Upon the retirement of Dave English at the end of the year, after being the director of Global Opportunities for 20 years – following in the footsteps of and being mentored by founder Ruth Siemens – it is my privilege to look back at Dave’s legacy and accomplishments, as I see them from having been his co-worker for the past 16 years. Continue reading
Apostle Paul is Tweeting!
You might be interested in Apostle Paul’s Tweets – @paultentmaker
Here are some of them: Continue reading
I recently spent time with Hank, a returned tentmaker from North Africa. During his time there he realized that new believers did not have home grown worship music, but were importing modern western songs with a very different style and beat compared to local music.
He shared a story of another tentmaker who had been asked to teach his new underground church worship songs from the west. The tentmaker was horrified at this idea, since his vision was to plant a church of the culture, not a western import.
He had suggested to the musicians of his house church to set their favorite psalms to music. Thus a series of scripture centered songs, with a culturally relatable music style, was born. The new believers “owned” their songs which reinforced to them that the music of their culture is approved by God.
Hank is now researching ethnomusicology with the intent of teaching the new church of North Africa how to develop and compose music that is culturally acceptable.
He also impressed on me that bringing our songs from the west is a form of imperialistic arrogance that makes the host nation believers think that their music is second class and not worthy.
His suggestion to new tentmakers going to unreached areas was simply to learn the host culture music style first and then adapt scripture to this music and enjoy making beautiful God honoring songs together.
“When we obey the rules and laws of a nation, even though they may restrict or forbid proselytizing, God will open an even greater opportunity for the gospel than if we break the laws of the land.”
The above quote is from a recently returned tentmaker from the northern Asia region. Officials are aggressively trying to stop Christian expats from proselytizing and even connecting with locals outside of work hours.
So how does one bring light into the darkness under such conditions?
Apparently, God always finds a way when we remain obedient to his Word. Even with officials in classrooms monitoring what was being said and taught by the teacher, the Holy Spirit was at work. Much prayer preceded each day’s teaching, praying for the students and officials by name.
Eventually, the questions from students became more and more brave as they noticed that some officials were less concerned about the class discussions with some of them even joining in on the topics.
After a few years of earning the respect of local people and even some authorities, a Bible study group was born right in the classroom. Since having a Bible is not permitted in this country, creative methods were used to get the Word into the students’ hands.
For more on what these “creative methods” are, attend one of our courses.
The door remains wide open for committed, intentional Christian expat teachers to bring the Gospel to this least-reached nation. A government-imposed spiritual vacuum is crying for something to fill this void. Let it be Jesus.
Are you up for it?
If so, contact us – we will get you there.
