FAQs

1.            What does TETM believe?

We invite you to click on our Affirmation of Faith here. If you have more specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us personally.

2.            What is unique about TETM?

With church planting as our focus, we desire to plant churches and to multiply ourselves by training and sending church planters to the nations. Our philosophy for church planting and training church planters is best described as obedience-oriented discipleship. While we are firmly committed to developing disciples who know the great doctrines of Scripture, we also know that knowledge alone does not produce the kind of disciples the New Testament describes. Obedience-oriented discipleship stresses active obedience to truths learned before moving on to more learning. That doesn’t mean that every truth must be perfectly mastered before moving on to more truth/learning. It does mean that we look for visible evidence of obedience to truth that is taught.

3.            Doesn’t it make more sense to give money to nationals than to send Americans on short-term mission trips?

It really depends on the focus and nature of the ministry. We don’t believe there is an either/or answer to this question. We believe that nationals should be trained to carry out the work of ministry. We also believe that short-term mission trips are a valuable tool to expose North Americans to cross-cultural ministries. Short-term missions mobilize people in local churches for the world mission. Short-term trips are sometimes the catalyst God uses to direct individuals into long-term cross-cultural ministry.

4.            What church are you working under?  Is there a church or churches in charge of TETM?  How much say does our local church have in the agency?  Are local churches allowed a voice in TETM policies?

Our personal lives and ministry are under the spiritual oversight and care of the churches that have sent us to the mission field. However, TETM works under the direction of a Board of Directors, not a single or even a group of local churches.  But those on the board are church leaders and pastors of the churches that support us. We are always open to input, suggestions and helpful criticism so that we can improve the quality of our ministry.  But it would become a bit unwieldy to allow every local church to have direct input into the policies of TETM. Local churches will maintain the last word of authority over the young people they send to us for training. However, it is our hope that decisions relating to specific missionaries will be made by consensus by the missionaries, TETM and their local church.  We recognize that ultimately, the final authority lies with the local church.  But once again, a true partnership is what we are hoping for.

5.            Are my gifts to TETM tax deductible?

Yes, TETM is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

6.            Do you have missionaries or representatives to speak at our mission conference?

Yes, please contact us with your information and we will do our best to work with you on the date of your conference.

7.            Does TETM only work with tribal groups?

Our primary focus is to target people groups and locations where there are no evangelical churches. While tribal ministries have been a focus of TETM through the years, we do not work exclusively with tribals. For example, several of our current areas of ministry in Mexico are not with tribal groups but they are in places where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not been made known.

8.            Who can go on your short-term mission trips?

We invite individuals, churches, youth groups, and anyone who believes God is directing them to step out of their comfort-zone and get actively involved in cross-cultural ministry. We invite you to check out our short-term mission opportunities here for applications and upcoming trips.

9.            I think I might be called to full-time missionary service. What should be my next steps?

We would suggest that your first step is to approach the pastor(s) and leadership of your local church for their counsel. We’d love to talk further with you as well about your desires. If you’re not ready for TETM’s Center for Pioneer Church Planting, we have a long-distance mentoring program that focuses on obedience-oriented steps that we think will help further clarify your involvement in world missions. Feel free to contact us for details.

10.        What can TETM do for me that my local church can’t do?

We in no way seek to usurp the authority of the local church. We believe we are called to encourage and come alongside the local church in the spread of the gospel to all nations. TETM can provide opportunities for cross-cultural ministry that most local churches can’t provide. We can also provide actual ‘on-the-field’ training for those interested in long-term cross-cultural ministry. In addition to helping in the training process, TETM is set up to serve as a sending agency for missionaries. Some countries require missionaries to be sent out under such agencies.

11.        How is the Center for Pioneer Church Planting (CPCP) different from another school I might attend?

The CPCP is not designed to take the place of a Bible college or a seminary. We offer specialized training for people who believe God may be directing them toward a church-planting ministry. What makes this training unique is that it combines intensive in-class teaching times with practical on-the-job training in Mexico and Papua New Guinea. For more information on the Center for Pioneer Church Planting we encourage you to click here.

12.        What are TETM’s primary areas of ministry?

Our primary purpose is to plant evangelical churches in the interior, unevangelized regions of Mexico and Papua New Guinea. A vital part of our mission includes mobilizing and equipping existing churches to reproduce and become missionary sending churches themselves. We do this through short-term mission trips and by training and equipping missionaries in the Center for Pioneer Church Planting 

13.        Is there an age restriction for children going on short-term mission trips?

We leave this to the discretion of the parent but because of the nature of our trips we don’t encourage bringing children younger than elementary school age. Most of the locations we take teams do not have running water or electricity. We sleep in tents and it is usually very hot. For those reasons most parents prefer not to bring very young children on our short-term trips.

14.        Will my young people be safe on a short-term mission trip?

We do everything that we can to insure the safety of those who go on our short-term trips, but we cannot guarantee absolute safety. Any kind of foreign travel carries with it certain health risks. We are careful with the food we eat and we always have purified water for team members. In addition to health risks, some of the places we minister are openly hostile to the Gospel. That hostility can realistically pose risks to our safety. We also believe the truth of Psalm 37:23-24: “The steps of a man are established b y the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”