GPS Annual Review 2016 Good news for the country

Transcription

1 GPS Annual Review 2016 Good news for the country GPS Annual Review 2016 i

2 Greetings from the Co-Chairs Dear Gospel Patron, Tori and I are very excited to be taking over the leadership of the Gospel Patrons Society (GPS). We became Patrons in 2007 for two important reasons. Firstly, we were persuaded that the greatest need in Australia is to train and support the next generation of transformational Gospel workers, and in particular to support the vital work of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS). Secondly, we loved the idea of partnership with the Gospel Patrons Society a multi-year commitment of all our resources, not just money but also our time, our energies and our prayers. Tori and I met and married in Wimbledon and attended Dundonald Church, which over 30 years has been planting churches across England and raising up Gospel workers. I was fortunate enough to share a house with a number of MTS apprentices and could observe first hand how the experience shaped and grew them. They are now leading the charge for Gospel ministry in the UK and training their own apprentices. Tori spent one year as an apprentice herself in the north of England and this has equipped her for a life of ministry (and encouragement of her husband). So we knew first hand how valuable and vital the work of MTS is. We have much to be thankful for. Firstly that through MTS, God has raised up and trained nearly 3,000 men and women for Gospel ministry. For the last 16 years, GPS has done much of the heavy lifting of driving this growth contributing over $5million. We are also grateful to you, the Patrons, who have supported this work and have set an example to Tori and me. We ask that you continue your support of this vital work and help us to raise up the next generation of Gospel Patrons. Last but not least we are grateful for the great service of Simon Pillar who has encouraged and inspired us to take on the leadership of GPS. Thankfully he has not gone away and remains a Patron and a reliable sounding board. GPS still has much to do, with God s help. Firstly, the on-going and vital need to train and support the next generation of transformational Gospel workers. This will be done in a number of ways, primarily by providing scholarships to enable more men and women to become MTS apprentices, and by providing support to the heart of the MTS network our trainers. Secondly, Tori and I have a desire to grow a movement of joyful Gospel generosity in Australia, beginning with the next generation of Gospel Patrons. You can help us do this by modelling being a Patron in your church and network. Could you: Introduce someone in your church or network to Ben Pfahlert or to us Invite friends to the GPS dinner on Wednesday 13th September Provide the finance and encouragement to your church to begin its own MTS apprentice program Pray that God would raise up his workers in Australia We look forward to continued partnership with you in the years ahead. God bless, Andy and Tori Grimes GPS Co-Chairs

3 2016 We are also grateful to you the Patrons who have supported this work and have set an example to Tori and me. We ask that you continue your support of this vital work and help us to raise up the next generation of Gospel Patrons. GPS Annual Review

4 Giving thanks for a fruitful harvest At the GPS Annual Dinner we farewelled Simon Pillar as Chairman of GPS. Simon served as the GPS Chair since 1999 and I thank God for Simon, for his service to GPS, and his dedication to sharing Christ s Gospel with others. I praise God that Andy and Tori Grimes have taken over from Simon in this amazing ministry. As we review what God has done through the ministry of MTS in 2016, here is a brief summary of some of the year s highlights: 286 apprentices were trained around the country our second record year in a row (268 in 2015) 1,056 delegates attended 7 Recruitment Conferences around Australia 176 people attended events run as part of the Regional & Rural Recruiting Tour in country NSW and ACT 54 trainers took part in the Train the Trainers course The second MTS International Conference was held in Sydney, with nine delegates from four countries Insight on ministry training was gathered through McCrindle research, with input from 1,285 survey respondents (see Page 16) Two apprenticeship pathways were established one in partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators and the other, MTW (Ministry Training for Women) The Vocational Bible College (VBC) was accredited as an RTO by ASQA to facilitate the Blue Collar Ministry Apprenticeship Seeing God s hand at work In 2016 we re-realised afresh a few things: that the MTS Head Office doesn t recruit apprentices trainers do! that the MTS Head Office doesn t train apprentices trainers do! As a result of these realisations, we spent a lot of time in 2016 working out how we could support trainers better. 2 GPS Annual Review 2016

5 The following projects have aided trainers greatly: Train the Trainer Course Strand 2 (2nd year) of Train the Trainer was incorporated into G8 National Conference to help new trainers understand the why and how of training MTS Apprentices Recruiting a Director of Training a staff member who will be in charge of recruiting, equipping and coaching MTS Trainers Folio an efficient, scalable, online application process for MTS Apprentices and Trainers as well as a workflow management system McCrindle Research understanding the barriers to training an apprentice seeking to create a culture where every past apprentice is challenged to become a trainer of apprentices MTS Curriculum optimising the development of the 3 C s during an apprenticeship Conviction, Character and Competence Trainer Coaching training your first apprentice can be daunting. MTS wants to assign experienced trainers to new trainers to coach them through the first 2 years Engagement Strategy a communication plan, designed to better engage all arms of the movement, e.g. supporters, apprentices, past apprentices, college students, lapsed trainers Regional & Rural Recruiting Tour 2016 was a year of reaching out to the country. MTS ramped up recruiting in a big way after years of building a decent product to pitch: building MTS Scholarship system piloted 28 apprentices on the new system wholesale recruiting We continued our standard nationwide recuiting in 2016, but poured concerted effort into recruiting throughout Regional and Rural NSW. Nine x centres were visited twice. See the report below. 82 Church Pastors/Church Treasurers came to two events and 94 prospective apprentices were challenged to do a ministry apprenticeship, at the MTS Information evenings. The tour was received extremely well. So many Pastors said things; like, I can t believe you have come to us. Thanks for providing a way for us to train the stayers. Normally we have to travel to the city and normally our best people leave us for the city. Please ask God to: Bring 10% of Australia to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by the year 2020 Raise up 10,000 ministry apprentices by 2020 Raise future Gospel workers for Regional & Rural Australia Grow an MTS equivalent in Zimbabwe, Chile, Argentina and Namibia I thank God for your partnership in the work of raising generation after generation of Gospel workers. Yours in Christ Jesus, Ben Pfahlert, MTS National Director In 2016 MTS launched its Regional & Rural Recruiting Tour to country NSW/ ACT. The tour, designed to train people from the country, in the country, for the country, involved visiting 9 centres twice. Visit 1 explained to Pastors and Church Council members how the R&R MTS Apprenticeship works Visit 2 challenged prospective apprentices to do a R&R MTS Ministry Apprenticeship. The 9 centres visited were Canberra, Tamworth, Armidale, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange, Dubbo, Taree and Port Macquarie. LOCATION Visit #1 (# Pastors/Treasurers) Visit #2 (#Pastors + #delegates) Canberra (18) = 16 Tamworth (21) 7 + 6= 13 Armidale (7) = 19 Bathurst/Orange (7) = 22 Dubbo (4) = 12 Wagga (11) = 20 Albury (15) = 23 Taree/Port Macquarie (17th Oct) = 21 Crossroads Canberra (Aug 16th) = 22 Totals = 168 GPS Annual Review

6 Becoming an Apprentice Becoming an MTS Apprentice is the first step in a life of Gospel ministry. While not all apprentices end up in positions of ministry leadership, the intent is to equip all apprentices for ongoing service of some kind. MTS plays a critical role in the recruitment, training and placement of Gospel apprentices. Here is a typical scenario of the journey undertaken. The net is cast wide. MTS runs a series of conferences around the country that inform potential apprentices of what is involved in a life of vocational ministry, and why an MTS Apprenticeship may be a suitable next step on their path. From those who apply for apprenticeships, some are chosen through a rigorous selection process. Apprentices are paired with MTS trainers, experienced in Gospel work, to be trained within their ministry setting. The apprentice starts practical training over two years, designed to grow their character, convictions and competencies for ministry work (some will continue online theological study).at the conclusion of the apprenticeship they are encouraged to enrol in a full-time theological course, working towards a vocational ministry position. Once settled in ministry roles, they are encouraged to become trainers of apprentices. If and when they become ministry leaders, past apprentices are then encouraged to create opportunities within their ministry in which new apprentices can be trained through active participation. As they grow in their ministries, they are encouraged to disciple the next generation of potential Gospel workers and encourage those younger Christians to attend MTS recruitment events. And so the cycle of Gospel growth starts again a strategic training ministry, dependant on God, driven and under-girded by support from the team at MTS. Target: 437 Apprentices in GPS Donations 286 Surging to sustainability MTS Apprentices Empowering MTS to recruit, train and sustain today s and tomorrows Christian leaders. 0 4 GPS Annual Review 2016

7 144 Ministry Training Centres in 2016 The MTS cycle of Gospel growth Apprentice Enquiries 1,056 in 2016 Ministry Leader 154 Trainers in 2016 MTS Trainer Theological Training Apprenticeship 2 Years Apprentice Recruitment Placement Trainer & Ministry Centre 286 Apprentices in 2016 Number of apprentices by state Apprentices by denomination 9% WA 3% 0% NT SA QLD NSW/ACT VIC TAS 2% 7% 67% 12% 1% Church of Christ 2% Reformed 8% Presbyterian 22% AFES 0.5% Baptist 5% Independent 1% Anglican NSW Regional 18% Independent FIEC 6% Anglican other states 36.5% Anglican Sydney GPS Annual Review

8 The Current Crop of disciple makers Peter Blyth Trinity City Church, Adelaide Being part of MTS was an amazing and very helpful way to learn how to work in fulltime Gospel ministry while growing in my faith and helping and training others to do likewise. My training was done mostly around the 5pm gathering of the Trinity City Church in Adelaide where I was able to be part of an excellent team. This assisted me and gave me the chance to see what ministry looks like and see where my strengths and weaknesses are. One area where God had led me into was the homeless and drug addicted community in the Adelaide city region and one which I had personal experience of as a former drug addict. I had become homeless at one point through my lifestyle choices that I had made. Through all these bad years I was able to (and continue to) speak the truth of who Jesus is to the lost in the West Care Day Centre and have had many great conversions with people about that. I was able to share my faith in an outreach in the park with a young bloke who had been abused and had fallen into dark times because of that. Through one to one catch ups I was able to invite him to church and he has become a member of the gathering. Another bloke aged in his 30s has, praise God, become a Christian and has put his faith in Jesus. This guy had been in jail, addicted to ice, and had a long history of abuse and violence from his childhood. MTS gave me the confidence and opportunity to train others in my church about reaching the homeless and those with addictions in our communities, and has given me the chance to now enter into full-time Bible College where I am now be trained to be a Pastor. I am confident that whoever does MTS will be well equipped to grow God s Kingdom and reach the lost. Isabel Pamatmat St Thomas, North Sydney At the beginning of the year, a woman at my Connecting With Muslims course told me When God provides the training, he provides the opportunities. I started praying that God would provide a Muslim girl who I could meet up with one to one at university campus ministry. A couple of months later, my staffworker said she had met a Muslim girl during walk up evangelism who was interested in reading the Qu ran. So we both met with her and her friend and read the beginning of the Qu ran together. It was interesting because they were evangelising us as much as we were gently trying to share Jesus with them too. We had the opportunity to talk about the significance of the resurrection. As much as it was challenging, Praise God that he answered prayer in this way. We ran an evangelistic and Apologetics term at the high school christian lunch group that I coordinate. I had various guest speakers come in and do seminars on Homosexuality, Mental Health, Historicity of the Bible, Heaven & Hell, Science, Suffering and Dating & Relationships. We had approx. 8 to 12 girls come each week with around 4 to 5 non-christians coming including an atheist, Jewish girl, Catholic and also agnostic girl. It was really awesome to see non-christians engage with the big issues of Christianity and seeing them continue to come back for more. 6 GPS Annual Review 2016

9 Erina Smith Meriden School I teach scripture to kindergarten. After a lesson on creation, one girl Alice, went home and told her extended family Did you know that God made the world? Her family are non-religious, but because of this they thought it would be important to start reading the bible and going to church so they d be able to answer any questions Alice may have. It is such a joy seeing God plant his Word into five-year olds and then have it blossom and spread! Every week I teach scripture now I am excited to see how God will be at work. Cameron Phillips Trinity City Church, Adelaide I m discipling a guy who came along to our church because his mentor in a multi-level marketing scheme told him churches share lots of values with them and are good places to network. But instead he got hooked by the Gospel and by our life together. This was cause for me to reflect that there are some similarities between an MLM scheme and the growth of the church of Jesus Christ. But there is an essential difference the message we carry is true, and it comes to us in grace, and with power. The guy is taking every opportunity to understand the Scriptures now. It s early days for him, but already he s putting his considerable networking gifts to work, bringing everyone he can to church including his marketing buddies. It s pretty ironic the way the Lord is using him. Isn t that so often the way? Praise God for His sense of humour! Jess Sheely Hunter Bible Church I met a girl who d recently arrived in Australia for study. To be polite, she started coming along to a Bible study, but didn t express much interest. She returned after six months back in her home country and was so curious; asking many questions about why God allowed the suffering her family had experienced. Over time, as we shared life, read the Bible and talked through her questions, she had more and more interest in Jesus. On asking her what she d been learning from Luke s Gospel, she just exclaimed Jesus is just so kind. He s so kind!. She has now come to repent and trust Jesus death and resurrection and continue to grow in him. Praise God! So I ve gained a sister in Jesus and been reminded again to prayerfully and persistently point people to Jesus in the Bible for salvation! GPS Annual Review

10 Partners in ministry Apprentice: Matthew Stones Tell us how you came to be an apprentice? My wife, Dee, and I came to a crossroads in life when we were preparing to buy a house and I was about to undertake a new course of study through work. Dee s father, who is also our Pastor, challenged Dee and I to consider full-time ministry and do an MTS apprenticeship. I attended an MTS Information Night in Gunnedah and I remember Ben s example of the farmer: If a person wants to be a farmer longterm, they don t start off at Agricultural College as a first port of call. They need to head off first to a farm and work alongside an experienced farmer for a couple of years. They need to live through a couple of cycles of the seasons. They need to know what it is like to deliver lambs in the middle of the night, harvest the grain before it is destroyed by rain and grapple with the blurred boundaries between work and rest... What are the key ministries you re involved in as part of your apprenticeship? My wife and I will continue to coordinate and run our Seniors Youth group. I ve started some involvement with school based ministry such as a Primary School SUPA Club, Primary Scripture and a Chips n Chat High school ISCF group all of these are new to me. I ve been given the task of directing our annual holiday kids club and after that, of forming a weekly kids club to maintain established community links. As bible study is a key area for Christian growth I also run a young adults study group as well as meet weekly with a few younger guys to read one-to-one. Up front ministry at each of our various church services is also increasing, both for leading and preaching (on occasion). What are some of the challenges with doing an MTS apprenticeship? Both of us have/will have left behind two full-time work positions to commence the MTS apprenticeship. Dee will also, as we are expecting our first child in May, so we knew it would be a financial challenge. We continually pray and put our full trust in God that he will provide the financial support we need to sustain us during the apprenticeship. Getting a handle around how much work is possible in the week when the required study components are thrown in has also proven to be a challenge. What are you hoping to learn as part of being an apprentice? I am hoping to learn what areas I need to grow to keep doing full-time ministry, and how I can use God-given gifts to serve Jesus. I hope that as I serve over the next two years that I will grow in Christian character, conviction and competence. What are you expecting to do after your apprenticeship? After I have completed my Regional & Rural apprenticeship at Gunnedah Anglican Church, I am planning to go to Bible College with a clearer understanding of how I can fully appreciate and apply what I ve learned to growing God s kingdom somewhere in rural or regional Australia. MTS gives you real experience and brings you into contact with others who are serving in regional and rural areas and building up this network of partners in the Gospel is invaluable to your future ministry. Scott Dunlop Trainer 8 GPS Annual Review 2016

11 Trainer: Scott Dunlop Tell us how you ended up being a trainer and how many apprentices have you trained? I have served as a minister of the Gospel in Armidale Anglican Diocese for 20 years, with the last 11 years of ministry being at Gunnedah Anglican Church. Over that time I have had the privilege of training ten Assistant Ministers, and also two School Chaplains, using some MTS materials. Being involved in evangelism, discipleship, training, and sending has always been my heart in ministry. So seeing Matt grow in His faith, godliness, and gifts and abilities meant tapping him on the shoulder and encouraging Him to think about ministry in a full-time way. Matt married my daughter a few years ago, so Assistant Minister Aiden Sibrava and I share Matt s training. What are some of the rewards or challenges of training an MTS Apprentice in a Regional & Rural area? Building God s Kingdom is the biggest thing that is happening in all corners of the world. So passing on the baton and training Gospel workers for the harvest field is a great privilege no matter where you are living. Community happens in country towns, so the effect of someone giving up their secular job and being prepared to do a full-time Ministry Apprenticeship with the church does get noticed in the town, and is a great witness for Jesus, as people watch on and are challenged. How have you seen your MTS Apprentices skills develop? It s been very encouraging seeing Matt serving and growing but also seeing God strengthening and equipping him. MTS pushes you out of your comfort zone and causes you to step out in faith, but doing that puts you in a good place for God to be at work, shaping and developing you as a Gospel worker. Matt has been showing great potential as a preacher of God s Word, and in preparation and delivery is seeking to be a workman who correctly handles the Word of Truth. His heart for Jesus and desire for others to be faithfully following Jesus has been shining through in his service leading. What challenges are you facing in your church / churches in regional and rural areas? Regional and rural churches need to be always reaching young families otherwise they will end up an aged church because of the Youth drain that happens in country areas. Most young people will leave to go to University, or for employment in the cities. Therefore, Youth Ministry is missionary work out here that benefits churches in other places not often your own church, which is ok because we are all part of one Kingdom with different roles to play. When a godly, trained young adult moves to a regional, rural church it is a great blessing. Varying seasonal conditions also affects employment and finances in rural communities, and that has a flow on effect into the church, making budgeting and regular income streams a challenge at times. Also having clergy willing to come and minister in rural and remote areas is a challenge in many places. What are the benefits of having an apprentice who is planning to stay in the country? Rural people are uniquely gifted to minister to rural people so it s worth identifying and investing in rural people out here with ministry potential. Time is always precious in ministry and plenty of good things are always calling, but what better time could be spent for the Kingdom than investing in a church leader of tomorrow. Particularly giving someone who has grown up in a rural area a taste of rural ministry. It s strategic for effective country ministry to be encouraging and equipping rural people for rural ministry. Generally speaking, there is a big need for people who are prepared to serve in rural and regional areas and what better way to be equipped for ministry in the bush than to do an apprenticeship in the bush. There are many doors still open for the Gospel, with the church still seen as an important part of the community, and the minister as a community leader who is asked to take part in regular community events, like speaking at Anzac Day services, running the community Carols, to mention a few, which are all great opportunities to bring the Gospel to rural people. GPS Annual Review

12 MTS Scholarship Apprentices: Learning in ministry, supported by GPS First Year Scholars 2017 MTS Scholars: Apprentice Location Apprentice Location Elise Thomson Matthew Carmody Adam de Rooy Chinzia Liauw Amy Townsend Josephine Ong Chloe Hearn Joshua Matthews Kathryn Robertson Matthew Hearne Kelly Light Michael Figueira Ian Millar Briana Barltrop Ned Teuben Nic Trevena Kimberley Walker St Mark s Anglican West Wollongong St Mark s Anglican West Wollongong Salt Church Wollongong Kingsway Indonesian Presbyterian Church Kingsford Grace City Church Waterloo Laneway Church Footscray Hunter Bible Church Newcastle Hunter Bible Church Newcastle Hunter Bible Church Newcastle Hunter Bible Church Newcastle St Lucia Bible Church Christ Church Anglican St Ives Christ Church Anglican St Ives St Matthew s Anglican West Pennant Hills Dural Anglican Church St Paul s Anglican Churches Carlingford St Paul s Anglican Churches Carlingford Rebecca Carroll Connor Davaram Sam Herd James Boardman Matthew Stones Shanalle Wood Debbie Faulkner Mackenzie Wheeler Stacey Slater Nicola Albury Andrew Lopez Adam McCormick Rebecca Cox Eleanor Mitchell Michael Huntington Rachel Huntington Megan Blight Chelsea Adkins Russell Denten Willoughby Park Anglican Menai Anglican Church Southern Cross Presbyterian Lismore Church By The Bridge Gunnedah Anglican Hope Church Leppington Christ Community Church Brisbane Emu Plains Anglican St Aidan s Presbyterian Wagga Life Anglican Marsden Park St Cuthbert s Anglican South Carlton St Cuthbert s Anglican South Carlton Vine Church Surry Hills Providence Church Perth Albury Bible Church Albury Bible Church Establish Church Wilberforce Anglican St Luke s Anglican Miranda Please pray for our first and second year apprentices and their trainers through their two year journey and beyond. 10 GPS Annual Review 2016

13 Second Year Scholars 2017: MTS Scholars: Apprentice Location Apprentice Location Leendert Woonings Teresa Punnett Yoke Yen Lee Benjamin Torr Viv Chapman * Hannah Long Georgia Clements Amber Mason Derek Fleming * Duncan Sutherland Tamara Boyle Edwin Chow Scott Williams * Devin Toh Melissa Martin Chui-Ling Tang David Howard Jocelle Cardona Nicholas Shepherd Olivia Vanderhout Tessa Thorne * Samuel Wallace Erina Smith Kimjeng Luy Justine Taperall * Albury Presbyterian Bathurst Presbyterian Blakehurst Anglican Christ Community Church Brisbane Church by The Bridge Church@ThePeak Eagle Vale Anglican EV Church EV Church EV Church EV Church Grace Community Church Heathcote Engadine Anglican Holy Trinity Doncaster Hoxton Park Anglican Hunter Bible Church Hunter Bible Church Hunter Bible Church Hunter Bible Church Hunter Bible Church Hunter Bible Church Laneway Church Footscray Meriden Anglican Girls School Meriden Anglican Girls School Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Daniel Moore * David Jennings * Benjamin Harris Ellen Condie Sam Bainbridge Jason Craig John Delezio Cherie Jaeshke * Phillip Mugridge Tyler Heesh Oliver Crosato Taylah Crosato Samuel Davidson Evan Harris Jess Gollan Julia Meliendrez Ian Watts Isabel Pamatmat Jeremy Fox Carson Johnston Maddy Wells * North Coast Church Kingsley North Coast Church Kingsley SALT Church SALT Church St Andrew s Roseville Anglican St Barnabas Ingleburn Anglican St Cuthbert s South Carlton Anglican St George s Magill Anglican St James Croydon Anglican St James Croydon Anglican St Lucia Bible Church St Lucia Bible Church Auburn Anglican St Phillip s Kingswood Anglican St Stephen s Coorparoo Anglican St Stephen s Coorparoo Anglican St Thomas North Sydney Anglican St Thomas North Sydney Anglican St Thomas North Sydney Anglican Subiaco Church of Christ The Lakes Evangelical Church *Curriculum apprentices listed as scholars in 2015 GPS Annual Review Please pray for wisdom, courage and growth as God challenges them in every aspect of full-time ministry. GPS Annual Review

14 Support of MTS operations GPS yield: 450, , , ,000 90,000 $424,493 people GPS Core Fund This graph has been duplicated so that the fruit of the GPS investment can be seen on each page Number of MTS Apprentices Our biggest year for the second year in a row Number of candidates challenged to apprenticeship, Australia 1,200 1,000 1, Number of Scholarship Apprentice intakes (first year) Scholarship Apprentices GPS Annual Review Cumulative Total: 149 New scholarship scheme apprentices

15 Support of MTS operations 450, , , ,000 $424,493 GPS yield: 90, GPS Core Fund This graph has been duplicated so that the fruit of the GPS investment can be seen on each page finances Scholarship funds raised 2,000,000 1,800,000 $1,926,700 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000, , , , , Cumulative Total: $5,223,091 Number GPS Active Patrons New scholarship system GPS Annual Review

16 MTS goes global Mission Minded conference welcomes international pastors In September, MTS welcomed evangelical pastors from Zimbabwe, Chile, Argentina & Namibia who have a passion to see their communities flooded with future generations of Gospel workers. It was such a privilege for us to share with them the vision of MTS, to provide them with experiences, resources and build longlasting relationships. The delegates attended the MTS Mission Minded Conference in Katoomba to see how MTS run a Recruiting Conference, to gain resources and meet with delegates and trainers. This was a highlight for the delegates to experience a huge conference with 345 people attending. They joined in all facets of the conference, listing to the main talks, attending the workshops and sitting in on the mentoring (interview) sessions and gave them great insight into how they can adapt this Recruiting Conference model to suit their own country. Teaching Delegates from around the world Following the MTS Mission Minded Conference, the delegates then moved on to Golden Grove Conference Centre at Newtown. Over several days a number of speakers as well as MTS staff came to the Conference to share their knowledge and wisdom on the following: Tony Payne The Need for Gospel Workers Col Marshall The Vine Project Matthew Meek Passing the Baton Workshop Paddy Benn The History of MTS Stephanie Lee How we ran our Recruiting Conference Dave Phillips MTS Curriculum Ben Pfahlert Support Raising, How we run Head Office, MTS Entrusters 14 GPS Annual Review 2016

17 Attendees: Darren and Cassandra Pickard Zimbabwe Pato and Dagmar Oyarzun Chile Marcelo Robles Argentina Blessing Chishanu Namibia Spencer Tjienda Namibia Antony Dandato Zimbabwe Gordon Dandato Zimbabwe Ephias Zimbabwe MTS through generous patrons, helped us raise the funds to cover all the costs for the International Conference at Golden Grove. We are certainly grateful for their contribution to this great venture. I am very pleased and thankful to God for having taken part in this Conference. I think opportunities like this are pretty unique and a real blessing. It shows the quality of the commitment of the MTS movement with the extension of the Kingdom of God to all the nations. - Pato Oyarzun, Chile GPS Annual Review

18 Sharpening our understanding of ministry training Results of the 2016 McCrindle Survey Thanks to targeted donations, MTS commissioned McCrindle Research to investigate: 1) What is stopping Gospel workers from doing MTS before college? 2) Why are ministries not using the new scholarship system to train apprentices? The research included an online survey answered by 1,286 people and five discussion groups. The discussion groups included Trainers, Apprentices and Gospel workers who had not done an apprenticeship before Bible college. We had an excellent response to the survey as can be seen below. One of the primary results from the survey was the identification that MTS Trainers are the key to both the supply of and the demand for apprentices. One of the primary reasons that people did not pursue apprenticeships was that they were not tapped on the shoulder by a prospective trainer. MTS can assist potential Trainers in how to disciple and mentor key leaders within their congregation that they might be able to tap on the shoulder to consider an apprenticeship. MTS can also encourage people to test their suitability for ministry through MTS. Conversely, the primary reason that ministers did not put on an apprentice was that there were no suitable candidates to tap on the shoulder. Trainers are the ones who create a role for an apprentice within the church if they are willing to train someone. They are also instrumental in getting the apprenticeship endorsed by the church community. A further reason that people did not pursue an apprenticeship was that they thought they had enough life or ministry experience to determine their suitability for ministry. MTS can assist Trainers to communicate the benefit of immersing in ministry, through MTS before going to theological college. An important consideration for people thinking about doing an apprenticeship was the stage of life that they were at. For example, getting married, having a family, careers etc. MTS needs to better communicate the flexibility that the new scholarship can provide to make MTS more attractive, as payments can be negotiated to suit individual circumstances. In addition, because fundraising is tax-deductible it makes apprenticeships more affordable for the church. Respondents that were Trainers indicated that they could train a total of 490 apprentices over the next five years. Respondents who had done MTS were asked to describe their MTS Apprenticeship in three words (outlined below). hands-on eduational rewarding good humbling practicalhelpful joy train greatchallengefull equip learn edify fun growth busy learn stretch privilege enlighten grow intenseformative opening exciting encourage broaden bible experience What is stopping Trainers from using the new scholarship system? evangelistic They were not aware of it (52%); The new Pathways system was slightly confusing (19%) for those who looked into training with MTS; and Some trainers had philosophical differences in apprentices studying as it took away from the hands-on element of the apprenticeship. For a full copy of the report please call the GPS Support Coordinator on or sc@mts.com.au enjoyable McCrindle Survey Respondents Gender 61% Male 39% Female State 63% NSW 10% VIC 9% QLD 7% WA 5% SA Denomination 43% Anglican 18% Presbyterian 10% Independent 10% Baptist Bible College Yes, I have previously studied 51% No, I have not studied 26% Yes, currently 22% Ministry Involvement Paid full-time 29% Volunteer part-time 22% Vounteer outside paid work hours 18% Paid part-time ministry 11% Studying 8% GPS Annual Review 2016

19 Q1. If Applicable, were there any other factors that influenced your decision to not commence a ministry apprenticeship? I already had sufficient experience in ministry to test my suitability for ministry I was not actively encouraged by a Christian Leader to commence a ministry apprenticeship family or personal reasons (e.g. concerns or changes in circumstances etc.) I had sufficient business or life experience to determine my suitability for ministry The apprenticeship lifestyle (pay, conditions, funding models etc) I had concerns over adding extra years to my training as a minister The apprenticeship content (curriculum, practical hours, accreditiation etc) I do not think that I have the qualifications of a gospel worker as outlined in 1 Timothy Strongly influenced Slightly influenced Significantly influenced Somewhat influenced No influence at all (Note: this could be because they did not know enough about MTS) (Figures are %) Q2. Thinking about the following people and events, how influential, in a positive way, was each of the following in your final decision to sign up for MTS? My minister or another senior church leader My mentor/someone who disciples me Gospel workers who were past MTS apprentices MTS Conferences The MTS apprentice that was training in my church/uni group when I was deciding to do MTS My Christian friends, church friends MTS staff Other (please specify) Christian conferences (e.g. Katoomba, NTE) A Christian lecturer/teacher My family Extremely positive Somewhat positive Slightly positive Neither positive nor negative Slightly negative Somewhat negative Extremely negative (Figures are %) Q3. To what extent have the following factors strongly or significantly hindered you from training more apprentices? A lack of appropriate candidates Funds and affordability In my current role it is not appropriate to mentor someone (e.g. you work abroad as a missionary) I'm keen but my church/ministry isn't at this point in time I found the application process complicated Our church focuses on training student ministers (i.e. theological students placed at my church) I found the training pathways unclear Not enough time to allocate /I am too busy I already give people experience in ministry so then I recommend they enrol straight in a Theological college I don't know how to train an apprentice survey 2016 survey (Figures are %) GPS Annual Review

20 The Gospel Patrons Society This nation and our world needs tens of thousands of men and women to take up the baton of full-time Gospel ministry. This is a long term and strategically critical task. The Gospel Patrons Society (GPS) was established in 1999 with the primary objective of supporting the work of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) in raising up future generations of Gospel workers. MTS is about identifying and training those future leaders through the ministry apprenticeship and through the equipping of a nationwide network of trainers. GPS is one of the most strategic investments you can make in the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our needy world. MTS is a biblically faithful and Christ-centred organisation with a clear focus on its mission. It is professionally run and the funding raised through GPS is used wisely and effectively. By becoming a GPS Patron, not only are you investing in the raising up of future Christian leaders, you are becoming part of a network of like-minded, Gospel-hearted men and women with a shared vision. Please consider GPS as part of your plans to support Gospel ministry. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Gospel Patrons Society (GPS) ph PO Box 978 Hurstville BC NSW 1481 Support Officer sc@mts.com.au