40 eager professionals and businessmen gathered in September at the Hyatt Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica. They came to learn about the tentmaking model of ministry.

A couple who participated in the Conference wrote the following:

“Thank you very much for planning this congress, I want to emphasize that it was a blessing for our lives, especially because many mission agencies do not understand the TentMaking, and have a bad conception of them. Unfortunately, doors have been closed to us when we ask about Bivocational opportunities since some agencies prefer only to have translation workers. This congress encourages us to understand that Tent Making is a super tool, and we really want to continue learning more, we look forward to the follow-up contact. Again, may God bless your lives too much and the Ministry that God has for you.”

Participants were encouraged and affirmed as they heard how God was using professionals and entrepreneurs to take the Gospel to the least reached. For the first time they saw a path for them to be part of global evangelism. They saw their professional education as an advantage rather than an obstacle. They also learned that the economic capacity of the local Latin American church was not a limitation.

As the weekend came to an end, participants realized they needed to learn more. They asked for additional training. Organizers are following up with guidance and ongoing training.

Organizers Sileny and Alcides Fuentes of Missionary Ventures International Latin America see a Costa Rica Center for Tentmaker Training arising out of this event. Watch this blog for further news.

Early reports from Sileny and Alcides are that the attendees are already putting into practice the skills and principles they learned so that when the time is right, they will be able to take them to another country as tentmakers.

Training was sponsored and hosted by Missionary Ventures International – Latin America. Trainers came from Tent – Brazil and Global Intent – USA. For more information contact info@intent.org.

Sileny and Alcides Fuentes concluded: “Thank you for your time to come to Costa Rica. It was a blessing for us and for the participants.” Adding, “We ask for your prayers for those who received the training.”

By Phill Sandahl