Tentmakers is a training organization that delivers practical, Christ-centered, leadership and life skills training. Founded in 1979, Tentmakers has trained and equipped over 15,000 individuals. Those who have taken the training, who are from all walks of life, tell us that their approach to life has changed! They say they are equipped and inspired to be more others-centered, build stronger relationships, live more intentionally, and have greater confidence to lead and influence others. They also say that their relationship with Jesus Christ has become more central to the way they live their lives.
Vision
The vision of Tentmakers is to transform the world through Christ, one relationship at a time.
Mission
The mission of Tentmakers is to provide Christ-centered, transformational leadership training to sharpen skills for stronger lives, families, vocations, and ministries.
History
Tentmakers was founded in 1979 in response to the great need of local churches to have qualified, trained, effective youth ministry leaders. Founder and President Dick Amundson, along with the help of some key Twin Cities Christian leaders, took the plunge and created an organization that would not only recruit, screen, and place these youth leaders in churches, but provide top-notch training and support for them as well. The “tentmakers” would be part-time youth leaders who would also work in the community.
Dick Amundson set about finding the best, most knowledgeable and experienced youth ministry experts around to do the training. The first class of youth leaders graduated in 1979 and went on to serve in churches throughout the Midwest. Even though the training had excellent teachers and cutting-edge content, Dick soon realized that many of the graduates still lacked the confidence and initiative needed to be strong leaders in the challenging field of youth ministry.
Divine Providence arranged for Dick to meet Claude Bowen, a world-class trainer who had been working with Wycliffe Bible Translators in providing practical leadership training. A partnership was born. Over the next few years a new curriculum and methodology was created for the youth ministry training, based on a unique process of learning, biblical principles, a deliberate atmosphere of encouragement, a high instructor-to-student ratio, personal coaching, and Christ-centered community. The results were tremendous. Over the next few years Tentmakers began developing a reputation: people who had gone through this training tended to be more relational, took more initiative, were more organized and strategic, and stayed at their churches longer than the average youth leader.
Then, Tentmakers began listening to the other needs of churches and responding. A process was developed to help churches create or refine the foundations of a youth ministry program through strategic planning. The support Network for youth leaders was expanded. Leadership training for students was created. The focus was still on youth ministry—but a major change was about to take place.
In the mid-90’s, pastors wanted this kind of transformational leadership training for themselves and for their church members. Thus, the Nehemiah Leadership Institute was developed: a one-of-a-kind training experience that focused deeply on the crucial skills of effective leadership. And, short weekend courses were developed for congregation members in relational skills, life planning skills, and small group leadership skills. Who are the new “tentmakers”? Everyone! Each person is called to be a minister in the Body of Christ.
Today, Tentmakers holds true to its youth ministry roots and yet the strong branch of pastoral and congregational leadership training continues to flourish. Our desire is to continue to build leaders throughout the Church: leaders who live the Christ-centered life with excellence and confidence…leaders who build more leaders! You will find that our training is different, stretching, and enjoyable—it is an interactive experience that shapes character and habits from the inside out. We hope you’ll join us as together, through the Holy Spirit, we live out our calling as the Body of Christ!
