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Discipleship is the simple yet profound and lifelong trail of being a follower of Jesus, and is a key feature of a mature church.
NTM missionaries use a mature church model to help ensure that their work is on track.
people who Wayne and Patsy Gibson have 8 The discipled are now co-workers who are discipling
other believers. Willis helped translate God’s Word, he became 11 Asa faithful man who teaches others.
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13 find God’s path and stay on it.
Piduy takes responsibility for helping his people
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A Closer Look: Discipleship in the Church Pray Give Go Send Missionaries to the Field Celebrate Viewpoint: The Urgency of the Important 2
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Growing up together
As missionaries left the Bisorio tribe of Papua New Guinea in 2000, they left a mature church. “Papa God,” Maille, a Bisorio leader, Discipleship is personal, prayed that day, “when the missionaries messy, time-consuming first came, we did not know that You were — and worth every minute our Creator. Now we not only know You as Creator but as Redeemer as well. It is not [the missionaries’] work now; it is Your work that You have placed in our hands. “So with the same power that You used to create the world and with the same power that You used to raise Jesus from the dead, help us to shepherd our people, and strengthen us to be faithful in sharing with those who have never heard.” Mature leaders are an important sign of a mature church, and one component of the discipleship that NTM missionaries look for in a mature church.
Discipleship is growth Discipleship is one of those words that almost seems naked all alone. It looks like we should cover its back end with another word like program or class or book. Or maybe it needs something in front of it, like “the cost of” or “the process of.” But discipleship does stand alone. 3
Discipleship is the simple yet profound and lifelong trail of being a follower of Jesus. Discipleship is living a transformed life that transforms lives around you. Discipleship takes place in classrooms, and in living rooms and dining rooms and boardrooms and garages and front yards – and anywhere else that disciples go. There is no test for discipleship, no one sign or signal. Discipleship has no finish line this side of eternity, and no entrance exam. It begins the moment you identify yourself with Christ, because that’s the moment your life begins influencing others for Him. It will look different on me than it will on you. But to another disciple, it’s unmistakable. Discipleship is personal, messy, individual and relationshipbased – a lot like our physical maturing process. “God brings newborns into the world with no protection and helpless even to care for themselves,” said Larry Goring, NTM’s international coordinator for field ministries. “The process of parenting is time-consuming, exhausting and very messy, yet God does this over and over. “What is it about God that He seems to love this process of life and growth?”
“God … seems to love this process of life and growth.”
Discipleship in relationships
Discipleship in a tribe begins long before any Bible lessons are taught. Missionaries live — Larry Goring out their faith as they develop nonjudgmental International Coordinator relationships with tribal men, women and for Field Ministries children. The time before evangelism begins is not so much a process of learning culture and language, and translating and working, as it is a time of building friendships that may one day become God-centered relationships. This helps explain the importance of the mature church model that New Tribes Mission uses, which looks at discipleship as a key measure of church maturity. It’s a lot of work for missionaries to prepare to present the Gospel in a tribe, using illustrations and examples that will make sense, in the people’s heart languages. Viewing that strictly as a step-by-step process can relegate relationships – and thus discipleship – to a secondary role. But the reminder that discipleship is vital in a mature church encourages missionaries to develop and nurture relationships, and to do their best to maintain a growing relationship with God themselves, so tribal people see Him in them.
Discipleship in action After tribal believers finally have the opportunity to place their faith in Christ, they are more likely to become disciples themselves because the missionaries have modeled it for them. Soon they’re modeling it for others, as they not only talk about God, but live out their relationship with God in their relationships with other tribal people. As Lansana, a woman from the Tobo tribe of Papua New Guinea, said: “God’s Talk is really big. It’s truly life.” Edelfonso and his wife, Eneida, of Panama’s Kuna tribe, were challenged earlier 4
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Each construction job starts with a set of plans that show the finished product. That way, as each subcontractor sets about doing their piece of the task, the superintendent can keep everything on track. That is the reason New Tribes Mission has developed a mature church model. “It’s not a strategy — it’s a model for what we’re trying to build,” said Larry Goring, NTM’s international coordinator for field ministries. This detailed breakdown of how the mature church should look allows missionaries to periodically review where they are in the process of planting a church, and what they need to do in order to stay on track. NTM’s model looks at the church from four angles.
God’s Word for the Church: This relates to God’s Word penetrating
and working in a culture. For instance, one sign of a mature church is that “believers will treasure God’s Word as His communication of Truth, and therefore as their complete, final and absolute authority.”
The Life of the Church: The mature church is a stable body of
believers. What they do and how they function will reflect their own unique culture, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. They’ll respond to cultural dilemmas in a scriptural and socially appropriate way.
Discipleship in the Church: Discipleship is part of the
fabric of church life, and takes place in relationships – each person involved in helping and equipping others for their unique role in the body of believers. Recognized leaders are key in this process because they help shepherd and teach the believers, and identify and equip new leaders for their roles.
Identity of the Church: How is the church seen
by those outside the church? How well do the believers understand who they are as a body? Ultimately, a healthy view will result in the believers in the mature church stepping out in faith to take their place in the Great Commission. In the 2007 issues of NTM@work, we’re looking in more depth at each of these areas. In the February issue we explored God’s Word for the Church, and in the May issue, the Life of the Church. This issue focuses on Discipleship in the Church. 5
this year as Kuna believers showed renewed interest in studying God’s Word. People were in and out of their house all day with Bible questions. “We are busier than ever before in teaching and explaining God’s Book,” Edelfonso said. More importantly, it reinforced for Edelfonso that leaders also need to be in a growing relationship with God. “I’m learning how much more I have to learn to be a faithful leader of God’s people,” he said. “Before you came and told us the way to salvation, my eyes were blind,” Maadi told missionary Paul Cheshire. “But you brought eye medicine and gave it to me, and now I can see.” Maadi, a village chief in Senegal’s Malinké tribe, used his new sight to share Jesus with others. He taught other Malinkés from God’s Word, and he showed them Jesus in his life, until the day he died in 2004. Discipleship also helps believers in the mature church see all roles as important in the body, and encourages them to find the role God has for them. Vukuru, a Maleu man from Papua New Guinea, is not a Bible teacher, but when the church in his tribe was preparing to send teachers to another village to present God’s Word in 2005, he stepped up “to do whatever work the teachers need done to allow them to focus on telling the Gospel.” For him, that meant growing food not only for his own family, but for the Bible teachers as well.
DISCIPLESHIP IS ONE-ON-ONE The heart of discipleship is one-onone relationships. These are vital not only to fostering discipleship, but to seeing discipleship. You cannot really be sure lives are being transformed unless you take the time to hear, listen and watch. And illustrating discipleship with the stories of transformation that take place helps transform other lives. 6
“I have no dearer disciple than Fredi,” said missionary Keith Miles about his Tugutil friend in Indonesia. Today Fredi and his wife, Letu, disciple other Tugutils. It is out of discipleship that teachers and other leaders emerge. These people also need more formal training and experience to equip them for their roles. In many cases it’s like an apprenticeship. That’s why missionary Matt Arnold is working closely with Juan, Gregoria and Marcelo, teaching the Northern Tepehuan men in Mexico how to prepare Bible lessons. Meanwhile, Matt’s wife, Starr, is helping Cleotilde and Ines teach women from God’s Word, and assisting teenagers Odilia and Rosalva as they lead Bible classes for children. And this past February, Pa’ Kami and Pa’ Siti stood before large groups of Semandang believers in Indonesia, their knees shaking. Despite their obvious fear, the two new teachers taught clearly from the newly translated book of Acts, adding culturally relevant illustrations. When Pa’ Siti taught about the sorcerer Elymas opposing Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:8), he likened it to the many times that witchdoctors had opposed Semandang missionaries.
DISCIPLESHIP LEADS TO LEADERS Discipling, training and experience produce the mature believers who will take the church forward: leading, teaching, disciplining, serving and shepherding the believers. The leaders of the Manobo church in the Philippines noted that following their traditions of keeping couples apart before their wedding was not helping to produce godly marriages. So they decided to develop a counseling program for believers who wish to get married.
This spring, they counseled Labi and Alma every night for a week, teaching them from God’s Word about husband-and-wife relationships and responsibilities. The leaders also counseled the couple’s parents. The church leaders among the Puinave tribe took an important step of their own in 2006. “Listen,” Isaias told missionary Larry Richardson, “we need the rest of the New Testament done. … And we believe it can be done. We know we need you to help with the exegesis, but we think we Puinaves should take on the responsibility for it.” “We have been praying for some time,” wrote Larry’s wife, Sarah, “that some of the Puinave people would take more ownership of the translation of the Bible.” Larry and Sarah today are working with the Puinaves to complete the translation. There are Puinave churches in Colombia and Venezuela. Believers among Paraguay’s Manjúi people are helping other Manjúis know God and make Him known. “Isnei was so excited to tell me of the many Manjúi believers who are leading Bible studies in their homes and teaching their own people from the Word of God,” wrote missionary James Camacho. This spring, Isnei, a Manjúi church leader, was in the town where James now ministers. “Manjúi men like Isnei, Sesa, and Sano, along with their wives, are growing steadily in
the Lord and doing a wonderful job of leading the Manjúi church and reaching out with the Gospel to their own people,” James wrote. In a mature church, discipleship is ongoing at every stage. A mature church has mature and growing leaders and teachers. It also has new believers, and followers who are at different points in their walks with God. Discipleship in the mature church is evident in growth at every level. Larry Goring illustrated that by paraphrasing Ephesians 4: “Every believer growing up together in a body of believers, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” — Ian Fallis contributing editor
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The family business Building a network of disciples working toward the same goal Wayne spent most of the morning just trying to get some work done on the Bible lessons. But a co-worker called for advice, a neighbor stopped over for a few minutes, and then the weather turned thunderous, forcing him to shut down the computer and unplug everything. In frustration, he sat down at his desk and flipped open his Bible to read the English version of what he’d hoped to cover that day in lesson work. His cell phone rang a couple times before he picked it up and answered in Spanish, “Halo?” Pause. Then his demeanor changed. So did his language. “Pablo! Càiná pìa, Asìali?” (How ya doin’, man?) His buddy Pablo had called to encourage him and give him an update on the Piapoco ministry in his tribal village. A visionary cellular phone company made technology affordable and accessible to people in remote parts of the world and the Piapocos are enjoying some of the benefits of 8
modern communication. So are Wayne and Patsy Gibson, NTM missionaries who have served among the Piapocos in Colombia for 32 years. Civil unrest which limits travel in the country necessitates the longdistance relationship. But far from discouraging interaction, the Gibsons often get several phone calls a week. “The Lord so often brings these guys to mind that it is so encouraging to have them say, ‘We keep praying for you up there, don’t forget about us down here,’” Wayne said. The tribal believers pray for the Gibsons with understanding of the things they face as missionaries. “For the Piapocos to do this is not a religious thing, it’s a brother thing. It’s real. It’s a gesture of love and that’s why it’s so touching,” said Wayne, gratitude resonating in his words. “I’ve been touched that way many times.” Although the missionaries can’t readily visit the remote Piapoco
villages, their home in the city is frequently filled with visiting Piapocos. “It’s not just a home,” said Patsy, her voice soft and pleasant. “It’s a tribal center and it’s a place we can minister and move ahead in the ministry.” She gets calls from Piapoco women asking for advice and, in her gentle way, points them to the Lord. Patsy is spiritually gifted in serving and hospitality, so her forum for discipling looks very different from Wayne’s, whose gift of teaching shows up in thought-provoking and sometimes intense one-on-one discussions at the dining room table or while relaxing in the living room. “In the kitchen, we’d talk about our kids and what they’re doing,” she said. Besides checking translated Bible portions for comprehension or studying the Word together, Patsy often takes visiting Piapoco ladies with her to run errands, shop for groceries or meet with her friends to pray.
One particular visitor was inadvertently equipped for her own ministry among her people. “When Ana* was 19, she came with her husband to hear the Bible teaching,” Patsy said. “She was pretty much just out of the country. It’s just a shock to their system: gas stove … refrigerator. Ana came very pliable to learn all kinds of things.” As she shadowed Patsy’s daily activities, she learned more than how to use household technology. She picked up on Patsy’s efficiency, frugality and willingness to serve. “Pretty much, I could’ve left the house and left her in charge,” said Patsy. At the time, she didn’t realize her interaction with Ana was discipleship or that Ana was to play a similar role in the Piapoco body of believers. “Discipleship is life,” Wayne said. “I know a lot of people think that discipleship is something extra. It isn’t. It’s part of the outflow of your walk with God.” 9
Today Ana’s home serves as a stopover point for the Piapoco believers and itinerant Bible teachers and their families. And just like Patsy, Ana and her husband graciously welcome them, giving generously from what the Lord provides, including the thoughtful packages of “extra goodies for the kids” that Patsy sends. This discipling relationship has grown into that of co-workers as Ana faithfully assists Wayne and Patsy, passing messages along, coordinating phone calls, and letting them know to send funds for medical emergencies and other needs. The relationship that Wayne enjoys with Pablo and Silvio*, two of the Piapoco believers he’s spent many years
And these mere believers who walk humbly before their God also have the courage to live Paul’s words, “follow me as I follow Christ.” discipling, has also shown considerable growth. “When I’m with those two guys, I’m with people who have the same kind of vision for reaching Piapocos with the Gospel. They understand what the Lord is wanting to do in reaching out to other people. I feel like they’re missionaries.” Both Pablo and Silvio have taught God’s Word for six years and Wayne has high praise for these dedicated men now teaching from the Epistles. “You just sit back and watch them work,” said Wayne. “They’re good teachers. They understand God’s grace. They’re so grateful to God and they’re willing to trust God for greater things.” “Pablo has a heart to help people. That’s what Ephesians 4:12-16 talks 10
about, building up the church for the work of the ministry. This involves a deep desire to train people to be involved in what God is doing, care for them, pray for them, enjoy visiting with them, provide for needs.” Six years ago, Wayne and Patsy were counseling Pablo and his wife Flor. Now other believers are seeking out Pablo and Flor for godly counsel. Silvio is concerned about the purity of the message. Wayne knows this because one day, in his easy-going manner, Silvio just brought it up. He wants to talk with the other Bible teachers to make sure the Gospel they preach is not somehow mixed with animism or religions based merely on regulations for good behavior. Wayne feels privileged to have such co-workers and is impressed by their tendency to talk little but get a lot done. “They’re not professional missionaries. They’re just believers doing the job,” said Wayne and, in a tone of barely subdued energy, adding, “Cool.” And these mere believers who walk humbly before their God also have the courage to live Paul’s words, “follow me as I follow Christ.” Pablo is discipling Herman, a believer who genuinely cares for the Church and desires to see people growing in the Lord. Silvio is discipling Mario*, who is much like Timothy was at first. But Mario’s desire to serve the Lord is evident. And Wayne, having spent very little time with Mario, is encouraged by the spiritual maturity he recognizes every time he speaks with him. And sometimes when he thinks of Mario, he softly chuckles, “tickled pink” over the way God multiplies His work. — Donna Gibson contributing editor *names have been changed for the safety of the people identified in this article.
Racing toward the goal of helping his people become followers of Christ, Willis passionately teaches from God’s Word in his own language. Church planting often resembles a relay — with missionaries passing on responsibilities of discipleship and teaching as God enables. Deep in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, in the Wuzarambya tribe, Willis now holds the baton. His dark eyes brighten as he teaches the seated crowd. Gestures and excited facial expressions reveal how fervently he believes the open book in his hand. Missionaries Andrew and Cathy Goud watch attentively, recognizing the growth and calling on his life. Willis has had a keen interest in God’s Word for as long as Cathy can remember. As a shy youth in the Bible class that Cathy co-led in the late 1980s, Willis placed his faith in Christ while many around him refused to believe. A few years later, Willis faced an important life decision. He could go live in another town to finish seventh and eighth grade as many young men of the village do, or stay in his village where he could help the missionaries learn and translate the language. He decided to remain in the village, realizing the importance of the Scriptures in his people’s lives. Willis’ help was greatly
There’s a leader in the house needed and would have long-reaching affects. Wuzarambyan is one of the most difficult languages for nonnative speakers to learn because of complicated verb tenses and multiple variations of words. Learning and translating this language has been a long process throughout the past several decades. The missionaries attempted to teach in 2001 from a limited Scripture base, but found that without substantial sections of written Scripture in the Wuzarambyan language, the teaching was not very effective, writes Andrew. They agreed to halt teaching until more Scripture passages had been fully translated and lessons could be written. This made Willis’ decision to stay a huge blessing. With his translation help, the teaching could resume that much quicker. Willis worked alongside Andrew, while missionary Terry Banman and another believer, Daniel, checked their translations. But it was also a blessing in a different way. As Willis became a disciple, or follower, of the Scriptures he was helping to translate, he desired to aid others in becoming disciples as well. 11
Eager to communicate biblical truths with his peers, Willis began sharing what God was teaching him in his personal devotions with the other few believers in the tribe. Terry remembers how Willis remained strong in his faith even as others rejected Christ for several years. All the translation help and hard work paid off. Nearly four years after the initial attempted lessons, the missionaries had finished translating Old Testament portions and the Gospels and had written Bible lessons. Teaching could now resume. Andrew taught a group of 30-plus Wuzarambyans from Genesis to the Gospels, revealing unbelievers’ need for a Savior and how Jesus alone could meet that need. Willis continued personal discipleship among his peers as well. When Wuzarambyan boys reach a certain age, they leave their families to live in a man-house with other young unmarried males. Willis brought many young men from his man-house with him to listen to Andrew’s teaching. Each night after the lessons, Willis and the other young men would return home and discuss the truths they were learning. Hearing about the lessons piqued the interest of other young men in their house and they began asking Willis questions. Andrew finished the first set of lessons and several people gave their hearts to the Lord, including Willis’ brother, Jesi, and cousin, Aleks. Andrew and Terry were now ready to begin discipling these new believers with the next lessons. The interested unbelievers in Willis’ house would have to wait several months for the beginning lessons to be taught again. “Willis was burdened for the interested young men,” Rosie Banman remembers. He felt that delaying the teaching would be a mistake. “Now they are interested,” he said. “If we wait, later they might not come.” Seeing his desire, growth and 12
maturity, the missionaries offered the baton to Willis. They invited him to teach the beginning lessons himself. He accepted the invitation and in January 2005 the teaching began. Jesi and Aleks supported him by reading Scripture portions of the lessons. At least 17 people came to Christ through Willis’ teaching, including Kenyol, another of his six brothers. He had been adamantly against the things of God for years. Willis observed intently as the missionaries taught new believers the second set of lessons — Genesis to the Gospels again, but this time in light of Jesus as Savior and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. When they finished the stretch, Willis grabbed the baton, ready to continue with his group. He taught the same lessons to the 17 new believers and others who had missed the missionaries’ teaching. He continues to teach, and meets with Terry and Andrew before each lesson to prepare illustrations and clarify points. They mentor him gladly, knowing that Willis runs alongside them toward the same goal they have devoted their lives to. “Our goal as a mission and as a team is to see an indigenous, self-propagating church here in Wuzarambya. We are glad to be a part in whatever way [God] has for us. Right now that means providing the Scripture and lessons and discipling others as they do the teaching,” Andrew writes. “Willis is pouring his heart into others and preparing them to come alongside him to teach. I believe Willis will make an excellent leader in the local Church in the years to come.” The missionaries confidently pass on the baton and watch as God enables runners like Willis to continue to strive for the goal of reaching unbelievers in Wuzarambya with the truth of the Gospel. — Hannah Fischer contributing editor
His brothers’ keeper Piduy takes responsibility for making disciples In a small Manobo village in the Philippines young believers are learning about faithfulness, humility and godliness from one of their own – Piduy. When missionary Gene Trudeau taught evangelistic Bible lessons in 1989, Piduy’s parents were among the first believers. He was 13 at the time and though he attended the lessons he didn’t want to accept what he heard. “Before I didn’t believe there was a God,” said Piduy. “I thought there were only the evil spirits we sacrificed to. Those spirits were our gods. In our old beliefs we just did whatever we wanted, and we didn’t feel guilty when we sinned.” Gene taught in the mountainous village where Piduy lived and a small Manobo church was born. Fifteen trusted Christ at that time, including Piduy’s parents. Gene then
taught through the Bible once again to strengthen and encourage the believers in their faith. In 1991 he taught evangelistic Bible lessons in a village in the lowlands and 25 trusted Christ. He then worked to strengthen the believers’ understanding of salvation by grace through faith. From those first 40 believers, nine churches have been established with more than 50 Manobo Bible teachers involved in reaching the lost and discipling believers. After several years believers from the mountains came down to ask Gene for teaching materials. Piduy accompanied them though he still hadn’t trusted Christ. Finally, through hearing evangelistic lessons over and 13
over again and reading them to others, he came to the realization that he was a sinner and Christ died for him. “Now I know there is a God, and He is the source of the teaching from the Bible that we have heard,” said Piduy. “God is the one who caused my emotions to be upset because He was showing me my sin.” Piduy left his village and was working for a logging company and teaching evangelistic Bible lessons to a family there. Gene recognized his potential and encouraged him to return and teach the believers in his home village while helping him with Bible translation. As Piduy and Gene became co-workers translating the Bible into Manobo, Gene also mentored Piduy, showing him how to shepherd and disciple others. Piduy observed Gene’s faithfulness and godliness and became a gifted teacher and evangelist in the Manobo church. Manobo believers meetings use 14
an informal discussion format. The teacher may ask a question that sparks a dialogue about how the lesson applies to their lives or how they may have failed in that area. These are not staid lecture-type classes but fluid give-and-take sessions, with discipleship taking place as they talk. “Because of my understanding of the Word of God, I have joy in continuing to teach His Word,” said Piduy. “The reason that I have joy is because I really pity those who haven’t been able to hear. God’s Word tells us that we should love all people. So if I quit teaching it would be like I didn’t love my fellow Manobos and their situation would be very difficult because they wouldn’t hear God’s Word. And at ‘that later time’ they will truly suffer forever because no one taught them God’s Word. God would not be pleased with me.” One of the main changes that Gene and Carol noted as Piduy matured
in the Lord was his faithfulness. In Manobo culture, people do what they want when they want. If a Bible teacher didn’t feel like teaching, he just wouldn’t. Piduy can be depended on to study and prepare well ahead of time for his class. He’s busy with farming like all the other Manobos but is always available to visit with his fellow believers and advise them. He is also exceptionally good at translating the Scriptures. Piduy and his wife Lynlyn are excellent examples of how to raise a loving Christian family. They are training and disciplining their own three children according to God’s Word. Piduy has begun boldly proclaiming the message about child-rearing from
“Because of my understanding of the Word of God, I have joy in continuing to teach His Word.” — Piduy Ephesians 6:4. This is contrary to Manobo culture, and an area that the believers have long ignored. Piduy and some of the church leaders have been counseling an engaged Manobo couple, Labi and Alma, from God’s Word concerning husband-andwife relationships and responsibilities. This, too, is contrary to Manobo culture but Piduy hopes it will begin to strengthen marriages in the church. Gene wrote, “We love to listen to Piduy teach. Even though he has such great knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures, he is very humble. He teaches the believers here … and teaches evangelistic lessons and new believers. We are sometimes amazed at how sound his counsel to fellow believers is.” Piduy often has families who want to hear evangelistic teaching move into
his home with him. Usually they end up asking him to teach every night. “Discipleship is not a complicated thing,” said Larry Brown, NTM USA chairman. “It is a series of small acts.” And Piduy demonstrates that in his life. He is an example of 2 Timothy 2:2 “…commit these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” When Anu first trusted Christ and wanted to begin teaching others about his new-found Savior, Piduy was delighted to be able to help him. Piduy’s faithfulness and humility demonstrated the Christ-like life to his young friend. Anu began by observing Piduy as he taught the beginning of the evangelistic Bible series, and then he helped read the Scripture for the lesson. Next he taught parts of the lesson on his own and now the fledgling was making his first solo flight. Piduy stands at the back of the room, a huge smile creasing his face, watching Anu teach evangelistic Bible lessons. Piduy chuckles as he watches Anu parroting some of his hand gestures and using some of his expressions – but, more importantly, Anu also uses his own journey with God to illustrate the lesson. Now just as Gene passed the torch to him, Piduy is passing it to another. The student has become the teacher. — Dena McMaster contributing editor
Just prior to this issue going to print, we received a prayer request about Piduy and his family. An illness affected many children among the Manobo people, including Glen, Piduy’s 1-year-old son, and Kim, the daughter of Tilmun, also a Bible teacher. Kim is recovering but Glen was among those that passed away. Please pray for Piduy and his wife, Lynlyn, to have continued strength and faith while they deal with this loss. 15
Believers are and grown   in their
being rooted and grounded in love‌Ephesians 3:17
established faith
through
discipleship,
an informal
system of teaching and mentoring that involves every believer walking with God.
THE MATURE CHURCH
A CLOSER LOOK
Discipleship
in the
by Chet Plimpton, General Secretary NTM USA Executive Board
“Discipleship is the practical application of Truth within the proximity and vulnerability of relationships.” This definition by New Tribes Mission is clearly demonstrated by the account of Paul’s brief but eventful ministry in the city of Philippi recorded in Acts 16:12-40. Paul’s visit to the city began with prayer by the Gangitis River. Here a woman named Lydia listened to the Gospel message and believed, along with her family. She opened her home to Paul and his companions and to others who wanted to hear the truth of the Word of God. Once, when returning to the river for prayer, Paul and Silas were met by a slave girl possessed by an evil spirit. She followed them around for days, repeating the words, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” When Paul cast out the spirit, the owners of the slave girl were offended because the girl brought them money by her alleged fortune-telling abilities. Furious, they dragged Paul and Silas to the center of town, where they were publicly humiliated, severely beaten, and finally thrown into prison, with
18
Church
their feet cruelly fastened in the stocks. However Paul and Silas, their hearts filled with worship and praise to God, began to pray and sing, while other prisoners listened in rapt fascination to the joy and peace evidenced by these two men. What next occurred was a chain of amazing supernatural events: A great earthquake rocked the prison, opened the prison doors and shook the shackles from the prisoners. The jailor, a heartbeat away from suicide a moment before, trusted in Christ along with his family and became a gracious host to Paul and Silas, giving them medical attention, feeding them a meal, and worshipping God with them. When the authorities wanted to avoid public attention to the events that had taken place, they tried to get Paul and Silas to leave the jail and their city quietly. However, emboldened by God’s assurance that they were fulfilling His will, and desirous to disciple the new believers, Paul and Silas met again with them at Lydia’s house before leaving the city. The presentation of the Word of God was made practical to Lydia, the slave girl, the jailor, and others who gathered with them, because they received it from someone whose life was like an open book before them. They not only heard the truth of the Word of God taught, they saw it
demonstrated in power through the life of the teacher. A little more than ten years after this initial visit to Philippi, Paul continued his discipleship ministry by letter to the believers who by now had established a local church with elders and deacons. Paul reminds them of the importance of ongoing discipleship in the church and the simplicity of how it works. In Philippines 4:9 Paul writes, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Paul appears to divide discipleship into two areas: learning and receiving, and hearing and seeing. Believers like Lydia and those who gathered in her house to hear Paul teach from the Word of God had learned vital information about God and His plan for their lives that they had never heard before. However, they had done much more than learn new truth, they had also received what they had learned, meaning they had taken what they learned to heart with intention to act upon it. Paul now encourages them to continue that same pattern of learning and receiving. In addition, the believers at Philippi had been careful observers of Paul’s life. They had heard him speak and had seen him live in utter dependence upon God and with a passion to serve the Lord he loved. They could see he was not perfect, but they could also see that what he preached he practiced in the power of the Holy Spirit. Now Paul commanded them to “do” or “to practice” what they had learned and received and heard and seen in him. This is discipleship, not merely the gaining of more scriptural
knowledge, as important as that is, but a change of attitude and behavior resulting from that knowledge. Spiritual maturity is not measured by what a believer knows, but by what a believer does with what he or she knows. Paul concluded verse 9 by presenting the power of discipleship: “the God of peace will be with you.” There is a promise connected with discipleship which the Philippian believers had begun to learn from Paul’s initial visit. The promise is this: as we take to heart and act upon what we have learned, God will bless us with spiritual blessings to the benefit of the church. We remember that before Paul left Philippi he had begun to disciple a handful of believers gathered at Lydia’s house. As those few believers received and obeyed the Word of God, they began to function according to the gifts God had given them, and a church was planted and grew.
Think about it: 1. Why are relationships vital in discipleship? 2. What happens if we continually increase knowledge of Bible truth, without taking to heart what we have learned? 3. How comfortable are you in challenging other believers to practice what they have heard you say and do? 4. How can your church be encouraged to engage in discipleship? 19
PRAY
PHILIPINES: Isnag tribe
There is already a Bible translation in the Northern Isnag language, and some thought that because the Southern Isnag made up such a small portion of the Isnag people that another translation was not needed. However, the dialect differences between the two groups make full and clear comprehension of the Northern Isnag Bible translation impossible for those in the south. A missionary team is now working on a Southern Isnag Bible translation. Please pray that the meticulous work will progress steadily and smoothly and that soon God’s Word will speak to the hearts of the Southern Isnag people.
Isnag
INDONESIA: Dao tribe
Dao
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Evangelistic Bible lessons began in June, and already the Dao people are realizing how important and powerful God is. Missionaries Scott and Jennie Phillips teach five times a week, which means that the Daos will hear of Christ’s death and resurrection sometime in early October. Pray they will continue to be open to His Word and allow it to affect their daily lives. Pray also for the Phillips as they teach and for Derek and Sarah Grant as they devote their time to culture and language study.
BRAZIL: Gavião tribe:
A group of young people has eagerly declared faith in Christ. The new joy in their lives is evident with spontaneous hugs, words of hope and encouragement, and new brightness in their faces. They have asked for forgiveness from others without it being solicited. Please pray God will use their newfound joy and enthusiasm to encourage and challenge others to trust in Him.
Ayoré
PARAGUAY: Ayoré tribe
Many Ayoré people have never seen streams or rivers, much less many other things that God’s Word so picturesquely uses. Missionaries Bruce and Alice Higham show DVDs and videos in order to expand their worldview. Please pray that God will use this unique ministry to the Ayorés and that through it they will gain a fuller understanding of Him and His Word.
MOZAMBIQUE: Yao tribe
A wandering lion, believed by the Yao people to be an ancestral spirit, has illustrated how fear is a daily part of their lives. Instead of hiring a hunter to take care of the threat, the chief performed a ceremony to appease the spirit the lion represented. Missionaries to the Yao people, Anthony and Jennie Chee, view this as a timely reminder as to why they are there. They are learning the Yao culture and language, and hope to soon present the Good News of a life without fear to the Yaos. Pray the Chees’ study will go quickly and well, and that the people will be receptive when the time comes for them to hear.
If you’d like the opportunity to be vitally involved in planting tribal churches by praying for current prayer requests, subscribe to the Daily Bulletin or the Weekly Digest. The Daily Bulletin consists of three to five brief prayer requests each weekday. The Weekly Digest is a compilation of those requests that comes out each Friday. To read about answered prayer and get current requests, sign up at www.ntm.org/pray
— by Jackie Fallis, contributing editor
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GIVE
Your stuff can help, too. You might be surprised at the stuff you have that could help expand the reach of the Gospel. You can now use your non-cash assets to aid in planting churches among unreached people groups, and you may even be able to reduce or avoid taxes by giving assets such as: • Stocks and mutual funds • Vehicles such as boats, recreational vehicles and even collectible cars • Antiques and other collectibles • Jewelry and coins • Business inventory • Real estate • And more This new option is made available in partnership with the Servant Christian Community Foundation, which serves you and New Tribes Mission by receiving, managing and liquidating such “complex gifts.” NTM and SCCF will sell the asset for you, and help you receive the full tax benefit for your gift. Find out more about how your stuff can help expand the reach of the Gospel: Contact our Stewardship Development Office at 800-813-1566 or sdo@ntm.org, or Go to www.ntm.org/give, and click on the “Give Stuff” link on the left.
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EQUIPPING MISSIONARIES
NTM’s Missionary Training Center is equipping the next generation of tribal church planters. Teaching methods combining decades of experience in tribal ministry with the latest educational technology and tools require a classroom building designed and built for that purpose. One hundred new missionaries can be equipped in this building each year and join the team that is planting churches among unreached tribal people around the world. That means thousands more tribal people each year will have the opportunity to hear the Good News. And God’s name will be glorified among the people groups of the earth. Groundbreaking is slated for Spring 2008. Planning, preparation and purchasing are under way.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
ABOUT TO TAKE OFF
Less than $100,000 is needed to make the deposit on the 14th and final Kodiak aircraft that New Tribes Mission plans to purchase to support church planters who work in remote, rugged tribal villages. This aircraft is designed from the ground up for missionary aviation. When the final deposit is made, New Tribes Mission can begin funding the actual remaining costs to get each airplane outfitted, delivered, insured and in service.
Mark a memory: Make a gift to expand the reach of the Gospel, in honor of or in memory of a special person whom God put in your life. Invest For Eternity: A charitable gift annuity allows you to combine good stewardship with sensible tax planning for a lifetime of income, while partnering with New Tribes Mission to plant churches. Find out more about these projects and options, and other opportunities: www.ntm.org/give | sdo@ntm.org 800-813-1566
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GO
More than Teachers There are no big yellow school buses in the jungle. Instead, children come pouring in from the distant tribal locations where their parents work in a variety of ways – and for lengthy stays. Some arrive by helicopter or plane, some by canoe, and still others by jostling cattle truck. And they all need something very important – someone there to welcome them. From the second-grader who’s grasping her pink, floppy-eared bunny and has never been away from home before, to the seemingly disinterested 16-year-old with his iPod plugged into his ears, each will need care and nurturing and teaching until the next vacation time rolls around. But what kind of person can do that for other people’s children? A very special kind. Lynae Poulson, who attended the school for missionaries’ children in Brazil from second-grade until graduation, is extremely grateful that this kind of person exists. “I have to admit that it was hard for me to leave my parents after every vacation, and be separated from them for more than half of every year,” said Lynae, “but the staff here at [school] makes everything bearable.” “They’ve given their lives for us. I listen to the teachers in school, and eat the food the cooks make for us, and I realize that they could be doing a lot of other things with their lives; but they’ve chosen to live here and give of themselves so that they can lovingly care for and teach missionary kids
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and keep their parents working in the tribes.” And Lynae would wholeheartedly agree that this is what it’s all about – the tribes. When she and her four younger sisters were home on breaks and working side-by-side as a family, they came to appreciate what their Lynae and friends
parents, Philip and Valeree Poulson, are giving their lives for. Lynae herself grew to love the Yanomami children as she helped at the tribal school. “These little kids are 7 years old and have never held a pencil before, or seen a book. They are so cute with their intense expressions of concentration – tongues sticking out of the side of their mouths, eyebrows furrowed.” But knowing the 30-year struggle it’s been to plant a tribal church in this very difficult culture, Lynae is able to see beyond the “cute.” “In all their adorableness though, I am struck again and again as I am with them, of how terrified they are.
From infancy their parents tell them stories of the evil spirits and monsters, and they grow up from being terrified children into hard-hearted, frightened adults.” In the age of technology, people are still running around the jungles of our world with spears, loincloths, and painted bodies, living and dying in relentless fear and appeasement of the spirits they believe rule their lives. And missionaries like Lynae’s parents come equipped to change that terror into hope and peace. But often the battle for truth lasts many years. In the meantime, what about their offspring? Most missionaries can’t wage spiritual combat deep in remote jungle regions and effectively educate their children for the 21st century. In order for both important jobs to get done, parents need some help – from teachers. Lynae not only found that help, but so much more. She found an unforgettable childhood. “I have so many happy memories of growing up here,” Lynae said of her school in the Brazilian jungle. “After my friend, Sarah, and I came to school, [in the next years] about ten other little girls quickly followed, my sisters among them. As the oldest, I became their unspoken leader.” When they weren’t studying, the little band of missionary daughters “built tree forts, ground forts, underground forts, hill forts, forts with running water and vine swings, and forts with only trails,” Lynae remembers. “We never finished one,
but we delighted in building great things until our interest ran out.” But swimming in the mighty Amazon never grew old. When the water level fell, the children splashed around in the rapids. When it rose, they raced down mud slides to see who could get the dirtiest. “I remember afternoons when almost the entire school trekked out to a flooded lake in the jungle where we played tag among the trees, made swings, and dared each other to jump from higher and higher limbs.” And teachers were among those trekkers. Teachers who care about children not their own, teachers with a sense of adventure and a love of fun, teachers who are willing to teach so that spiritually lost tribal people can be found. This coming fall and every other fall, missionaries’ children from all around the world will be arriving at school. And they’ll need someone there to hug their pink bunny, make them forget they even have an iPod, and take long afternoon journeys to play tag among the trees. They’ll need someone there to help them be able to say, like Lynae, “I love being a missionary kid and I love my parents for being strong enough to send their kids away to where they would thrive.” As Lynae flies off to college, another little missionary daughter will take her place. Perhaps you could be the one to help her thrive. — by Debbie Burgett, contributing editor
Your unique skill-set could meet a strategic need in planting tribal churches around the world. Serve for a season, for one to four years as an NTM associate.
www.ntm.org/associates | associates@ntm.org | 800-2856-6053 25
SEND
SERVING as SENDERS “A missionary needs a strong, integrated, knowledgeable team who has committed themselves to the work of serving as senders.” When I read this quote from Neal Pirolo’s book Serving as Senders, I was stunned. Though my husband and I personally support four missionary couples and one single missionary lady, I realized we were merely givers, not senders. While we invest financially in missionaries involved in tribal church planting and are involved in ministry ourselves, we are not part of a team ministering to missionaries’ needs. That realization led me to seek more information on what makes a sender. Reading books and doing some research on the internet showed me a plethora of ideas for helping
missionaries better perform their ministries. Serving as Senders by Neal Pirolo, the founding director of Emmaus Road International, is the best resource I have seen so far on how to care for your missionaries. Chapter by chapter he leads you through ways to become a vital part of sending and meeting the needs of missionaries. Neal and his wife, Yvonne, offer seminars and training courses to help churches understand how to care for missionaries. They train individuals in the basics of cross-cultural ministry as “goers” and “senders” and network with missionaries around the world. As they criss-crossed the United States conducting Serving as Senders seminars, Neal became increasingly aware that the needs of returning
MISSIONARIES TO THE FIELD Sarah Asman
Sarah became interested in missions after a trip to the Philippines in 2004. While visiting missionaries serving in a tribal ministry, she saw how the people’s lives had changed as they came to know God. The realization that so many have never had this opportunity had a huge impact on her. After some more travel and prayer, she felt God leading her to be involved in tribal missions with NTM. In 2005, she started missionary training and after graduating she spent five months in the Philippines teaching missionaries’ children. Currently serving in Go Tribal, NTM’s short-term trip ministry in Australia, Sarah is passionate about inspiring and challenging young people in Australia to consider tribal church planting ministries and has a heart to be a tribal church planter herself in the future.
Australia Ministry: Mobilizing Sending church: Connection Community, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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missionaries are the least understood by pastors and churches. Saddened by the lack of understanding the needs of returning missionaries he was motivated to provide the Church with his second book, The Reentry Team which deals with ministering to missionaries coming back from the field permanently or for home assignment. He explains reverse culture shock and other issues unique to missionaries returning to their home countries. His latest book, I Think God Wants Me To Be A Missionary, helps families, pastors and churches understand the needs of cross-cultural missionaries. Their website, www. eri.org, has information for ordering books and finding seminar and training dates and locations. Another excellent resource book is The Ten Modules, by Todd Ahrend and other contributing authors. Todd is the founder of
The Traveling Team, a missions mobilization movement. The group travels nationwide to encourage college students to become involved in missions. Todd’s book demonstrates the characteristics of a global Christian. The format makes an excellent study for small groups or mission teams on how to send missionaries. “Here is a tragic fact,” wrote Dr. Ralph Winter, founder of the Center for World Missions, “only one of 100 ‘missionary decisions’ result in actual career mission service. Why? First, because few parents, pastors or friends really encourage anyone to follow through. But what if that number could double to two out of 100? The effect would be explosive!” Be part of the explosion: order these books and find dates for seminars and training sessions at www.eri.org or www.thetravelingteam.org. — by Dena McMaster, contributing editor
Clark and Wanda Brown
Grant, Kendra, Garrett and Keith The Browns left the Alaskan bush to use their specialized skills in education and counseling, playing a strategic role in tribal church planting. “Our plan originally was to retire from teaching and then go teach in a mission school somewhere,” wrote Clark. “God stepped up our timetable for us.” They learned that NTM’s MK Education Center needed help right away. God went ahead of them and, within three months, they had begun their ministry. “Our purpose is to enable families not to feel they must leave the field because their child’s education is in jeopardy,” Clark wrote. They help with the learning USA difficulties of missionary candidates at the Missionary Training Ministry: MK Care Center in Missouri as well as missionaries’ children worldwide. and Education Consultants Sending church: Glennallen Community Chapel, Glennallen, Alaska, USA
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CELEBRATE
T
he missionaries stepped onto the small island and were greeted by a smiling group of Siar people. “We’ve been waiting for you to come for years,” the Siars told them. Chris and Erin Lujan and Lane and Karrie Sanford had also spent years waiting for this moment. In fact, they had prepared for 6+ years. All through their training with New Tribes Mission and one year on-field orientation in Papua New Guinea, they kept before them the goal of reaching a tribal group with God’s Word. In December 2006, Chris and Lane
took the next step toward their goal by visiting the island with NTM Papua New Guinea leaders to see if the Siars would allow missionaries to come live there. They were surprised when the villagers handed them the letter they had received from New Tribes Mission in 2003. They had written a letter to mission leaders asking for a missionary to come teach them “God’s talk.” At that time the leadership responded that there was no one to send. But God had a plan. The Siars’ desire to hear God’s Word
MISSIONARIES TO THE FIELD Jonathan and Janalyn Carlson
During college, Jonathan went on a short-term mission trip and saw the great need for people to know the Lord. “After that I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to serving Him overseas,” he wrote. “I didn’t know very much about missions, but when a New Tribes missionary came and spoke in my church, it was like a light bulb went on in my head! The Lord was directing me to tribal missions.” Janalyn grew up hearing about missions from missionary relatives and got a taste of it herself as a teenager on a short-term mission trip to Brazil. She then attended New Tribes Bible Institute. “Bible school is where I really learned of the need for missions all over the world. I knew then that I wouldn’t be satisfied doing anything else!”
Indonesia Ministry:Church planting Sending churches: Victory Road Evangelical Free Church, Norfolk, Nebraska; Pahrump Community Church, Pahrump, Nevada, USA 28
did not diminish and they did not give up but kept the letter and patiently waited. Fortunately, the Lujans and Sanfords did not give up either. The people warmly welcomed them and began talking right away about building houses for them. Land is a big issue in Papua New Guinea because owning land gives you status in a tribe. So, when the villagers gave land to the missionaries it was an indication of their eagerness to hear God’s Word in their language.
They had written a letter to mission leaders asking for a missionary to come teach them
“God’s talk.”
Chris and Lane began making preparations to move into the village. They would need to build a generator shed, boat dock and outhouse before starting to build their homes. About that time, Jonathan and Melissa Jackson finished their on-field orientation and joined the team.
Paul Wilhelmson
The three families began to make preparations to move into the village and God’s plan continued to unfold. When Chris, Lane and Jon traveled to the island to begin building in April, they found that the Siars were glad to help with hammering nails, sawing wood, mixing cement and carrying supplies to the job site. As they worked together each day and talked together in the evenings, friendships were formed. These budding friendships made the missionaries even more eager to move into the village. As the team began building their homes it was another step toward their goal. Now comes the task of learning culture and language, translating God’s Word into the Siar language and preparing evangelistic Bible lessons. After years of waiting, the Siars will soon hear the Gospel message. And you can follow their journey by reading the updates online at www.ntm.org. — by Dena McMaster, contributing editor
Paul was born to NTM missionaries serving in Bolivia, and from an early age loved anything to do with flying. In high school he realized God wanted him to be a missionary so he decided to be a missionary pilot. But while attending New Tribes Bible Institute, “God brought me to the point where I completely gave up on anything to do with flying. Instead, He opened my eyes to His love for the lost and for taking the Gospel to people who had no chance to hear. I was ready and willing to go to the mission field and do whatever He wanted.” Then the Lord opened the door for flight and maintenance training and later missionary training with NTM. “Before it had always been something I was doing,” he wrote. “Now it was clear that it was God’s doing and not mine.”
Indonesia Ministry: NTM Aviation Sending church: Moline Baptist Church, Moline, Michigan, USA
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VIEWPOINT
URGENCY
THE OF THE IMPORTANT
by Dan Kreider NTM USA Director of Operations
The Dao tribal people of Indonesia have just begun hearing evangelistic Bible lessons. They told the missionaries “Don’t stop. We want to listen till our knees are sore from sitting.” The missionaries to the Banwaon tribal people of the Philippines hosted a group of 15 young Germans deeply interested in missions. As the Banwaon believers, the missionaries and the team of young people sang praises and worshipped God together, one of the missionaries said, “It’s like a little bit of Heaven.” That’s exciting news and it’s happening all over the world. But the sobering fact is that thousands of tribal groups still have yet to hear the Gospel in a culturally relevant and understandable way. With such a huge task at hand, New Tribes Mission’s US Executive Board has made assisting the Church in mobilizing missionaries a major focus. The average age of a New Tribes missionary is now 51. This means that we need to help churches send replacements as
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missionaries reach retirement age. Another goal is to increase the number of missionary graduates from the Mission Training Center who make it to the field and for those who do, increasing the length of their missionary service. We’ve begun new initiatives to assist churches in recruiting, sending and helping their missionaries to see the task completed. A conference and retreat center in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, will allow churches to experience first-hand through reenactments of what tribal church planting is all about. Another thrust has been to assist churches to help graduating missionaries reach their field of service. NTM missionary Andy Seibert is a liaison between the local church, the missionary and New Tribes Mission. Since Andy began his ministry, the number of missionaries who never reach their field of service has dropped significantly. These are just a few of the important issues that NTM US Executive Board
(ISSN 1527-9057)
Here to serve you NTM@work connects you with tribal missions and provides opportunities for increased involvement in taking the Gospel to ethnic groups who have yet to hear about Jesus.
Vol.66 · No.1· August 2007 NTM@work team Executive Editor: Macon Hare David Bell, Debbie Burgett, Rex Crawford, Marilyn Engel, Hedy Enns, Ian Fallis, Jackie Fallis, Jon Frazier, Donna Gibson, Chris Holland, Doug Lotz, Dena McMaster, Stan Skees NTM@work is published quarterly by New Tribes Mission. Periodical postage paid at MID-FL, FL 32799-9625
is revisiting and initiatives we are beginning in order to effectively bring the light of the Gospel to those still in darkness. As director of operations for the US Executive Board, I provide direction and guidance for logistic teams serving here in the USA – information technology services, aviation, bookkeeping, insurance, contingency, tax preparation, compliance committees, and many others. Each one plays a critical role in tribal church planting through their ministries here. The task remains huge and may seem daunting, but God is equal to the task and He has promised that some from every tongue, tribe and nation will gather around the throne of Grace. That really will be Heaven.
Postmaster Please send address changes to NTM@work, New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First Street, Sanford, FL 32771-1487 Subscriptions NTM@work is provided free to readers in North America on a year-to-year basis. To receive the magazine or have it sent to a friend, sign up online at ntm.org/subscribe, e-mail ntm@ntm.org, or call 407-323-3430. The magazine may be read online at ntm.org/subscribe. Requests to reprint articles should be directed to Executive Editor Macon Hare at macon_hare@ntm.org or call 407-323-3430. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part unless expressly authorized in writing. NTM worldwide USA 407-323-3430 Canada 519-369-2622 Australia 011-61-2-6559-8646 Europe 011-44-1472-387700
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