The Secret Lives of Tentmakers

""Serving in a global mission is already challenging. Serving in restricted-access contexts where Christian work is misunderstood or unwelcome adds another layer of complexity, particularly for the Christian worker's identity. This well-written and thoroughly researched study addresses these challenges and will help future cross-cultural workers and the organizations, churches, and friends that send them."" --Edward L. Smither, Dean, Columbia International University ""A. G. Smith has conducted a beautiful study of the difficulties that tent-making missionaries in restricted-access nations face concerning their identity. Her analysis and insights should be required reading for all who are preparing to work in these countries and for all those who support such workers."" --David R. Dunaetz, Professor of Organizational Psychology, Azusa Pacific University ""A. G. Smith has given the church and global missionary community an invaluable, urgently needed guide for all called into nations that actively restrict gospel witness. . . . As an experienced tentmaker who has trained in-service missionaries for twenty-eight years, I regard this as essential reading for every agency, sending church, and current and future tentmaker."" --Don Little, Missiologist-at-Large, Pioneers ""The Secret Lives of Tentmakers is essential reading for any business as mission practitioner or tentmaker. Drawing on the real stories of thirty-eight practitioners, Smith gives us a remarkably frank exploration of identity at the intersection of vocation and mission. Secret Lives is an invaluable resource and timely challenge for anyone navigating these complex issues in an increasingly globalized, digitally connected world."" --Jo Plummer, Creative Director and Co-Founder, Business as Mission (BAM) Global