Ministry Updates

Check out Andrew and Megan's latest ministry news at www.ntm.org/wp/andy_smith.

The Philippines

Our family is planning on heading to the Philippines with New Tribes Mission in the fall of 2010. The Philippines is a country that both Andrew and I have gone on short term missions trips to, and as we were deciding what field to go to the Lord kept bringing us back to the Philippines. There is a great need for tribal church planters there, and that is where our heart is at in ministry. When we go to the Philippines our first one to two years will be spent in the capital, Manila, learning the national culture and language. After we reach adequate comprehension in this we will be moving into a tribal location with the intent to serve in teaching and discipleship. The focus will be building relationships through being involved in the people's lives and demonstrating Christ's love to them. It is only by doing this that we will have opportunity to speak God's truth into their lives.

Stats on the Philippines

• 12th most populated country in the world (92,226,600)

• 16th most populated city in the world, Manila, the capital (10,818,000)
  

• In square miles, the Philippines is about the size of Arizona

• Religions: Roman Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism

• Government: Democratic

Languages of the Philippines

According to Ethnologue, a total of 171 native languages are spoken in the country. Except for English, Spanish, Hokkien (Lan-nang), Cantonese, Mandarin, and Chavacano, all of the languages belong to the Malayo-Polynesian language family.

There are 13 indigenous languages with at least one million native speakers: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Bikol, Albay Bikol [1], Pangasinan, Maranao, Maguindanao, Kinaray-a, and Tausug. One or more of these is spoken natively by more than 90% of the population.

(information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_Philippines)

Megan's Testimony

About Megan. . .
I became a Christian at a young age growing up in a very loving and encouraging Christian family. Along my journey in life God has continually been drawing me to Himself- giving me a desire to know Him more and more.
The summer before my senior year of high school I went on a short term missions trip with NTM and after that decided to go to New Tribes Bible Institute to see if cross-cultural missions was where God was leading me. From my time in school God spoke deeply to my heart. Through His word and talking to others I saw God’s heart for every person He has created to have a personal relationship with Him, and how the task has been given to the church to reach every last people group with the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation.

Andrew's Testimony

About Andrew. . .
At the age of five I was able to understand about Jesus’ sacrifice and believe in the forgiveness of my sins. This security blanket served me well as a comfort during my growing up years. But soon it became no more than an excuse to sin. I found myself struggling to balance my church life with my social life. I was locked in a futile fight.
Through many events and circumstances I ended up at New tribes Bible Institute. I studied the Bible from cover to cover. I had many great teachers and learned lots of truths that I had never heard before.
It has totally changed my life as I take what I have learned and apply it. I lay my life as an offering at his feet and He will use me. Is this easy? Not at all, but is it worth it? Definitely.

About New Tribes Mission

Motivated by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, NTMC exists to assist the ministry of the local church through the mobilizing, equipping, and coordinating of missionaries, to see indigenous New Testament churches established among unreached people groups, through evangelizing and translating of the Scriptures, that truly glorify God.
New Tribes Mission was established in 1942 with this basic principle, “ New Tribes Mission’s effort shall be directed toward hose fields where no other missionary effort is being made and where no witness of the Gospel has yet reached.” It is stated by it’s founder that “no man started NTM; the Lord brought it into existence in spite of us.”