Christian Couple Pioneering A Way For A Stronger Economy

Merchants Barter Exchange helping US businesses and saving a few souls along the way since 2000.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 19, 2009 – Allentown, PA – Amidst the negative news headlines of record-breaking lay-offs, billion dollar bail-outs, corruption, and corporations posting embarrassing losses, it is very refreshing to hear a revival of older times and better values now getting their fair share of exposure. The age-old tradition of barter is back in vogue. What’s more, it’s comforting to hear that Christians are once more spearheading this rejuvenation, and helping lead people back to Christ.

Steve and Marti Bolles co-founded Merchants Barter Exchange (MBE) back in 2000 in preparation for just such economic woes as we are currently experiencing. The pioneering couple has been a member of King of Kings Worship Center in Bernardsville, NJ, for over ten years, and even though they relocated to Pennsylvania, they still make the journey into Jersey each Sunday for worship. Rather than label themselves a ‘Christian’ company, they prefer to be seen as a company founded by Christians and run on Christian values and principles. “God’s blessed me with success in business before,” states Bolles, “but in this instance, God told me to start this company… he even gave me the blue-print to build this alternative currency for the hard times ahead.”

When Bolles first mentioned his idea to the established barter industry of a bartering company based on the principle of “100% trade, 100% of the time” (now a company motto) and founded upon strong Christian values, as a true alternative currency mechanism, he was ridiculed and told, “It cannot be done!” Never before had a US barter company conducted trade on a full-barter basis – almost all other barter organizations only trade out the labor element, some even allow a different, higher price for bartering. MBE’s ‘pure’ barter system gives them the ability to do much larger trades than any other group, to date no other retail barter company has done such work as $100,000 printing jobs exclusively on trade.

Non-Christians may scoff at the concept, but any student of the Scriptures will understand why MBE is now growing at an exponential rate in these very challenging times. Operating similar to a private bank, the MBE-barter system allows its members to trade for much-needed goods and services instead of spending cash. New members are set up with a barter bank account with a $2000 line of credit to spend. Unlike traditional, one-on-one barter – where each party has to want the other party’s things in exchange – this system allows any member to trade with any other member independently, just like spending cash. Shawn Cressman – a client turned Licensee – owner of Cressman’s Lawn & Tree Care states, “I saved so much money on things I used in my landscape business by trading for it instead of using cash, that when I learned I could own and run my own MBE territory, it was a no-brainer.”

MBE is not just helping businesses weather these tough economic times, as majority licensee, Anthony Donnelly, admits, “When Steve and MBE came into my life, I was on a serious decline… I’d always had a connection to God, but Steve helped me find Jesus again. I honestly don’t know where I’d be, if I hadn’t been saved.” Donnelly, originally born in England, began his journey with the company as a salesman over three years ago, and now owns and operates a number of locations around the US. He also has plans later this year to spearhead their expansion into the European markets. “God has truly blessed my life with this opportunity. I feel this is my life calling.”

Unlike many companies today, MBE is currently expanding exponentially due to the downward economy, opening new offices around the country, and employing more people along the way. One of their latest offices in Minnesota is growing at a staggering rate. Tram Holloway, Licensee for St. Paul, MN, a fellow Christian says simply, “No one has any money right now. If you’re a business owner and you need stuff, why wouldn’t you use MBE-barter to get it? Some people get it, some people don’t, and others have to be pushed through the open door!”

“I couldn’t be more excited,” beams Bolles. “It is truly a blessing that our company is prospering and doing good deeds around the nation. The fact that we are helping lead people back to the Lord is worth more than the financial gains.” Another office is opening up in the Sacramento, CA, area – the birthplace of organized barter in the US – early this year, and many other offices are scheduled for later in 2009 already.

	Loading...