August 12, 2009
I’m writing you from an interpreter’s booth at NTM’s USA headquarters. I arrived on Sunday and will be here till the 19th, a week from today. Every morning at 8:10, I put on my microphone headset with the headphones and begin interpreting for Stuart Briscoe till 9:30, trying to follow him as closely as I possibly can.
Dr. Briscoe is the former pastor of Elmbrook Church and a well-known author. His teaching comes into my ears in English and out my mouth in Spanish, being broadcast to the headsets of the Latin Americans attending this forum who don’t understand English. It may be some of the best teaching that I’ll ever have the privilege of speaking, albeit imperfectly. It’s an excellent study of the life of Peter ― deep, yet entertaining.
Throughout the rest of the day, my teammate Duff Gustafson and I take turns interpreting the four remaining hour-long sessions at the microphone until 4:30 in the afternoon. On a couple occasions, I’ve interpreted (or “interrupted”) for our Latin American brothers alongside them at the lectern, speaking alternately as they shared their thoughts.
This “Field Ministries Forum” is an annual week-long gathering of leaders and consultants from our NTM fields around the world. Ministry strategies and methods are explained and discussed and experiences and learned lessons are shared for the mutual edification of these key people who encourage, guide and coach our cross-cultural church planters.
There are pastors here from Venezuela, a field where the mission has largely been shut down, triggering as a result the formation of an alliance of national churches from different denominations and associations united for the first time in the cause of carrying on the work of reaching tribal people for Christ. It’s very moving to see how God is moving the national churches and NTM to work together in ways that we never have before.
And it’s thrilling to be a part of helping our Latin American brothers function in a role of full partnership on an international level in our fellowship. This is a wonderful thing that God is doing, and your support makes it possible!