Pastor of my dreams - Baptist Bible Tribune

families and one single missionary,all working at different levels withinthe team. Some work side by side inthe same daily ministry. Others workin the same locale but in separateministries, cooperating together.Others are in a location on their own,but teaming together in our nationalBible school and national pastortraining, youth camps, etc.of a united effort in Tanzania. As youalluded earlier, teaming isn’t naturalfor independents. So, it requiresa high level of commitment, goodcommunication, and prayer.JS: How would you advise youngmissionaries just beginning acareer in world evangelization?JS: Have any of those who werenegative at the beginning comearound to support your approachnow that they see it has workedso well?**: The team concept is no longer newin the BBFI. We have been thrilled tosee a whole new generation of teamsforming and heading to the missionfield. I can’t say that specific pastorshave come full circle to support ourteam and ministry here in Tanzania,but I suspect that pastors and churchesas a whole are much more responsive tothe team idea now than 20 years ago.JS: How many are on the teamtoday?**: Team Tanzania consists of nineJS: Where are the team membersgeographically?**: Currently in three locations: Inthe capital, Dar es Salaam, in the citiesof Morogoro and Arusha, and in thedistrict of Hanang.JS: How often and where do youmeet?**: As a nationwide team we meetannually for a week each April. This isone of the highlights of our year, as wecome together for worship, teaching,games and competitions, prayer, andstrategy sessions. Throughout the yearwe meet whenever we can for holidays,Bible school and training events, andvacations. Once each year the men tryto take a motorcycle safari where webike into the bush, camp, cook overan open fire, and chase zebra, giraffe,and wildebeest. The ladies also have aspecial retreat each year.JS: To what do you attribute thesuccess of Team Tanzania?**: The conviction that teamworkis biblical, practical, and worth theeffort. We work hard at buildinga spirit of camaraderie with newmissionary families, a genuine respectfor one another and our ministries,and continually recasting the vision**: Reread the missionary ministry ofthe apostles as recorded in Acts. Studyagain the evangelism ministry of thedisciples of Christ. Be reminded of thewords of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 4“Two are better than one; because theyhave a good reward for their labor....”Then seek out that man or that familythat God has prepared to be the startof your team. You will recognize thembecause their minds and hearts willresonate with yours. Get together andpray. Dream big dreams and follow theadvice of our former mission director,Dr. Carl Boonstra, “Think what we cando together!” Then, as you prepare andgo to the field, be a learner every stepof the way.Baptist Bible Tribune [ February 2009 ] 19