What began as a gathering of missionaries a day prior to the North American Christian Convention, turned into its own event in 1954.  From the early days when it was known as the National Missionary Convention it has grown to the current International Conference on Missions, which draws thousands of local church members who have a heart for missions. This year’s event will remain true to its commitment of globally advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through missions, as it challenges each of us to better understand what it means to be radical again.

For the 2012 ICOM TCM has been given the great honor of being named the highlighted mission.  Plans are underway to share the TCM Experience with all who attend.   

As we begin the process of creating the TCM Experience there are a few items we are searching for. Do you or someone you know have access to:

• A large number of cubicle wall sections to be used to divide the room into significant eras of TCM’s history
• An old tabletop radio
• A large number of tall silk plants

Did you or someone you know serve as a summer intern at Haus Edelweiss in the 1970s or 1980s?

Are you planning to attend ICOM? Would you like to give a few hours of your time to volunteer in the TCM Experience?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions please contact me at debbie.poer@tcmi.org and share in the celebration of the TCM Experience!

As you are going about your days this week and next be in prayer for those who are attending Session 4 at Haus Edelweiss. Students and translators representing seven nations and STWs from five churches in the United States are there studying and serving.  Courses this Session include Research Methods taught by Katharina Penner, Groups Ministry taught by Teresa Welch, Christian Counseling, taught by Nolan Thomas and New Testament Eschatology taught by Fred Hansen. May our prayers be a sweet aroma to our God!

Blessings on your journey,

Debbie Poer,

Director of Global Outreach

Session Three at Haus Edelweiss is in its second week and the session has been marked by another first. The campus has welcomed for the first time students and their translator from the country of Turkey. We have had the opportunity to ask them a few questions and I want to share with you some of their responses.

Turkey has a population of approximately 75 million people with 99.8% being Muslim. While there are Bible courses available to Turkish Christians, officially, the state will not allow the establishment of Christian Bible schools or seminaries. This means there are few Christian leaders who have a theological education.

We asked them to tell us about their ministries and learned that Murat B. has served as a pastor in an Istanbul church for the past 6 years. Together with a friend they started the church with 10 people and it has grown to 40. Although the members are mainly Turkish there are members from the United States, Korea, Mexico Albania, China, Mongolia and Azerbaijan. Murat is also involved with an organization that provides basic Bible courses to believers.

Each of the students interviewed was introduced to TCMII through their connections with Bible courses they had taken in Turkey. Alper G. shared that when he took one of the last classes available to him the teacher told him of a master degree opportunity through TCMII and encouraged him to enroll. Because it has been his desire for many years to improve his theological understanding he applied to TCMII and was accepted.

When asked why they chose to study with TCMII their answers varied and yet had a common thread running through them. Each felt it important that courses offered through TCMII are practical, they can study without being away from their ministries for extended periods of time and their TCMII studies will better equip them to serve in their ministries.

To TCM supporters they offered these words:

“It (time at Haus Edelweiss) was a blissful time, both in the theoretical way and a spiritual way. It’s a good retreat also so that when I return home I will focus on my mission with a clear mind.” Cem E.

“I would like to thank all TCMII staff and short-term ministers for serving with humble hearts.” Refik T.

To each of you, thank you for your partnership with TCM. Your prayers, service and financial support continue to allow TCM to offer many forms of leadership training to our Christian brothers and sister in what is now at least 36 countries in Europe, Central Asia and beyond.

For information about the Great Commission Initiative and to enlist click here. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debbie Poer,

Director of Global Outreach

Several years ago when I began serving on staff at Haus Edelweiss I met a young, newly married couple, Konstantin and Irina Nazarov, who I have had the privilege of becoming better acquainted with through the years. They have studied at TCM, shared about their ministry and have grown from a couple into a family.

A few weeks ago while I was at Haus Edelweiss, Irina was part of an interview presented by Alexey Fedichkin, TCM National Director from Russia. Here is a portion of that interview.

“My name is Irina and I am married with three children. My family lives near Moscow. Together with my husband we are starting a new church in our local area. In doing that we must work with both children and adults. I enjoy studying with TCM. First, because of the experience, attitudes and skills of the professors who teach for TCM. They are great and wonderful people and their teachings are practical and provide great influence on me. When working with people one always feels a lack of enough knowledge and skills. At the beginning of a class with TCM I often think, ‘I know something about this area,’ but then I always gain so much more than I expected as I study. The courses are not only helpful and healthy for my personal spiritual growth, but the fact that I can pass on to others what I have learned brings me great joy! I am grateful to the Lord, the professors and to all who make studying with TCM possible. May God bless all the efforts. Thank you!”

Growing spiritually, sharing with others knowledge and skills, planting churches are ways Irina is being used as an international disciple maker. Join us in the Great Commission Initiative as together we grow, pray and send, providing other Christian leaders the opportunities for leadership training that Irina has had. For information about the Great Commission Initiative and to enlist click here. 

Blessings on your journey,

Debbie Poer,

Director of Global Outreach