The goal is a healthy and flourishing tribal church.
How do we get there from here?
Understanding the final goal is a helpful place to start.
What does "healthy and flourishing" look like?
Believers - with a clear understanding of the Gospel and how to live a life led by the Holy Spirit.
Indigenous Leadership - not missionary dependent
Evangelism - believers encouraged and equipped to expand the reach of the Gospel to other villages in their language group - and beyond, to other languages.
What is required to accomplish this?
Bible - in their own language; the NT and many OT portions
Literacy - so people can read the Bible they have
Shepherding & Discipleship - their worldview and thinking about daily life have to be Bible-based
Leadership Training - based on NT Church principles
Bible lessons - so they can teach others just as they themselves were taught - carefully and systematically
What is required to accomplish this?
Believers - that is, missionaries: people who are already saved, and burdened with the need to take the Gospel to people who have never before had the chance to hear
Time - at least several years for the missionaries living among them to learn their culture and language and to develop relationships with the people
Time - the Bible teaching cannot start with John 3:16, but with Genesis 1:1 - there is a Creator, and this is what He is like, and what He has done
And More Time - after centuries of animistic thinking, it takes time for the new believers to grow in their understanding of the Christian life and of NT Church principles
TRAIN
The NTM training program gives a solid foundation for effective cross-cultural ministry among the neglected people groups of this world.
