Why are we called TENTMAKERS?

Does Tentmakers make tents? No. For years TENTMAKERS has been training youth ministers who, like the Apostle Paul - who was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:3), have a job to supplement the salary from the church or ministry they are employed by. Tent-making has the added ministry benefit of these youth ministers and pastors being outside the walls of the church and in the community; where they can build relationships and share the gospel of Christ.

The Joshua Leadership Institute and Nehemiah Leadership Institute has served both full-time youth ministers and part-time youth ministers over the years.
Wilderness40 is a program designed for those who sense God leading them to a "tent-making" ministry lifestyle (having full-time job while volunteering for a church or ministry). Wilderness40 graduates go back to their "tent-making trade" profession and minister the gospel of Jesus Christ through "life-on-life" friendship evangelism and discipleship in the their work setting and as a volunteer in a local ministry or church.

Some Wilderness40 graduates will volunteer 12-15 hours a week in a church as a youth minister. These Wilderness40 graduates are sent to Wilderness 40 by a particular church. These graduates are committed to volunteer 12-15 hours a week to build up the youth with the gospel of Jesus in this particular body of believers for two years. The church receives the benefits of a trained youth minister while the W40 graduate receives training and support for their ministry position .

Broad Definition:

Tentmakers are Christians who support themselves in secular employment while making Jesus Christ known on the job and in their free time.

They may be business entrepreneurs, salaried professionals, paid employees, expenses-paid voluntary workers, or Christians in professional exchange, funded research, internship or study abroad programs. They can serve at little or no cost to the church.