New Tribes Mission - Training Program

Training Program

New Tribes Mission requires all candidates to complete a training program. The training program can take up to four years to complete. In the US, this training culminates in a Bachelor's degree, although it is not accredited. However, major Bible colleges such as Moody Bible Institute and Columbia International University generally tend to recognize credits and degrees from NTM.

The first phase of the training consists of basic Bible education. This phase lasts two years. In the US, this training takes place at one of two different Bible schools in Waukesha, Wisconsin, or Jackson, Michigan. These schools are collectively called the New Tribes Bible Institute. This portion of the training program is often waived for candidates possessing previous Bible training from accredited Bible colleges.

The second phase of the program involves extensive study in cross-cultural communication, church planting, and linguistic analysis. It also lasts two years, although there is a one-year track for those going into aforementioned "support" roles. Candidates study advanced linguistic techniques, learning how to alphabetize unwritten languages and translate the Bible. Formerly called, "Boot Camp," this phase also emphasizes basic living skills necessary for survival in undeveloped areas of the world (e.g., constructing and cooking from clay stoves, building jungle shelters, etc.). In the US, this takes place at the NTM Missionary Training Center in Camdenton, Missouri.

A NTM Canadian training center exists in Durham, Ontario. Similar training programs exist in other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and the UK.