About Mission Training
New mission training
volunteers join Sparrows Gate
Sparrows Gate Mission hosted its first mission training program in Central Oregon recently to encourage, inspire and equip Christian volunteers to serve poor children abroad. From left are mission training graduates : Steve Collett, Colin Eldridge, wife Lareena, Joe Arrants, and wife Heather. Both couples are serving poor children in Mexico now. Pictured next are teachers Dean Tinney (with pith helmet) and wife Alba.
Our ongoing search for places of divine appointment has been amply rewarded with open doors and ongoing ministry with poor children in Mexico, Belize, Guyana and the Philippines.
Except for Mexico, English is the official language in each of these oppressed countries. All four countries have a Spanish heritage, including the Philippines which was ruled by Spain from Mexico for 300 years.
We plan to continue to inspire, encourage and equip Christian servants with a tough hide and tender heart to GO to the regions beyond with an intensive two month missions program presented several times a year. One month of mission teaching will be hosted in La Pine, Oregon and another month of hands-on mission experience takes place in Ensenada, Mexico or the English speaking country of Belize, Central America.
Then we attempt to help volunteers who have graduated from our training and are ready to GO...find an impoverished country, anywhere in the world, to love and serve poor children for one year or more.
The missions training course is about getting to know yourself and how your interests, experience, skills and talents can be directed and used for urgent kingdom purposes in another culture. Sharing new and lasting friendships with others who are considering or have already decided to be on the front lines of ministry abroad is an added benefit.
Dean Tinney, the senior teacher and Dean at Mission Center, is a missionary with twenty years of fulltime experience in Asia and Latin America and is the founder of Sparrows Gate Mission, a non profit organization that pioneers and operates Christian homes for destitute moms and their children and schools for needy children in Latin America and Asia. He is also the author seven books including, Latin American Culture, 100 Insights, Finding God's Playground and Coaching Tomorrow's Leaders. Other guest speakers and teachers with solid mission experience look forward to meeting you as well.
A valuable resource and treasure in the missions training program comes all the way from Nepal in northwest China in the form of a book. Some books about daring missionaries and missions in general, portray an idealized, almost sugar-coated view of Christian causes abroad. This is not the case with our mission training text by Thomas Hale, appropriately titled, "On Being a Missionary. "
All twenty chapters contain information and insights from an extremely aware and experienced modern day missionary that can inspire, encourage and prepare mission volunteers to make a difference for Christ and precious little ones in beggarly nations. We have also assembled extraordinary videos of meaningful ideas and mission events from around the world.
Some of the subjects are:
- Missionary Myths Exploded
- The Big Decision
- Preparation
- Global Context
- Cross Cultural Communication
- Cultural Transition & Lifestyle
- Fitting Into The Team
- Donor Support & Accounting
- Tent Making Ideas
- Satan's Strategies
- Staying Focused
- Combating Stress & Fatigue
- Prayer & Fellowship
- Coaching Tomorrow's Leaders
- Student Profile & More
Students of all ages (over 18) and from all nations may enroll. Students of every Christ-Centered denomination are welcome. Dorm lodging and meals are included in the one month La Pine, Oregon Mission Training program and the optional one month mission trip abroad. Scholarships may be available.
Contact us for more information about the
schedule, program, enrollment and cost.
Contact Us Here | Enroll Here.
Sparrows Gate Board of Directors
Dean TinneyFounder
Sparrows Gate Mission
and Kids Overseas
Charles Dickens shared my feelings when he said, "I love these little people and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."
Most people think that the poorest child is the one without food, shelter, clothing or limbs; but the poorest child is the one without hope, without love.
Knowing that a destitute, unloved child is waiting for someone to share the love of Jesus is reason enough for us to GO to the regions beyond.
Gary BellPrincipal
Gary Bell Design Associates
National City, California
In an increasingly upward mobile society that is always looking to attain more, it's crucial to turn around and to look to those who have less. We need to do all that we can to improve a poor child's lot in life, and to give them the hope that extends beyond this life. We have a vision of helping the hurting children in the world to break the cycle of poverty and to discover the full riches of faith in Christ. We are always acutely aware of the vast need. We need to help in any way possible, even it's only a cup of milk and a cookie to a single kid. Some great things have happened from such simple beginnings. And that's what Sparrows Gate is all about.
Margret HeppAccountant
Bonita, California
I've helped Sparrow's Gate Mission with accounting and filing non-profit forms with governmental agencies for more than 15 years. Sparrows Gate is a faith mission with the kind of financial challenge that comes with going to teach, feed, clothe and care for impoverished children in Latin America and Asia. I’m pleased to be a part of a committed organization that makes a lasting difference for needy kids in Latin America and Asia.
Tim SpringerProperty Manager
San Clemente, California
As a young boy I was always saddened by the starving children from third world countries that I saw on television. I deeply desired to help these children out of their condition of extreme destitution. In January of 2000 I had the opportunity to cook for the children at Sparrows Gate and realized that this was the beginning of the fulfillment of my boyhood dream to help abandoned and forsaken kids. Now, as a member of the board I am committed to doing all that I can to help these kids in every way possible.
Theresa KainBusiness Consultant
San Diego, California
The children of Sparrows Gate Mission first blessed my life nearly ten years ago, when I had the opportunity to visit Sparrows Gate Mission with a church college group. During my time with the children of the Mission, I saw the love, joy and healing that Christ brings to the lives of these kids who have so little. Many have no real family to speak of, no daily comforts we in the US take for granted, and oftentimes no love. Yet Christ reaches down and shows His redeeming love, grace and mercy through those who daily work at the mission and through the church groups who come for periodic weeks during the year. He continually performs miracles in the lives of the children ministered to by the Mission. Since my first visit to Sparrows Gate Mission, I have tried to stay involved through church groups and taking visits on my own to help when I could. I endeavor to continue to serve in a small way on the mission board.
Chris DavisProduct Manager
Procter and Gamble
Salem, Oregon
For many years now my wife Sally and I have been bringing youth groups from Salem, Oregon to serve the poor children of Baja at Sparrows Gate Mission's children's home and schools. We go to give but always come back with more than we gave. The verse, "Give and it shall be given unto you," comes to mind. Our young people agree. Giving our time and talent and even a cup of cold water to the poor children is rewarding beyond belief.
Exceptional VolunteerGreg Rosa
Construction Supervisor
San Diego, California
I became aware of the ministry of Sparrows Gate when some missionaries from Canada visited our church in San Diego. I joined them on their trip to the ranch in Mexico. Although the children at Sparrows Gate were healthy, I noticed that there was a limited supply of fresh fruit. I recalled that an orange per day is very helpful in overcoming vitamin deficiency and results in healthier children. As a result, I began making weekly deliveries of fruit and vegetables to the ranch. I’m blessed to serve the children, helping meet their daily needs.
