Where, why and how

The canoe slipped through the black water threading its way toward the distant river island. Huge trees and dense vegetation lined the banks dwarfing the tiny vessel.

The only sound was an occasional splash as two men dipped their paddles in the murky water. Anticipation hung in the air as the missionaries headed for unknown territory.

As they neared the island, their strokes increased in intensity and they quickly arrived and pulled the canoe onto the white sandy beach. The men got out, flexing stiff muscles, and gazed at their surroundings. Adobe huts dotted the area; the embers of a cooking fire waned, but there were no visible signs of life. Yet the two missionaries sensed that hidden eyes were observing every move.

Suddenly several nearly naked men came toward them, speaking in a language the missionaries did not know. As the two groups stepped forward to greet each other, one of the missionaries chuckled ruefully and wondered aloud, "What in the world are we doing here?"

Scenes like this are repeated over and over in different countries and different contexts and often bring up the questions: Why do New Tribes missionaries go to remote places where there are unknown, unwritten languages? And how do they decide where to go to?

The compelling reason to go, of course, is the biblical imperative. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19, 20).

God's command accompanied by the promise of God's presence has empowered and motivated New Tribes Mission from its origins.

In the spring of 1942, Paul Fleming, Robert Williams, Cecil Dye and Lance Latham formulated the principles that would guide New Tribes Mission. One of the main thrusts was that all efforts be directed toward places where there was no missionary effort and where no witness of the Gospel had reached. The intent was to plant New Testament churches among those tribal groups.

In August of that year they agreed, among other things, to do nothing that would detract from reaching the last unevangelized tribe with the Gospel.

For the last 67 years New Tribes Mission has remained steadfast in the goal of taking the Gospel where Christ is not yet named. While jet planes and modern technology have made the "end of the world" nearer than ever before, New Tribes missionaries still serve in remote areas accessible only by helicopter, motorboats, canoes and at times hiking several days to get to their destination.

While our purpose remains the same, the criteria used to decide where to go has changed dramatically. Mission leaders decide where to begin church-planting efforts based on information gathered from many sources, including missionaries whose ministry focuses mainly on visiting people groups in a geographical area to determine if a church plant is needed.

The missionaries, who focus on visiting tribal groups and identifying needs, and mission leaders have established some pre-determined principles to identify what makes a people group. Any group of people sharing a common culture and language, as well as common values, beliefs and behaviors constitutes a people group. These groups are not limited to country borders or geographical areas but rather by a shared culture and language.

Several criteria are used to determine whether a church plant is a needed:

1. Missionaries determine whether there are measurable differences that distinguish one language from another. The highest priority is given to a people group whose language is unique -- isolating them linguistically from the Gospel message.

1. The set of beliefs and values held by a people group make up their worldview. New Tribes Mission plants churches in areas where their worldview isolates them from the Gospel.

1. Some people groups are proficient in more than one language. Once again, the highest priority for a church planting team would be a group that does not have the Gospel in any language in which they are proficient.

1. Field leaders process the information they receive and make their decision as to whether a new work should begin among that people group.

1. NTM leaders then determine the identity and boundaries of the people group and the stability of the language and culture by asking whether the culture will last several more generations and whether the younger generations still speak the language. Then they figure out if there is a church in that tribe or in a neighboring tribe that can reach that group.

1. The final decision is based on whether resources are available to supply the team and maintain the work on a long-term basis and whether the tribal people invite the missionaries to come to the village.

One example of a tribal survey comes from the Asia-Pacific region. Jereb McClain and Scott Flaugher, along with field leader Kevin Miles, began a survey trip to seek the best place to begin a ministry among the Elseng people.

The ten-hour hike deep into the jungle had some interesting moments and Scott shared some of his jottings in his journal: "We climbed the steep embankment of the river and continued on very slippery and narrow ridges with great drop-offs on either side. By the side of the river we roasted our snake, fixed up some oatmeal and made a regular breakfast of it. I wasn't much in the mood for swimming at that point, so I washed my hands, dumped water out of my boots and wrung water out of my two layers of socks."

"Scott and I found ourselves in many situations where we could only wait and pray," Jareb continued. "There were floods and wild pigs and cassowary birds and snakes and leeches and thorny vines, soaring trees and breathtaking mountaintop views."

They also met many new Elseng people during their trip, began to build relationships and shared their desire to move into a village and learn the language. The Elsengs welcomed Jareb and Scott at each village and finally they were invited to move into a village and begin to build homes for their families.

And the ministry continues, driven by the biblical mandate to reach those isolated from the Gospel message. New Tribes missionaries continue to travel to remote places and learn the culture and language of the people, build relationships, translate Scriptures and plant indigenous churches where Christ is not yet named.