Where Vocation Meets Witness
“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 18:2-4 ESV
What if our everyday work could do more than provide income for our families? What if it also offered opportunities for the Gospel to take root and flourish among those within our sphere of influence?
This is the goal of VOMC’s tentmaking initiative, launched in partnership with local Christian leaders in Ethiopia. Through the program, we are equipping faithful missionaries to thrive in the calling God has given them. In a nation where poverty places immense pressure on families, particularly in rural communities dependent on farming and day labour, this project offers more than financial assistance. It provides a pathway toward dignity, resilience and long-term Gospel impact.
Through small-business loans, participating indigenous missionaries and their families establish sustainable sources of income while continuing to minister within their communities. Monthly support payments gradually decrease over the program's four-year duration, giving each enterprise time to mature without draining early profits. This thoughtful approach enables Christian workers to provide for their families while remaining deeply engaged in ministry and Gospel witness.
At its heart, the initiative seeks to help participants build sustainable livelihoods through established microenterprises. Success requires perseverance, commitment and the involvement of the entire family. Carefully vetted before entering the program, participants are eager to seize this opportunity and grow businesses that will strengthen both their households and the communities they serve.
The long-term vision extends far beyond economic sustainability. This collaborative effort aims to nurture self-supporting church leaders who are rooted in Christian fellowship and equipped to serve as pastors, teachers and defenders of the faith in Muslim-majority communities. Grounded in a Biblical understanding of discipleship and prepared to bear the cost of following Christ, these men and women are positioned to encourage fellow believers and proclaim the Gospel wherever God calls them.
One of the participants is Eliyas. Through a tentmaking initiative designed to expand his farm, Eliyas is using his vocation as a platform for ministry. With a grant and loan provided through VOMC, he began a sheep-fattening enterprise that has grown steadily over time. Profits from the business have enabled him to repay a significant portion of his loan, invest in fertilizer and seed to increase crop production, and purchase additional livestock to strengthen the enterprise.
Despite numerous challenges, Eliyas has persevered with diligence, wisdom and faith. Even more encouraging, the funds he repays will help another Christian leader establish a sustainable livelihood while serving as a missionary in their own community. In this way, the project's impact continues to multiply.
How has this strengthened Eliyas' ministry? When he first began serving as an evangelist, there was no church in his village. Determined to share the hope of Christ with those around him, he faithfully brought the Gospel message to his neighbours. By God's grace, men and women were touched by the story of Jesus, and a small fellowship of believers soon began gathering for worship in Eliyas’ simple hut.
Throughout 2023, Eliyas shared the Good News of Christ with approximately 450 Muslims in his village and neighbouring communities. Around 128 individuals professed faith in Christ, and today approximately 150 believers are part of a growing Christian community in the region. These believers have since acquired a small parcel of land where they hope to build a church. Together, they are trusting God to provide the resources needed for a permanent place of worship, discipleship and Gospel outreach.
Eliyas' story reminds us that ordinary work can produce extraordinary fruit for God's Kingdom. From the beginning, God created humanity to cultivate and steward His world. Through faith in Jesus Christ, every honest vocation can become an avenue for faithful discipleship and Gospel witness. The value of our labour is not measured primarily by prominence or recognition, but by our faithfulness to God, our dependence on His grace, and our willingness to serve others for His glory. When believers steward their gifts with integrity and generosity, even the most ordinary tasks can point people to Christ and reveal the transforming hope of the Gospel.
Until Christ returns, the church remains His instrument of faith, hope and love in a broken world. Through bold Gospel witness and the living out of their faith, believers are called to love their neighbours and proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In communities marked by hardship, opposition and spiritual need, God continues to build His Kingdom through ordinary people who faithfully use what He has entrusted to them for His glory.
Grace and peace,
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
