Timothy Two Project International

Belize Pastors and Ministry Leaders Receive Timothy Two Certificates in Biblical and Theological Foundations

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Independence, Belize. Seven pastors and ministry leaders representing four local churches completed the fourth and final workshop this week and received Certificates in Biblical and Theological Foundations from Timothy Two Project International.

Workshop participants (from left) Chun, Kohl, Paquiul, De La Rosa, Peters, Rivas and Ac with their certificates

Pastor Leonel De La Rosa of Bella Vista, Abraham Ac of Medina Bank, and Pastor Epifanio Chun, Jr., Erla Paquiul, Thelma V. Peters, Mary Pearl Rivas and Steve Kohl of Independence have completed the “Growing in Grace” series of workshops.

In this series, they studied and discussed the Biblical doctrines of God, man, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and salvation. In addition, they investigated the Bible’s teachings in practical theology concerning relationships, social issues and personal issues as well as service to God in the church, the community and the world.

They are now equipped to teach these workshops to others within their churches, communities and surrounding regions. In addition to teaching these workshops in their own churches, Pastor Chun, Jr. hopes to teach ministry leaders in more southern parts of Belize, and Pastor De La Rosa hopes to teach other pastors in neighboring Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Workshop participants with their Instructor

This series of workshops was taught by Timothy Two Instructor and Latin America Regional Director, Rev. Dan Sonnenberg, was coordinated by missionary Steve Kohl and held at Global Outreach Mission’s Dental Clinic.

Dan’s Upcoming Teaching Trips to Belize and Cuba

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Dan will be teaching Workshop 4 in Independence, BELIZE February 11-16 with the group in the first photo coordinated by Steve Kohl.

Dan will be teaching Workshop 1 in Las Tunas, CUBA March 18-23 with a new group of pastors in a new city coordinated by Leo and Esdras in the second photo.

Please keep him in your prayers. Support his work in 11 cities in 9 Latin American countries http://bit.ly/2LvuTby.


Dan and coordinator Steve Kohl with pastors and church leaders in Independence, BELIZE
Dan and Beth with coordinators Leo and Esdras in Havana, CUBA.

World Map of Current Timothy Two Projects

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Timothy Two’s New Digital Magazine “Alere”

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See how Timothy Two is training pastors and children’s ministry leaders in Asia, Africa and Latin America

Benefits and Funding of Timothy Two’s “National Missionary Partners”

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What is a “National Missionary Partner” and what do they do?

A Timothy Two “National Missionary Partner” is an indigenous pastor in Asia, Africa or Latin America who has completed the series of four Timothy Two workshops and who is then sent to other towns and cities in his own country to teach those workshops to other groups of pastors. We call them “national” missionaries because they serve among their own people. By contrast, others of us would be referred to as “international” missionaries because we serve in many countries throughout a particular region. We call these pastors missionary “partners” because they extend our ability to reach other pastors within each country. They have contacts in other regions, cities and towns who also need these workshops.

The benefits of National Missionary Partners

There are three definite benefits to having National Missionary Partners work with us: 1) their travel expenses are lower than ours because they
are able to use local means of transportation instead of flying ; 2) there is no need or expense for an interpreter because they already speak the local language; and, 3) they are already familiar with the people and their culture so that the teaching is properly contextualized.

The funding of National Missionary Partners

Several countries have a separate fund on our website to support the work of a National Missionary Partner in that nation. As you scroll through and click on each country in the list of over 40 nations on our newly updated website, you will see that some already have the picture of a National Missionary Partner. For example, on the Cuba page, you will see a picture of Pastor Leo and Esdras. To support their work throughout Cuba, you would click on the pink Donate button and fill out the form.

You can “adopt” a nation

Thus, you can virtually “adopt” a nation to financially support the work of a National Missionary Partner there. (As a reference, each workshop taught by a Partner costs approximately $300-$500 U.S.) We thank God for these Partners who are coming alongside us, and who are willing to put in the extra time and effort to train fellow pastors with the fundamentals of the faith among their own people.

“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”‘ (Revelation 5:9-10)

Poverty in Peru and the Contribution of Timothy Two

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Lima, Peru. A testimonial from local pastor, church planter and Timothy Two workshop coordinator, Reynaldo Rubio.

It’s the first days of September 2018. Our teacher of the Timothy Two workshop, Dan Sonnenberg, is teaching the third workshop for leadership in the Republic of Peru.

Thanks for Timothy Two

Thank God for the ministry Timothy Two. We continue with the time of biblical and theological training for several pastors and leaders of Pamplona and Lima South. The theme of this third workshop is practicing the life of the kingdom: family, church, the world, government, divorce, homosexuality, abortion, work, money, votes, fear, disease, pain, suicide and death. It’s the third workshop of four seasons of training. We thank Timothy Two for its willingness to contribute to us. It will be a time of much blessing.

Main causes of poverty in Peru

With about eight million people living in some kind of poverty, Peru can be considered an impoverished country. While poverty can be found throughout the country, most people living in extreme poverty reside in rural areas. Poverty exists around the world as a result of many different reasons. Here are three broad, but influential causes of poverty in Peru:

Natural disasters

Being located in a seismic area, Peru is being constantly whipped by earthquakes. In addition to earthquakes, Peruvians also suffer from a large amount of floods, landslides and droughts. All these natural disasters have different ways of impacting the people of the country. With the environment of Peru altered by nature, agriculture can be slow as a result, therefore damaging the country’s economy and the food security of people. The damage that natural disasters leave on houses and cities also tend to damage the economy, as more money is needed for repairs.

The division between rich and poor

In Peru, there is a wall that divides the rich and poor of the country, literally. The Capital of Lima is divided into two parts: the poor and the rich. The rich are so serious about keeping their side inhabited by the rich who require them to show an id card to get in. According to Business Insider, a wealth gap between rich and poor is not beneficial to the economy. With an extreme division like there is in Lima, the poor will probably remain poor as people who could help them are practically imprisoned.

The inequality that women face

Peruvian women earn 30 percent less than men in the workplace. They are also subject to sexual violence and murder. In an attempt to achieve equality, women have participated in marches to defend their rights. If women are better treated and more opportunities are provided, they will have more to offer economically and essentially they will be able to provide for them and their families to a greater extent.

Hope for the future

Despite all these causes of poverty in Peru, some progress has been made. Overall poverty in the country decreased 1.1 percent from 2015 to 2016. Fortunately, Peru will continue to address poverty and eliminate some of the causes.

Training Children’s Ministry Leaders in Latin America

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By Beth Stokley Sonnenberg

God has blessed me with the opportunity to teach women and men how to work more effectively with their children in Latin America. Though much of this region is more advanced than some other parts of the world, they are still very much influenced by old world Catholicism in their ways and its views of Christianity. Many of the Latin American countries teach their children in a traditional manner, that is, with the teacher telling a story and the children sitting and listening.

Havana, Cuba

In our workshop for children’s ministry leaders, we introduce the concept of active learning and train participants to involve the children in the learning process using activities, puppets, play acting, music and games which involve all three learning styles. We also teach tried and true methods of lovingly disciplining children so their classes can be run more effectively. Introducing them to the concept of team-teaching also helps encourage potential new teachers and makes teaching easier by sharing the load.

Havana, Cuba

Haiti has a mix of voodoo and ancestor worship that taints their Christianity. We are pleased to bring solid theology to the churches there. The first Timothy Two workshop for pastors and ministry leaders, “Knowing God,” is used to create a curriculum for children. As teachers and children study the attributes of God they can know Him and worship Him more fully. Helping teachers learn to study God’s word, showing them what materials are available to help in their teaching, giving them information about how children can be taught more effectively at a young age and modelling new teaching styles brings excitement to a task often viewed as challenging to many adults.

Palmira, Cuba

I have had the privilege of ministering to teachers in Havana and Palmira, Cuba; Lima, Peru; and, Jacmel, Haiti so far. We also have invitations to teach in new locations in Haiti, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. It brings me great joy to teach children’s ministry leaders who desire to learn and to see the joy in their faces as they learn that teaching children can be a positive, exciting and rewarding experience which can produce much fruit.

Lima, Peru

What a privilege to teach people who desire to learn and improve their skills. Many of the places we go have very limited resources and it is often overwhelming to see the needs there. I find comfort in knowing that you with your support and Dan and I in our service can help influence and educate God’s precious people in Latin America. Many often feel forgotten by God because of their neediness. When you send missionaries you show that God has not forgotten them and that you care about them. We may not be able to give them a lot of money but we can share what we have learned. That makes a world of difference to those we visit. You care, we care and most importantly GOD cares. Our prayer for each of the countries we visit is that they will use these teaching skills to reach out into their communities and bring in the harvest that is all around them. Thank you so much for your part in what we do. We can’t go without your prayers and support!

Jacmel, Haiti

Fall 2018 Teaching Trips to Peru, El Salvador, Haiti; New Latin American Venues in 2019

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Timothy Two Project International: Our Calling, Mission, Vision, Curriculum and Financial Accountability

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  • Our Calling: 2 Timothy 2:2, “…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
  • Our Mission: To train local pastors and church leaders in developing nations in the essential doctrines of the faith and to equip them to train others.
  • Our Vision: To see the global church of Jesus Christ equipped for the effective ministry of the gospel throughout the world, irrespective of geographical, cultural, financial or political challenges.
  • Our Curriculum: Timothy Two Curriculum: Growing in Grace Series Table of Contents lists the theological topics we teach in the four workshops.
  • Financial Accountability: Timothy Two is an evangelical, Reformed ministry, organized as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit missions organization, accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
  • Visit us/Donate:  Timothy Two Project International

Training Pastors and Children’s Ministry Leaders in Peru

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Report on my second trip to train pastors and Beth’s first trip to train children’s ministry leaders in Peru, and my upcoming trip to Haiti.

Training Pastors and Leaders in Peru and El Salvador

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Read about my first teaching trips to these countries.

 

 

Training Pastors and Children’s Ministry Leaders in Cuba

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Read about our continuing work in Havana, Cuba and our new work in Palmira-Cienfuegos (central Cuba).

Training Pastors and Church Leaders in Belize

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Read about my second and third workshops in Belize.

Equipping Pastors in Cuba, Part 4

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Cuban pastors and ministry leaders with Certificates in Biblical and Theological Foundations

Pastors and ministry leaders in Havana, Cuba completed Timothy Two Project International’s Workshop 4, “Serving God: Living Life in Response to Grace” in which we studied and discussed what the Bible teaches about serving God in the church, the community and the world.

Having also completed three previous workshops in our “Growing in Grace” series earlier this year, they each received a Certificate in Biblical and Theological Foundations.

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Pastors and ministry leaders with workbook 4

On this trip, my wife, Beth, accompanied me for the first time to teach classes for children’s ministry leaders and music ministry leaders. She is pictured below with her students and some of their children.

See my full report (with more photos) on our teaching trip to Cuba during June 2017.

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Beth with children’s ministry leaders and music ministry leaders

See also:

For more information about our work in Latin America:

For more information about the work of other Timothy Two instructors in Africa and Asia:

 

Equipping Pastors in Cuba, Part 3

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Cuban pastors and ministry leaders with instructor Dan Sonnenberg

These Cuban pastors and ministry leaders recently completed Timothy Two Project International’s Workshop 3, “Trusting God: Practicing Kingdom Living” in which they studied and discussed what the Bible teaches about trusting God in relationships, social issues and personal issues. See my full report (including more photos and videos) after this teaching trip to Cuba during May 2017.

See also:

For more information about our work in Latin America:

For more information about the work of other Timothy Two instructors in Africa and Asia:

Equipping Pastors in Cuba, Part 2

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 “You would be amazed at how quickly the materials you bring here are copied and distributed throughout our towns and cities and nation.” – Cuban pastor

These Cuban pastors and ministry leaders recently completed Timothy Two Project International’s Workshop 2, “Loving God: Transformed from Darkness to Light” in which we studied and discussed the work of Christ to accomplish salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit to apply salvation in the lives of believers (Christology, pneumatology, soteriology).

And I was thrilled to hear that several participants had already begun teaching the material from Workshop 1 to the next generation of students in their churches and neighborhoods.

Watch the videos below to hear their stories.

We asked the coordinating pastors to share their vision for the work of Timothy Two in Cuba. The pre-revolution National Capitol Building can be seen in the background. Here is their story.

See and hear the sights and sounds of a street corner in Old Havana.

Listen to congregational singing at a Cuban house church.

This group is highly motivated to complete the training. We have been invited to return as soon as possible to teach Workshops 3 and 4 before the beginning of hurricane season in the Caribbean. I am scheduled to teach Workshop 3 the week of April 30 – May 5.

See also:

For more information about our work in Latin America:

For more information about the work of other Timothy Two instructors in Africa and Asia:

Equipping Pastors in Cuba, Part 1

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We recently made our first trip to Havana, Cuba to equip a group of 10 pastors and ministry leaders by teaching and discussing Timothy Two Project International’s Workshop 1, “Knowing God” concerning the attributes and works of God (theology proper). These students from various denominations and various cities and towns throughout the region, are now prepared to teach these 21 lessons to those in their local churches and communities using the biblical content we provided, as well as culturally relevant illustrations and study questions they developed in group discussions together with one another throughout the week.

Timothy Two instructors equip pastors in the majority world who do not have access to formal theological training. And we do so, not using a lecturer-listener format, but in a small group teaching-and-discussion format. This not only trains pastors in systematic and practical theology, but also equips them to train others.

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With Cuban pastors, ministry leaders and interpreter

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Group discussion with Cuban pastors

Watch participant testimonials. Watch a video filmed while walking the streets of Havana in the morning. See a video of congregational and small group singing in Cuba. See my full report on this trip.

See also:

For more information about our work in Latin America:

For more information about the work of other Timothy Two instructors in Africa and Asia:

Why We Serve with Timothy Two

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The ministry of Timothy Two Project International began in 2011 in the hearts of a group of elders and leaders from Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC.

The calling of Timothy Two comes from 2 Tim. 2:2, where Paul wrote to Timothy, “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

The mission of Timothy Two is to train indigenous pastors and ministry leaders in the essential doctrines of the faith and to equip them to train others.”

I began working with Timothy Two in March of this year when I interned in Vietnam (fig. 1) with Steve Curtis, International Director, by observing him as he taught the group.1. Vietnam

Then we traveled on to Burma (fig. 2) where I taught the group most of the week by myself. Read my report on the Vietnam and Burma trip. Continue reading →

Participant Questions During Timothy Two “Knowing God” Workshops in Haiti and Colombia

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I recently taught a workshop in two developing nations entitled, “Knowing God” which is the first of four in Timothy Two Project International’s Growing in Grace series for indigenous pastors and ministry leaders.

Small group discussion is one of the priorities of our teaching method. During each of the twenty-one lessons in the workshops, we take time to discuss participants’ questions and to develop culturally relevant illustrations and responses for each topic. Below is a sampling of the many questions raised by participants under the various topics during these two workshops. Note that some questions do not necessarily pertain to the particular topic, but apparently came to mind during that discussion.

My purpose in this article is not to to answer or debate the stated questions, but to illustrate for the reader the need for biblical and theological training among ministry leaders in developing nations whose access to such training is severely limited by distance and/or finances. This is the need that the ministry of Timothy Two seeks to meet. More info at TimothyTwo.org.

On Knowing God

  • Can we know about God also by the image of God in us?

 God Is (Being)

  • How do we explain that we won’t get old in eternity?
  • Did those who went to heaven without dying (Elijah/Enoch) do so because they were sinless? Did Christ have to die for them?
  • What is the biblical evidence that people gained immortality?

 God Exists in Three Persons

  • Would it be more correct to say that God exists or subsists in three persons?
  • Did people speak of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the OT (Old Testament)?
  • Are the three persons of the Trinity sometimes one person or always three?
  • Some people say Jesus is not God, why?
  • Referring to the verse “no man can come to the Father except through me” seems to prove that Jesus is not God. Does it?
  • In Acts 2 it says the Holy Spirit is a power, and if a power, can we pray to the Spirit as we pray to the Father and the Son? Prove this in the Bible.
  • Compare angels to the Holy Spirit.
  • Where does the Scripture say that we should worship the Holy Spirit as God?
  • May I pray to the Holy Spirit?
  • Are the three persons of the Trinity the same or different, and does God work as the Holy Spirit sometimes, as Jesus other times?

Continue reading →

Timothy Two Curriculum: “Growing in Grace” Series Table of Contents

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Timothy Two Project International equips pastors and ministry leaders in developing nations who have little or no access to biblical or theological training. Timothy Two instructors utilize a series of four workbooks developed by International Director, Steve Curtis. Below are the titles and tables of contents of the workbooks. More information at TimothyTwo.org.

Growing in Grace Series Summary 

Workbook 1 – Knowing God

Workbook 2 – Loving God: Transformed from Darkness to Light

Workbook 3 – Trusting God: Practicing Kingdom Living

Workbook 4 – Serving God: Living Life in Response to Grace

Workbook 1 – Knowing God

Table of Contents

Introduction

  1. On Knowing God

The Person of God

  1. God is (Being)
  2. God Exists in Three Persons
  3. God Is Self-Existent
  4. God Is Infinite
  5. God Is Eternal
  6. God Is Unchanging
  7. God Is Self-Sufficient

The Power of God

  1. God Is All-Powerful
  2. God Is All-Knowing
  3. God is All-Present

The Perfections of God

  1. God is Great
  2. God Is Sovereign
  3. God Is All-Wise
  4. God Is Good
  5. God Is Loving
  6. God Is Gracious
  7. God Is Jealous
  8. God Is Just
  9. God Is True
  10. God Is Holy

Continue reading →

Equipping Colombian Pastors and Church Leaders with Timothy Two Workshop “Knowing God”

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Eight pastors and leaders of three local churches gathered together with me and several translators in Barbosa, Antioquia, Colombia for four days last week to study and discuss the attributes of God.

Some comments from participants at the conclusion of the training:

“The material puts things in the right place, it helps me see the differences between God and us, and it’s good for discipling other people.” 

“Knowing God gives me security and peace and motivates me to be diligent.”

“The method of meeting in a small group helps us because many questions arise in our minds. Many passages are harder to understand, but by talking together in the group many things are clarified.” 

“We already know many things about God, but we have ignored many other things about him. Because of this teaching it is much easier to ‘fall in love with God’ now that I know him better. I can now see one God, all-wise, all powerful, yet loving and merciful – that blows my mind.”

“I give thanks to God for sending people from other countries to teach and preach his word to us.”

Click here to read my full report including more participants’ comments about the workshop, photos and videos, and my visit to the Latin American Reformed Seminary in Medellin.

For more information about Timothy Two Project International, click here.

 Equipping pastors and ministry leaders in developing nations who have little or no access to Biblical and theological training – so that they might teach others also. 

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Equipping Haitian Pastors and Ministry Leaders with Timothy Two Workshop “Knowing God”

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Ten young pastors and ministry leaders, including two translators, gathered together with me for four days in Jacmel, Haiti to study and discuss the attributes of God.

Click here to read my full report, see photos of the group and watch video testimonials of two participants of this workshop.

To learn more about the ministry of Timothy Two Project International, click here.

Equipping pastors and ministry leaders in developing nations who have little or no access to Biblical and theological training – so that they might teach others also. 

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Upcoming Teaching Trips to Haiti and Colombia

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Click here to see the details of my upcoming trips with Timothy Two Project International to equip pastors who have little or no access to theological training in the Caribbean and Latin America.

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Vietnamese & Burmese Pastors Complete Timothy Two Workshop “Loving God”

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Read about our recent trip to train local pastors in Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma) in the doctrines concerning the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in salvation.

To learn more about our ministry with Timothy Two, click here.

Teaching pastors and ministry leaders who have little or no access to Biblical and theological training – so that they might teach others also. 

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With Vietnamese Pastors

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With Burmese Pastors

 

Preparing for Vietnam & Burma

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Postcard_DanMy trip to Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma) with Timothy Two International begins in just 20 days.

Teaching pastors who have little or no access to Biblical and theological training – so that they might teach others also. 

Praise reports:

  • Sufficient funds for this trip had been received by Jan. 13.
  • All airline tickets have been purchased.
  • My new passport arrived a couple weeks ago.
  • All overnight accommodations have been secured.
  • All visas have been received.

Prayer requests:

  • Click here for my Prayer Calendar which I’m updating with new requests as I get closer to departure.
  • Pray for Beth’s continued recovery from hip replacement surgery. She’s doing very well, but it takes 6-12 months for full recovery. The surgery was on Dec. 15.
  • Pray that our fundraising and painting efforts will enable us to move out of Beth’s mother’s house and back into our own house by April 1.
  • Pray for the many final pre-trip preparations.
  • Pray for my departure from Myrtle Beach airport Feb. 24 and return Mar. 12.  See the Calendar for travel details.
  • Pray for safety and wisdom for Timothy Two President Steve Curtis as he travels to Bogota, Colombia this week seeking to set up my next teaching trip in South America for May or June.

Information about the Church in Vietnam and Myanmar you might find helpful as you pray:

“…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also…”
– 2 Timothy 2:2

Dan Sonnenberg
Instructor
Timothy Two Project International
phone   419-265-1405
web  TimothyTwo.org/Dan
blog  DanSonnenberg.com

 

 

 

Beginning with Timothy Two Project International

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Postcard_DanEarly last year after resigning from the church in Ohio, I heard from Steve Curtis who invited us to consider joining him and his wife Rissa as teaching missionaries with Timothy Two Project International. Through translators, Timothy Two instructors equip pastors and ministry leaders in developing nations with the fundamentals of the Christian faith so that they, in turn, can equip others. Timothy Two missionaries seek to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples in areas of the world where there is little or no formal biblical or theological instruction available. Continue reading →

Teaching Local Pastors in Southeast Asia

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By Daniel L. Sonnenberg

Looking forward to teaching pastors in Southeast Asia in March 2016 as an Instructor with Timothy Two Project, International.

Timothy Two Project, International exists to serve a critical need around the world. We are committed to equipping and training indigenous pastors and ministry leaders with the foundational truths of the Christian faith that they may then be able to train others. In this way, the mandate from Christ in the Great Commission to “make disciples” can be realized in areas of the world where there is little to no formal biblical and theological training available.

“The things you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men that they may be able to train others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).