Why MTC?

As we continue to prepare for working with Missionary Kids we will be heading to Missouri to attend the New Tribes Missions Training Center. It will prepare us to be part of the team that is working to reach the unreached people groups of the world with the gospel, by planting tribal churches. The program provides us with the thorough training we need to be equipped for the role God has for us.

Here are the Courses we will be taking:

• Church Planting: Worldview, New Testament Church principles, practical ministry skills, folk religions, curriculum development, evangelism, the mature church model.
• Christian Living: Foundational Bible teaching, teamwork, stewardship of life and resources, discipleship, effective parenting, conflict resolution.
• Culture and Language Acquisition: Phonetics, culture and language methodology, animism, grammar, semantics and translation, literacy, phonetics.
• Complementary Courses: Missionary health and wellness, missionary technology, safety, learning styles, communication skills.

As we considered this training, we looked at it carefully to decide if it would be the right course of action for us. We believe the answer is a definite yes! To be New Tribes missionaries it is required that we must complete this final phase of training as it is designed to equip us to serve effectively in ministry.

This Training will equip us in many areas, such as:

• Teach us how to adjust and transition in a cross-cultural context. (family, parenting, culture shock, culture adaption, etc) These specific principles will be incredibly important to help us as we work with missionary kids who are going through this very transition

• Church Planting: NTM’s methodology uses a team approach to reach the unreached people groups around the world.  The fact is, it takes 6 missionaries working in support roles (teachers, doctors, mechanics, finance, pilots, dorm parents ect. ) to keep 1 tribal missionary in the tribe to work on the teaching, literacy, translations, church discipleship full-time.  We must work effectively as a body with many functions to reach the final goal of reaching the lost.

• Teamwork: The main reason that missionaries leave the mission field is co-worker conflict.  The fact is, it is difficult to work with others and NTM understands that and teaches great courses in conflict resolution and teamwork.

• Missionary life: We will learn basic medical understanding and first-aid skills so we can keep our families and teams healthy as well as help others in tribal settings.  We learn technology relevant to missions such as satellite tech, solar tech, water storage, and power.  They also help us get basic understanding of technical skills such as engine repair, welding, etc.  All important things to be proficient in when working in less developed countries.

• Major worldviews in the world today: We will get a great understanding of the different worldviews that are held around the world and how to plant churches effectively within those areas. This is extremely vital when it comes to cross-cultural ministry and evangelism.

• Ministry experience: During our training, we will engage in off-campus ministry each week.  We are given time to go and get involved in ministry whether it be at a church, younglife, evangelism, discipleship, or any ministry opportunity we can find.  This is a great chance to take what we are learning and put it into practice.

• New Tribes methodology:  We will be better equipped to be life-long mobilizers no matter where we are or where we go.  We will be better informed as to what it takes to be involved in cross-cultural missions and will be able to challenge others to consider being a part of missions and how they can get involved.

• Linguistics: This is important for missionaries training to do teaching, literacy, translation work. NTM teaches phonetics which is an alphabet for every sound that we can make. With that, missionaries have the ability to breakdown ANY language in the world fast. This is vital tribal missionaries, but what about us in support missions? While working with NTM, there is a very good chance that we will end up overseas often.  Whether is for long-term or for frequent short-term trips, this will help us learn a language fast as well as have a clearer understanding and appreciation for what tribal missionaries are working on in the tribes.

• Discipleship.  During our training, we are partnered with a staff member or couple who will intentionally pour into us.  They are there to help us grow spiritually and help guide us into our career.  It will be an amazing opportunity to learn and grow from incredible people.

When we finish the program at MTC we will have a better idea of what our role in NTM may look like. We do not know whether we will be stationed overseas or simply have frequent exposure on short term trips, but our ministry will be in reaching out to and caring for Missionary Kids. We will be working with NTM’s “MK Care and Education Team” at MTC throughout our time there. As we become part of that team our future roles will be more defined.