Dem Teaching —Page 2 The MK Care Team —Page 14 First Responders —Page 20

A THRIVING CHURCH FOR EVERY PEOPLE

MAGAZINE

The Changing Context of the Unreached

FROM OUR CEO

Dear Friend,

magazine Type in “The Changing World” on the internet, and it will list almost

(ISSN 1527-9057) one billion results! This past year has been a stark reminder of just Vol. 84 | Issue 2, 2021 how quickly the world is changing. Disrupted and uncertainty are the #020072 words used to describe the 21st century. Ethnos360 magazine team Editor: Rosie Cochran When we evaluate ministry effectiveness, we look seriously at the Managing Editor: Bruce Enemark context we are stepping into and how this is rapidly changing. By Rex Crawford, Macon Hare, Chris Holland, Ron Hyink, Emily Kopf, Stephen Narwold, David Pierce context we mean, what will the ministry environment be like? What and Jen Rabe is the worldview? What changes are the local people having to adapt

Ethnos360 magazine is published by Ethnos360. to? How can we live among the people groups, and who has the great- Periodical postage paid at MID-FL, FL est access to them for ministry? How can we develop sustainable 32799-9625 ministry? What is the government’s view on foreign “religious work- Postmaster: Please send address changes to Ethnos360 magazine, Ethnos360, 312 W. First St., ers”? This issue of the Ethnos360 magazine focuses on these changes Sanford, FL 32771-1231 and the challenges and opportunities we fi nd within these contexts. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the We are blessed with many international colleagues within the global New King James Version, copyright 1982, by Thomas network of partners who minister alongside us in understanding and Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. evaluating how best to engage in these changing contexts. Subscriptions The Ethnos360 magazine is provided free to readers While understanding and adapting to this rapidly changing world in the USA on a year-to-year basis. To receive the magazine or have it sent to a friend, sign up online at can be daunting, I am encouraged as I read Hebrew 1:3: “upholding go.ethnos360.org/magazine-subscribe, all things by the word of His power.” The picture here is that we do email [email protected], or call 407-323-3430. not see Christ’s work in sustaining His creation and plans as if He If you no longer wish to receive Ethnos360 magazine, were laboring under the burden of it or as if He were an “Atlas-like” please send a note and your name and address to fi gure holding up the universe as a dead weight because of all that is Ethnos360 magazine, 312 W. First St., Sanford, FL 32771-1231. going on. Not at all! The word upholds indicates that He is carrying it along, bearing it continuously toward His fi nal plans! The magazine may be read online at ethnos360.org/magazine. Requests to reprint articles should be directed to Because it is His Church and He is the One who is doing the build- Editor Rosie Cochran at [email protected]. ing, we have great confi dence as we seek Him for wisdom in getting

© Ethnos360 June 2021 Contents of this magazine may the Good News out to those who still are needing to hear it. not be reproduced in whole or in part unless expressly authorized in writing. Yours in Christ,

Ethnos360 partners worldwide Canada 519-369-2622 Australia 011-61-2-6559-8646 Europe 011-44-1472-387700

Ethnos360 Home Office 312 W. First St., Sanford, FL 32771-1231 407.323.3430 Larry M. Brown, Ethnos360 CEO

Cover photo by Dale Stroud 2 NEWS ETHNOS360.ORG NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

DEM BIBLE TEACHING

On January 11, 2021, the Dem people group of the Little groups of people started forming in the teach- Asia-Pacific region began hearing the chronological Bible ing building, waiting for someone on our team to come and teaching for the first time. Four missionary families began talk. Quietly, people started asking questions and sharing teaching Bible lessons five days a week for 13 weeks. On their thoughts about the teaching. How special it was to the first day, the Dem were so excited to come that they sit and quietly listen to people share their hearts! There overflowed the building! After that, there were more than were several professions of faith that first day, and several 400 daily attendees. people who were hungry but still had questions. [Over] the In mid-April, the death, burial and resurrection of next few days, hours and hours were spent talking with was shared with the Dem. The Teall family wrote, “When people after the lessons. People we had prayed for over the the lesson ended, it was pretty anticlimactic. Everyone kind years were wrestling with what Jesus had done for them on of just sat there, and then people got up and started to go the cross! Our team was literally able to witness the scales home … Was this it??? Slowly, our team gathered in the fall from peoples’ eyes as they realized their sin and that teaching building, quietly waiting and wondering what God only Jesus could pay the penalty for their sin. Hallelujah, was doing. And then the most beautiful thing happened. what a Savior!” 3

THE KALANGUYA BIBLE A translation which began CULTURE in 1969 in the Kalanguya NEWS FROM THE language of the AKOLET PEOPLE CORNER is now complete — 5050 cop- BANWAON BAPTISMS Missionaries Adam and ies of the entire Kalanguya Years ago, the Banwaon Julie Martin recently Ask for the Road Bible! The , people of the Philippines reported some good news along with Genesis and received the . Since Ethnos360 missionary Susie concerning the Akolet peo- Exodus, was first published then, many Banwaon have shared this fun cultural ple in Papua New . in 1983. After that, a much believed in Jesus and have tidbit from : needed second printing of They wrote: spread the gospel to oth- If you were to visit someone the Revised New Testament “Two young women, Rau er villages in their area. in Burkina Faso, it would was published in 2001, and Feli, were each being Now they lead several of be so rude for the host to updated to reflect language taught from creation to their own churches while suggest [you] should leave changes and better spiritual Christ. Wait for it — both Australian missionaries that, if [the host were] late understanding on the part have now placed their faith Albert and Lynne work for a meeting or missed it of the believers. Work on in Christ! Praise God! on discipleship and Bible completely, [the host] can the was then Please pray for these two translation. Recently, the often be easily excused by taken on by the Kalanguya young ladies to be grounded believers decided to have [saying], “I had company.” Translation Team with the in their faith. baptisms. Interested believ- But if you want to leave original translator, Bob ers were thoroughly taught “Do you remember back in someone’s house, you would Ambrosius, as their mentor and interviewed to ensure 2016 when we had a break- say something like, “Well, and consultant. Praise God they had a clear under- in to our house? Wait for this has been wonderful, that it was finished and at standing of the gospel and it — one of the thieves, a but I’m going to ask for the the printers by the fall of baptism. But the baptisms young man, recently ap- road.” Then your host gets to 2019. It was intended to be were delayed because of proached the Bible teachers decide if they “give you the off the press by March 2020, COVID-19. Finally, as re- and said he wants to hear road” (let you leave) or not. If but COVID-19 issues de- strictions lessened and more the same teaching Rau and they don’t want you to leave, layed printing and restrict- people were prepared, the Feli did. Wow! Please pray they say, “No,” and then you ed the distribution of the Banwaon baptized, not one, for his salvation!” stay and ask again later, at completed Bible. It was fi- but 99 believers! Celebrate which point they may or may nally in their hands by July with us the evidence of 99 not give you the road. 2020! Faithful Kalanguya individuals’ faith in Jesus church leaders planned the and the growing maturity of Sometimes, to have fun and dedications of the Bible in their church. to show that they really like several key locations so you, your host may answer that all of the more than your request for the road by 33 churches would have a saying that you can have part. Praise God for all He half the road. That means has done over the years and that you can leave but that that the Kalanguya people there is still half the road have God’s Word in their left so that you can come own language! back again soon! 4 ETHNOS360 ETHNOS360.ORG

Photo by Dale Stroud 5

The Changing Context of the Unreached: Embracing the Messiness of Missions

What picture comes to mind when you hear the word missions? For many, the picture would involve Western missionaries residing among a re- mote, unreached people group. The missionaries learn the language, present the gospel and establish churches. Pioneering missions has always been among the most challenging types of mis- sion work. And in the more than 75 years of our existence, Ethnos360 and our net- work of global partners have gained monumental insights into effective discipleship among unreached people groups. Larry Brown, CEO of Ethnos360 explains: “I think when we first started as an organization, … it was difficult, but in some ways, it was pretty definable. You go into a people group. That people group was pretty isolated. … It was easy to identi- fy the one language, the culture. You see how they relate to other language groups 6 ETHNOS360 ETHNOS360.ORG

or cultures. But you were working with a pretty Physical Environment set known culture and language.” Of the five factors, physical environment may be That picture would be very accurate. the most tangible and least difficult to discern. At least, it used to be. Larry Goring explained that a people group’s physical context can vary from traditional home- FIVE FACTORS land settings, like the mountain top villages of “A tangled ball of yarn.” with the iconic round houses That’s how Larry Goring, Director of the to the slums of the world’s megacities. Cell phones International Ministries Team serving Ethnos360 and internet seem to be everywhere. and its global partners, pictures the complexities Some groups of unreached peoples live much the of missions today. same way their families did two or three gener- From the time of Ethnos360’s inception in 1942 ations ago, but they are in the minority. Marked until today, the world has changed drastically, by isolation and lack of change, they are often the impacting unreached peoples. Larry Brown point- picture that springs to mind at the mention of ed out, “The world is very small today, and no “missions.” country is insulated from things that are happen- Other groups remain less isolated and adjust to ing globally.” outside influences, moving them toward integra- Once a people group has been identified as being tion with the larger national culture. truly unreached, as discussed in “Who Are the Unreached of the World?” in the previous issue, Ethnos360 and our global partners consider how best to reach them. A thorough consideration of various factors which impact an unreached people group gives us a place to start to untangle that ball of yarn. As each strand is explored, we gain a clearer understanding of how we might best engage with those people. We consider five specific factors regarding an unreached people. Those factors are physical en- vironment, culture, readiness to listen, access and positioning. And each of these factors is examined along a spectrum of least impact to most impact. All of that may sound a bit theoretical. So, let’s explore the first strand — the physical environment.

As we consider the various complexities of missions today, we’ll discuss how some of these factors affect the work to reach the Triqui people.

In 2015, the Triqui people of were featured in Ethnos360 magazine (ethnos360.org/magazine/stories/the-joy-of-yes). 7

“The world is very small today, and no country is insulated from things that are happening globally.” Photos by Dale Stroud

Still other groups have experienced severe or “The context is challenging,” said Peter rapid change regarding their physical environ- Hypki, field chairman of Misión Pro‑Indígena, ment. This could be a result of such things as one of Ethnos360’s global partners. “Baja deforestation or changes in property ownership. California was described during an Many leave and seek employment elsewhere, re- International Ministries Team visit years sulting in demographic changes. back as one of the most complex missions Further along the spectrum would be groups that environments in the world. There are multiple have been relocated or displaced from their tradi- displaced people groups.” Though there is tional homelands. The people may relocate because much mission work being done in the area, of urbanization, unproductive lands or pollution. little is done in the heart language of the At the end of the physical environment spectrum Triqui people. would be groups that are displaced because of war, disaster or other catastrophes. These people may live in urban slum groups or refugee camps. Physical environment is just one factor that we seek to understand about an unreached people The Triqui are a displaced people group. group. Let’s examine the next factor — culture. Traditionally from the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, many Triqui people have migrated Culture to the state of Baja California in Mexico in or- Culture is a little word that represents a lot. It der to escape violence that has overtaken their is essentially the totality of shared beliefs, atti- homeland. tudes and values of a people. Language is a verbal 8 ETHNOS360 ETHNOS360.ORG

representation of a people’s culture. And worldview human trafficking, civil unrest, war and even loss is the way that a people understand the world of the will to live is not uncommon. around them. When our teams examine how a people’s culture, Willingness to Listen language and worldview have responded and The next factor is a group’s willingness to listen adapted to change, we’re examining an area of to the gospel message. major significance. Some are eager to listen. As examples, animists Let’s consider the spectrum of cultural responses may be excited to learn of another spirit that to change, again from least impact to most impact. might benefit them, while polytheists may be Some groups resist outside influences, groups eager to add to their assemblage of spirits. Though that are stalwart in their holding of their culture. people may be willing to listen, that doesn’t But these groups are the minority. necessarily mean that the spiritual soil has been Others selectively respond to globalization, prepared. such as by adopting areas of technology, education Other potential listeners may be indifferent or and bilingualism. But the heart of the culture are distracted by materialism. remains strong. In many cases there is resistance or even Rapid cultural change is next on the spectrum. complete opposition to the gospel. This often People begin to abandon their cultural norms. occurs in the context of major world religions. In more extreme cases of rapid change, the Larry Goring explained, “Each of the major culture does not have adequate time to adjust. religions seem to be building a cultural crust of Instead, it collapses, and there is little sense of sorts around their followers,” keeping them at cultural cohesion. a distance from the truths of Scripture. Major At the furthest end of this spectrum of cultural religions have roots in all aspects of a people’s way change is human collapse. Substance abuse, of life.

Many Triquis living in Baja California, Mexico, still speak their indigenous language and wear traditional clothing. But some of the younger generation of Triquis have never seen their cultural homeland. persecution of believers. trend toward open opposition the to gospel and At the end of the isthe spectrum increasing up with the new [things available.]” notare for being hungry very God, easily caught a distraction for many who unbelieving Triquis, and more,” be TV can Eduardo said. “These parks, beaches, internet, bars, phones, satellite tives for entertainment is about.” believe that they understand what terested and open the to teaching. They already added that for be hard can “it people be in to withstanding God.” is,’God it makes them feel that they good in are praying] and environment being an in ‘where where before, by [attending church, giving, “Indigenous people come from abackground, Meléndez, the people, missionary to Triqui said. people have syncretism,” affected Eduardo andlocal foreign reach to indigenous ministries Also, the urban contextAlso, provides “alterna Tom Carlton, with Misión Pro “Without adoubt, the work and efforts of … such as: markets, - Indígena, - - 9 Access strictions on Westerners. access due religious to opposition re or growing work, permits, fees and requirements.” special unreachedto peoples mountains require of paper countries noted, “Most Goring that home are Larry activity. But isincreasingly this rare. have very little restriction placed on missionaries’ come live with them and teach. governments Their of places unreached groups invite missionaries to effort of our partners around the world. participate can team, many in ways the in global However, of amultinational as part Ethnos360, orstricted even closed missionaries. American to group?” pel it share to with apeople. “Access” isthe ability for someone with the gos Further restricted locations restricted Further only limited grant Instead, there isusually some level of restriction. at the ofLooking ahandful access, spectrum in much to Access of the unreached world isre people “What can have access?” and “Who are the are key questions. - - - -

Photo by Dale Stroud 10 ETHNOS360 ETHNOS360.ORG

“… if we want to do what we say we do, as far as reaching the unreached, we [had] better embrace the messiness of it.”

Photo by Dale Stroud 11

On the far end of the spectrum are locations that do not allow access. The country could be closed to outsiders. Or the country might be open, but access to indigenous peoples is restricted.

“With the right relationships of trust, a Mexican has no problem being heard by the Triqui or another group,” said Eduardo. They will listen to foreigners, but there is a different dynamic.

The Triqui Team: Miguel Ángel Peña, Eduardo and Positioning Veronica Meléndez and their son, and Griselda Villalba Clearly, the challenges to ministry among unreached people groups are increasing. Their contexts are becoming less stable. Their cultures are collapsing. They are becoming less open to the gospel. Access to them is becoming more limited. Larry Goring summed it up like this: “So that’s the messy situation that’s more the reality of where we’re at. … The majority of the unreached of the world are in those kinds of situations. “And if we want to do what we say we do, as far as reaching the unreached, we [had] better em- brace the messiness of it.” How can Ethnos360 and our global partners embrace the messiness of the current picture of missions? The answer is “positioning.” “Positioning” is essentially taking steps toward the goal of bringing the gospel to the unreached, though the entire path may not be clear. We no longer assume that any given family can go to any location to reach any unreached people group. But perhaps that family can do something to move closer to accomplishing that, joining local co-workers along the way. So Ethnos360 seeks to partner with believers who do have the access and the knowledge of the unreached in order that we can share our learn- ing and experience with them, and we can learn from them about how best to reach the unreached. In many cases, Ethnos360 members may not be the ones who disciple the unreached directly. But we may help equip others to do so. Each situation looks different. Larry Brown likes to tell the students in Ethnos360 Training, “Look, we’re not going to be able to present you a plan from A to Z. But here are the first couple of steps …” 12 ETHNOS360 ETHNOS360.ORG

He continued, “We’ve gone into some of these saying at the starting gate, ‘Oh, that’s impossible. areas, really with great faith that God is going That’s too hard.’ But always keep moving, keep to lead us. … But He’s not going to reveal it as trusting God to open the next door.” we just sit here, back in our home country. We’ve got to have people in there that help us learn and “It is worth recognizing that [we are] learning understand.” Through those relationships and this new way of doing missions and making through other Christians who do understand the adjustments whenever possible to achieve the context and the opportunities, we can discern the objectives,” said Eduardo. next steps. Larry Goring likened it to climbing the first mountain in front of us to be able to see the next CHANGING THE GOAL? challenge that lies beyond us. Understanding these complexities — trying to He continued that it really comes down to, untangle this ball of yarn — to get a better under- “Would it be better to do something? Or would it standing of how to reach the unreached may sound be better to do nothing at all? Because that’s really a lot different than what missions looked like years the choice. As a mission, we want to face the chal- ago. With all these changes, the question naturally lenges head on and say, ‘Yes, by God’s grace we arises, “Has the goal of Ethnos360 changed?” will try.’ Larry Brown answered that directly. “Does a “So, this process of positioning is doing every- change in context mean a change in our purpose? thing we possibly can toward that end. Not just Absolutely not.”

“He is not going to reveal it as we just sit here, back in our home country.”

Photo by Dale Stroud 13

He emphasized that “the end result that we One day innumerable people from “all nations, want to see continues to be a maturing church in tribes, peoples and tongues” (Rev 7:9 NKJV) will whatever context that is.’ stand before His throne praising Him. “In everything we do, we want to be able to con- Based on the truths of Scripture, Larry Brown nect the dots and say, ‘Is that moving us to reach said of unreached peoples living in difficult unreached people groups?’” contexts, “We’re confident that God wants these people reached too.” MOVING FORWARD As Ethnos360 and our global partners contin- ue to assist the Church to reach the unreached Sent by Calvary Monument Bible Church of the world, we move forward with great in Paradise, Pennsylvania, and Westside Community Chapel in Amboy, New York, confidence. David Pierce, his wife, Michelle, and their Over our years as an organization, God has six children, served in Papua New Guinea been pleased to teach us much. And He continues for 13 years. As God closed doors there, to give us insights into reaching the unreached. He opened new doors of service with But that is not where our confidence lies. Ethnos360’s Ministry Advancement team in Sanford, Florida. As we consider the increasing difficulties encoun- tered in reaching the unreached today, we look to God’s Word. Christ said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 14 CONNECT ETHNOS360.ORG The MK Care Team A missionary once asked his son, “Where do you A quarterly newsletter offers tips for cross-cultural feel most at home?” His son replied, “Airports!” He ministry parenting, highlights MK resources and had spent most of his youth as a “missionary kid” provides interactivities for families. (MK*) in and then moved to the CENTRAL: An MK Care Central Website serves United States to attend college. For him, as it is for as a one-stop-shop for relevant MK Resources, MK many MKs, the idea of home is complex. Ask an Education support and up-to-date Program informa- MK, “Where’s home?” and they may consider several tion. This website is slated to launch soon. It will be things: Do you mean where I was born? In what coun- available for the MKs and families that have regis- try did I grow up? What country or countries hold my tered with the MK Care Team. passport? Where does my family live now? Where do I COMMUNITY: Provide access to relevant MK live now? Many feel like they live between worlds. No and family community platforms. Direct connections wonder MKs might say they feel most at home in between the families and MKs are very helpful and an airport, a place where people are either actively fight isolation. The Team will main- coming or going but constantly moving tain an online community built to foster and a bit unsettled. these connections. This is facili- Many missionary kids will tated through private Facebook spend most of their formative groups established for our MKs years in a foreign country, and parents to foster connec- which becomes “home” to them tions and to share stories, in a much deeper way than it resources and tips. The does for their parents. Fast Team will also utilize pub- forward to when those MKs lic social media platforms move from their foreign (Instagram and Facebook) “home” country to a country to assist in building and that is foreign to them, even strengthening community though their passport says they among the MKs and parents. are citizens. The Ethnos360 MK Direct connection to our Care Team counts it a privilege to families and MKs is vitally im- journey alongside the MKs during portant in order to grow trust and this transition. awareness. Connecting early is import- The MK Care Team exists to provide ant to establish the foundation of a rela- care, resources and support for more than 1,100 tionship that will continue into the MKs’ adult- MKs, starting from birth to 22 years of age, as well hood, giving parents the confidence that their adult as for their parents. MK Care comes in the form of MKs are not struggling alone. The Team strives to care packages, emails, encouraging notes, and even journey alongside missionary kids and their fami- on-field visits to ease them through the unique chal- lies. It’s an extraordinary expedition! lenges of an MK. This also includes the USA home staff MKs who have their own unique challenges. — Pete Ammerman, MK Care Director By supporting the parents, the MK Care Team can help cultivate healthy families, enabling them to ful- *“An MK is someone who grew up as a child of fill their missionary role of establishing indigenous missionaries. MKs are part of a larger group called churches and of raising children on the mission field. Third Culture Kids (TCKs). TCKs are described as The program seeks to provide the care, resources people who have spent a significant part of their and support by focusing on four cornerstones: developmental years outside the parents’ culture. CARE: Face-to-face or virtual visits (when pos- The TCK frequently builds relationships with all sible), annual events and gatherings for MKs and the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. one-on-one assistance. These are ways that the MKs Although elements from each culture may be assim- can begin to understand the ministry of encourage- ilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of ment and to develop that level of trust with the Team. belonging is in relationship to others of similar back- CONNECTION: Maintain lines of communi- ground.” (David Pollock and Ruth van Reken) cation with the MK and their family annually. 15

P r � . SURROUNDED BY PRAYER

The Dinangat people group not want the gospel there. We hope received the gospel years ago. that the Lord will open the door Koen and Anne-Laure Verdonck, there now.” Pray that God would support missionaries in Papua draw these dear people to Himself. New Guinea, reported the follow- Then another Dinangat village ing: “The kids at that time have asked for the gospel teaching. This grown into adults now, and they is very good news, as they also did wanted to hear the teaching again. not want to hear it before. Now Nineteen young people came to village S is surrounded by villages know the Lord and have been that have believers. They will be baptized. One of the young women surrounded with prayers as well. comes from village S, where the We hope that they, too, will want believers would have liked us to go to listen one day. to do teaching, but the people did

See firsthand what it takes to plant a church among people who have no concept of the God of the Bible. Learn from missionaries on the field and spend time with indigenous people in Papua New Guinea. INTERFACE A six-week college-level course in Papua New Guinea. ethnos360.org/interface FIELD SUPPORT INTERNSHIPS Come for Interface and stay an extra two weeks to get a closer look at one of six key support ministries. ethnos360.org/internships CHURCH PLANTING INTERNSHIPS Spend a semester in Papua New Guinea experiencing cross-cultural church planting firsthand. ethnos360.org/church-planting-internships [email protected] 16 CONNECT ETHNOS360.ORG

cares for the livestock. When the beef or dairy cattle (or other types of livestock) are ready to be sold, the proceeds go to STEER Inc. for distribution to the rancher’s designated mission. For the farmer, STEER Inc. funds the purchase of seed and fertilizer, and the farmer selects and raises the crop. The farmer provides the land and machin- ery to raise the crop. At harvest time, the proceeds go to STEER Inc. for distribution to the farmer’s designated mission. This provides a way for ranchers and farmers to fund missions with no cash investment and no risk, but most importantly it serves as a visible witness for Christ and helps the missionary reach people with From Pasture the gospel. Those who wish to donate to STEER Inc. can also to Pulpit support their favorite missions. STEER Inc. will find a rancher or farmer to raise the livestock or crops, and the proceeds go to STEER Inc. for distribution to the donor’s designated mission. STEER Inc. has a unique way of supporting missionaries. By partnering with ranchers, farmers For more information, contact: and donors, proceeds from the sale of livestock and STEER, Inc. crops help fund missionaries. P. O. Box 1236, Bismarck, ND 58502 How does it work? For the rancher, STEER Inc. Phone: 701-258-4911 funds the purchase of livestock to raise among the Email: [email protected] rest of the rancher’s herd. The rancher feeds and Website: www.steerinc.com

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Praise. A TENDER NEW LIFE Our spiritual family is growing! Those lessons tell the story from R is a Tepehuan friend who has Genesis to the Ascension of Christ had a terrible time in her life. We in Acts 1. R proclaims that she have known R since she was a is trusting in Christ. How can I child. Her story is filled with tre- help you understand who she is mendous suffering, both from her and what this means? Her pover- wrong choices and from evil men. ty, her depravity, her deep needs Yet, although her story is filled from wounds and hurts: read the with a lot of challenges, Jesus is and watch the broken and redeeming R! Just before we left, destitute who come to Jesus. R R found Starr. She bemoaned that would fit right in! Would you pray we were leaving, as she wanted for R? A new life. So tender, so to continue to learn how to read. beautiful, so needy of care! Starr left her with evangelistic audio lessons on her phone. That — by Matt and Starr Arnold was in January. R reached out to Itinerant ministry to the Tepehuan Starr last week and told her that she had listened to all 39 lessons.

FALL WEEKEND RETREATS! The Wayumi retreat experience will open your eyes to what it takes to reach the still-unreached people groups of the world. Come to our campus in Pennsylvania for a weekend retreat as a group, an individual or a family. Choose from sev- eral weekends during September and October. You will discover: • What God is doing today to reach the unreached • What missionaries experience while teaching them • The cultural and language challenges • The various ministries supporting the missionaries

For more information, visit wayumi.com and click on the Programs menu tab, then on Retreats for Groups. 18 CONNECT ETHNOS360.ORG CONNECT WITH new missionaries!

DREW & GRACE SANFORD AND DAUGHTERS NORA & EMMELYN

Ministry in Country: Church Planters in Papua New Guinea Sending Church: “We were continually met with Skiff Lake Bible Church, Clarklake, Michigan real examples of the incredible need ...”

oth Drew and Grace were went through the training there, pray for them and support them in Braised in Christian homes we were continually met with real their future ministry. with parents who were very in- examples of the incredible need Drew and Grace arrived in tentional about instilling a love of for missionaries to take the Good Papua New Guinea in September Christ in them and teaching them News of Christ to the ends of the 2020. about God and His Word from a earth. We found it impossible to “We hope that one day as we very young age. sit through two entire years of follow the Lord’s leading, He will “God was so gracious to have training that is completely devoted allow us to participate in the allowed both of us to grow up in to the Bible and not come away establishing and developing of a homes where the importance of from it with a burden for those mature church, a functioning body foreign missions was greatly val- who have never heard a single of believers whose lives are char- ued,” they said. word of it.” acterized by a deep relationship That principle continued to be After completing their training with the one true God.” emphasized when they entered with Ethnos360 in 2018, the Lord Ethnos360 Bible Institute. “As we raised up a team of senders to

Connect with the Sanfords at ethnos360.org/missionaries/drew-and-grace-sanford 19

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MEGAN LEWIS Ministry in Country: School Teacher in Papua New Guinea Sending Church: Cut Bank Community Bible Church, Cut Bank, Montana

Additionally, a teacher moved to Megan’s hometown who had just returned from Papua New Guinea where she had been teaching with Ethnos360. She became a friend of the family, and Megan learned what it would look like to be a schoolteacher overseas as part of “He answered the church planting team. Megan continued to pray and my prayers waited on God. After graduation and teaching for two years in the better than USA, the Lord opened some doors and closed others allowing her to I could have teach in Papua New Guinea. imagined.” She has just finished her sec- ond year teaching at Numonohi Christian Academy. “I have loved where God brought me. He answered my prayers bet- egan had a heart for missions and middle school students and ter than I could have imagined. I Msince she first came to Christ impact their lives for Christ.” am able to teach middle schoolers in high school. But God really While in college, a group called and high schoolers but also help grew her faith and desire to serve the Traveling Team came to one support the spread of His Good Him while in college. of her Cru meetings, discussing News by teaching the children of She prayed about serving Him how they could use their de- fellow missionaries.” overseas, using her teaching grees in a missions context. One Learn more about serving as a degree to do that. “I wanted to be of the organizations presented schoolteacher with Ethnos360 at able to be a part of the work God was Ethnos360, which Megan ethnos360.org/teach-abroad was doing to bring His gospel to was already familiar with. The all parts of the world, but I also church she grew up in supported Connect with Megan Lewis at eth- wanted to work with high school Ethnos360 missionaries. nos360.org/missionaries/megan-lewis 20 21 CONSIDER THIS ETHNOS360.ORG

FIRST RESPONDERS

The call came in: A massive building had collapsed with many trapped inside. The fi rst responders arrived on the scene and could hear the cries for help. It was going to be a long day. They knew they were only hearing the cries of a few. Many more were buried beyond earshot. To get everyone out of the debris would require careful planning, teamwork and sacrifi ce. They would need to remove all the layers of debris safely and carefully. This scenario is a picture of the reali- ties — call them layers of debris — that confront all followers of Jesus today. The fi rst layer, sin, has turned God’s perfect and pristine creation into a danger zone of debris and rubble. Since Adam chose to disobey God’s very clear and precise instructions, sin has separated us from God. Paul, in the fi rst three chap‑ ters of the book of Romans, helps us under- stand that we are not just victims of another man’s choice, but our own sinful choices heap on more layers of debris. Yet God, in His love, has a rescue plan. His Son has secured our res- cue through His death, burial,

Photo by Logan Weaver - Unsplash 21

resurrection and ascension. Paul makes it so very of Jesus Christ. Our enemy has twisted the name clear that this good news of what Jesus accom- of Jesus among the world’s religions as another plished is the power of God for our rescue, for prophet in the line of prophets; or a folk hero who our salvation. Paul goes on to remind us that, as can be used by witch doctors to bring healing, followers of Jesus, we have been commissioned a good harvest or protection from curses. This to take that news to every person. This is so challenge will require the rescuer to exercise dis- very important, because that which saves a per- ciplined thought, loving patience and persistent son — faith in Christ — comes from hearing the teaching to bring a biblical understanding of who good news of the person and work of Christ. Paul Jesus is and what He has accomplished. declares that his own personal mission is to keep Yet another layer of debris is instability. On a pushing the message further and further out to broad level, many face the instability of seeing where it had not yet been proclaimed. Paul was a their homelands invaded by raiders who exploit man on a rescue mission. He kept pushing deeper them and their lands. Another growing trend is and deeper into the debris, to get down to those the displacement of entire people groups from crying for help. their homelands. Instability deeply impacts Today, more than 6,000 people groups live families and individuals. buried deep inside the rubble and the debris, A final layer of debris is one of the hardest to separated from the love of God. They often live in clear away: the reality that those we go to rescue remote places, speak unwritten languages, fear may hate us. They may believe we are their ene- evil spirits, and suffer disease and poverty. These mies. This is nothing new. Ponder the plight of factors stand between them and the message of the Old Testament prophets and remember how Jesus. Missionaries have become adept at building our Savior was received. Yet He came. He not only airstrips, developing ways to access the isolated, came, but He patiently loved them. He healed sharpening techniques to learn languages, and them. He consoled them. He lived among them. He finding ways to understand the intricate belief sys- spoke their language. He taught them, patiently. tems that block the Creator and His Rescuer. The Some believed, but many didn’t. gospel has penetrated more language groups in the As we move toward the unreached, it is more past 100 years than in any previous generation! important than ever that we do so with the Mission leaders of our day often say, “All the mentality of a first responder. We need to move easy-to-reach places have been reached. That with careful planning, committed teamwork and which is left in fulfilling loving patience. the Great Commission One huge advantage over the first responder in God has a are the places that are this world is that we go in complete dependence not easy.” Another has on Christ. We go determined and confident in His rescue plan. observed, “Many of the presence, as He promised to be with us until the remaining unreached peo- end of the age. ples of the world seemingly have been prepared The camera zooms in on her as she climbs from against the gospel.” the debris. Her helmet is off-kilter, and her coat is I have lived the realities of those two statements! stained, yet she emerges from the smoke carrying The challenge of people living in hard-to-reach a survivor. Once clear of the rubble, she lifts the places remains. Yet today a host of new challenges young boy onto a waiting gurney where others confront us. Some of the reasons they are hard to attend to his wounds. Her day has just started. reach have nothing to do with jungles, mountains and rivers, but everything to do with religious — Matt Arnold extremism and political idealism. In many places Executive Leadership Team of the world, the cost of being a Christian can be Itinerant Missionary to the Tepehuan, Mexico your life. Another complex and challenging layer of debris is the confusion surrounding the person and work Ethnos360 NONPROFIT Ethnos360 magazine ORGANIZATION 312 W. First Street, Sanford, FL 32771-1231 US POSTAGE PAID MID-FL, FL CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 10066

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