Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples at home, across the street, and around the world. But too often believers attempt to create clones of themselves by imposing American church culture and methodology upon other people groups around the world. This missiological framework falls short of the New Testament model and frustrates the spread of the Gospel among unreached peoples.
According to Steve Saint of I-TEC, one of the great barriers that has prevented indigenous churches from growing to maturity is their continuing dependence on the welfare of outsiders (source: www.itecusa.org).
To overcome this barrier of dependence, the mission organization I-TEC helps American churches train new believers in faraway places to personally serve their own people in Jesus’ name. This approach breaks the chain of dependence on Americans and empowers new believers to make disciples among their people.
This empowerment comes in the form of basic training in ministries that make a big difference among hurting people. Dental and eye care, equipment repair, and air transportation all meet vital needs for impoverished and isolated people groups around the world. So I-TEC has developed training programs and innovative equipment designed to help neighbors help neighbors to meet those needs.
In addition to portable dental and eye clinic equipment that anyone can be trained to use, I-TEC has recently developed a flying car to assist in jungle air transportation. This powered parachute can be flown by just about anyone to serve otherwise inaccessible villages.
Check out the video above and then visit www.itecusa.org to see how you or your church can use I-TEC to enhance your mission efforts around the world.
Question: After seeing the training I-TEC provides what are some possible ways your church or mission organization can use I-TEC?
