How I Became a Marketplace Missionary

John Abraham Godson is a Marketplace Missionary, former professional politician and entrepreneur. He serves on the GMMI board of directors.

My journey into marketplace missions did not begin in a church or theological seminary—it began in the quiet wrestling’s of my heart where God’s call intersected with the reality of everyday work.

As a young man on fire for God and actively involved in student fellowships, I was certain that serving the Lord meant becoming a full-time pastor or missionary.

I believed that effective ministry could only happen on a stage with a Bible in hand. But God had other plans for me—plans that would take me far beyond the pulpit, into parliaments, boardrooms, classrooms, and community spaces.

While studying and later working in Poland, I found myself surrounded by people who were unlikely to ever walk through the doors of a church. Yet, I began to see opportunities for influence in unexpected places—in lecture halls, public offices, and market squares.

I gradually realized that God was not confined to religious settings. He was very present in the corridors of power, in business meetings, and in the classroom. He was moving not just through preachers, but through professionals.

The real turning point came when I was elected as a Member of Parliament in Poland—an honour and responsibility I never dreamed of. As the first Black MP in the history of the Polish Parliament, I didn’t just carry the voice of a constituency, I carried the values of the Kingdom.

I understood then that political influence, if stewarded well, could be a powerful platform for witness. I would often pray with colleagues, offer counsel grounded in biblical truth, and push for integrity in public policy. I treated my public office not as a position of privilege, but as a pulpit of purpose.

Through this experience, God made it clear to me: the Great Commission is not only geographical—it is vocational. Jesus said, “Go into all the world,” and that “world” includes business, politics, education, science, medicine, and the arts.

I began to see myself not just as a politician or professor, but as a missionary wearing the cloak of public service. My job was my mission field.

In time, I embraced the “tentmaking” model of the Apostle Paul—earning a living while serving Christ. I started mentoring young professionals, encouraging them to view their careers as sacred callings. I reminded them that their desks, classrooms, clinics, and courtrooms could be just as powerful as any pulpit.

Marketplace missions is not a second-class calling. On the contrary, it is strategic, sustainable, and highly impactful. It opens doors to people and places traditional missionaries may never access. It allows believers to model Christ through excellence, integrity, and love in real-world settings.

Today, I train and mobilize others to integrate faith and work—to be salt and light in every sector. My journey continues, and I pray that many more believers will discover that their career is not separate from their calling, but central to it. You too can be a missionary—without leaving your profession.

Jesus’ command to “go into all the world” wasn’t limited to geography; it included the diverse spheres of human life—media, government, education, healthcare, finance, and more. God needs His people to be intentional witnesses in every sphere of influence.

For some, this means leaving their careers to become full-time missionaries. But for the vast majority, it means becoming “tentmaking missionaries”—faithful professionals who carry Christ into their workplaces and communities.

Why Tentmaking Missions?

The advantages of serving as a tentmaking missionary are profound and far-reaching:

1. Financial Independence & Sustainability

You don’t rely on donors. You fund your mission through your profession, reducing donor fatigue.

2. Access to Closed or Restricted Nations

Professionals can work in countries that formally restrict Christian mission activities.

3. Natural Platform for Witnessing

Your workplace becomes your pulpit. Relationships open doors for personal and lifestyle evangelism.

4. Holistic Integration of Faith and Work

Ministry isn’t something you do after hours—it’s embedded in how you work and lead.

5. Empowerment and Reproducibility

You model self-reliance, inspiring local believers to lead and multiply the mission.

6. Resilience in Hostile Environments

You’re often under less scrutiny than traditional missionaries, making long-term presence easier.

7. Ongoing Professional Growth

You stay relevant, develop skills, and expand your influence as a credible professional.

8. Wider Societal Impact

You shape culture, ethics, and values far beyond church walls.

9. Strategic Long-Term Presence

You’re not just visiting—you’re planting roots and transforming communities over time.

Beyond Business as Mission (BAM)

While Business as Mission (BAM) is a powerful approach, Marketplace Missions is a broader calling. It is the intentional deployment of Christian professionals into every sphere of influence—education, politics, science, media, arts, and beyond—as witnesses and disciple-makers.

Marketplace missionaries are not just workers; they are nation-shapers, community builders, and Kingdom ambassadors. Welcome to the movement.

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” —Isaiah 6:8