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Traverse City, MI F23
Fall 2023
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Instructor
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Lesson 1
The Living God is a Missionary God
God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.
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Instructor
Sean Cooper
The Traveling Team, Fayetteville AR
Sean and his wife Meredith have spent the last decade traveling the entire Continental U.S. casting mission vision with Traveling Team. They have a two year old daughter named Haven. Sean graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Communication. He has short term exposure in India and Indonesia. Sean continues to travel nation wide speaking to students and churches. When not speaking he serves alongside The Traveling Team Leadership as the Director of Ministry Advancement. He is working on a Masters Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 2
The Story of His Glory
Exploring God's purpose for Himself: How God has been steadily unfolding a plan throughout all nations and generations to bring about His greater glory, ultimately drawing to Himself the worship of all the peoples. Passion and prayer for God's glory.
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Instructor
Wes Taber
Life in Messiah International, Lansing IL
Since joining Life in Messiah in 1975 (when the ministry names was AMF International), Wes has served in Jewish ministry in Miami/Miami Beach, Jerusalem, and Chicago, focusing on evangelism, discipleship, and equipping others. He has been privileged to lead multiple short-term teams to Israel, and present God's heart for the lost on four continents, with an emphasis on the Jewish people. After 29 years as Executive Director, Wes took on the role of LIFE Global Ambassador in August 2019 with an emphasis on mentoring, teaching, writing, and sharing God's heart for the Jewish people. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, September 14, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 3
Your Kingdom Come
Exploring God's purpose regarding evil: How God has accomplished a defeat of evil powers in order to open a season of history in which the nations can freely follow Christ. The kingdom of God as the destiny of all history. Christ's mission seeks a hindering of evil to bring about a sign of the coming peace of the kingdom of God. Our prayers contend with evil in order to bring about the transformation of society with Christ's kingdom in view.
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Instructor
Brent Slater
Highland Park Baptist Church, Farmington Hills MI
"Brent Slater grew up as a “missionary kid” in rural Africa. After
studies at Denver Seminary, he returned to serve in church planting,
evangelism and leadership development for 22 years. His teaching at
Kampala Evangelical School of Theology and his PhD studies at the
University of Edinburgh represent his passion for developing
culturally appropriate learning systems among African peoples. He is
presently pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church in Metro-Detroit". b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 4
Mandate for the Nations
Jesus shows great strategic interest in Gentiles; wise strategic focus by initiating a global mission on a few disciples among the Hebrew people. The Great Commission and the ways of God's sending in relational power. Dealing with the ideas of pluralism (all religions the same) and universalism (all persons saved).
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Instructor
George Beals
Holland MI
In 2014, George became the Director of Strategic Development for World Hope International. Before serving with World Hope, for over two decades George served his local church as the Pastor of Global Ministries. While serving as the missions pastor, his church was involved in sending their people short-term and long-term cross-culturally. George lead the church to strategize their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 5
Unleashing the Gospel
The first followers of Jesus: obedient in costly, foundational ways. The climactic act of the book of Acts is the freeing of the gospel to be followed by Gentiles without Jewish traditions as a requirement. A foundational act of God which speaks to the situations where the gospel is hindered today. Strategic suffering and apostolic passion.
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Instructor
Kshitiz Sharma Ghimire
Flushing MI
Kshitiz was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal to a Hindu family. He was introduced to the gospel through a group of missionaries. After receiving the gospel in faith, Kshitiz has been residing in United States to pursue further education. Currently, he is working on his Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching and Teaching at Liberty University, while also serving as Pastor of Student Ministries at Riverdale Baptist Church in Flint, MI. His goal is to be missionary back to Nepal after his educational career comes to an end. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 6
The Expansion of the Christian Movement
The story of God's purpose continues relentlessly from Abraham's day until the present moment. An overview of the largest and the longest-running movement ever in history—the world Christian movement. How the gospel surged through the peoples and places of the world. Important insights for our own day.
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Instructor
Luke Fetters
Huntington University, Huntington IN
Luke Fetters is the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. Previously, he served as professor of Ministry & Missions and founder/director of Huntington University's Institute for TESOL Studies. Luke served in Macau from 1986 until 1997 as the director of the English Language Program, a conversational English program for adults in Macau. While in Macau, he helped to establish the United Brethren Mission and plant two local churches. For nearly 30 years, Luke has consulted on English teaching methodology for numerous school districts and universities in China. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 7
Eras of Mission History
The greatest explosion of growth ever has taken place in last 200 years in three "bursts" of activity. Why we could be in the final era of missions. The global harvest force comprised increasingly of non-Western missionaries.
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Instructor
Barbara Yandell
Hope for the Nations, Round Rock TX
President Hope for the Nations, director of Engage Course and teacher at Horizons International, ordained minister and board member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, Interserve USA, founder of Legacy Muslim Ministry conference. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 8
Pioneers of the World Christian Movement
Today we anchor the race by continuing what others have begun. It's a day of finishing. All the more reason to learn the wisdom and the heart of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in earlier generations. Reading the writings of William Carey and other leaders to discern what these people have left to us. Exploring the contribution of women in missions throughout the centuries.
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Instructor
Barbara Yandell
Hope for the Nations, Round Rock TX
President Hope for the Nations, director of Engage Course and teacher at Horizons International, ordained minister and board member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, Interserve USA, founder of Legacy Muslim Ministry conference. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 9
The Task Remaining
God's pressed His purpose forward until the present hour of amazing opportunity. Understanding the concept of "unreached peoples" to assess the remaining task. Recognizing the imbalance of mission resources shapes strategic priorities. The basic minimal missiological achievement in every people group opens the way for working with God against every kind of evil so that the gospel of the kingdom is declared and displayed with clarity and power. The need and opportunity of urban mission.
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Instructor
Todd Ahrend
The Traveling Team, Fayetteville AR
Todd Ahrend graduated from Northeastern State University, has a Masters from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
He is the founder and international Director of The Traveling Team, a national missions mobilization movement. He and his wife, Jessica, have spent almost two decades traveling both nation-wide and abroad, speaking to thousands of people about involvement in world evangelization. Todd has exposure in over sixty countries and has lived in the Middle East. He is the author of The Abrahamic Revolution and In This Generation. Todd and Jessica have six children: Camden, Brody, Axel, Noble, Quincy and Cruz!
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 10
How Shall They Hear?
Culture and intercultural communication of the gospel. Communicating the gospel with relevance at the worldview level helps avoid syncretism (blending of cultural error with God?s truth) and also enables powerful movements of the gospel. Sensitive missionaries will look for ways that God has preserved or prepared people to hear the gospel, often finding redemptive analogies for God's truth.
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Instructor
Richard Mendola
International Friendships, Upper Arlington OH
Rich was born in Buffalo, NY, the grandson of immigrants from Italy who settled in Western, NY. His mother and father were both raised in the Italian section of the city. Although he was raised in a religious family who attended church, he did not personally know Christ until he was 17 years old. Prior to that, the death of his father at age 13 triggered a search for meaning and truth. This eventually led to studying the Bible, where he discovered that the true purpose of life was to worship and serve God. Through reading the New Testament he learned that Jesus Christ made it possible to come to God because of His sacrificial death for sins. Immediately upon coming to know Jesus, Rich had the strong desire to let others know the good news.
Rich attended Colgate University in New York State where he majored in Biology and minored in Education and Philosophy and Religion. After his graduation, he had the first opportunity to pastor and was called to serve a rural congregation . At the same time he served on the Dean’s staff at Colgate University as the Director of Housing. In addition, he studied for a Master’s degree in counseling.
In 1979 Rich and Janet attended.the Urbana Mission Conference. There Rich sensed a call to full time cross-cultural ministry. In 1980 he began to work full-time with international students in Buffalo, NY. At the same time, Janet attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. In 1987 they moved to Athens, Ohio to open a new ministry to international students while Janet fulfilled her obligation to the National Health Service Corp – a program placing physicians in shortage areas.
In 1991, Rich and Janet moved to Columbus, Ohio to work with International Friendships.
Since 1998 he has served as the Executive Director. He also leads Bible studies and does 1-1 discipleship with students. He has written several Bible studies for internationals. He has served as the Chairperson for the Association of Christians Ministering to Internationals. Rich has also helped to plant two churches. He currently serves as lead pastor for All Nations Christian Fellowship.
During Rich’s 29 years of service among internationals hundreds have come to know Jesus and many have returned as effective witnesses of Jesus among their own people. The kingdom of God is advancing among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and atheists because of the ministry to internationals. Jesus can share many wonderful and dramatic stories of God’s work among internationals.
Rich is a regular speaker at missions conferences, evangelistic outreaches, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement and is a lecturer at Vineyard Leadership Institute.
Rich and Janet have 6 children: Grace, Danielle, Hope, Philip, Melody, and Paul.
Rich’s interests are: Evangelism, Discipleship, trips, chess, and hats.
Rich’s spiritual gifts are leadership, exhortation, and evangelism.
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 11
Building Bridges of Love
The incarnation as a model of missionary humility. How missionaries can enter appropriate roles in order to form relationships of trust and respect to develop a sense of belonging, and thus to communicate with credibility for understanding. Explore the intricacy of identification in another culture. Explore the even greater complexity of presenting identity with integrity in a globalized, terrorized, pluralized world. Recognizing the dynamics of social structure in order to initiate growing movements of ongoing communication throughout the society.
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Instructor
James Cha
Crescent Project, Leesburg VA
Rev. James Cha was born in Korea, but grew up here in the US. He studied electrical engineering at Cornell University, and worked ten years as an engineer. In 2000 he and his wife, Faith, took their 3 kids to Central Asia, where they served ten years as church planting missionaries with Pioneers. They are now back in the US reaching out to the Muslims in the Washington, DC area. James & Faith are Washington DC Area Coordinators for Crescent Project. They also direct ESL ministry in Leesburg, VA. They have three adult children and one grandchild. James recently published a book about their missions journey - Fear Not: Living a Life of No Regrets. Available on amazon. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 12
Christian Community Development
A survey of world need. Dynamic balance of evangelism and social action. Hope for significant transformation as a sign of Christ's Lordship by Christian community development. Exploring the charge that missionaries destroy instead of serve cultures. Healing the wounds of the world between the peoples.
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Instructor
Jeff and Danette Johnson
International Needs, Hudsonville MI
Jeff and Danette Johnson have been involved with mission work for the last sixteen years. They have spent the majority of those years with work in Zambia, Africa, working with widows, orphans and youth touched by the AIDS crisis. They have ministered to over sixty teams and interns both in Africa and in the States. Jeff Johnson, M.S., was originally Director of Community Health World Wide with World Hope International and has dealt extensively with the issues of HIV/AIDS in Africa. He has coordinated many efforts to diminish poverty and AIDS and has ministered to both Africans and Americans, in the areas of health and spiritual guidance. His two passions are to reach the lost and impoverished and see people walking in the fullness of the Gospel message.
Danette Johnson has had trainings through Over Comers Through Christ, a South African based ministry; John G. Lake’s Healing Rooms in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Wellspring Ministry – an inner-healing counseling ministry. She has done extensive research in the areas of spiritual gifts, deliverance, healing and spiritual warfare. She has ministered to Africans and Americans in all these areas, along with her gift of prophetic intercession. Her passion is to see the Body trained and equipped to reach the hurting and oppressed and has developed a missions training manual and seminar being used for mission teams and interns. Along with her father, Dr. Richard Matteson, Danette also travels to various countries training indigenous pastors and lay leaders the curriculum How to Love a Grieving Child, a program that ministers to orphans and grief.
Jeff currently serves as the President of International Needs where they provide a wide variety of Gospel outreach and compassionate ministries services to the poor and oppressed of the developing world.
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 13
The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches
Look beyond institutional features of churches to understand churches as dynamic movements of Christ Himself being followed. Such a view of churches as organic, living things opens up the practicality of seeing them multiply rapidly as movements and also flourish in society bearing the fruit of social transformation. Churches as counter-communities, acting as salt and light, bringing change to their cultures. How movements multiply by connecting with entire families and larger social structures.
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Instructor
Meredith Johnson
All Nations, Kansas City MO
Meredith Johnson is a beloved daughter of the Father, the wife of Joshua and the mom of Luke. She loves cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, and befriending Muslim-background people. She serves as the Co-Executive Director of All Nations Kansas City and coaches and trains people to live in loving obedience to Jesus and His commands. She loves 2 Timothy 2:2 and is thrilled by the idea of exponential multiplication! She has lived in the Middle East for seven years and has been engaged with catalyzing Disciple Making Movements among Muslims since 2005. She has a Masters of Divinity with Global Missions emphasis and a Cambridge CELTA ESL Certificate. Meredith sometimes co-instructs Perspectives classes with her husband Joshua. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Time: 1:00 AM to 1:00 AM
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Lesson 14
Pioneer Church Planting
The hope of planting churches among unreached peoples. How the breakthrough of the gospel in an unreached people requires that the gospel be "de-Westernized". The difference of contextualizing the message, the messenger and the movement. Distinguish and appreciate people movements, church planting movements and insider movements.
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Instructor
Ted Szymczak
SEND International, Farmington Hills MI
Helped plant 2 urban and 1 suburban Church in the USA, then served 17 years in theological education and helped plant 3 church plants in Poland. Have MA in ICS and Postgraduate studies towards a PhD in Education. In 2011 transitioned to the Global Division of SEND International, developing online church planting resources, coaching church planters and multiplying churches and disciples. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Lesson 15
World Christian Discipleship
What it means to integrate life for Christ's global purpose as a "'World Christian". Into the great story for His glory: a Person-driven life as a way of. pursuing a purpose-driven life. The basic practices of world Christians: going, sending, welcoming and mobilizing. The essential disciplines of World Christian discipleship: community, giving, praying and learning. Simplifying your lifestyle as if in "war-time". Exploring the practical ways of pursuing God's purpose. Business and mission. Short-term mission. Welcoming international visitors. Wisdom in working with local churches and in partnership with Christians in different parts of the world.
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Instructor
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AJ P.
INIM Inc., Forest VA
AJ is the Director & General Secretary for INIM established 1964. The sole focus of this indigenous Mission remains Evangelism, Discipleship & Church Planting.
AJ, who was born & raised in New Delhi India is an alumnus of Liberty University. AJ shares responsibility for INIM's church planting & field evangelism efforts in South Asia. In addition to all his Missional responsibilities, he also serves as the Men's Pastor at his home church.
AJ & his wife have been married for 28 years and blessed with five children ranging from 19 years old to 9 yrs old. b
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Class Info
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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Instructor
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Class Info
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