Join us in prayer through the ICOC Global Prayer Chain
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:””;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
The Purpose
The purpose of the New England School of Missions (NESM) is to trainthe next generation of ministry leadership, with a special emphasis onpreparing missionaries for service abroad. NESM was founded in 2010 as a prototype School of Missions and has beensuccessfully training and sending young missionaries for the purpose of worldevangelism ever since. We are gratefulfor financial support from BMF (just under 10% of our costs), the closepartnership we enjoy with the European Missions Society (EMS), the full supportof the Boston Church of Christ (BCC) and New England Family of Churches , aswell as the eager hearts of so many young disciples that combine to make thispossible.
The need is tremendous. TheEuropean mission field is home to over 500 million souls in 28 countries. There are roughly 300 million people inWestern Europe and almost as many in Eastern Europe. We currently have 4,000 disciples in 41 churchesin 25 of those nations. Seven of ourchurches are over 100 in membership. EMSestimates that Europe needs 1000 churches to approach the degree ofevangelization that we currently have in New England. Full time leadership is one of themost pressing needs in many of our churches, and NESM is determined to have well-trained,young ministers ready to go as opportunities to meet those needs arise.
The Students and the Training
The NESM classroom is a dynamic experience with about 30 spirituallyambitious young men and women, all of whom have been recommended by theirchurch leaders. Our students includeyoung ministry staff, part-time interns, one-year challenge disciples, and studentinterns from the campus ministry.
NESM’s students are trained both in the classroom and in thefield. In the classroom, the NESMprogram is seven semesters long with three classes per semester. Doug Arthur (Public Presence), Kevin Miller(Daily Ministry) and Valdur Koha and Mike Van Auken (Academic Foundation) domost of the in-class teaching. ThePublic Presence curriculum covers public speaking generally as well as sermonpreparation and delivery; the execution of leaders’ meetings and midweeks; andevent planning. Daily Ministry focuseson issues such as building momentum in your ministry, studying the Bible withnon-Christians, and discipling. TheAcademic Foundation classes include New and Old Testament Interpretation,Apologetics and Church History, employing a “flipped classroom” approach which resultsin maximum discussion with minimum lecture. Certain semesters split men/women, allowing the sisters to focus onspecific issues of character and leadership. Jeanie Shaw spearheads that, pulling in guest speakers as appropriate.
Students also work under seasoned Evangelists and Women’s MinistryLeaders in Boston and throughout New England who recognize that the goal is toSEND. One requirement for all NESMstudents is a specific discipling plan, approved by their church leader,designed to build their ministry knowledge, skills, and character. In addition, most students spend time in ourNew England mission churches at some point in their NESM career.
The Results
In total, NESM has graduated 22 students, 19 of whom still serve on theministry staff. We have now sent 11European missionaries, 8 of whom are graduates. In addition, NESM graduates lead the churches in Storrs, CT and Burlington,VT; a NESM grad stepped in to lead the Groton/New London church during a timeof transition and others lead significant ministries in Boston and New Englandgenerally.
Missionaries currently in Europe
- Jon & Rachel Buchholz – Milan, Italy
- Will & Kristen Lambert – Madrid,Spain
- Frank & Egle McDonnel – Prague, CzechRepublic
- Christoph & Dacha Mueller – Zurich, Switzerland
- Mark Abril – Oxfordand Bristol, England
Graduates who have served in Europe
- Christen McDuffee – Berlin,Germany
- Steve Schnell – London,England
Leading churchesin New England
- Mike & Kristen Balzer – Burlington,VT
- Matt & Veronique Webber – Storrs, CT
Other graduatesand their ministries
- Jesse and Alexandra Ghoman – Boston (Downtown) CampusMinistry
- Olivia Graham – Boston(Metro) Campus Ministry
- Stepfan and Samantha Jones – Southern Connecticut Campus Ministry
- Brandon Owens – Portland,ME Campus Ministry
Please pray for:
- Dozens of youngzealous disciples to dedicate themselves to serving God full-time.
- God to radicallybless the ministries of those who have been sent.
- Morefunding—enabling more young men and women to serve on the mission fields of themajor European campuses.
- Open doors forthe conversions of those who can influence many for the sake of the Gospel.
