What is Mission Generation?

Mission Generation is not a publisher it is a program. When a school adopts our program three things happen:

• The public school teachers are certified
• Parents are trained
• Every student receives a workbook

How does the program work?

It is important to also understand that no one element of the program has all of the concepts and/or information. The program looks and feels secular but at its core is Jesus. We accomplish this by involving lots of moving parts. Different government organizations supervise or judge different elements of the program. Work with the parents falls primarily under 'Human Services', prevention under 'Defense', the textbooks under 'National Education', teacher certification 'State Education' and finally school conferences 'local education'. It is complicated but no one government agency sees the whole. Each part complies with the law BUT when all of the parts come together they spell Jesus!

What are the goals of the program?

The primary goal of the program is to equip students, parents and teachers with the ability to make quality life decisions based on the Word of God and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The secondary goal of the program is to instill a sense of purpose and being in the participants. We have found that purposeful individuals are much more willing to take care of themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In turn, the quality of life in a society increases.

Thirdly, the program aims to properly place an individual's natural desire for independence. The program teaches that we are created to live economically independent from parents and government, socially interdependent knowing that we need others to achieve our destiny, and spiritually dependent upon Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Why Bolivia? Why Latin America?

Simple, The founder of Mission Generation beliefs that the Lord them first to Bolivia, then Latin America and then to the world. Bolivia was the perfect proving ground to develop an internationally accepted Bible based curriculum.

Why the public school system?

Public school systems are one of the largest existing networks on earth. The greatest cost of any ministry is building the network. By working in and through this network we avoid the cost of traditional ministry which allows us to focus 100% on the people.

In Acts 19 Paul taught the Gospel to the entire continent of Asia from the school of Tyrannus. In most Latin American countries 25% - 30% of the population is in primary education. Include the parents and teachers and Mission Generation reaches approaching 50% of the general population! We are talking about the ability to change ENTIRE nations for Jesus!

What about follow-up and discipleship?

It is very important to understand that Mission Generation's school based program is first and foremost a discipleship program. Yes, it goes into a school system under the guise of an ethics and morals curriculum. However, because the texts are based on the Bible, students in the program are being trained weekly in the practical application of the Word of God giving them the tools they need to be true followers of Christ. Mission Generation is not an evangelistic program that disciples, it is a discipleship program that evangelizes.

Mission Generation program creates a church environment on campus by bringing Jesus, the consequences of sin and God's will into open discussion. Additionally, They have a liaison of church affairs that connects congregations to neighboring schools and schools to neighboring churches. They cannot direct students, parents or teachers to specific churches, but can facilitate their entry into a congregation. One of our greatest strengths is the ability to remain neutral on all issues except Jesus. If we were to begin directing people to specific churches, we would lose that neutrality.

Why the focus on prevention?

Rather than building drug rehabilitation centers or teen pregnancy clinics (both of which are important), Mission Generation has a calling from God to reach students before those places are necessary. It is much more effective, both socially and economically, to develop the identity and destiny of children from a very young age and consistently guide this process. It is the difference between a vaccination and intensive care. Our emphasis on prevention also allows for unique positioning with national governments.

Why would a secular national government approve this program for use in its public and private schools?

Bolivia, like most Latin American countries, is Catholic by constitution. However, the national government is secular. In Bolivia our curriculum is accredited by the national government, we have a license to operate in the public and private schools, and we have an executive order that allows us to call any school to assembly. Schools are not required by law to use our material, but they are required to allow our team to make a presentation of the program and its benefits.

The program is also presented to national governments as economic common sense. Government officials are shown that when an unwed teen gets pregnant it will cost the government X amount of dollars throughout her lifetime and that of her child. There number show that only 5% of the children born to unwed mothers ever make a contribution to the economy. In other words they are a ward of the state their entire lives.

It is a similar picture for all the vices. Facts prove that immorality is expensive. We illustrate the problem, and show how our program solves it. Mission Generation's program reduces the cost of government. At that point government officials are willing to overlook Jesus in the texts.

How has the Catholic Church responded?

The Catholic Church views MG as an ally. We have a signed document from the Bishop of Education in the Cardinal's office in Bolivia approving the use of our text as a substitute for the Catechism. They tell us we are the only text in the Western Hemisphere to ever be approved as a replacement for the Catechism. There are currently influential private Catholic Schools in Bolivia using the program.

Is this program expensive to implement?

By using the existing buildings and teachers we are able to dramatically reduce the cost of reaching students, parents and teachers. Additionally, the national government subsidizes of the program.

Why not give the program away for free?

Initially the books were given away for free. However, they literally ended in the bathrooms (latrines) being used as toilet paper. MG learned is that when something is given away for free it has no value. As a result MG now requires a reciprocal action from the participants in the form of money. Doing this is beneficial in four ways:

The text now has perceived value and there is buy-in from both parents and government. This is very important. The books no longer end up being used as toilet paper. Both government and parents make sure the texts are being used.

The cost of implementation is dramatically reduced.

The textbooks must be replaced each year because they are work books. This is what creates the possibility of the program becoming sustainable.

Because the textbooks cost the parents, schools and government they have become very involved with improving the quality of the textbooks by participating and giving feedback as to how the program can have a bigger impact.

Will the program always be dependent upon US donations?

No, and this is one of the most exciting aspects of the program. There is a finish line! When the volume of students in the program in one school year reaches a certain point, the cost per student drops below the price we charge per student. Once we cross that line, the expansion of the program in a given country is no longer dependent upon US dollars.

It is important to note that the success of the program is NOT dependent upon the program reaching sustainability. Thousands of lives have been changed and thousands of lives will be changed whether or not the program ever reaches sustainability. We need to think of sustainability as icing on the cake.

Are there scriptures in the text?

All of the texts are based on the Bible and scripture are in the text however in some editions the scriptures are quoted with chapter and verse.

When the schools agree to purchase the books, do they purchase them for just one year? Or does MG lock them into a contract?

Because most of our current sales are to the government and generally they sign a five-year agreement for designated schools. Some times, however, agreements are for three or four years. Direct sales to schools generally come with a three year contract.

Do the schools purchase new books for each student every year?

The text is a workbook and thus is consumed each school year. Each year each student needs a new workbook. The parent's books are also workbooks and are designed to be used along with the student's books.

Other than the initial training, does MG provide any additional support to the schools throughout the year?

Yes, there are parent and teacher conferences as well as school conferences. We also produce a magazine 10 times a year, specifically directed to the teachers to instruct and inform them on relevant subjects related to education.

Will there be follow up visits to make sure that the material is being taught properly?

This is an area on concern and thus receives a lot of attention. There are several follow-ups:

• A monthly magazine, El Faro (The Lighthouse) goes to all schools in the program targeting teachers.
• Ministry reps are visit schools several times a year to help insure their participation, supervising the implementation in the program.
• Office staff monitors school progress in the program. Our team has actively created and maintains a database on the schools their staff. This has been so well developed that MG's information on the schools is more accurate than that of the Ministry of Education.

Is it possible to view your financial statements?

Mission Generation is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). As a member of the ECFA we are held to a higher standard and must comply with their requirements which includes having a Board of Directors, and going through an annual rigorous external audit, among other things. All of our financial data can be found at www.ecfa.org. Although not everyone knows what the ECFA is, everyone appreciates our commitment to transparency and willingness to subject ourselves to the accountability of a third party.

Is the program protected?

Every aspect of the program, logos, and literature is under copyright or trademark. The curriculum is accredited by the state which affords even greater protection. In addition MG is in the final stages of recognition from the United Nations as a non government organization.

What are the differences between a parent and student workbook?

There are 13 school textbooks K-12 and 3 parents' books for parents with students in elementary, middle and high school.

Do the parents pay for the workbooks?

Parents co-pay with government. If their school district decides on the program it is law and the parents must pay. Parent's books are optional.

If a parent refuses to pay, will their child be without a workbook in a class where others have them?

That could happen but if a school district decides to implement the program it is because the majority of the parents made the decision. Those 'voting' against it, if in the minority, are held accountable by the majority and thus are required to pay.

How is sustainability obtained?

It is based on volume discounts given when larger quantities of workbooks are printed in addition to consolidating cost for promotion and training. Every school in the system requires at least 7 visits whether it is 200 or 2000 students. Volume is the key!

Do all students in the program have workbooks?

No they do not. There are thousands of students without textbook waiting for a sponsor. Until sponsors are found teachers are trained in the concepts of the program and the teacher share with their classes. Teachers who do not have students with workbooks may still incorporate Biblical principles.

Does Mission Generation work with other Organizations? More and more, other organizations are helping MG to reach the communities with this program. MG has worked with the UN, Feed the Children, World Vision, Compassion International and others over the years. MG also coordinates opportunities in the public school with church hosting short term mission's trips.

Does Mission Generation work with other Organizations?

More and more, other organizations are helping MG to reach the communities with this program. MG has worked with the UN, Feed the Children, World Vision, Compassion International and others over the years. MG also coordinates opportunities in the public school with church hosting short term mission's trips.