They Don’t See It That Way

“The people we are trying to reach have a worldview, and as long as we don’t understand this worldview it will be hard to reach these people,” Jean said. “We need to … be able to teach in such a way as to challenge their worldview.”

Teaching So People Understand

That was one of the key lessons that Jean and his wife, Sylvie, learned in training with New Tribes Mission. Jean had become a pastor in Africa without any formal training. Later he was able to study for three years at Bible school. But none of that prepared him for cross-cultural ministry, so he was grateful for more training.

He and Sylvie also learned the value of chronological, foundational Bible teaching. “This allows one to start with foundational principles and ‘types’ of Christ so that once we arrive at the reality of Christ, the person will be able to understand the big picture of salvation — from beginning to end,” Jean said. “It also helps me to appreciate the depth of what Christ has done for us.”

Using What They Learned

Jean and Sylvie have not yet moved into a village to begin a cross-cultural ministry, but they have been involved in trips to determine where to place missionaries.

“I was able to apply some of the principles of worldview and to keep that in mind as we interviewed people,” Jean said.

They’re also applying what they learned about Bible teaching in their church, with children and university students. “This helped us to make sure to teach methodically so that they would understand and that we would not go too quickly,” he said.

Pray that Jean and Sylvie continue to be a blessing in their local church and would soon be in a position to use their training to help establish a thriving church in another people group.