In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, not every Seventh-day Adventist international worker sees themselves in a mission as a tentmaker. Not every tentmaker has the same focus as a MENA Total Employment Tentmaker. But all are where God can use them, and each has a special role in mission as we work together:
The International Worker
- Is primarily in the region for employment.
- May or may not be an active member of a local congregation.
- May have little or no mission engagement .
The Tentmaker
- Is an active member of a local Adventist congregation or small group.
- Is faithful to Adventist doctrines, identity, and lifestyle, including Sabbath observance.
- Integrates work and mission.
- Actively witnesses to fellow countrymen and expatriates from other countries.
The MENA Total Employment Tentmaker*
- Is a faithful, practicing Adventist member and is committed to the church organization. Collaborates with the local and regional church leadership in harmony with shared mission values.
- Is primarily focused on mission and prioritizes his/her professional work from that perspective.
- Has an experienced cultural intelligence or a high aptitude to learn.
- Has a specific aptitude for cultural contextualization.
- Is intentional about learning the local language of the host region.
- Focuses on mission to the indigenous members of the host region.
*Total Employment is an initiative to identify and encourage self-sustaining professionals who prioritize mission to the indigenous people of the MENA region. Total Employment is not a program, but an initiative primarily focused on building up a professional network of mission-driven, human resources.