New Tribes Mission, USA / NTM-USA

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New Tribes Mission listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is one of the "best ministries" and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:

1. Transparency
2. Truth Claims
3. Values/ Worldview
4. Sectors/Functions
5. Resourcefulness
6. Red Flag Issues
7. Consultation

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those "ministries" that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.

This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.

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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
December 2002
By Rodney Pitzer

New Tribes Mission is an ensemble of Christians systematically evangelizing unreached people groups, including translating scriptures and establishing New Testament churches. MinistryWatch.com is able to conclude that NTM is particularly resourceful with the financial resources entrusted to it. In addition, NTM demonstrates superior transparency with regard to its finances.

New Tribes Mission (NTM) works as a team in the evangelization of unreached tribal people, the translation of the Scripture into tribal languages and the planting of indigenous New Testament churches. NTM’s activities include Bible institutes, primary training institutes, and a language and linguistics institute.

NTM sends missionaries out from local churches to Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

More than 3,000 missionaries serve in the various roles, including training, administration, supply buying and Bible translation. All missionaries are considered as a vital link in the task of planting tribal churches.

Career missionaries need a minimum of two years Bible training. This training can be fulfilled at New Tribes Bible Institute or another Bible college. Equivalent qualifications may also satisfy this requirement. In addition, training is required at NTM Missions Course and Culture and Language Acquisition Course. These studies normally take two years. Candidates are discipled in the personal application of biblical truth. They are trained in language learning, culture study, and cross-cultural skills necessary for planting tribal churches. Some students also study advanced linguistics.

Besides career opportunities, NTM has regular short-term and intermediate ministry needs.

Intermediate commitments (Associate missionaries) are considered from six months to four years. Many various backgrounds are sought and needed. The following are some of the types of skills that are useful:

• Aviation: Aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians
• Building Trades: Cabinet makers, rough and finish carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers
• Education: Administrators, elementary and secondary teachers, librarians, aides, home-school coordinators, cooks
• Finance: Bookkeepers, accountants
• Health Care: Doctors, dentists, nurses
• Maintenance: Grounds keepers, mechanics, repairmen
• Office Workers: Secretaries, clerical workers, data entry personnel
• Publishing: Graphic artists, printers, writers
• Technology: Computer programmers, technicians, network administrators, repairmen, web designers
• Supply buyers
• Guest home managers

Locations of service could include: Africa, North, Central and South America and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Through its short-term missions trips, NTM provides opportunities for high school students, college students and interested adults to get a firsthand look at planting churches among ethnic groups. Various short-term trips are continually being planned.

All NTM missionaries rely on God for their financial support. Missionaries, on home staff or abroad, in tribal work or in a support role, are supported by individuals and churches. No one in NTM is on a fixed salary. All support that comes in for a missionary's ministry is used in their ministry. No percentage of the missionary's support is taken out and used by NTM to pay support staff.

NTM’s structure is based on the principle that God uses the gifts, talents and abilities of many individuals working together to accomplish His purposes.

Church Planting Chronology

• Pre-Field work: Specialized training for planting tribal churches (2 years). Partnership Development (individual fundraising)(1 - 3 years).
• Field work: Field orientation (6 months - 2 years).
• Tribal Ministry work: Studying the language and culture of the tribe (2 - 5 years). Teaching Bible lessons chronologically (evangelism)(6 months - 2 years). Discipling tribal believers (discipleship)(3 - 10 years). Translating the New Testament (8 - 15 years). Equipping tribal people for church leadership (5 - 10 years). {Time periods overlap}

Financial Quick Take

• NTM is an international organization. Allied sending agencies exist in numerous other countries. The above financial information is not the entire financial picture.
• NTM does not conduct fundraising campaigns. Each of its missionaries raises their own support; however, NTM as an organization does not actively solicit.
• Missionaries raise most of their support by speaking to people in churches. This publicity no doubt raises awareness and generates general financial support to the organization as well as the individual missionary. In effect, missionaries become volunteer fundraisers for the organization.
• Because NTM’s missionaries raise the bulk of the support, there is much closer correlation of revenue coming in to expenses going out, compared to other organizations.
• NTM has construction in progress, due to its need to constantly train missionaries.
• NTM has received organizational support from World Concern, JAARS, and Bible Literature International.

Transparency

• NTM has demonstrated superior openness and transparency through the degree of its responsiveness and the quality and quantity of information provided.
• NTM undergoes a yearly audit by a Certified Public Accountant.
• Most nonprofit organizations are classified as "exempt" from paying federal income taxes, but they are still required to file an annual, public information report with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This annual report is called an IRS form 990. NTM is a Christian missionary society and is recognized by the IRS as not required to file this report. NTM has the legal right not to reveal financial information to the "outside" world, but they go out of their way to be financially open and transparent.
• NTM will send its audited financial statement upon request.

Bits & Pieces
Mission Risks: Mankins, Rich, Tenenoff
Dave Mankins, Mark Rich and Rick Tenenoff, NTM missionaries, were kidnapped in 1993 from Panama and slain in Colombia in 1996.

In 1993, Dave Mankins, Mark Rich, Rick Tenenoff and their families lived in the village of Púcuro in the Darien region of Panama. Púcuro is a village of approximately 300 Kuna people, in the southeastern part of the country, about 15 miles from the Colombian border.

The missionaries were there at the invitation of the leaders of the village. In addition to studying the Kuna language and culture, the missionaries were involved in linguistic analysis, teaching the people to read and write in their own language, and administering medical assistance. The missionaries also translated the Bible and taught Bible studies to interested Kuna residents.

Armed guerrillas burst into the missionaries' homes in Púcuro, deep in the Darién jungles of Panama. They held Dave, Mark and Rick at gunpoint while their wives packed a few belongings, which included their Bibles. Nancy Mankins, Tania Rich and Patti Tenenoff last saw their husbands, hands bound behind their backs, marching into the Panamanian jungle. The men were later taken across the border into Colombia. Their wives came to the USA.

Nancy, Tania, Patti and their children often reread the notes of encouragement they have received. God has strengthened and inspired them through the concerted prayer and love expressed by the body of believers worldwide.

NTM rejoices in hope because Dave, Mark and Rick are eternally free. They are absent from the body and present with the Lord. Nancy, Tania and Patti agree that there are some things worth dying for, and the Gospel is one of them.

The biblical foundation laid by Dave, Mark and Rick is bearing fruit. In the village of Púcuro there are believers who love the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Because of the ministry of those three men and their families, and missionaries in other locations, today more than 30 Kuna churches are rejoicing in their freedom in Christ.

Mission Risks: Burnham
Martin, 42, and Gracia, 43, from Kansas, were kidnapped on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group from the Dos Palmas Island Resort at Honda Bay off the island of Palawan in the Philippines, where Martin and Gracia were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary. Gracia was wounded, but freed during a rescue by the Philippine military on June 7, 2002 but Martin was killed.

On the day the Burnhams were kidnapped -- May 27, 2001 -- NTM's contingency coordinator flew to Manila from Sanford, Florida, USA, and NTM's Executive Committee vice chairman flew there from London, England. Immediately, they began to assemble a contingency team to work toward the release of Martin and Gracia. NTM also arranged for the Burnhams' three children to go to the USA and stay with their grandparents. They also felt it was important that other family members serving with NTM return to the USA, at least temporarily. NTM helped them leave the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

NTM missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham served in the Philippines since 1986. Martin was a pilot and Gracia assisted in a variety of roles supporting NTM's aviation program there.

Martin grew up in the Philippines, the eldest son of Paul and Oreta Burnham, also NTM missionaries, from Rose Hill, Kansas. Gracia is a daughter of Rev. Norvin and Betty Jo Jones of Arkansas. Martin and Gracia's three children -- Jeff, 15, Mindy, 12, and Zach, 11 -- were born in the Philippines.

Released hostages reported that Martin and Gracia's faith and hope in Christ was evident and encouraging.

A Wycliffe missionary, speaking at Martin's memorial service in the Philippines, said that for ten years their organization had been praying and trying to send missionaries to Basilan Island -- where Martin and Gracia were held captive -- but the location was too dangerous. He continued, "God sent His chosen missionaries to Basilan, to the very heart of resistance." Martin was free to preach to the very people who would normally have killed him if he had been serving as a missionary in one of the villages. Like the Apostle Paul, Martin was chained to his guards. For a year he had a captive audience for the Gospel.

The family continues to adjust to their new way of life, grateful for each other's company. Adjusting to life as a single parent is a challenge. Some days are more difficult than others. "I was bummed out the other day," Gracia said. "I couldn't put a finger on what was wrong. I decided to sit down and read my Bible and let it encourage me. "It was as if the Psalm was written for me," she continued. "I'm really enjoying my Bible. I went so long without one. I’m enjoying sitting down any time I want to read it."

Some may feel led to give directly to Gracia and her family. If you wish to do so, you should make your check payable to New Tribes Mission with the notation, "For the ministry of Gracia Burnham." Any cards or letters for Gracia should be sent to:

Gracia Burnham
c/o New Tribes Mission
1000 E. First St.
Sanford, FL 32771