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GBR was established in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 21 August 2009 as a discussion, support and prayer group for people in business and the professions. Built on Biblical principles, it began with 12 people on a patio and has grown into a network with members in more than 80 countries.
What began locally soon expanded across the SADC region, then into East, West, Central and North Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
GBR's first ten years are its foundation years, completing with its tenth anniversary in 2020. By 2018/19 GBR was present in 82 countries, and thousands of members continue the mission of developing people holistically as change agents in every area of society.
From 12 people on a patio in Sandton to a global movement in more than 80 countries. See how the GBR journey unfolded.
Each milestone in GBR's history reflects God's faithfulness and the dedication of a growing global community.
On 5 November 2007 the Convenor received a vision in Jerusalem to set up the Global Fund for Jesus. On 21 August 2009 he began a prayer meeting for business people and professionals at his house in Sandton, with 12 people on a patio.
Within a year the group grew from 12 people to more than 400, moving from the patio to the tennis court and then to Rosebank Union Church in Sandton. In November 2010 GBR held its first annual conference and gala dinner at the Sandton Convention Centre.
A twelve-month launch strategy produced 30 roundtables in five provinces between March and December 2011, and the first roundtables outside South Africa, starting with Swaziland (now Eswatini) in July.
2012 was the year GBR went global. South African roundtables grew from 30 to 66, and the number of countries rose from 5 in March 2012 to 14 in March 2013, with new roundtables in the USA, Spain, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Roundtables in South Africa grew from 66 to 98, and by March 2014 GBR was in 19 countries, with launches in Abuja, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana.
By March 2015 GBR was in 33 countries and had 120 roundtables in South Africa. The Council of Chairpersons described 2014 as the culmination of the first five-year period of foundation laying, and the Global Fund for Christ became the Global Fund for Jesus.
The GBR Leadership Academy was established in 2016, and the TV show “A New Thing” reached 10 TV and 5 radio stations by 2018. GBR stood at 80 countries and revised its target to 100 countries by 2020, focusing on strengthening its existing chapters.
GBR stood at 82 countries, held its 8th World Congress at the Sandton Convention Centre and celebrated nine years since its inception, with its tenth anniversary and Vision 2020 ahead.
GBR continues to grow as a worldwide community of business people and professionals, united by faith and committed to the holistic development of every member.
GBR's African presence spans Southern Africa (SADC), East, West, Central and North Africa. The West Africa region alone counts more than 200 chapters across 15 countries.
GBR is present in 14 European countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany and France. GBR UK is a registered charity.
GBR is present in the United States and Canada, with roundtables in Washington/Maryland, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit and Montreal. Launches in Latin America were planned for 2019.
GBR is present in Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Oman and Dubai, in Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, and in Barbados in the Caribbean.
The GBR story is still being written. If you are a professional, entrepreneur, or business leader who shares our values, join this extraordinary global community.
