Steve Dangaran, Director, The RTI Project
20 July 2018
Janet and I are eating breakfast in the dining hall of a large resort-style hotel in Marathon Beach, Greece (approximately 30 miles north of Athens). We arrived the day before after experiencing a whirlwind of planes, trains, and automobiles, flying through the night, to participate in the annual Middle East Field Forum.
Field Forums in general are designed to bring teams of international workers from the company together for spiritual and physical refreshment, teaching and training, and team building. This particular forum marked the first time teams from various countries in the Arab lands were together in a retreat setting.
Steve and Janet (upper right) enjoying fellowship at the Field Forum.
Photograph by Travis Ratzlaff
8am Breakfast at Field Forums are extended times for renewing old friendships and making new ones. Janet and I just happen to sit next to a couple about our age we had not met before; we discovered they serve in the Arab Lands, pastoring an International Church. We heard about their love for the people, and their passion for establishing the church around the world. Over breakfast, Janet and I learn the following:
- The couple’s names are Brad and Laura Trosen
- The Trosens have served in a number of international churches over 25+ years
- After nearly 4 years in the Arab lands, they are hoping to return home (Minnesota) during Spring ’19 to care for elderly parents and attend a graduation ceremony for one of their children
“Janet and I just happen to sit next to a couple about our age we had not met before; we discovered they serve in the Arab lands.”
As the conversation continues, Brad extends an invitation to us to come to the Arab lands in the spring while they are away in Minnesota, ideally with a team of RTI students on practicum, to lead the church for four months. In about a half nanosecond, I knew this was a need I/we could meet, and over the next few days, this initial prompting was confirmed. By the time the forum was over, Brad and I had set tentative dates for a team from Salem to serve, and we laid out a simple plan of action: I would lead a small team of students (Sam Wieber, Samson Dumanovskiy) to pastor the church during the month of March ’19; an elder (Dave Hayden) and his wife (pastor Cindy Hayden) would come for the month of April as team leaders; a second elder (Dave Votaw) would come with his wife (Karen) for the month of May and lead; and the students would lead on their own for the final month of June. Specifically, the team will preach, teach, lead worship, small groups, and assist at the Life Center with ELL classes and outreach events.
Worship time at the Field Forum.
Photograph by Travis Ratzlaff
The RTI Project (as it is now called) is part of a larger dream to see RTI students serving and leading all over the world.
- Unreached peoples: We hope to bring the love of Jesus to some of the most unreached peoples in the world.
- Call to the nations: We hope to lead students to places and experiences that will confirm their call to serve internationally.
- Reach initiative: We hope to provide more opportunities for people at Salem Alliance Church to explore international service (short, mid, and long-term).
Brad and Laura Trosen
I am blessed to be part of the RTI Project. I’m expecting great things from our team and for our team. In blogs to come, I look forward to giving updates and prayer requests to you our faithful family and friends.
In His Service,
Steve
