WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

TYPES OF BI-VOCATIONAL LABOURERS
197
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY describe the ministry of the
tentmaker within the context of his work or outside of his work environment.
SECURITY, SENSITIVITY and PRUDENCE are essential in sensitive
countries. Prudence needs to be practised in all forms of communication within
the country and with those outside the country. It should be assumed that
government authorities are monitoring and reading correspondence and emails.
Tentmaker A, a Personnel Manager employed by a multinational
hotel in Asia
Personal Preparation: When Tentmaker A (TM A) was being discipled, the
Great Commission was given significant emphasis. TM A’s friend encouraged
him to investigate this possibility through his own private research. He
subsequently geared his career development toward the market opportunities
in Asia, finally landing the job of a personnel manager in a multinational hotel
line based in a key city in the country. He was further helped by experienced
lay people who had spent time in the target country themselves. Their individual
counsel was a boost to his plans.
Networking: There was no organised support system that backed TM A
in his venture into Asia. Instead friends, who were instrumental in broadening
his vision and helping him to focus on the tentmaking strategy, formed a loose
individual network. They would be a resource base in terms of information and
informal orientation as well as a prayer and nurturing network for his
encouragement.
Residence Access: His job within a multinational corporation gave him
longer term residence access. His wife joined him later.
Financial Viability: His job was more than adequate in meeting his financial
needs.
Scope of Potential Relationships among Locals: His job enabled him to
develop a wide range of relationships both within his work sphere and also
outside in the city through his job linkages.
Opportunities for Ministry: Due to security considerations, TM A refrained
from oral evangelistic initiatives within his office and job, but was able to develop
an evangelistic initiative outside his workplace through relationships developed.
He is helping key locals in memorising and studying the Bible through verse
analysis outlined by a Scripture Memory System. He does this with them on a