First Friday Focus
Pioneer Bible Translators – June 5, 2009
Pioneer Bible Translators’ annual Pioneer Mission Institute (PMI) will be held June 7-12 on the campus of the International Linguistics Center in Dallas, Texas. This week-long gathering is central to our task of recruiting and training a new generation of Bible translators, literacy specialists, Scripture impact facilitators, and administrative and technical support personnel for service in our growing worldwide ministry.
PMI is a multi-faceted program. The first track is for individuals who are seriously considering a life of cross-cultural service. They will have many opportunities to discover how their God-given abilities and interests can be invested as members of a Bible translation team. They attend classes taught by veteran missionaries who introduce them to various aspects of linguistics and cultural anthropology. Missionaries also open their hearts to talk about some of the spiritual and emotional challenges of ministering cross-culturally.
The second track of PMI offers intensive preparation for future PBT missionaries. They attend seminars that equip them to develop prayer and financial partnerships for their future ministries; establish positive interpersonal relationships with their co-workers; meet their children’s needs while overseas; and develop habits that contribute to good spiritual, mental, and physical health.
PMI includes times of praise and worship during which missionaries share how God is working in the lives of the people they serve. Throughout the week all PMI participants have opportunity to gain specific information about each of the places where PBT currently serves as well as some of the new field opportunities opening to us.
While their parents are in class, the children of PMI participants are also learning. We offer age-appropriate classes and activities for preschoolers, teens, and everyone in between. Our desire is to prepare the children as well as their parents for some of the transitions they are about to make.
Several other important events will take place during PMI. Separate meetings are scheduled for the Board of Directors, all PBT finance personnel, and our field directors. There will also be a special seminar for PBT forwarding agents and another for the parents of PBT missionaries.
When You Pray
1. Praise God for what He has done through PMI in years past: bringing new people into full-time service with PBT, preparing them for service, opening their eyes to how He is working around the world, and strengthening their relationships with one another.
2. Pray that God will be working out His will in the life of each person at PMI. Pray that He will be glorified in all that is said and done.
3. Pray for all those who will serve on the staff of this year’s PMI, that God would help them to adequately prepare and effectively carry out their responsibilities with joy. Pray especially for Pete Riley and Matt Weldy as they coordinate all the activities associated with PMI.
4. Pray that those whom God is leading to serve with PBT will sense His call and respond.
5. Pray that God will fill each one who attends PMI with a fresh enthusiasm and commitment for doing his or her part in taking God’s Word to Bible-less people groups.
First Friday Focus (e-version), written by Chris Chambers, is a monthly publication of PIONEER BIBLE TRANSLATORS
7500 West Camp Wisdom Road · Dallas, TX 75236 · Phone: 972-708-7460 · E-mail: pbtprayertools@pbti.org
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