Prepared for Landing
“Every good landing starts with a stabilized approach.”
As a student pilot, I often heard my flight instructor remind me of this truth. In part, he meant that achieving the goal of a safe landing starts with intentional preparation. Wouldn’t we say that this principle applies to many aspects of life? In fact, the more difficult the task we face, the more important the preparation becomes.
In a real sense, the Radical Training Center (RTC) embodies this truth. Located in a major city in Western Asia, this 8-month program exists to train workers for the incredibly challenging mission of taking the gospel to unreached people across the globe, and to be fruitful, long-term church planters in whatever cultural context(s) they encounter. In order to achieve a “good landing,” thorough preparation is of vital importance.
How does this happen? One obvious way is through excellent teaching in areas like culture and language acquisition, our role in God’s mission, ministry life challenges, and effective ministry teams. Experienced staff members and guest teachers deliver the instruction in a module format. Teaching content combined with reading and assignments provide a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Beyond the instruction, though, students also regularly connect with ministry team leaders around the world to hear their reports, be inspired by their vision, and spend time together in prayer.
Okay, but is this just another classroom experience? A second important aspect of the RTC program is the intentional and discipleship-centered mentoring by a staff team of veteran cross-cultural church planters who bring experience from Africa, Europe, and Asia. The RTC staff engage with students using “life on life” ministry preparation which delves into life issues, spiritual growth, ministry questions, prayer, encouragement, and more.
You might be asking, “Why not just get the training at my home church or online?” I’ll answer with an example from the world of sports. Are you familiar with the idea of a scrimmage? That’s where the coach sets up game-like conditions—clock, pressure, competition—in order to get the feel of the real thing. That’s what happens at RTC.
If you are wondering, “What’s it like to leave my comfort zone, enter an unfamiliar culture and deal with all the stress it brings?” Come and find out. “How do I learn a new language, even if there is no formal language school?” Let us teach you the process. “Where can my spiritual life and character be made ready for the challenges that global ministry will bring?” Under the guidance of dedicated and capable teachers and mentors.
Church planting work among an unreached people group is likely the most difficult task many of us will ever attempt. Someone recently commented to me that unreached people are unreached for real reasons—difficult languages, harsh living conditions, challenging social and religious factors, and more. The stakes are too high to think we can shortcut the necessary preparation and training. People desperately need the message of hope in Jesus, and God has entrusted us to take this Gospel to the ends of the earth. Let’s lean into being the most prepared, effective, and faithful messengers we can be for God’s glory.
To know more about Radical Training visit https://radical.net/training/.
Contributed by Barry Rempel
Barry & Ruth Rempel have been SEND members for 38 years, engaging in church planting, ministry leadership, and training. They currently serve as instructors and mentors at RTC. You can reach Barry with further questions and comments at brempel@send.org.
Additional Posts
