated to empowering business people to become a positive force within their business, community, and nation from a Christian Worldview….!” The business world for them is a missional opportunity for the Kingdom of God”. President CBN
Greg and Julie Bailey (Directors Christian International Network of Churches and Ministries Australia and New Zealand )
Russell Drake (NZBS, BMin, BA) Drake Consulting Group
Linda-Maree Drake ( MBA) Drake Consulting Group / Fegan &Co Recruitment
Andrew Clements(LLB/BA, TEP) Grayson Clements Legal
The vision statement of Business Edge is
“To be the business group of choice in our city and nation, unlocking all your potential for good and for God.”
Business Edge began as a seed way back in 1989 with a business failure. Our church pastor at the time, came alongside us and offered as much support as he could, given the limitations of his business experience.
Once the worst was over, and life had regained some normality, we reflected on the fact that the spiritual support had been a real encouragement and wondered why we had not been noticed, honoured or supported while the business had been strong. Business can be a lonely place even when things are going well. These thoughts lay dormant for a decade while we got ourselves back on our feet, cared for our family, began new businesses and once again experienced those same feelings of loneliness, lack of understanding and frustrations within the church family. Others we knew felt much the same.
We began by identifying a few business people we knew who were experiencing similar issues, and (with our pastors permission), began a business focused small group. What a joy it was to meet with, pray with, laugh, cry and build relationships with, folks who dealt with similar situations every day… the bank, compliance, staff issues, sales issues, tax issues, balancing business, family, life, church etc.
After 2 years when the group had become large in size we realised we needed to extend this “budding ministry” to more than a small group and more than just one church, business people of faith all over the city were needing to be part of something that would encourage and recognize the “calling” that God had placed on their lives to be a beacon of light in the city by doing business God’s way.
We waited on God and the concept of Business Edge was born. It was to be different… by being a “member funded” ministry, with a “Business Pastor / Mentor” at the head. The paradigms were shifting and a new “business/ministry” was being born. We launched in April 2003 across the spectrum of churches and found many business people who were ready and willing to pay a membership for spiritual and business encouragement and facilitation.
Business Edge has continued to develop relationship groups, social events, business speakers, educational seminars and workshops, a bi-annual conference day with validated overseas speakers, resources like books, DVDs, CD’s, Pastoral contact, Business Edge After 5 events, direct prayer within the business, email prayer requests and praise points daily etc.
We were privileged to go to Argentina in late 2003, at the invitation of Ed Silvoso to observe how “marketplace Christians” have changed cities from places of corruption and greed, to places of “God’s glory” where they have influence with city leaders because of their demonstration of God’s love in the marketplace. How encouraging!!!
Business Edge has continued to develop areas of influence, across New Zealand, in Perth Australia and USA and alliances with people in UK and around the world.
As Business Edge Pastors/Mentors we are privileged to be able to visit and pray with business leaders daily at their place of work, over the phone, or at the computer and bring them apostolic and prophetic encouragement, so as to excel in their “marketplace” for God.
The vision statement of Business Edge is “To be the business group of choice in our city and nation, unlocking all your potential for good and for God.”
Thank you for taking the time to read our story…
Denis and Coralie Clark – Founders/ Business Edge Pastors (Licensed Christian International Marketplace Pastors 2007)
Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow God’s teachings.
Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.
Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Even so faith without works is dead. But a man may say, You have faith and I have works; let me see your faith without your works, and I will make my faith clear to you by my works
