Recently, followers of Ta Ethne have read posts of our impending relocation. While details are still being worked out, the opportunity we have to expand our ministry is something to be celebrated. Our partners know of the tremendous changes that have already taken place in the last 10 months. When we founded this ministry in 1995 under the name Discernment Ministries it quickly flourished as we made audio bible studies and personal investigative bible studies available worldwide. In 2004 we attempted an ambitious expansion that unfortunately failed – the launching of the short lived Montana Institute of Theology. While we had overseas students who enrolled and took classes over the internet, local classes never developed. We had the classroom space donated, qualified teachers volunteered (many of them experts in their field) but whether the timing was wrong or for other reasons only God knows the venture failed.
In 2005 we turned our attention to training church leaders overseas, primarily in SE Asia, and the response was overwhelming. To this day we have more requests to come and hold training seminars than we can financially do. God has blessed us tremendously in developing long term relationships flourish and churches started across the globe that we have had a part (albeit small) in.
In 2010 we began writing books to complement our bible studies, and dedicated ourselves to using any proceeds to fund overseas trips. To make sure we didn’t get prideful over money, we also promised to give away two books free for every one we sold. As God has blessed, we have given away over 2,500 books to Christians all across the world via e-books. Each month we place a resource free on Kindle for people to download as well.
In 2012 we re-launched under the name Ta Ethne to reflect our growing involvement in the world, among all peoples. Our ministry has followers from each inhabited continent and many in countries where Christianity is oppressed and afflicted. Almost 100 countries are represented among our correspondence. Truly we are reaching across the globe and that is due to the power of God.
Now, in 2013, we are relocating to the eastern US, where we will be closer to international airports, which will reduce costs for trips and allow us to speak to more churches. While Montana has been very conducive to allowing us the solitude to work on projects, it is quite a bit isolated in other regards. Many churches and people have requested training seminars but the travel costs have been prohibitive. With a relocation, we can be better stewards and reach even more people.
We are celebrating this time, even though it is stressful and busy. To see how God has grown the ministry over the years is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Only He could have opened the doors for us. Just since Easter, we have ministered to leaders from Peru to Korea, Angola to Latvia. How wonderful to see God bless us and direct us.
About the one failure, the short lived Bible institute? It isn’t completely a failure. It may be in a short while that it becomes a web institute to be accessible to even more people than we could ever have dreamed. God takes our mistakes, teaches us lessons and directs us in His will. What a gracious and merciful God we serve. Celebrate with us as we plan for even greater things in His service.