Tentmaking Missions | Work as Globalocal Mission | Vision New Normal | Business As Missions (BAM) | Tentmaker Stories | Sending Ministry | Common Concerns | East Asia Perspectives | Central & West Asia Perspectives | One Belt One Road Perspectives | Reaching Emerging Tech Capitals
Work as Globalocal Mission
Ramadan is an opportunity for Christians as well to practice loving our Muslim neighbors and exercising our faith publicly even as our Lenten season overlaps with Ramadan to end with Easter.
Mimi Chan spoke at our 9/24/22 Work as Globalocal Mission Webinar “Building Bridges Across Faith At Work”. Head of Seasonal Events at Amazon Books, she is also the founder and chair of Christians At Amazon, which started with ten people praying together but has since grown to over a thousand members and twelve chapters.
In Part 1 of the story, the author shared how Paul’s message from 1 Cor. 9:19-23 guides his approach to work and work relationships: To the Jews become as a Jew and be a servant to all. In his leadership position, he learns to be a bridge and to share with others the love of God and the blessings of the gospel.
Some years ago, God called me to work for a company that is the industry leader in East Asia. During this time, He has been showing me through 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23 how to use my position to be a bridge and share His love with all sorts of people in my daily work and business travels around the world.
As God’s people, we’re all called to act upon the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20) as well as the Great Commandment (Mt. 22:37-40) wherever we are. The focus is often placed on our action or inaction, and the performance or result. But what if practicing our faith could be less about our needs, and more about understanding the needs of others?
Christians may approach their work differently as it relates to mission. Their approach to work and mission can influence their career choices, work objectives, work-life balance, and ultimately the fruit of their work. But regardless of the approach, the call to be salt and light and reach the lost for Christ remains the same for all.
Don’t miss out on why God has placed you where you are! Be open and say yes to God and see what He will do. Be there to listen to your workmates and share with them your experiences of God. Finally, embrace the work and opportunities that God has given to you at this time and be the best steward of those resources that you can be!
We address a few common myths people hold about “calling,” particularly when it comes to work and vocation, through what Scripture has to say.
If work is an integral part of a tentmaker's life and witness, and not just a "passport" to get to the field or a "platform" for ministry, then getting the right job is important. But what constitutes the right job? How do you find that job overseas?
Ramadan, holy month for Muslims, started April 2 and will end on May 1. Pious Ali, a Portland city councilor said, “Some of us can afford to eat three meals a day, but others in the world can’t. By fasting we learn how that feels. By fasting you learn about the privileges God has given you.” Indeed, Muslims devote themselves to practices including fasting, almsgiving, and soul-searching during Ramadan.
Jeremy was a freshman in our 2002 student summer program in China. It opened his eyes to serving overseas. He explored many options for going to China while serving on the missions committee of his home church. But nothing panned out.
This is the new era of digital missions. We are finally harnessing it to bring the witness of our Lord from our Jerusalems, Judeas, and Samarias to the rest of the world.
Digital missions can’t replace the incarnational presence of Christ in all nations. But this approach should be curated to carry the timeless story of God’s love to our world.
Highlights from our 2020 conference VISION NEW NORMAL: YOUR WORK AS GLOBALOCAL MISSION.
We are called to go into all the world to proclaim the Gospel. But not many are even making their faith visible in the workplace. If we are not a missionary here at home, how can we be ready for tentmaking mission in another country, another culture?
It has taken years for me to shake the notion that working a full-time job is merely a distraction from the fully committed Christian life I ought to live.
Recently my manager gave me an assignment. The Holy Spirit prompted me with a line of thought: If Jesus commands me to work with all my heart unto Him, and in service of my manager, then Jesus is a key stakeholder in getting this problem solved.
In recent years, the Faith@Work movement has grown in momentum mainly in the parachurch space. But some churches are also helping their people integrate faith and work.
Family and work are the two major arenas of life where we live out our faith. Marriage and family ministries have come a long way since the 70’s, and we are familiar with the concept of the family altar. Why not the workplace altar?
In 2000, half of the world became city dwellers. In 2012, China’s urban population surpassed its rural counterpart. Economic migration is a global phenomenon. Over the last few decades, hundreds of millions in China have left the countryside for the cities with millions of Christians among them.
Even though traditional missionaries cannot go into most of the 10/40 Window countries where the gospel is most needed today, tentmakers can.
Recently Lance and Donna were tagged in a photo from friends in the US that said, “We love spend- ing time with this family from East Asia”. After ten years abroad, it makes sense that they are seen as from Asia and not America. China is home. It is where they work, do life, and serve as missional professionals.
Is tentmaking missions just about being a self-supporting missionary like Paul, who financed his pioneering work at Corinth through his trade? Is it just about having a work visa so you can stay and serve in a certain country?