THE NEED
Mexico is home to 63 indigenous languages with over 350 dialects and the majority of them have yet to receive God’s Word in their own language. There are many ways in which our world is broken – slavery, hunger, racism – but the greatest tragedy is that there are over 3 billion people in the world that will live and die without ever hearing about the Savior who died and lives for them. They are dead and broken and Christ came to make all things new. We desire to play a small role in what God is doing among the nations.
THE GOAL
The goal is to plant a self-sustaining, indigenous church amongst an least-reached people group in rural Mexico. Throughout the process, we will learn their language & culture, translate the Bible into their language, and disciple the tribal people until they have a mature understanding of Christ's work on the cross and their role as adopted members of His family.
THE PROCESS
YEAR 1
MISSIONARY TRAININGWe completed two years of Bible college as well as three years at Ethnos 360’s Missionary Training Center. Here we learned many skills necessary to plant a church amongst a least-reached people group.
YEAR 6 (current)
MISSIONARY PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MPD)We are currently meeting and building strong relationships with churches and individuals whom God has led to partner with us.
YEAR 7
FIELD ACCLAMATIONIn July of 2023 we will move to Chihuahua Mexico. Here we will study Spanish and Mexican culture and get plugged into the Mexican church. Towards the end of this time we will be doing people group assessments and choose the location of our ministry.
YEAR 9
CULTURE & LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (CLA)Once we have chosen a people group, formed a team and moved, we will begin the process of simultaneously learning the culture & language of the people. This process can take anywhere from 2-8 years.
YEAR 12
LITERACY CLASSES (If working with an oral language)Once we are sufficiently fluent in the language and culture, we will develop a written alphabet and begin literacy classes to teach the people how to read and write in their native language.
YEAR 13
BIBLE TRANSLATIONOnce we are fluent in the people’s culture and language, we will begin translating the major Biblical stories. Although the end goal is to translate the entire Bible, we will start with the key stories that tell God’s pursuit and redemption of mankind.
YEAR 14
CHRONOLOGICAL TEACHINGOnce translation checks have been approved we will begin teaching through those major Biblical stories, Creation all the way up to Christ. This is an exciting 6-12 months of teaching as we lay the foundation for the gospel and then, finally, they hear of the long awaited Messiah.
YEAR 15
TEACHING & DISCIPLESHIPAs the Gospel takes root and the church begins to grow and mature, our team will continue teaching through the New Testament and discipling as we hope to see future leaders emerge.
YEAR 20
CHURCH ELDERS ESTABLISHEDAs the church grows, a team of elders, leaders, and teachers are appointed. Here, the goal is to establish a mature and indigenous church that is also taking part in reaching the nations for Christ.
YEAR 30
BIBLE TRANSLATION COMPLETEAfter phasing out of a church leadership role, we will continue translating until they have the entire Bible in their own heart language.
