NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

This is the second year the Uraiys have truly understood the meaning of Christmas. Missionaries are thrilled with their growth and their decision to unite with seven other language groups for a time of Christian fellowship. For the first time they are putting away long-standing cultural differences to hear God’s Word and to worship side by side.

In 2004, when Ken had helped the missionaries to build their houses among the Uriay, the people misunderstood what they were there for. Some believed the missionaries would build an airstrip, that stuff would almost magically start to be flown in each month. When the team instead chose to use the people’s more strenuous hiking and river travel, villagers scattered to their bush houses. They eventually realized the missionaries were there to bring them something more important than “cargo”; and returned to the village to attend the evangelistic lessons. The rest is history, as a church was born among the Uriay.

Organization-wide, New Tribes Missionaries are working in 258 language groups; New Testaments and literacy training is completed for 59 language groups, with 108 more in progress. Culturally relevant evangelism and long-term discipleship have helped establish over 1100 independent churches worldwide. Others are using our cutting-edge missions training in combination with business or educational skills to serve the Lord in countries closed to traditional missions.

What the Uriay learned challenges our own ideas of Christmas. The heart of the holiday is not about shopping frenzies and fairy-tale Santas. Christmas is about God becoming man, and sharing in our struggles. It is about God bringing hope by giving us Himself. No matter what your Christmas is like this year, we pray that (like the Christians among the Uriay) you would find hope in Jesus Christ.

Thanks so much for your faithful prayers. Instead of waiting for those elusive “free hours” to send you a well-thought-out update, we decided a few lines are better than nothing. So here goes . . . If you are able to check out internet videos, this is a three-minute update from one of the tribes you have prayed for in the past. …Jason’s prayer… Ken did a remodel for missionaries in Siawi and often met church leaders when he used their airstrip for building trips further interior. They overcame health issues to remain and finish the church-planting work there.

Another recent (and short) video clip is from the Uriai tribe where Ken did his first building trip when we were overseas. http://usa.ntm.org/videos-pics/ In the past year missionaries finished their final language and culture exams and saw people respond to the Gospel.

We were really encouraged to see three new supporters come on board with us in January of this year. We still have a long way to go to see our support level get up to where it should be, however. This year at the New Tribes Bible Institute there have been 66 graduates in the spring, replaced by 65 freshman, for 145 total enrollment this fall. Presently there are about 37 of our graduates at the missionary training center, with many more planning on attending in the near future. NTM is working in 228 People Groups, with 7 new church plants in 2010. Throughout NTM since 2000, about every 45 days, an unreached people group hears the Gospel. To God be the Glory!!! (and thanks to NTBI president Rex Schaffner for the stats.) (submitted by Andrea for all the Jacks)