Santo TOT Strengthens Nurturing and Retention After TPUM for Christ
More than 100 participants from the Torba, Penama and Sanma districts have gathered in Luganville, Santo, for the Vanuatu Mission Discipleship, Retention and Life Skills Training of Trainers (TOT).
The training equips local leaders to return to their churches and villages and train others in caring for members, growing disciples and building practical skills for everyday life.
From harvest to nurture
The training supports the Trans Pacific Union Mission's (TPUM) current nurturing and retention phase, which follows the TPUM for Christ harvest.
Many people across the union were baptised during the campaign. The focus now is on helping these new members stay connected, grow in their faith and find their place in the life of the local church.
By training trainers, the mission multiplies its reach. Each participant will return to their district ready to lead nurturing and retention training in their own church.
Life skills: beekeeping
Alongside discipleship, the programme teaches practical life skills that participants can share with their communities.
Facilitator Mr Philip led the beekeeping session and prepared boxes for participants. The group also went on a field trip to see bee farming firsthand and learn how hives are managed in the local setting.
Church leaders visit the training
On 8 October, SPD Discipleship Director Pr Obed Yamasombi and Ministry, Innovation and Marketing Director Tim McTernan visited the training in Santo.
They were accompanied by Pr Macsell James, Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director. The leaders spent time with the participants, encouraged them in their work and saw how the training is preparing them to care for new and existing members.
Looking ahead
When the training ends, participants will take what they have learned back to Torba, Penama and Sanma. Their task is to train others, so that every new member is welcomed, nurtured and kept in the church family.
Please keep the facilitators, leaders and participants in your prayers as they prepare to serve their communities.
