WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

188 WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES
Case Study of a Tentmaker in a Sensitive Country
This case study has two parts, each with issues for discussion.
Understanding the issues will optimise the use of this case study.
Part 1 POSITIONING to live within a community
Tim is a tentmaker. For prudent reasons, we cannot divulge his real
name or citizenship. He did not go to another country but had to make a
cross-cultural leap within his own country.
Tim has had a growing burden for the majority people group in his
country. In this country, it is against the law for this mainstream people to
change their religion. Tim had a vision just over ten years ago. He saw a
jumbo jet full of passengers that could not land because there was no runway.
He sensed God speaking to him about an impending harvest but the harvest
would fail without harvesters for the people. He believed his calling was to
reach this people.
Tim had served as a worker at his local church. But now, he decided to
use his expertise as a craftsman and trust God for his support. He took on the
identity as a business consultant. There would be religious hostility if people
knew his associations with a church. He then joined a team of believers who
had a similar burden for this people group.
At first, Tim’s wife did not share his burden and calling. After one year
of studying the Scriptures with a group, her initial prejudice changed to
enthusiastic support. She became his most valued team member, together
with their children. About 5 years later, he and his wife and family moved into
an area where 95 percent of the neighbourhood comprised the people group
he was burdened to win.
FIRST DISCUSSION: What helped Tim and his family to position themselves
for ministry among this people?
Issues/Questions:
• A Vision from God. Note that in the book of Acts, “visions and dreams”
were ways related to the movement of the Gospel. Do you think God
works this way today?
• Wife and Family. How important is it for a family to be united to
reach other families?
• Identity. Why was it important for Tim to take on the identity as a business