"God raised a need; we look for the people and skills God is raising
to fill it." And so begins the working group session of a people
network consultation.
Representatives from seven churches of various denominations and six
mission agencies gathered for three days of prayer, reports and planning
because God independently revealed to each of them the same need.
They found each other and meet annually because they recognize any one
of them alone cannot meet that need. Network members come from across
North America, each with a brief report of the independent role in which
God has directed them. Here, however, they stress their interdependence,
the areas in which they can come together in unity and cooperation while
still maintaining individuality. They have chosen to be both independent
and collaborative. Furthermore they are not exclusive. The
network is actively seeking others, in North America and abroad, also focused
on the same people.
This consultation is an effective, dynamic group that has met annually
for six years. The focus of their efforts is a Muslim people in Southeast
Asia, whom we will call the Tika people. Most of the churches in
the consultation have missionaries on the field. Another team of
missionaries is in training for future departure.
Although individuals come to the meetings because of an unreached people,
the central theme and unifying factor was that the Lord Jesus Christ might
be glorified. God was worshipped, unifying fellowship encouraged, and prayer
for Spirit-led direction frequent. (See<>
Sample Covenant / Mission Statement.)
GOD AT WORK:
6th ANNUAL TIKA NETWORK CONSULTATION HIGHLIGHTS
The facilitator, who had received Interdev
training, prefaced the initial planning session with the question, "Where
is God working, and how can we join Him? What gifts and talents here will
serve the work on the field?" He then reminded the working
groups of the primary focus questions as they considered how to meet needs:
- How does this strategy affect laborers on the field?
- How does this strategy affect the Tika people?
- What is God doing in a corporate sense, as opposed to individual
plans? The group was reminded that there is a place for individual
plans at other times; however these joint meetings are purposed for corporate
plans.
John 17:20-23 was used as a reminder of the spirit in which the consultation
aims to operate. Verse 23 says, "I in them and you in me. May
they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me
and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Proposed New Working Group
Time was devoted to discussion of whether current issues indicate the
necessity of adding another working group. (See
Setting<>
Objectives for
a model for needs assessment and consensus building.)
The following were some of the expressed needs. All of them were
discussed and evaluated. The consultation recognized the benefit
of a small number of working groups with only 2-3 goals that can realistically
be accomplished prior to the next annual meeting. Although all of the following
proposals were seen as important concerns, it was felt that 'Communication'
would be the one new group to add at this meeting.
-
Communication -- Newsletter, email conference, web site.
-
Short-term teams coordinator/ Development.
-
People Nurturing -- Nurturing and care of field workers, both foreign missionaries
and national workers.
-
Evangelism of Tika students studying in the US.
-
Church Planting Strategy -- Contextualization. This is the term for
assuring that outsiders are not transplanting a Western form of Christianity,
but are allowing the Tika church to develop in a culturally appropriate
manner in regards to leadership, structure, worship, music, buildings,
etc.
-
Improving the position of women in country.
-
Technical Advisor for field workers -- Someone with expertise on religion,
culture etc.
Contextualization was given additional discussion time over lunch in order
to inform those who were unfamiliar with the concept. Caution was
raised regarding the need for field workers presence, leadership, or input
on all working group projects.
Current Working Groups Report
Prayer
- Prayer summit was held in US in 1996.
- Prayer summit was held on-site in the country in 1997,
with short-term teams from nine countries joining the field laborers.
- New issues – develop and expand the relationships with
others interested in the Tika people, and increase the quality of prayer
to be more effective.
- Projects – monthly prayer letter, encourage monthly prayer
meetings among different groups, partner with those who understand
spiritual mapping and intercessory prayer.
Access & Economic Development
- Plans for Brigada email conference for maintaining contact.
- Economic development is a primary goal, with estimations
that 50 percent of the Tika people do not make enough to support their
families. Business ventures provide jobs for nationals and access
into the country.
- Assist with visas for workers.
Evangelistic Resources
- List of resources including the Jesus film, radio broadcasts
and scripture.
- Ask field personnel what is available and what they need.
- Create interactive web site for the Tika in their language.
- Ask field personnel and other agencies about ramifications
of literature distribution by short-termers.
Communication
- Projects for exploration: newsletter, email conference,
interface with field to find appropriate communication methods.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE TIKA NETWORK
| 1970 | - A missionary couple in Southeast Asia began praying for
this people though they ministered among others.
|
| 1989 | - Two young adults joined an agency-led, short-term trip
to the Tika people.
|
| 1990 | - One of the above led a short-term trip to the Tika people.
|
| 1991 | - The church of the short-term team leader adopted the Tika
with the vision to plant an indigenous self supporting, reproducing church.
Their philosophy has been, "we adopt the people, not the missionary."
|
| 1992 | - The first consultation was held for information sharing.
- Thefirst adopting church in order to engage the support of church leadership,
took their senior pastor on a trip to see an effective and
successful Muslim ministry in another area, .
- The adopting church sent a short-term team.
- The First Annual Tika Consultation was held, uniting churches, individuals and mission
organizations interested in reaching the Tika. An Interdev
staff member was invited and paid to facilitate and consult. The
group began to be pro-active with working groups to create a method of
meeting needs. Negatively, the consultation initially tried to create
excessive structure, which they later let go and settled on a simple mission
statement.
|
| 1993 | - A research team spent three months on site.
- The Second Annual Tika Consultation was held
- The above-mentioned
church held negotiations and came into formal partnership with a mission
agency to raise a team of long-term missionaries. Plans for training
and sending a team became reality. (The formal agreement is between
the agency and the church, not the consultation, allowing many agencies
to be involved in the consultation.)
|
| 1994 | - Eight individuals were committed to becoming career missionaries
to the Tika.
- The Third Annual Tika Consultation was held.
|
| 1995 | - One couple completed candidate training, and an individual
left for language training in the country. Another
individual left for full-time service and a short-term team was sent.
- The Fourth Annual Tika Consultation was held.
|
| 1996 | - A short-term team was sent.
- An advocacy position was created in the mobilizing church. The advocate also
went through candidate school with the partnering mission agency.
- The JESUS film was completed in the Tika language, through sponsorship of someone
in the consultation.
- The Fifth Annual Tika Consultation was held.
|
| 1997 | - Five missionaries were in language training in the country.
- A prayer summit was held in country, with teams from nine countries.
- Tika believers were discovered in another area of the country. They were encouraged
by the efforts to reach their people.
- Five more missionaries were making preparations to go to the field.
- The Sixth Annual Tika Consultation was held.
|
