MK forum

I know that Larry frequently reads out here but I`m not sure he will continue to do so. I know he has implemented several suggestions made here and is working on some others.

Someone needs to tell him to come read this thread. It is terrifying that any info relating to the coverups is almost impossible to find on their website. Why isn't it on the home page, where everyone can see it? Once again, where is this "transparency" that NTM folk keep talking about? I can't see, I can't see.

Larry Who? Don't want to assume.

Larry Brown.

Oh, I know that name. My husband went to PQQ with him.

So, this may not be the place to ask, but I'm asking anyway. Is NTM staffed mostly by lifers? You know, people who grew up completely submerged in fundamentalist missionary subculture with no other real world living experience? Just curious.

shadowspring, "mostly" is probably not the right word, but yes, an amazing number of NTM MKs return to serve as adult missionaries with NTM. I am one of them. Adding together my MK years and my adult career, I was associated with NTM for about 50 years!
I know many, many NTM MKs who served with NTM who are no longer in the mission. My husband and I resigned from it ten years ago.
Many adult MKs have risen to positions of leadership within NTM. A number are on the committees that control the various fields around the world. Some are on the Executive Board. And Larry Brown, an MK from Puraquequara, is now the Chairman of the Executive Board in the US.
NTM has always been proud of the fact that so many MKs serve with the mission as adults. To them it shows that the MKs had a great experience as children, and their love and loyalty extends into adulthood.
For me personally, my adult choices were more of a reflection of my own passion for cross-cultural ministry. It was never about NTM, for me, it was about reaching tribal people with the love of Jesus. (I believe many adult MKs would say "amen" to that.) I will always be grateful for the part that NTM played in making it possible for my husband and me to bring the Good News to a small tribal group in the Philippines, and to be able to leave them with the entire New Testament translated into their language, published, and still in their hands.

Good question, shadowspring. As an MK who then went on to Bible college, along with my 3 brothers, I can attest to the prevailing influence that missionary work to most missionaries, as perceived by a child and teenager, was the only true calling. So many of us did at least start out planning to go back to the mission field. In Brazil our family was esteemed, catered to, loved by warm open Brazilians. Here in the States we blended in with the crowd and I felt invisible and definitely poor. Huge debates are held among missionaries about the differences in the mission boards, and not uncommon to have rivalry. It is a culture unto it's own, and part of me misses it, would you believe! It was heady stuff, being able to have that much influence with people. My first real job out of college was working with homeless women and children at a shelter. Now that made sense to me! I love that you are seeking to understand . . .my husband just isn't interested . . .sigh.

OK when I talked to Larry Brown 6 months ago I shared about reading the blog and he said he does not read the blog. I have not talked to him since then. It's interesting the lawsuit coming out now because I've been thinking about meeting with leadership again to ask the rest of the questions I have.