Theological Education By Extension (TEE) Considerations!

TEE is based on the principal of taking the teacher to the students. Not the students to an institution that houses the teacher. Institutions are expensive, and often not affordable in the contexts of many missions fields. Geographical isolation and poverty make it impossible for many faithful and godly leaders to come to an institution for training. Also the vast majority of leaders transplanted out of their home context for training (Especially to the west or Europe), usually will not return to their field. Also a High percentage of them become dependent on foreign funds to function, and usually at a much higher income level than the local people could ever support.

The TEE model simply takes the teacher to the people, not people to the teacher. Meaning large sums of money to build training centers is bypassed. We personally adopted a policy that we would rent facilities rather than build them, if and when we did need them. This way we can keep our mobility as missionaries. The advantage of this TEE model is that we do not in inadvertently promote a "Paid Clergy" mentality. The Church will support who they wish when they wish at their level of income.

Choosing to train people near their homes over an extended period of time has advantages.


1. Leaders provide their own time and pay their own way since TEE is so economical.

2. The leader can remain with his family and community. (Future & present ministry field)

3. Leaders can keep their paying job as they become a "tent making" leader, rather than a paid staff. Our Leaders were gardeners, cocoa and coffee growers.

4. The local congregation, knowing the Leader, holds him more accountable for his conduct than we ever could. (Its not healthy to have leaders accountable to only us, because of salary and thus by passing the local church).

5. The local believers get to see the leaders personal growth over the years. Confidence & respect in the leaders ability is slowly built as a visible pattern of integrity and loving service is manifested. Not forced on the churches because the leader came home with a paper in hand.
Who we choose may not be the person they wish to follow for reasons we know nothing about.