A NEW APPROACH TO MINISTRY
April 13, 2006
by Ian Fallis
Missionaries John and Patty Stucky have a new plan.
Missionary consultants visited the Stuckys among the Sanapana people of Paraguay, and were concerned that their workload was getting in the way of building relationships with tribal people. They helped the Stuckys rearrange their schedule so they could translate and study in one block of time, and devote another block of time to simply being with Sanapanas.
So many technical things must be mastered in culture, language, literacy, translation and teaching, that missionaries run the risk of getting the technical right but the ministry wrong. This has led New Tribes Mission to re-emphasize the importance of relationships.
This emphasis is reflected in the new course of study being developed for the Missionary Training Center, scheduled to open in August. This single course replaces two separate courses in four locations, allowing NTM to respond more quickly to the lessons learned in tribal villages around the world.
Thank you for the role you're playing in getting the new center ready for students, through your prayers and giving. Please thank the Lord with us that:
* Enrollment is increasing toward the goal of 180 students in August. Approximately 170 students are expected currently.
* The sale of the former missions institute in Durant, Mississippi, is moving ahead. NTM's realtor is waiting for the arrival of papers from the buyer's bank in California. Once the papers arrive the sale is expected to close within a week. This will provide much-needed funds for construction at the new training center.
* Framing has begun on a second student four-plex, and the slab for a four-bedroom staff duplex will soon be poured. Housing is the key need in order to open in August with room for 180 students.
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