U n n am e d Co u n tri e s
Tentmaking:
Mission Without Limits
W
T RI VIA
hat do you think of when you see the word tentmaking? Does it conjure up images of canvas, sturdy thread, and large needles? In the world of mission, the term tentmaking has an association with these images, and in a moment, I’ll show you why. But foremost, tentmaking is a way for every disciple of Jesus to be involved in the Great Commission. As the world becomes more religiously polarized, many nations have closed their borders to church-based missionaries. Mission agencies call these nations “restricted access countries,” a term that applies to places where it’s politically or religiously challenging to share the gospel or worship openly.
What is the only city in the world located on two continents?
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See page 31
Using your profession to be a light
Simply put, tentmakers are devoted believers who use their profession to work in a restricted access part of the world for the purpose of sharing God’s love in both word and deed.
So what does tentmaking have to do with it? Paul used his craft to support his passion for mission. In Corinth he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and made tents because they were tentmakers. This work became his ticket to planting churches all over Asia. Paul spent years traveling among the major cities in Asia Minor and Europe, where he shared the message of Christ and planted churches. Adventist Mission is using this same method to reach people for Christ who might otherwise never
hear the gospel. With tentmaking, there is no limit to mission, no place where God cannot be seen or heard. Tentmakers work at legitimate jobs and support themselves entirely by their work just as Paul did in Corinth. But in the process they make friends and meet people’s needs. They find ways of helping others understand important questions such as, Who is God? Did Jesus die for me? Will Jesus come again? They may even start a worship group in their home.
From everywhere to everywhere
Today there is a need for tentmaking missionaries coming from every nation and going to every nation. There is a need for Africans, Asians, South Americans, Europeans, and North Americans. There is a need for people who speak English and Spanish, Arabic and Urdu, Mandarin and Bahasa.
