I'm Simon Holley. I lead King's Arms Church in Bedford, UK, and oversee the Catalyst Network of 800+ churches across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Catalyst are in an exciting season, called by God to train 1,000 church planters. These will take many forms - traditional churches, house churches, DMM-style churches, and even 'under-a-tree churches' (as many of our African congregations are!).
Here's the reality: most of these future leaders will need to be tentmakers. The places and models they're called to make this inevitable. And I knew I couldn't be the guy calling others to do something I wasn't willing to do myself.
But I faced a major obstacle - I didn't believe it was possible to effectively combine ministry AND tentmaking! Sure, I'd run several 'hobby businesses' in my spare time. The most successful reached $30k annual turnover, which wasn't bad for a few hours a week, but it wasn't enough to provide for my family.
Everything changed two years ago when I connected with Chris. During one pivotal conversation, as he shared his tentmaking journey and vision for multiplying disciples, something clicked. His story of successfully combining ministry with entrepreneurship resonated deeply, especially as I witnessed the growing need for sustainable ministry models globally.
Like Chris, I'm convinced that while full-time paid pastors work in some contexts, this model alone won't get us where we need to go as the body of Christ - nor does it work in most of the world!
That single hour with Chris launched me on an entirely new trajectory. Through focused work, I now run a profitable, scalable business in my spare time. While my model differs from Chris's (and I'm not quite at his level financially yet), I've built a strong foundation with automated income streams, and I'm helping others build their businesses - all in just a few hours weekly.
(Want to hear more about my journey? Join my free masterclass. I share my story, what doesn't work, and how to transform your skills and experience into a scalable online course or coaching program that both impacts lives and creates automated income. While the training serves both believers and non-believers, it's perfect for tentmakers following God's leading.)
Chris and I recently dreamed of expanding Tentmaking Pastors into a comprehensive resource hub for pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. When Paul made tents, he wasn't just supporting himself – he was creating marketplace ministry opportunities. Today, our "tents" might look different (digital courses, house flipping, travel hacking), but the principle remains the same:
• Freedom to follow the Lord wherever He calls
• Sustainable funding for ministry work
• Creative marketplace influence
• Multiple income streams while maintaining ministry integrity
• Biblical entrepreneurship modeling for our communities
The beauty of tentmaking isn't just about income; it's about expanding Kingdom influence. Our goal is equipping you with both practical tools and spiritual wisdom to thrive in this dual calling.
Whether you're a pastor considering tentmaking, a missionary seeking sustainable support, or a Christian leader looking to expand your impact, we're here to support your journey.
Standing with you!
Simon
P.S. Chris and I would love to hear your thoughts about tentmaking ministry. What challenges are you facing? What opportunities do you see? Let's start this conversation together.
P.P.S. I'm using American spelling and language for global accessibility - forgive any occasional British slip-ups!
