'Corrientes' Mentoring and Equipping Yields Longer Missionary Tenures, Greater Results

Contact: Steve Johnson, 719-388-2281, sjohnson@hcjb.org

QUITO, Ecuador, Oct. 16, 2013 /Standard Newswire/ -- As parts of the world grow increasingly resistant to the entry of North American or European missionaries, HCJB Global is training Latin missionaries in a movement now identified among the best practices of current missiology.

Photo: Dr. Carlos Pinto (right) mentors a young student in the Corrientes program.  Through this initiative, HCJB Global is able to send missionaries into countries traditionally closed to North Americans and Europeans.

"Corrientes" is an intentional effort to build up Latin American professional missionaries before they go out with cross-cultural, bi-vocational and other types of skills. This one-on-one training approach, with multiple experienced missionary mentors for each missionary candidate, is part of HCJB Global's new strategy.

"Corrientes" literally means "currents," a symbol of the flowing of the Holy Spirit and the movement of God's people in response. Founded in 2009, the initiative has provided training for more than 30 Latin American missionaries.

"HCJB Global is becoming more nimble -- able to move swiftly and efficiently to new areas of need -- and more global -- taking what has been learned in Latin America to the hard-to-reach places of the world," affirmed Wayne Pederson, HCJB Global president and CEO. "Corrientes" is producing longer-term missionaries to largely Muslim cultures beyond Latin America in some of the least-reached areas of the world where Western missionaries are no longer as effective."

"Today's missionaries coming out of Latin America for the most part are professionals, but without much orientation in how to use their professional skills in evangelism and discipleship," said Carlos Pinto, director of "Corrientes."  "They also tend to go out with a lot of passion, but with little orientation in cross-cultural skills and lacking knowledge about the country or the people group where they are headed."

"This can best be transitioned through multiple, extended mentor/apprentice relationships with one or more experienced missionaries who have already ministered in that part of the world," Pinto explained.

For about a three-month period, "Corrientes" mentors work with missionary candidates in spiritual formation, biblical studies, bi-vocational skills, cross-cultural relationships and language acquisition. They specifically concentrate on preparing missionaries for change and cross-cultural differences, especially among Muslims.

Mentors also help in areas such as counseling in spiritual matters, teaching conversational English, analyzing the candidate's personality, conversing about character strengths and weaknesses, and giving tips on how to prevent problems amid stressful situations
Even many of those who stay in Latin America are leaving the traditional cities for cross-cultural ministry. "Corrientes" mentors are providing mentoring with tribal missionary families, themselves often serving cross-culturally in other tribal groups in isolated communities along the river systems in the immense Amazon jungle basin.

"I have learned that when I go to the community, in order to be well received and effective, I must first be a learner," said one missionary candidate. "The mentoring has taught me that I must first understand the world vision of the people I want to serve. Then, later, I can share the gospel."

The "Corrientes" program, which would ordinarily cost participants thousands of dollars, is free through the generosity of donors. Those interested in learning more or to make a donation, can visit www.hcjb.org/projects/priority-projects/corrientes-currents.html.

For 82 years the passion of HCJB Global (www.hcjbglobal.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with partners around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.

To schedule an interview with a key leader from HCJB Global, contact Communications Director Steve Johnson at 719.388.2281 or sjohnson@hcjb.org.