Our Goal
The tagline of Ethnos360 is “A Thriving Church for Every People” and that is what we are after. This is the heart of the Great Commission. To see people from all nations hear the gospel and be led toward maturity through the word of God.
What then is a thriving church? It is:
- Self-denying: has the Bible in their own language, that informs what they think, say, and do rather than their former worldview.
- Self-propagating: is sharing the gospel to the next generation, the next village, and the next people group.
- Self-sustaining: can support itself apart from the missionaries
- Self-governing: has indigenous elders, deacons, and leadership
Timeline
Papua New Guinea
We move to Papua New Guinea and begin the process of acclimating to the local language and culture.
Living with the People
We move into the village, build our house, and begin living among the people.
Becoming one of the People
We begin the multi-year process of learning the local language and culture.
Teaching Literacy
After developing their alphabet, we teach the people to read and write in their own language.
Translating the Bible
We begin the ongoing work of Bible translation that the people can understand and read in their own language.
Teaching Chronologically
The Bible is taught in the local language starting in Genesis, then key Old Testament stories, and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
A Church is Born
Those who believe the gospel become the first church of that people group in history.
Ongoing Discipleship
The believers continue to be taught and shown all that Christ commanded.
Leadership Established
Faithful men are entrusted to be deacons and elders to shepherd the people.
New Testament Translated
The New Testament translation is completed and given to the people!
Thriving Church
A thriving church continues to disciple their own and reach others with the gospel.