Equip in Action: A Week of Fellowship and Training

February began with a focused week of Equip at ITEC—bringing together fellowship, preparation, and hands-on training with multiple teams and partner churches.

First was a retreat hosted by David, our lead mechanical trainer. From Friday through Sunday, current and prospective trainers gathered for intentional time together. Several people from ITEC joined throughout the weekend to help with food and to sit in on the fellowship. The retreat created space not just for conversation, but for relationship building. The focus was on shared vision and what it looks like to prepare trainers who may one day lead a training with their own church. Time was also spent talking through teaching methods—what works, what doesn’t, and how ITEC trainings can continue to improve.

Following the retreat, the team moved straight into practice. On Monday and Tuesday, three men from South Carolina, along with an ITEC volunteer, attended a mechanical Equip class at the ITEC office. The focus was not on teaching mechanical skills, but on preparing mechanics to become trainers. Participants walked through ITEC’s mechanical training curriculum, reviewed teaching aids, and practiced how to train others effectively. The emphasis was on understanding what a training trip entails and what success looks like in an overseas context.

For one trainer, the experience brought both clarity and confidence. He shared that he now feels better prepared to take what he has learned back home and equip others locally who can help to train indigenous Christ followers overseas. His goal, he said, is simple: to equip as many people as possible so the work can continue to grow.

During the same week, our farm team hosted an Equip training for four participants from Minnesota. While the training was different, the heart remained the same—equipping people to teach well, serve faithfully, and extend their impact in their own communities and around the world.

Weeks like this are a reminder of why Equip is such a meaningful part of our work here at ITEC. When trainers are given time to build relationships, practice teaching, and gain confidence, the result isn’t just a successful training—it’s the ability to pass that knowledge on. And when trainers are equipped to train others, the impact doesn’t stop with one group or one trip. It begins to multiply.

If you are interested to find out more about how your church could be equipped to have a long-term, sustainable impact on your next short-term trip, please let us know.