Church Planting
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
God’s Strategic Design for Missions
The church is at the center of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus’ command to make disciples takes place within a disciple-making community. At Tentmakers we are committed to the local church as our primary strategy for missions. All of our mission projects focus on planting churches or training church planters. We seek to develop Church-planting Churches and Disciple-Making Disciples. This purpose in mission unites our TBM family.
Tentmaking
...And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
Acts 18:2
Committed to the Mission
Was the Apostle Paul a tentmaking missionary? The answer is more complex than a simple “yes” or “no”. During his second missionary journey Paul used tentmaking to support his ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:3). However, many times in ministry Paul did not support his ministry through tentmaking. The simple truth is that Paul was focused on his ministry and was committed to tentmaking if that was necessary to fulfill his ministry. TBM takes this same approach to tentmaking. Tentmaking provides options and opportunities for missionaries to do ministry in a variety of contexts. Whether tentmaking or not, the ministry is at the forefront.
Calling
...fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5
Pursuing God’s Call
Tentmakers supports the vision and call of our missionaries. The TBM board works with our missionaries to help them fulfill the ministry that God has called them to. Our missionaries are committed and driven. They serve in their mission field because they recognize God’s purpose in calling them to that mission field.
Faith and Finances
Instruct those...not to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17
God’s Faithfulness
TBM does not take a percentage of donations for administrative fees. This means that 100% of donations go to the missionary project. Every TBM missionary, including the home office staff, trusts that God will provide through mission-focused churches and individuals. Our organization continues to operate because of God’s faithfulness through exciting partnerships in ministry.
National Missionaries
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
Acts 10:34
A Global Family
For decades TBM has understood the importance of recognizing national missionaries as equal partners in the gospel. Many of our TBM family are foreign nationals. Our common vision and purpose transcend cultural, linguistic, ethnic and national barriers.
Sending Church
"Set apart for me...for the work to which I have called them."
Acts 13:2
The Role of the Local Church in Missions
Our role as a mission organization is a secondary and supporting role for the sending church. The local church plays a critical role in missions. Tentmakers Bible Mission is committed to supporting the sending church in their extended ministry through their missionaries.