Global Intent and Tent International have been working closely together since 2000. In the photo Global Intent’s director, Phill Sandahl, receives a t-shirt from Tent Nigeria’s director, Victor Agbonkpolor, at Tent International’s leader summit in September last year.
International tentmaking bodies join forces
Two of the world’s leading resource centers on tentmaking are now joining forces. By collaborating tighter Global Intent and Tent International aim at empowering greater numbers of professionals and businesspeople to bring the gospel to new workplaces, regions and people groups.
“Our aim is helping people to become effective disciple makers in the marketplace. By working closer together, we are getting a more global network where professionals, businesspeople and students can get the training and support they need,” says Phill Sandahl, director of Global Intent.
Steep growth
Since 2003 Global Intent (previously Global Opportunities) and Tent International have developed and held GO Equipped courses together around the world. The course empowers people to integrate faith and work and to bring the Gospel to new places through professions and studies. Lately the number of participants has grown rapidly. Last year 404 people attended the four-day long course that was held on four continents. The 2019-program included courses in Portuguese and Spanish in addition to the courses run in English.
“It is amazing to see how people respond to the GO Equipped teaching. For many participants it is an eye-opener to learn how life, work and faith can go hand in hand and how they can serve God through their professions. We believe we are just seeing the beginning of a much bigger movement of people who serve God through their work and lead others to Christ as they do so,” says Tent International’s director, Steinar Opheim.
Maximize resources
The Memo of Understanding between Global Intent and Tent International was signed in the beginning of February. Sandahl and Opheim believe this new and closer collaboration will maximize the use of the organizations’ resources.
“In addition to our training courses, marketing and support will be key elements in what we will build up together. We need to get the word out that there is opportunity to mobilize the whole church in bringing the gospel to the least reached areas of the world through marketplace ministry. Together we can also make sure that the people who go get the support they need from their “ah-ha” point of inspiration to their end of service,” says Phill Sandahl.
By Steinar Opheim
Editors Note: for more information you may contact the organizations at:
- Tent International – http://tentinternational.org
- Global Intent –http://intent.org