Meet Patrick (Lai) Larkin
Degrees and Experience
- Doctor of Intercultural Studies (Asian Graduate School of Theology, Manila 2004)
- Master of Divinity – emphasis in Cross-Cultural Missions (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Chicago 1982)
- B.S. Business Marketing (University of Oregon, Eugene 1979)
Biography and Professional Achievements
Patrick Lai is a slave of Jesus Christ. Patrick has served in Asia for 38 years; 4 years among the Chinese in Hong Kong as a regular missionary and the past 34 years in Asia as a business for transformation (B4T) worker among Muslims. The Lord has enabled the team and disciples he worked with to plant 2 churches and 2 fellowships among Muslims and 3 churches among the Chinese. In addition, his team spawned five other teams in the region, while starting several profitable small businesses, which employ both locals and expatriates.
The Lord led Patrick to start 14 small businesses in 4 countries yet is quick to point out that only 7 have been successful both financially and in bringing people to Jesus. In 1999, he founded the OPEN Network, a network of over 500 B4Ters, BAM (business as mission), and tentmakers working in Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist areas where there are few or no churches. Jesus also appointed him to spearhead the formation of Empresas Vida International to equip, prepare, and launch Latin Americans overseas to do business in least-reached areas. Patrick speaks Cantonese and Malay. He was on the International Executive Committee of Frontiers for 14 years. He is ordained under the National Association of Congregational Churches.
Patrick and his wife May mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no churches. They have traveled and worked with Christian businesspeople in over 80 countries. They also speak and teach around the world on a new paradigm for doing missions in a changing world. Patrick has been married to May for 43 years. They have two grown sons Robert and Andrew. Robert ministers through his own business in Denver, and his wife serves the Lord as a lawyer. They have 3 awesome grandchildren. Andy owns his own IT company in South Asia.
Professional Achievements
Christian Service/Mission Positions:
- OPEN USA Founder & President, 2012-present
- Empresas Vida International, Co-Founder & Board Chairman, 2006- 2014, Board member 2014-2018
- OPEN Network, Founder and Leadership Council member, 1999-present
- Frontiers Overseer, 1997-2015
- Frontiers, Executive Board Member, 1991-1995, 1997-1999, 2005-2009
- Creative Access Nations, Board Member, 2001-2009
- Yayasan Sehati Director, Indonesia, 1994-2000
- Frontiers Asian Regional Coordinator, 1988-1997
- Frontiers Team Leader, 1987-2007
- Overseas Missionary Fellowship, 1984-1987
- Director/Founder National Student Missions Coalition, 1982-1984
Business Positions:
- Co-Founder, Managing Director Amplimax, Asia, 1999-2022
- Owner/President Four Dimensions Consulting 2013-2021
- Founder/Director Tejano’s Restaurant, Egypt, 2013-2018
- Co-Owner, Pipedream Cycles, UK, 2009-2014
- Founder, Director of Dynamic Language Schools, Asia, 1999-2008
- Founder, CEO Sehati Industries & Services, Indonesia, 1992-2000
- Founder & Director Sehati Kindergartens, Sehati English Schools, 1991-2000
Adjunct Lecturer:
- Visiting Professor, Liberty University, Lynchburg VA USA, 2015-2018
- Adjunct Instructor, Radius International, Tijuana Mexico, 2015-2018
- Visiting Professor, California Baptist University, Riverside CA USA, 2013-2018
- Instructor Perspectives, 1982, 2011-2018
- Adjunct Professor, Columbia International University, Columbia SC USA, 2007-2012
- Visiting Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, Pune India, 2007
- Visiting Professor, Overseas Missionary Study Center, New Haven, CT USA, 2007
- Visiting Professor, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Philippines, 2006
- Visiting Professor, Overseas Mission Study Center, New Haven CT, 2006
- Associate Instructor, Global Ministry Training Center, Korea, 1989-1993
- Visiting Professor, Bethel Seminary, Singapore, 1990
Publications
Books:
- WORKSHIP: Recalibrate Work and Worship. OPEN Worldwide Publishing. June 2021
- BUSINESS FOR TRANSFORMATION – Getting Started. William Carey Publishers. June 2015
- TENTMAKING – The Life and Work of Business as Mission. InterVarsity Press. August 2005
- Doctorate of Intercultural Studies (Missiology) at the Asia Graduate School of Theology where he researched "Problems and Solutions for Enhancing the Productivity of Tentmakers Doing Church Planting in the 10/40 Window."
Journals & Magazine Articles:
- The Effects of Globalization on Missions. (Stevens, Hope) Journal of Asian Mission September 2010
- An Integrated Identity in a Global World. (Love, Rick). From Seed to Fruit, edited by Dudley Woodberry, William Carey. 2008
- The Ideal Tentmaker. Journal of Asian Mission March-September 2007 Volume 9, Numbers 1-2
- Tentmaking Unveiled—“The Survey Says”. EMQ April 2007
- Tentmaking Uncovered. Business as Mission – From Impoverished to Empowered. Edited by Tom Steffen & Mike Barnett. Evangelical Mission Society; Number 14. William Carey Publishers. 2006
- Problems and Solutions For Enhancing The Effectiveness Of Tentmakers Doing Church Planting in the 10/40 Window. Doctoral Research Asia Graduate School of Theology, January 2004
- Church-Planting Via Small Businesses in Zazaland. On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies, edited by Tetsunao Yamamori and Kenneth A. Eldred, Crossway Books. 2003
- Tentmaking: In Search of a Workable Definition. (translations: Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog)
- Starting a Business in a Restricted Access Nation. International Journal of Frontier Missions Volume 15, Number 1 January – March 1998. A Case Study
Faith and Learning
The Master has led Patrick to CCU to disciple students so as to walk with Jesus in all He gives them to do. Integrating our faith in in everything we do, especially in our workplaces is his priority in teaching.