2nd GLOBAL TENTMAKERS CONFERENCE 2023 in VIETNAM .... may I have more info , pls! (Letters & Info Packs)
Dear ITeams Eagles and Friends!
YES !!! It’s 2 weeks to go before our 2nd GLOBAL TENTMAKERS CONFERENCE to be held in the beautiful city of SAIGON. Excitement is up in the air and over 500 ITeams missionaries are preparing for an exciting trip ahead. There are additional conference information items that I would like to pass on …
A. CONFERENCE THEME : “SO EXCITED!”
B. REGISTRATION: Official conference registration is on JULY 20 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Conference materials will be handed out to all participants. Registration area will be at the entrance area of the conference hall. Our Vietnam teams led by Ptr John Duong, Bro Tan Le , Sis Badette Bagalso and team will be around to welcome you on registration day. During the registration, we will also be doing a photo and video shoot.
C. CONFERENCE PROGRAM
PROGRAM: July 20 (1 to 6pm)
A. 1 - 3pm REGISTRATION & PHOTO/ VIDEO SHOOT
B. 3 - 6pm OPENING PROGRAM
1. Official Welcome
2. Opening Prayer
3. Praise & Worship
4. Country Presentation: “WELCOME TO THE LAND OF A TIMELESS CHARM -
VIETNAM!”
5. Special Number Song Number
6. Opening Message: The Global Tentmakers
7. Congregational Prayer
8. Praise & Worship Time
C. Announcements: Translation services, pandemic protocol, stay in instructions, meal
instructions, city tour, etc...
D. Prayer for Dinner
E. DINNER TIME
PROGRAM: July 21 (9am to 12pm)
1 Praise & Worship
2 TM Question 1: What is Tentmaking?
3 SESSION #1 TM Sharer: "I am a Tentmaker and a church planter in Thailand
for 14 years and I lead a team of Tentmakers..."
4 Snack Break & Special Numbers
5 Introduction of the Speaker
6 PLENARY Message: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES IN MISSION
7 TM Question 2: What are the advantages and disadvantages of
Tentmaking?
8 SESSION # 2 TM Sharer: "I taught English to university students in China,
and it opened ministry opportunities for me. "
9 Song of Response:
10 Lunch Instructions & Prayer
11. LUNCH TIME
PROGRAM: July 21 (1pm to 6pm)
12. Praise & Worship
13. TM Question 3: Can I go to a country, be a tentmaker and serve in a church
at the same time?
14. Session # 3 TM Sharer: "I had twenty years Tentmaking experience. I taught
English and worked in an OFW church in Vietnam."
15. Special Song Number
16. TM Question 4: Is tentmaking an effective mission platform in bringing the
lost to the kingdom of God?
17. Session #4 TM Sharer: "My mission journey of 20+ years led me and my wife
to reach out to the Thais thru English teaching, pastored briefly in the US and then we
reached out to the Japanese as missionary teachers”
18. Snack Break & Special Nos.
19. Introduction of Speaker
20. Plenary Message: “EXPANDING THE REACH OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE
NATIONS”
21. Song of Response
22. Q & A PANEL: Opportunities for Tentmaking, Church Planting and Ministries
in China, Vietnam, Thailand & Japan
23. Prayer for China, Vietnam, Thailand & Japan.
24. RECOGNITION AND AWARDS: Awarding of Free Round Trip Plane Tickets
and Free Conference Registration.
25. CONFERENCE GROUP PICTURE
26. Dinner Time & Fellowship
PROGRAM: July 22 (9am to 12pm)
1. Praise & Worship
2. Devotional Message: “LIFE OF WORSHIP IN MISSIONS”
3. TM Question 5: Can missionaries use business as a platform for their mission work?
4. Session #5 TM Sharer: "I was unsure of what to do and where to serve in the early years
of my mission journey. I travelled from Laos to Europe then back to Laos, not sure why I
returned. I taught English at first but eventually decided to level up and was able to
establish a school of my own."
5. SNACK BREAK & SPECIAL NOS.
6. Introduction of Speaker
7. Plenary Message: “URGENCY IN MISSIONS MOBILIZATION
8. Song of Response
9. Prayer for Lunch
10. LUNCH TIME
PROGRAM: July 22 (1pm to 6pm)
11. Praise & Worship
12. TM QUESTION 6: I am called, and I am determined to go, how do I start?
13. Session #6 TM Sharer: "I took the steps of faith to go to outside of my comfort zone. I
started as a teacher in Cambodia with my partner and friend. Our dream led us to start
an international school in a place that is poor where tentmaking success seems
impossible."
14. Special Song Number
15. Introduction of Speaker
16. Plenary Message: Business as Mission for Community Transformation.
17. Q & A PANEL: Mission Opportunities for Business as Mission and Ministries in Cambodia,
Laos & Philippines
18. Session # 7 Video TM Sharer: “Our Experiences and Lessons Learned from our
Tentmaking Missions in South Korea & Taiwan.”
19. Prayer for Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, South Korea &Taiwan
20. Snack Break & Special Numbers
21. Plenary Message: “Riding the Tentmaking Wave for the Advancement of the Kingdom
of God”
22. Song of Response
23. Special Presentation
24. Praise & Thanksgiving Time
25. Plenary Message: SO EXCITED! "In the beginning of ITeams mission work, we have no
idea of what tentmaking is about... "
26. LORD'S SUPPER CELEBRATION
27. Commissioning & Prayer for our IT Vietnam Missionaries
28. Recognition and Gratitude: IT Office Team, Speakers, Volunteers, & GMC Leaders
29. Prayer & Praises to the Lord for the Culmination of the Conference “Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD!”
30. CLOSING PRAISE CELEBRATION
*** END OF CONFERENCE ***
D. INVITATION LETTERS * OTHER DOCUMENTS
Those who are joining the conference coming from countries that are required to secure an entry visa to visit Vietnam, may request for an official letter of invitation from our office. The document will be sent online. We just need to get the email address of the person requesting the document. Kathy Merencillo will assist you on the matter.
A set of travel documents, certifications, documentary proof of the conference in Vietnam, etc. will be sent to all conference participants. We advise that each document be printed out or saved on your mobile phone folders to ensure that you have them in your possession at all times. You must have it ready when demanded by the immigration officers and use it as a reference guide on your stay in Vietnam. . Each set of document will be explained during your Pre departure briefings.
E. LANGUAGE TRANSLATION SERVICES
1. Language: We will provide English translations of Tagalog (Filipino) messages and Vietnamese translations of Tagalog/ English messages. The translators will only be able to provide the gist, or the substance /essence of the message being conveyed and not a word for word translation. The translators will not be standing up on the stage with the speakers. They will be at the back row portion of the hall and will speak thru a wireless translation equipment to talk to the non- Tagalog/Filipino participants.
2. Translators: We have a team of missionaries who are assigned to take turns in providing the translation service. The lead translator is: MC Pineda . She will be assisted by the following: Jules Ostan, Jen Aspacio, Karen Valencia and Juliet Brines. For the Vietnamese, Bro Tan Le will handle all the translation needs of the Vietnamese participants.
3. Designated Area: The last row at the back will seat all foreign nationals who will need translation service, since it will be the closest to the translator and will offer less audio signal distortion. Headphones and receiving devices will be entrusted to each one and must be returned immediately to the translator after use. Our wireless transmitters are limited and we can only serve 30 individuals at a time.
4. Wireless Equipment: A wireless headset will be provided per individual. Our wireless equipment setup can serve only 30 individuals at a time. Please look for Kathy Merencillo or Jerald Sinsay if you know anyone who would be needing this service, please inform and assist them to the designated staff.
F. HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR OPTIONS
Information on the tour options after the conference will be provided by our friends from Vietnam at the conference site. Several groups have already made their own arrangements and those who would like to join them must talk to them directly. It is easy to move around to different “go-to places” in the city by just simply understanding the location map provided in this manual. Most of the famous landmarks In the city are walking distance away from each other. You’ll be surprised at the many places that you could visit and enjoy in the city of Saigon.
The recommended trip options are as follows :
1. PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE HALL ( HO CHI MINH CITY HALL)
2. BEN THANH MARKET
3. WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM
4. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
5. INDEPENDENCE PALACE
Descriptions on all of the above places are detailed on the previous INFO PACK.
6. NGUYEN HUE WALKING STREET – Nguyen Hue used to be one of the main thoroughfares of Ho Chi Minh. Now, it’s totally closed to traffic and a must-visit attraction of the city, especially at night. Stretching from Ho Chi Minh City Hall to the Mekong River, it’s almost a kilometer in length.
7. SAIGON CENTRAL POST OFFICE - Facing the front/facade of Saigon Norte Dame Cathedral, you can find the Saigon Central Post Office on your left.
8. SAIGON SKYDECK in BITEXCO FINANCIAL TOWER- Get an exciting 360 degrees view of the whole city . Best time to visit is around 5:00 so you can catch up the day view, sunset view and night view. Perfect scenery and you can see the whole Saigon from above. You can find the Bitexco Financial Tower near the riverside end of Nguyen Hue Walking Street. The entrance to Saigon Skydeck is located along Ho Tung Mau Street. There is an admission fee of: VND 200,000 or P469. Per person.
9. SAIGON OPERA HOUSE - Like most go to places in HCMC, Saigon Opera House is within an easy walk from Ho Chi Minh City Hall. it’s just right around the block. Follow Nguyen Hue Walking Street eastwards & turn left to Saigon Opera House.
10. SAIGON SQUARE – Shopping for pasalubongs na North Face, etc.. at a really cheap price? This is the place to go to. Most of the items are factory overruns. Walking distance from Ben Thanh Market.
The next two are highly recommended but located outside the city :
1. MEKONG RIVER DELTA
2. CU CHI TUNNEL
There are so much more places to visit. All in all, SAIGON is a city that has so much to offer for visitors like us. And all it takes is for us to get to know how to move around the city. A lot more exciting and beautiful places to visit outside the city will be presented at the conference.
G. CLAIM YOUR BLESSINGS
1. Assorted “BY FAITH…” Blessings /Gifts
Those who participated in our Facebook Faith exercise “BY FAITH, I WILL BE HERE!” are requested to submit screenshots of your posting that shows the number of Likes (including hearts) to claim the gifts. The number of Likes to win start from as small as 100 likes to 1K – 2K. There could be over a hundred winners, so we are requesting the screenshots to be submitted early so we’ll have time to prepare all the gifts.
2. FREE PLANE TICKETS & FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Last year, 11 IT missionaries were given FREE TWO WAY PLANE TICKETS to SINGAPORE and FREE REGISTRATION to our 5th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. This year, on our 13th EAST ASIA REGIONAL CONFERENCE held in TAIWAN , there were also 11 awardees of Free plane tickets and conference registration. For this upcoming conference in Vietnam, we have budgeted for Twenty Five (25) round trip plane tickets. As of this writing, there are already sixteen (16) IT Missionaries who will receive their FREE 2 WAY PLANE TICKETS & Conference Registration. There is still two (2) weeks left to win the remaining 9 free 2way plane tickets and Conference registration. Some GMC’s are very close to reaching your target goal and winning the prizes. There is still plenty of time to do it. Go go go !!!
All awardees will be recognized during our Vietnam conference and additional tokens of recognition will be handed to each one.
This is an incentive program for IT Missionaries involved in missions’ mobilization under our Global Mission Center and Ignite Missions initiative. We also chose IT Missionaries who passionately and generously contributed their time and resources in helping our organization advance the global missions’ agenda.
H. OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS
1.CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Registration for the conference will end on JULY 13 (Thursday) at 12 midnight. Our organizing team will need some time to prepare all the final documents which include Names of participants, ID’s , T-shirts ,meal stubs etc.… before departing for Vietnam. They will have around two days to complete / compile all the documents and conference materials before their departure on the 17th of July.
2.MEDICATIONS / MAINTENANCE MEDICINES
We will bring medications (off the shelf types) for standard ailments such as fever, allergies, headaches and stomach pains. They will be available for free to those who have a need for it. However, we advise those who are on maintenance medicines to bring enough to last for the duration of your trip in Vietnam. The type of medicines you are using may not be available in Vietnam so please make sure that you would have them in your travelling bag at all times.
3.TRAVEL CLEARANCE FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
If you are currently employed at any Philippine government institution, you are required to secure travel permit before you leave. Please try to secure one the earliest possible time. Our immigration officers will not allow you to board your plane if you fail to present that document.
4.PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFINGS
Our office will provide an important pre departure briefing/meeting via ZOOM to be handled by our office staff (dates to be announced soon). Meeting ID and Passcode will be provided thru the Group page and will be posted on our website. The objective is to prepare all of you for your airport immigration encounter – both here and in Vietnam. We want to make sure that all bases are covered well before you depart for Vietnam. You will be provided with all the required departure documents to include ITeams Phils documents stating the nature of the event, conference program, etc.
This is it for now! There’s probably one or two more Info Packs to go before we all fly out to Vietnam.
Please pray for the success of our Vietnam conference. Let’s believe that GOD will do something amazing and unforgettable at our conference. Let’s all join hands in our commitment to bring honor and glory to the LORD to all the nations of the world.
May there be nothing but praises and thanksgiving to our Master and King all throughout the conference.
Ptr. Gani Sison & IT Office Organizing Team