Ten years ago in September 1999, NTM opened it doors at North Cotes to their first students to go through the newly established European Bible and Missionary Training Centre. Having spent almost twenty years at Matlock which provided Biblical studies only, this was an answer to prayer to be able to offer the complete NTM training in the UK.
The search had gone on for some time before finding the North Cotes property and the day after placing an offer for 500,000, a gift for that very amount arrived the next day, giving assurance that God was in the move.
Ten years on, we have the privilege of being part of the training team, investing in the lives of 26 young people seeking to prepare them to live a life of service to God and to bring the gospel to unreached people groups around the world.
The students are from England, N. Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, Germany and USA with ages ranging from 18-44. There are singles just out of school and a family with five children who have left their business to serve the Lord full time.
As well as teaching in the classroom, we have the opportunity to meet with six of the students on a weekly basis in a small group setting. This gives us the chance to get to know them more personally and be available to be used in their lives as the Lord leads and enables.
We were expecting 10 more students from the USA but, unfortunately, the certificate of accreditation did not come through in time to process their visas and so they were unable to enroll this year. Do pray that this process will soon come to completion so as to be open to non-EU students next year.
During the summer holidays, the classroom building was completely rewired at a cost of 36,000. Just last week, a gift of 50,000 was received for which we are so very grateful. Jehovah Jireh.
We would appreciate your prayers.