The Paradise that is Closed to Jesus

/ Steinar Opheim

http://globalopps.org/tmbriefs/maldives.jpg

The Maldives is regarded as a paradise for divers, surfers and other sun-loving tourists. But it is strongly prohibited to proclaim Jesus in this minor, Asian, island nation. Tentmakers who don’t mind working under tough, spiritual conditions are encouraged to hand in applications for the many job openings in the country.

Medical personnel in several categories, accountants, business executives, sales people and a great variety of workers in the tourism industry are some of the job openings currently available in the Maldives. The salary is decent. A medical doctor can easily make more than $3,500 per month. That is not bad in a country where the living costs are relatively low.

Below you’ll find links to websites where you can search for jobs in the Maldives. In most jobs you are expected to work 40 hours per week. In your spare time you can enjoy the many astonishing spots on the islands, do some diving or just relax on one of the many beaches that are enjoyable 12 months a year. You can of course also book a night or two in one of the many hotels that have “Paradise” as a part of their name and promise little less than “heavenly experiences” to their visitors.

The spiritual environment will however be challenging.  Except Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation in the world claiming that 100 per cent of its citizens are Muslims. All of them belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. In fact it is prohibited for the 300.000 people carrying a Maldivian passport to have any other faith.

Recently new laws were enacted which limit the religious freedom even more both for the citizens and for expats working in the Maldives. According to a report made by the Religious Liberty Committee in World Evangelical Alliance the new law bans preaching of any other religion than Sunni Islam.

“It is illegal in the Maldives to propagate any faith other than Islam or to engage in any effort to convert anyone to any religion other than Islam. It is also illegal to display in public any symbols or slogans belonging to any religion other than Islam, or creating interest in such articles,” states the law that is named “The Protection of Religious Unity Act”.

The law also prohibits translation of non-Muslim religious books to the local language. Another clause says, “It is illegal to possess, distribute or publicize programs, writings, artworks and advertisements on religions other than Islam.” Maldivians who violate the new law may be imprisoned for up to five years. Foreigners “shall be handed over to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for deportation.”

– The new law will harm the Maldives’ international reputation and tourism industry, and hurt the country’s youth in particular. There have been instances of suicides by, and persecution of, Maldivians who have gone public about their disbelief in Islam. Crime and violence are also rising. The stifling of essential human freedoms is incompatible with both true Islam and liberal democracy, concludes WEA’s Religious Liberty Commission.

Lessons learned from the evacuations

/ Ari Rocklin

http://globalopps.org/tmbriefs/evac.jpg

Thanks to the prayers of many, all expatriates made it out from under the bombing and ongoing civil war. Many are reporting miraculous stories of how they were saved from very dangerous situations. Prayers are requested for the many national believers who face an uncertain future. Some early reports are coming in of increased persecution during this lawless era while at the same time there is also a new openness to the Gospel not seen before. God is in control.

Preparation for Today’s Mission Challenges

/ Phill

http://globalopps.org/tmbriefs/goe.png

Phill Sandahl
 

Mary was a successful professional pursuing her career. But there was a restlessness in her soul. There was a sense that God wanted her to be involved 
in overseas missions. What should she do? At a conference she heard about tentmaking, and that looked like it made more sense considering her skills and career. She felt like she needed some specialized training. She could not put her income on hold for a year or more to return to school. Besides, what would she take? She already had a degree in her profession.

The Lausanne group studying tentmaking/business as mission highlights the lack 
of training options as one of the obstacles to the development of the tentmaking movement.

One of the weak spots within the tentmaking movement over its recent history 
has been the question of training. People involved (in tentmaking/BAM) have generally been highly motivated, often well trained professionally and rarely in a position to undertake extended training comparable to that of career missionaries.
    Lausanne Occasional Paper #39

 The solution is training to supplement professional preparation that is:

•     Biblical
•     Focused
•     Practical and Actionable
•     Short duration
•     Foundational for further self-study

Mary found the solution in a 4 ½ -day intensive GO Equipped! course which prepared her to share her faith in the marketplace and live in a foreign culture.

She was able to take the course without interrupting her regular work and then begin the process of seeking placement overseas in the area to which God had called her. One year later she was living self-supported in a country that does 
not issue religious worker visas.  

She writes, “Thank you Global Opportunities for this invaluable course! I am now serving as a tentmaker in an unreached country. Truly, there is no other course out there that is specifically designed by and for tentmakers”  “Mary”

“God began to open my eyes to new areas of service to Him. GO Equipped prepares the Christian to fulfill the great commission not only on the foreign field, but right here at home.” Patricia

GO Offers Free Workplace Missions

/ Guest Contributor

http://globalopps.org/tmbriefs/goe.png

Dave English

One of the greatest joys you can ever have is to help someone come to Jesus and follow him. Even greater is helping someone in another culture who has no knowledge of Jesus. If you’ve ever thought of this, then this seminar is for you.

The global job market has opened a huge door through which God can use you in your profession without raising support. North Americans are in demand around the world for their professional skills including running businesses. Copying the Apostle Paul’s model of earning his living by making tents in order to spread the gospel, this strategy is called tentmaking. The term Business as mission (BAM) is often used for running a business.

Come to the seminar to explore this option. Find out how God can use you. Discover how tentmaking opens doors you never imagined. Billy Graham believed this was the wave of the future. He said, “I believe that the next great move of God is going to be through believers in the marketplace.”

This seminar covers the issues. Learn advantages of workplace missions and answers to major challenges. Learn the core tentmaking model. Discover keys to being effective. And get a roadmap for going. Hear from those who’ve done it and coached tentmakers for years.

  • See the power of being a tentmaker:
  • Meeting real needs through your work
  • Not having to raise money for ministry
  • Regular connections with people who need Jesus
  • Enhanced credibility as an unpaid witness
  • A natural context for showing Christ to people

 And more. 

  • You will also be primed to meet tentmaking challenges like
  • Finding a job overseas
  • Bonding with a “strange” people
  • Witnessing without fear at work
  • Being effective in making disciples

Gain insights that open possibilities you have not seen before. Hear brief stories of real tentmaking impact. And have a chance to ask questions in sessions, during breaks and afterwards.

Finally, receive suggestions and resources for going further, learn about a tailor-made course to equip you to become effective, and take away a roadmap to going overseas as a tentmaker.

 What others are saying:

  Invaluable!! I’m so excited and motivated! — M.H.

There is also an increasing number of missionaries going out as professionals who support themselves through their own occupational employment…  Many countries which have restricted missionary presence are being served through Christians who have re-located to those countries and work in a wide array of fields for strategic purposes… Today one is likely to meet someone who is an English teacher or who is utilizing their technological expertise in some strategic part of the world.  Nevertheless, this is an important avenue through which many missionaries are being effectively placed around the world.