Ethnos360 Training
Preparation for Ministry
We entered the Missionary Training Center which is designed to prepare believers for a career in ministry with Ethnos360. Missionary training has taught us about the complex concepts involved in tribal church planting. We have been equipped to live in a remote region of the world, taught how to achieve effective cross-cultural communication and what is involved to plant an indigenous church that can survive independently. This includes learning the culture and language, developing an alphabet, teaching people to read and write in their own language, translating the Bible, developing biblical lessons designed to bring people to salvation, bring about world view change, and how to build a biblical body of truth after salvation that will displace the old, thereby, with the work of the Holy Spirit, bring about changed lives. Our instructors at the MTC are experienced missionaries who are passionate about teaching field-proven methods and are constantly updated to remain effective and relevant.
Mentoring Program
The mentoring staff facilitates the practical application and assessment of students. The areas covered include spiritual, relational, and ministerial skills development within the training context. The mentoring program is designed for equipping us for continued growth as servant leaders and developing our ministry capabilities. They seek to equip us in the necessary life skills for our potential future ministry, which ultimately is to disciple the target people to become disciple-makers themselves. The mentoring program in the training context is a grace-centered environment with relationships which will enhance our personal development and spiritual growth. Our time in the mentoring program has been very beneficial to us as we have had a mature couple pouring into our lives helping us walk through difficult things and having input into all areas of life. It has been an invaluable part of our training as we have grown in our family, marriage, spiritual walk, current ministry ability, and future ministry knowledge. We have really bonded with our mentors and shared much of our lives with them. We have treasured our time with our mentors and have been encouraged by our relationship and discipleship with them.
Deciding on Ministry
As a couple, we believe the Lord is leading us into the ministry of tribal church planting in the country of Papua New Guinea. We believe that God desires all ethnic groups to hear His message of salvation. From beginning to end, there is a theme that runs throughout all of scripture: that He might be glorified among all people. Unfortunately, there are millions presently beyond the reach of the Gospel message. We hope God uses us in the work He is doing among the nations. There are 6,500 people groups in the world. Of those, 2,500 have no church and there is no work being done to establish a church. We hope to live among one of these peoples to establish a thriving church and translate the Word of God into their heart language. In PNG, there are over 850 languages and a majority of them have yet to receive the Bible in their own language. This is where we feel the Lord is leading us to serve Him.