A Life in Exile

As I continue to ponder the future of long-term mission service, I want to address another avenue that has long been used by those who desire to reach the nations. In the Christian realm, we know it as tentmaking, but for those who might not understand the term, it is the concept of working a secular job in an overseas setting to gain access and presence for the cause of Christ.

The first tentmaker

Again, this is not a new idea. The first tentmaker was the Apostle Paul, who continued working as an actual maker of tents to support himself while he traveled. We learn about it in the book of Acts.

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. 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. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:1-4 ESV)

While in Corinth, Paul worked alongside Aquila and Priscilla in making tents, but every Sabbath, he could be found in the synagogue trying to persuade Jews and Greeks with the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul’s example has been modeled by countless bi-vocational pastors across America as well as active Christians who work secular jobs while planting churches, witnessing to neighbors, and serving in the name of Christ Jesus.

Missionaries have also followed his example by working in international schools, companies, and other secular businesses to pioneer a Christian presence and witness in hard-to-reach lands. We know this model. It’s nothing new. So why is it necessary to talk about it now?

Doors closed—Doors opened

As discussed in my first post on this subject, it is no longer doors to known “closed countries” that are being impacted by global shifts. Countries which were once easily accessed by mission organizations are also closing to the same organizations and Christian non-profit platforms. Gone are the days of the open-ended tourist visa for Americans. Authorities want to know why you’re in their country. What is your job? How are you getting your income?

Not only is it governmental changes and societal attitudes that are affecting the longevity of Christian workers in any one place but the increased use of digital passports and open access to a person’s digital footprint and identity. The ease of invasion into a person’s digital presence will bring cause to refusal of visas with exponential speed.

Does this mean we give up on reaching the nations? We cannot. Christ’s return is nearer than ever, and there are many who have yet to hear. But how? If there is no local church doing the job, how will expat workers get into the areas still in darkness?

I believe this is where a renewed emphasis on tentmaking is needed. It can no longer be an addendum in the strategy of mission organizations—it must be moved up in priority. What if Christians “flooded the zone,” to use a political term, and joined the international workforce en masse? It may not mean that the same company hires a group of Christians, but it would mean that Christian workers could penetrate multiple international companies and workplaces like yeast works through the dough.

The good and the bad of such a strategy

The good side of this effort means that Christian workers would have a stable work visa, which enables them to live in the country with more security. No more efforts to figure out platforms and security issues. You’re there for a legitimate reason in the eyes of the government. They don’t question your presence, and you get paid to live there.

The downside is time. Work is work and takes time from your day. Secular workers would still need to find the work-life balance, which can be especially hard if you have family. Hard, but not impossible. Christians do it every day, so it is a natural aspect of life.

Having this challenge means that Christian workers will have to be very intentional in their free time. Learn to build relationships that have the greatest impact. Invest in a local fellowship that you can encourage and build. Find areas that allow you to be salt and light for Christ without negatively impacting your work status.

Back to the yeast analogy

In this ever-changing world, missionaries are facing challenges unknown to previous generations. While it is not time to lose heart, it might be time to think outside the box. If doors are closing, what avenues are opening? The work of a few grains of yeast should not be dismissed. Christians serving in secular companies or schools may appear to impact at a slower rate than a missionary who can openly preach Christ in the streets, but yeast is powerful. The one person who comes to know Christ today may reach five or ten more in the months and years to come. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened” (Matthew 13:33).

Will the purposeful planting of Christian workers within secular companies be the way of the future in missions? It’s possible. I believe it’s definitely worth considering and pray that mission organizations will prayerfully begin to encourage these long-known avenues as a viable alternative or companion to current strategies for missionary placement.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on changes in missions: Re-thinking Long-term Missions, Blessed are the Networkers, VR Meets the Gospel, Tent Living, and God’s Call.