Dave and Carolyn Meyers Training Students for Tribal Church Planting 
Kevin has graduated from Hillsdale College!
We are so proud of Kevin as he finished up his college career graduating with highest honors – Summa Cum Laude. He leaves for a 6 week trip to Europe the end of May and will be gone until July. After he returns we will drive to Scottsdale, AZ where he has taken a teaching job at a top charter school in the country! Kevin – we love you and are so proud.
Yet, as Kevin takes this huge step into manhood, it is interesting how many other cultures celebrate boys becoming men. Read below how one people group celebrate this right of passage…
Pai Tavy Tera boys became men this month.
Early this month 20 boys had their lips pierced as a sign that they are true Pais. The four- to five-week event concluded this past weekend, and the huge social event drew Pais from several communities in Paraguay.
But some Pai Tavy Teras chose not to participate, despite intense pressure. They have placed their faith in Christ, and wanted nothing to do with ceremonies that honor spirits they no longer worship and involve the boys in what they now see as immorality.
Not all of the believers kept their children away, however. A few felt they would be turning their backs on who they are if they stayed away.
Perhaps it would have been easier for all involved if the missionaries had simply said the ceremony was wrong.
People had asked if they should take part. But the missionaries simply turned the question back to the Pai believers. "What do you think?" they asked. "You have God’s Word in your language, and you have the Holy Spirit to guide you. What do you think?"
Despite what missionaries may feel or think about a culture, it’s really up to the believers who are part of that culture to make decisions about what is right and wrong. And since all of us naturally come from the viewpoint that our culture is "right," that’s a difficult lesson.
So where do you learn that kind of thing? In NTM’s specialized training.
This week, both New Tribes Bible Institute campuses will be holding graduations. Many of the graduates plan to continue training with New Tribes Mission and join the church planting team. Pray that wherever each graduate goes, they will continue to grow strong in the Lord and to reflect His desire that all people groups are reached. Learn more about the Bible institutes >>
The NTM Missionary Training Center is holding a graduation ceremony next week for 12 missionaries who plan to serve in support roles. They have completed the one-year track for support personnel; their classmates have another semester of training for church planting roles. Pray that the 12 new graduates are able to quickly assemble strong and supportive teams, so they can soon be in their new ministries. Find out more about missionary training >>
This month, another student apartment building was put under roof. It is expected to be completed in time for new students to move in this fall. And the final drawings are complete for the future Fleming Center — the centerpiece of the new campus, with classrooms, staff offices and student center. Find out more about the project, or give online >>
We appreciate your encouragement, prayers and financial support as we continue to train the next generation of tribal church planting missionaries. Thank you.
