JANUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER Christ followers in low-tech environments (low-tech does not Why ITEC Exists mean low intelligence), training Christ followers to meet felt needs as a door opener for the Gospel, and equipping others to do the by Jaime same (both domestically and globally). A number of years ago, a couple was visiting ITEC as part of the This interdependent relationship with our Christian brothers and process to determine if God was calling them to be a part of our sisters around the world is the vision that continues to drive ITEC team. At the end of the week, they came into my office and asked today. The Great Commission was given to every Christ follower, what they would do if they were to move across the country to and there is a role for every Christ follower to play. join us. I explained that prayerfully considering and submitting to God whether they felt called to work at ITEC was the first thing we Each of us has been given gifts to be used to further this mission. needed to be sensitive to. Then, as long as their calling to ITEC Romans 12:4-8 says, “For just as each of us has one body with was confirmed, we could begin to discuss the unique role God many members, and these members do not all have the same had them to play on our team. function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different ITEC was started on the principle that every Christ follower has a gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is role to play in the Great Commission. The Waodani had prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is experienced being on the receiving end of missions, but they had serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to never been invited to join in the effort. Foreigners would encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give occasionally travel to the jungles to meet medical and dental generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do problems within the tribe. The Waodani realized that even though it cheerfully.” foreigners were able to meet physical needs on these short-term trips, they would be the most effective ones to share the Gospel The question for each of us to answer is how has God gifted you with their own people because they didn’t have to cross cultural to participate in His Great Commission? barriers to do so. They knew that when peoples’ felt needs were met, there would be an opportunity to share about how Jesus could take care of their spiritual need. The Waodani took it a step further by explaining that after we taught them, together we could teach other Christ followers to teach and reach their own people. Missions is not about doing projects for God, rather it is joining God in His work. It is about making people dependent on God, not dependent on us. Because Jesus knew that He wasn’t going to be long on the earth, He focused on training twelve common, uneducated men to carry on His ministry (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:13). ITEC exists to equip indigenous Christ followers for meaningful participation in Christ’s Great Commission. Often, Christ followers in developing world areas experience, like the Waodani, mission efforts being done to them rather than being done with their participation. In order to allow indigenous Christ followers to participate in the Great Commission, ITEC focuses in three main areas: Developing tools and training systems which simplify high-tech devices for A Dental training in Haiti Martyrs Remembered On January 8th, 1956, five young men flew into the jungle with hopes of taking the Gospel to a notoriously violent tribe known then as the “Auca”, whose true name is the Waodani. They wouldn’t return home. Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Flemming, Roger Youderian, and Jim Elliot sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Gospel. What followed is a story of glorious grace, redemption, and bold forgiveness that only God could write. God has used this story to inspire and transform missions efforts around the world. Now, as we look back on the 65 years since their martyrdom, we are reminded of the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” 65-Year Reflection on “Operation Auca” Join the conversation with Steve Saint on the 65th anniversary of "Operation Auca." In 1956, Steve's dad, Nate, along with Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian were speared to death by the Waodani tribe whom they were trying to reach. Steve shares intimate details from this story, and ultimately shares how the story that God began to reveal in 1956 is still being written to this day. Visit http://bit.ly/65-yearslater or scan the code with your phone. 352.465.4545 10575 SW 147TH CIRCLE [email protected] DUNNELLON, FL 34432 ITEC can only achieve its goals of helping those in the hardest to reach areas through the generosity of individuals like you. All gifts are tax deductible, and can be sent to the address above. To give online, please visit our website at itecusa.org. Thank you! .