Aren’t traditional missions and tentmaking the same thing? What difference does it make what we call it? This question comes up when explaining what tentmakers do in a mission’s conference. Let’s look at it.

Generalizations can be dangerous. There are always exceptions. But it helps understanding to identify common characteristics.

SIMILARITIES

Both traditional missionaries and tentmakers have these things in common:

• They seek to bring God’s love to the lost. They are motivated by love for God and obedience to the Great Commission.
• They are sent out by the church to make Christ known to the ends of the earth.
• They teach the Gospel.
• They instruct people on what God says in the Bible.
• The work can only be done by Christ-followers.

What major should I pursue to prepare to be a tentmaker?

This question often comes up when talking with university students planning to become tentmakers. It is a logical and good question to think about. The answer I give them is not always what they expect.

Has God laid a specific country or people group on your heart?

My response changes depending on their answer to this question, “Do you have a calling to a specific country or people?”

If the answer is YES, then look at the professional needs in that area and pursue something that will fill those needs. The answer varies depending on the context. There is no one field or skill set for all locations. Sometimes there is a specific sense of calling. But frequently it is not.

With less than two percent Christians, Niger is regarded as a mission field among Jesus-followers worldwide. Still the Nigerien churches want to send people globally to serve in God’s mission. 

People from nine nations were celebrating together when Tent Niger was officially opened in Niger’s capital city, Niamey, on April 2. This is a new record in Tent. From Africa there were representatives from Benin, Togo, Chad, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. In addition, both Germany and Norway had people at the event.  The opening also marked the end of the first-ever GO Equipped course in Niger. 25 participants took part in the training. Several of them are already operating cross-culturally as expatriate students in Niger.