Ministering in various African countries and contexts, TIMO embodies the missionary spirit of flexibility which adapts to meet the needs of a given situation. As a result of this flexibility and adaptation, specific TIMO teams can look very different from each other causing some to wonder what is it that makes TIMO, TIMO. These twelve core values listed below are the non-negotiables which will be found among any TIMO team. These are TIMO’s values, and we hope that by the end of two years, you will have adopted them as some of your values as well.
- Reaching the Lost with the Saving News of Jesus Christ. This is the central value of TIMO. The lost can be the classic “unreached” who have yet to be exposed to the gospel, but it also includes those who have yet to respond positively to the claims of the gospel. In general, TIMO will not seek to work where the gospel is already being effectively proclaimed by another group but will instead seek out groups of people who are most needy from an evangelistic viewpoint. Our motivation is to see the Kingdom of God increase and have people enter into an eternal relationship with the Triune God.
- Commitment to the Local Language and Culture. TIMO believes it is critical to the proclamation task to articulate the gospel in the context and mother tongue of the hearer whenever possible.
- Relationships, Relationships, Relationships. All mission work involves relating: with our Lord, our teammates and fellow missionaries, our national church brethren, and those to whom we minister. TIMO encourages its members not only to offer their skills and giftedness but their entire selves to the ministry. This is costly and painful but also brings its own rewards and glorifies God. Our goal is to be able to say, along with the Apostle Paul: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well (I Thes. 2:8).”
- Lifestyle and Proclamation Evangelism. Living the truth of the gospel message and verbally proclaiming that same message should be two sides of the same coin. One without the other creates imbalance.
- Living Among Those to Whom We Seek to Minister. A logical outgrowth of commitment to local language, to learning culture, and to lifestyle evangelism is living where we minister.
- We Bring Learner Attitudes. Indeed, we know something “they” don’t, and the Lord will provide opportunities to share our knowledge of the gospel. But if we are serious about learning language and culture and earning the right to be heard, then we must come as students and learners rather than as experts.
- Simpler Lifestyle. Seeking to have a minimal amount of possessions frees us from the bondage of material things. A simpler lifestyle also removes some of the barriers between us and nationalsCost effectiveness is a third reason why TIMO embraces simpler living.
- Teamship - They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love. As Jesus told his disciples, functioning as a loving, committed team is eloquent testimony of who we are following. Teamship is critical. TIMO seeks to train its members in becoming a smooth, functioning team, but it expects that love and commitment for each other will be the undergirding strength of the team - not technique.
- Prayer is Ministry. Prayer is not just what we do before we go and minister, prayer is Kingdom work, the battle itself and not just preparation for the battle. TIMO emphasizes prayer as ministry throughout the two year program.
- Training is for a Lifetime. TIMO does not seek to complete a missionary’s training but rather attempts to model patterns of learning for a lifetime. A continual upward spiral of spiritual, emotional, and mental growth for every TIMO alumnus is the goal.
- Ministry Flows Out of Being. What we are impinges directly on what we do. We can only offer what we have. Mature ministry results from a mature relationship with our Lord, so as important as ministry is, TIMO stresses that one’s personal relationship with Jesus will always be the most essential aspect of our lives.
- High View of the Local Church. The local church is God’s primary model for evangelism and discipleship. There are other valid, biblical forms for increasing and maturing the universal church, but we believe the local church with its support, accountability, and variously gifted members working as the body of Christ is the most powerful and effective means for sustained numerical and spiritual growth. Therefore, TIMO is committed to planting local churches and working alongside the local church to increase the Kingdom.