training

Tentmaker training comes to Germany!

/ Ari Rocklin

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Ari Rocklin

Back in the fall of 1998, during a flight from Helsinki Finland to Göteborg Sweden, to attend the Onådda Folk Conference I felt God challenging me to develop tentmaking mobilization and training in Europe. This seemed like an impossibility and I felt overwhelmed at the scope such a task. With some hesitation, I agreed to do my part. 

Since then, I have worked tirelessly toward this goal, often with setbacks and disappointments. So many trans-Atlantic flights in the hopes of finding people…having initial consultations with various mission agencies and groups…though exciting and promising at first, simply fizzled to nothing. Every now and then, the vision seemed to take off and incremental successes were attained, but always, the going was slow and often seemed hopeless.

Looking at the map of Europe while praying became a habit. Asking God for direction and connections. Always, when looking at the map, my eyes fell on Germany simply due to it’s central geographical location in Europe. 

Then out of nowhere, an email came from someone from Germany who contacted usthrough the website, interested in learning more about tentmaking. After some dialogue this led to an invitation to consider running our tentmaking business as mission course in Germany.

After almost two years of emails and consultations, it was finally time to fly to meet the people at AWM Korntal Germany. One big step toward the goal of tentmaker training in central Europe had been reached. Not only that, but we met with like minded, like visioned people excited at having this course at their excellent facility. 
The director of AWM, said it best in his invitation to over one hundred mission agencies in Europe:

(Ari Rocklin, Traugott Hopp & Steinar Opheim at AWM Korntal Germany 2010)

Word from the President of AWM

Dear colleagues working in an intercultural setting!

Has it ever happened to you after meeting a person whom you did not know formerly – that you soon discover that you share a common vision with that person?!

That was my experience a couple weeks ago when I met with representatives from Global Opportunities and Tent. God was at work. It didn’t take us long to see that we both desired to support God’s people looking to serve the nations.

Serving with you,

Traugott Hopp
President

The story of TENT Norway

/ Ari Rocklin

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TENT of Norway was founded in 2001 by a team of dedicated people, a strong board and effective former tentmaker, Steinar Opheim. Instead of figuring it out alone, they invited Global Opportunities to help them with resources and teachers for their courses.

An early indication of God’s favour was made evident when TENT was able to purchase a historical prayer house building right in downtown Bergen for one dollar. These historical prayer houses were built  using volunteer labor by everyday workers who needed a place to worship. Thus the location in the port area where most work activity took place in the early days of this prayer house movement.


Although the cost of the building was one dollar, the renovations that were needed were more than even the highest estimates. This being a historical building meant that the exterior could not be changed and had to remain original. The interior was completely redesigned with the addition of offices in the loft area and converting the open basement into a rental unit and kitchen. The general meeting room is large and bright, with excellent air circulation and comfortable seating. Wireless internet is available to all as well.
 

TENT is able to rent this facility when not being used for tentmaking events, which helps in making payments on the renovation costs. After the renovations loan is paid off, this income will go a long way toward adding much needed staff to this growing organization.

Why not join us for the next tentmaking business as mission course at this beautiful location? You will be housed for free in local Christians homes, all meals and snacks are included in the low course fee.

TENT is also looking for donations toward the renovation loan, if you are able to help or know someone with Norwegian genes who might want to support this work in a meaningful way, please contact Steinar Opheim directly by sending him an email at: steinar@tent.no

Will the US keep up with the rest of the world?

/ Steinar Opheim

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A focused group of 10 students showed up when Global Opportunities re-launched the organization’s tentmaking course in Pasadena in October. Nevertheless, the US can be left behind as the worldwide tentmaking train is gaining speed and bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The US has been a driving force in the worldwide mission movement. In the same way, Global Opportunities has beena pioneer in developing modern tentmaking. Hundreds of overseas workplace witnesses have received their training through GO’s courses. But nine years into the new millennium, the American tentmaking train has to gain new speed if the US wants to maintain a leading role in what is happening.

In collaboration with its European partner, Tent, GO is now running annual tentmaking courses on three continents.  The training that has been developed by the GO-Tent alliance is also used in other countries. On the African continent it is estimated that 1000 professionals will take the course in 2009. The courses in the US are outnumbered by similar events in Canada, Mali, Norway and Uganda. One thing that is admirable with Americans is their competitive attitude. Americans want to be world leaders and in many areas they are. Hopefully the same attitude can bring the US back as one of the major locomotives in the worldwide movement of tentmakers. The next chance for Americans to jump on the train and get the basic training is the GO Equipped TENTmaking course in Fort Myers, Florida in February of next year.

Nike won the world as a leading manufacturer for sports shoes and clothing. If you want to contribute in winning the world for Jesus as an international workplace witness, the course in Florida is a good starting point. Why not follow Nike’s slogan, book your tickets to Florida immediately and “Just do it”? You can register for the course here.

   Steinar Opheim
   Director
   TENT Norway

Why training for ministry skills is so important.

/ Ari Rocklin

Business as mission (BAM) is a fast growing component of missions to unreached areas of the world, and so it should be. It is a wonderful way to enable people to help themselves instead of being supported by well intended organizations or individuals. On the other hand are people who start Kingdom businesses that have a for profit purpose. I am excited at this trend and am seeing great changes in many countries where I am in contact with tentmakers.

Here is the problem as I see it.

When I look at BAM events around the world, and look at the schedules and outlines of topics that will be addressed, I seldom see a ministry component or how to do ministry  in tandem with the business.

I once wrote the BAM seminar coordinators of an upcoming event and asked why there was 
no ministry training included in their wonderful program? They told me that it simply had not crossed their minds, as they were busy lining up people with much to offer in developing a business plan, dealing with bureaucracy, raising funds etc. In their defence, they immediately asked me if I could teach such a session.

Many Christian professionals take jobs overseas or are assigned to a foreign posting by their company, often to so called closed countries. Unfortunately many leave without any specific ministry training and thus miss out on intentional sharing of their faith in meaningful ways.

“Christian professionals with overseas jobs are not tentmakers unless they intentionally seek to make Jesus known to the local people of the host country”          Ruth Siemens

GO trains tentmakers, business as mission people for critical ministry  skills in difficult countries, many of which are hostile to Christianity, not only to thrive in new cultures but to have effective ministry within the constraints of local laws and regulations. This may sound overwhelmingly difficult, but it does not have to be.

As a high level security official of a closed country once told me in a brash way, “Not even in Slamistan (his country) is it against the law to answer questions.” This simple statement tells us that renting a building for church services and then inviting people to come to a meeting is not permitted, but having relational conversations, replying to people’s questions, is not only accepted, but legal.

When you seek out training for tentmaking, business as mission, make sure you will also learn about doing ministry. Integrate your ministry plan with your business plan, and let God do the rest.

Ari Rocklin
GO Mobilizer