You are more than a Teacher

 

You are more than a Teacher!

Have you ever thought that you are already in a mission field? When hundreds people, who do not know Jesus Christ are around you, in your school and right where you live, you need not wait for a Sunday evening outreach or wait till God calls you for a “full-time ministry” -- to share the Gospel with them. You are one of the most appropriate persons to reach the people around you. In short, you are a “missionary” (who shares the gospel with others). The school or the institution where you work and the place where you live are your mission fields. Christian teachers like you can also contribute a lot in fulfilling Jesus Christ’s command, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO ALL CREATION” (Mk: 16:15 NIV). We call such people “Tentmakers”. You too can become a Tentmaker.

 

One Step Beyond:

The world rushes on and is advancing.  Here is a chance for you to think beyond and work for the kingdom of God. Why should you be a witness in the same school where there are others who share the Gospel?  Why should you be in the same geographical area where somebody else shows the love of Christ? You can take it as a challenge to go (get a transfer, find a new job, …) to an un-evangelized place or country, as a teacher with the single motive of spreading the aroma of Christ. Many schools, places and countries, which are closed to the gospel, are open for school teachers. You can use your profession and skills to gain access to a restricted place for the purpose of communicating Christ through your life and witness.

 

“Tentmakers are disciples of Jesus Christ, called by God and commissioned by God's people to make disciples and build His church, who use their professional skills to facilitate their ministry”

 

TAKE A STEP BEYOND FOR CHRIST

 

Mission Fields at Your Reach:

 

Ø Teaching and non-teaching staff of your school.

Ø People working in other schools.

Ø Students

Ø Teachers you meet during paper evaluation and meetings.

Ø Parents / Guardians / relatives of your students.

Ø People living around you.

 

What Can You Do?

 

Ø Consider yourself as a missionary and show the love of Christ in words and action.

Ø Build good relationships with your colleagues, neighbours and students, and spend quality time with them.

Ø Make use of every opportunity to share the gospel in a meaningful way.

Ø Start an evangelistic Bible study with the people who are open to the gospel. This can be changed to discipleship Bible study later.

Ø Connect new contacts to any good, local church.

Ø If there are no churches nearby, start a worship group and contact missions for help.

Ø Help the local churches / missionaries / ministries.

Ø Motivate and encourage others in becoming Tentmakers.

 

How to Start?

 

Ø First seek God’s will to find where He wants you to go.

Ø Collect information about that place and start praying.

Ø Look for new job openings / transfers.

Ø Prepare yourself for this new task.

·   Start learning the language.

·   Build relationships with local people and colleagues.

·   Learn to share the gospel in practical, creative and effective ways.

·   Lead Prayer Groups or Bible studies.

·   Spend quality personal time with God.

·   Develop good personal character.

·   Gain basic biblical and mission knowledge.

·   Gain / develop talents (e.g. to plan a musical instrument)

 

Ø Find a good support system (a church / mission / prayer group). This is needed very much for your prayer support, pastoral care and, if necessary, financial support. This will also increase your accountability.

 

Dare to Be Different:

 

You should be prepared to be different from other teachers whose choice of job may depend on money, place, safety, etc. Since a Tentmaker’s challenge is to obey God and go to a new place with a mission (to make disciples and to build His kingdom), you need to be open for the following.

Ø Ready to take up new jobs / transfers.

Ø Ready to take up a low profile job.

Ø Choose a job, which will give you more free time. (e.g. five days a week)

Ø Avoid assuming overtime responsibilities (Tuition, Coaching classes, etc.) that will take away your precious time and strength, which can be invested in God’s kingdom.

Ø Don’t compare yourself with a person who is going to a new place for the sake of job.

Ø Go to a place for ministry and make a living. Don’t go to a place for job and do ministry whenever time permits.

 

Footsteps to follow:

 

            Mr. Prakash (name changed) is a post-graduate in Zoology. He got a job as a teacher in a training institute in a northern state. He started spending time with the students of his school and of the neighbouring colleges in the evenings. He helped to start an evangelistic Bible study, which is very fruitful. He is contributing a lot in student’s ministries done by UESI and BYM. His fluency in local language and other languages help him to get lot of student contacts from different states. He is also helping in the local churches and missionary organizations working in that area.

 

Wait a minute….

 

Do you have a specific call for “full-time ministry”? If YES, “Tentmakers” ministry is not for you. If NO, dare to be different by becoming a Tentmaker.

 

For more information:

Log onto http://imaindia.org to view job opportunities

 

India Missions Association

Post Box 36,

1-300/118, Arul Colony,

ECIL Post, Hyderabad 500 062, AP, India

( (91) 040 - 27134530 / 5

E-Mail: tentmakers@imaindia.org

 

Evangelical Teachers’ Fellowship,

9 Sterling Apartments, Snehapuri Colony,

Nacharam, Hyderabad-500076, AP, India

( (91) 040 27158691(O), 27014839 (R)

E-Mail: etfindia@lycos.com

 

Interserve (INDIA)

2/22 Annapurna, New Era Society

Marketyard, Pune 411037

( (91) 020 - 4274849 / 4272768

E-Mail: isvindia@vsnl.com