NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Spring Break is always a welcome time for the students and staff. Last Firday, you could almost hear the air being sucked out of the building as students packed up cars and headed off for about 10 days of fun and relaxation. Funny how far you can go in such a short time…all over the US. We know the Lord will give them plenty of opportunities to share about what they are learning and what He is doing in their hearts and lives. We pray that as a result, many friends and relatives will be challenged to consider coming to study the Word of God for two years. building a solid foundation for life…wherever that may take place.

When they return, there will be about 6 weeks of class left before graduation and the summer break. Fifty one seniors will finish their studies and graduate May 19…and begin the next phase of their walk with the Lord. How we pray that many of them will continue on with the NTM training and ultimately be involved in taking the Gospel to some of the approximately 2,500 UPG’s left throughout the world.

A number of our recent graduates have arrived on the field in the past several weeks. I love to skype with them during chapel from time to time. It really encourages our students and staff to hear from them directly and hear how they are settling in, what challenges they are finding and how they are seeing the Lord in their midst. The couple shown above will be leaving for Asia in the next 3 weeks. PTL!

Thanks for taking a moment to catch up with us. We appreciate your prayers for us as we serve the students and staff at NTBI. We count this an incredible privilege and thank God at every remembrance of you.

What a neat week this has been…two opportunities to share the Gospel, completely unexpected and very encouraging. Some local business folks came in for lunch and a tour; something we really enjoy doing. As a result, it led right into an explanation of why New Tribes Mission exists and what it is we do here at New Tribes Bible Institute.

Today found our intern Andrew, John a student and me at a Christian school sharing about NTM and NTBI. We showed Ee-taow and challenged them to consider how they will be spending their short lives. Its always hard to tell who is impacted and how much, since we don’t have much time to meet with them afterward. So we trust that we have sewn some seed and leave the results to God, praying that He will continue to raise up laborers for the mission field.

A couple of weeks ago we had a youth event where local groups came in to hear Rich Brown, an NTM missionary working in the Moi people group. He did a good job connecting with about 50 youth and leaders. Again…we are so glad they came and praise the Lord for the opportunity to let people know what He is doing around the world. The day after that, we hosted a number of local pastors and their wives for a luncheon where we were able to thank them for their ministry to our students and staff. We showed AWAYO and gave an update on which tribal groups have been reached this year and which are being taught even now. It is such a privilege to be able to report this kind of news.

Thanks for your prayers for us as we continue to serve students and staff at NTBI and communicate the good news of the Gospel and missions to those we come in contact with. We thank God at every remembrance of you!   Philippians 1.3-6

As you can see…they come from all over the US…every corner of the country. We also have students from Korea and Germany. The Lord moves in hearts to bring us quite the variety. Singles, newly weds, couples married for 10 years or more, families with 1-5 children or more at times. We never know just who the Lord will send us. One thing is for sure…whoever He sends, we rejoice! Quite possibly they could reach a tribe someday in the near future. The entire training program takes about 3.5 – 4 years, then a time of raising support. that can take 6 months to a year or more. Once enough support is raised (approx $3-4,000/month) a family can head off to the field of their choice…over 25 countries that NTM works with.

Thankfully the Lord has sent NTBI Jackson 68 new students this semester. They will join our 77 returning students and begin to discover the riches that the Bible contains. Studying it is the only way to get to know God personally. And getting to know God personally is the only hope of success in reaching an un-reached people group. It is not easy…living in the jungle, learning another language, developing an alphabet, preparing lessons in this new language, putting up with the antics of the people…not easy, but it is certainly worth it. Just ask the Akolet or any of the other scores of tribes that NTM has reached in its almost 70 year history. To God be the Glory!

Utterly amazed, incredibly humbled, thrilled to the heart…a sense of joy causes our spirits to lift up praise and thanksgiving to our God. He has sustained us and much more these past 30 semesters…15 years now at New Tribes Bible Institute. We look back and can hardly believe it. And yet…here they come; another NTBI freshman class and dozens of returning students. Hallelujah! Lord willing we’ll see 66-70 new faces and about 75 returning, all with the goal of studying God’s Word full time for 4 semesters. Lord only knows where these guys will end up, but we hope and pray that many will join in the work of taking the Gospel to a people group without it at this time. We would appreciate your prayers as classes begin Wednesday August 24. This is  the first semester I will have an opportunity to kick things off at Orientation Monday morning.

I plan on going through some of the rich history NTM has and challenge the students with 3 verses…Hebrews 11.6; “…without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a reward-er of those who diligently seek Him.” 2Chronicles 16.9 “The eyes of the Lord look to and fro throughout the whole earth; to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” Psalm 33.4 “The word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth.”

There is a theme here that I will unpack…having to do with missions being God’s work, done by the Strong One, according to His Word by those who have faith in Him. Missions is not done by super humans, but by regular, normal, everyday people who believe and trust God for wisdom, enablement and provision in every area of life. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13.4

Oh yea…Shirley is at this moment in CA with Rico and Megan awaiting the arrival of Olivia, our first grandchild…due today!!! Even so Olivia, come quickly!

Thanks for listening and thanks for praying! Your fellowship in the Gospel is such a blessing!