More than 70 people attended a GO Equipped course in Liberia in February this year. 20 of them have signed up to go as tentmakers.

My hope is that we can send the first tentmakers by the end of this year, says Tent Liberia’s director, Clinton T. Gbawoh. For him having the GO Equipped course in Monrovia is a long-term dream that became reality. In 2010 he attended an All Africa conference on tentmaking in Cameroon. Since then he has wanted to bring the GO Equipped-training to his home nation.

Clinton is overwhelmed by the way Christians in Liberia responded when they were invited to attend the three-day tentmaking training.

We are grateful to God and want to give him the glory for what has happened. None of us dared to hope that more than 70 people would register for the course, states Gbawoh.

New perspectives

Several of the participants say they did not really know what to expect when they signed up for the course. Many of them express how the course has given them new perspectives.

After taking this course, it feels like I have been asleep for many years. Now my eyes are opened, and I can see how I can serve God through my profession as a teacher. I cannot wait to take a second course and get more cross-cultural training that can prepare me to go. I want to leave Liberia and travel to the place where God wants me to serve him as a teacher and ambassador for his Kingdom, says Venice S. Garty. She will dedicate the coming months to pray for God to lead her.

I do not want to make decisions on my own, but to follow his will. When I do that I know I will be protected wherever I am.

More than a musician

Nancy G. D. Tulay is a musician and actress.

“Previously I have seen music and acting as ways of making an income. Now I understand that I can also serve God and win souls as an artist. This course has changed my way of thinking,” she says.

Samuel Johnson works for the Liberian government and is a part of Tent Liberia’s board of directors.

This training comes to Liberia exactly at the right time. It is very important for the Christians here to learn how they can serve the Lord in their workplaces. We believe that many of the participants at this course will be engaged in Tent Liberia’s work and bring the Gospel through their professions to the different regions of Liberia and to other nations, states Johnson.

All Africa

The GO Equipped course in Monrovia was followed by the official launch of Tent Liberia on February 10. Around 120 people, among them 20 official guests, took part at the three-hour celebration of the start of the new operation. Tent Liberia will focus on recruiting, training and sending Christian professionals, business people and students as tentmakers.

“The launch of the GO Equipped course points towards a great future for Tent Liberia. Many people want to be a part of this work and get equipped to bring the Gospel to new places through their professions,” says Clinton T. Gbawoh.

He believes it is important to share the tentmaking vision with all churches in Africa. Therefore he and his team have decided to arrange an All Africa tentmaking conference in August this year. Around 150 people from 20 nations are expected to attend this fourth All Africa conference.

Tentmaking is an important strategy for the churches in Africa. It is therefore vital to spread the visions widely. We are praying and asking God to provide all the resources needed to arrange the All Africa conference, says the Tent Liberia’s director.

By Steinar Opheim