KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Soon they'll go to Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic and France to spread the gospel and plant churches. But right now they're gathered around tables in Kansas City listening to lectures and developing strategies.  Team training is currently underway at Avant's International Service Center, and 23 missionaries headed to four different fields are spending three weeks between February 20 and March 7 preparing for their ministries.

Larry and Melissa S., Jason and Ita S., and Daniel and Valerie L. are on Team Argentina.  This team, led by veteran missionaries Larry and Melissa, are moving from finished church plants in Argentina to a new work in Santa Rosa.

Team Czech Republic is comprised of Jon and Jill L., Kevin and Maria M., Shannon and Elizabeth B., Debby F., and Kelly D.  After training the team will finish raising support and deploy in late 2008 as the first Short-Cycle Church Planting team in the Czech Republic.  

Jonas and Beth M. will return to Brazil at the end of training.  The couple will recruit a team of Brazilians from a church they've planted and guide the new team as they plant a new network of churches in Brazil.

Jim and Debbie S., Mark and Jill P., Jonathan and Sarah C., and Carissa M. are headed to France as part of Team Paris Two.  The second Short-Cycle team in Paris, the group will seek to plant a network of rapidly reproducing churches in the city of lights.