ITEM - Australia / New Zealand

31/01/2026

Prayer requests


Please pray for the following:

Phillip Scheepers teaching Missiology in Latvia February 2-6.
Jim Roszell and Bob Clark teaching NT Survey and Bible Introduction 2 in Ethiopia February 10-18.
Michael Groves teaching the Trinity in Indonesia February 19-21 and the Philippines February 25-27.
Rich Hawkins teaching the Book of Romans in Kenya February 16-19.
David Chambers teaching Church History and Reformation in Kenya February 16-20.
Valentin Alpuche teaching Church Planting in Bolivia February 16-20.
Scott Kroeger teaching Reformed Worship and Sacraments in Myanmar February 16-19 and Nepal February 22-25.
John Butler teaching Eschatology in Myanmar February 16-19 and OT Biblical Theology in Nepal February 22-25.
Intercede in prayer for Regional Director Perry Tinklenberg’s ongoing health issues.
Call upon God for Dr. Warren Lammer’s wife, Jobje, as she battles pancreatic cancer.

31/01/2026

Did you know that ITEM offers scholarships for first-time instructors?

If you are qualified to teach with ITEM and want to take on an assignment, ITEM will offer a $1,000 scholarship to first-time instructors to help cover travel costs.

Please share this information with your pastor.

31/01/2026

How can you participate in ITEM’s Kingdom impact?

PRAY: Absolutely, the biggest ongoing need that ITEM has is prayer. We need prayer for wisdom, discernment, and direction of the ministry. We need prayer for the safety of instructors and students as they travel and gather globally. We need prayer for the provision of all our needs. We never want to take anything for granted. We want to go faithfully and regularly before the throne of God’s grace and ask for our provision.

GIVE: Without the faithful gifts of partner churches and generous people, ITEM would not exist. We are so grateful for our wonderful partner churches and supporting investors. Please know that your faithful gifts are making an impact in this tragic world for the Good News of Jesus Christ.

SHARE: Who do you know that would be interested in the ministry of ITEM? Is your church supporting ITEM? Does your pastor, elders, deacons, or missions committee know about ITEM? Do you have friends and family who have a passion to see solid biblical doctrine taught around the world? Do you know folks who care about discipleship and expanding the Kingdom of God? If so, please share our website, www.ITEM.org.

In just 11 years, ITEM has gone from 13 instructors to 115. ITEM was in five nations, now we impact students in more than 20. In 2014, we trained 537 pastors and students; in 2025, that number exceeded 3,000.

God has blessed the ministry of ITEM immensely. Where will the Lord take us in 2026? We have some ideas, but only the Lord can establish our steps. Will you join us on the journey?

ITEM is a religious, charitable, educational, non-profit corporation serving worldwide. It is tax exempt. ITEM assists denominations and local churches by offering pastoral training. ITEM sends professors to teach at local institutions at regular intervals to equip Christian leaders who are primaril...

31/01/2026

Where is ITEM headed in 2026?

In 2026, ITEM looks to the future with great hope and expectation. The need for theological education deeply rooted in scripture is growing.

In spite of technological and communications advances around the globe, the need to shape another generation of leaders in Christ’s Church has not waned. In fact, the importance of establishing and maintaining face-to-face relationships with those we seek to disciple is greater than ever.

To that end, ITEM has set a number of institutional goals for the coming year. Some of those goals are “boring” and only necessary for the ministry's administration. But a few give a glimpse into the power the Lord is unleashing through ITEM. These goals include:

ITEM plans to expand into four new field locations. Those fields may be new nations where we have not ministered previously. However, those fields could be new and expanded relationships in the countries we already serve.

ITEM will multiply our Christ-Centered Preaching training efforts. Not only are we continuing to train preachers in Christ-Centered Preaching, but we are also training indigenous pastors around the world to train preachers in their own networks in these vital principles.

ITEM will continue to expand our partnerships around the globe. These partnerships impact our revenues, instructors, and students. ITEM’s ministry primarily supports partner ministries by supplying the theological and biblical education their students need. So the question we have is, “Lord, with whom do you desire we partner next? And where?”

31/01/2026

What did ITEM do in 2025?

This past year, ITEM once again set new organizational records for the number of instructors, courses, countries, and, most important, students trained.

In 2025, ITEM sent 115 instructors to train over 3,000 pastors or ministerial students from 20 nations. We have offered online training to Ukrainian students during the war. We expanded the ministry into Nepal, Myanmar, and the Philippines. And we significantly reduced our “per classroom hour cost” from $US 8.98 to a staggering $US 8.19. Can you imagine what it would cost to bring over 3,000 students to Australia or New Zealand, let alone North America for solid Biblical Education?

Thanks to the generosity of partner churches and individuals who invest in the Kingdom, ITEM makes a significant impact for a fraction of the cost.

10/01/2026

As this week closes off, I rejoice in the Lord’s kindness with our funding goal @ 93%. It is amazing the number of people who believe in this model of ministry where instructors teach students, pastors and elders the doctrines and truths of the gospel from a Reformed theological understanding. Thank you for your commitment to this endeavour.

A few people have expressed concerns over my safety while travelling in Myanmar & Nepal. As you may know there are travel warnings regarding the former because of political unrest from rebels in the northern region there, along with a recent earthquake.

But rest assured, not only is a Sovereign God in charge, but our excellent hosts in each country are very security conscious and have careful safety protocols in place to protect us. If something goes south, we will be extracted and returned to our home countries. But if they did not feel it would be safe, we would not be going.

All in all, travel arrangements are near finished. My wife and I are presently sitting out evacuation possibilities from bush fires very near our property. We thank the Lord for getting us through the night safely, and continue to stay watchful.

Also, pray for my health in the lead up to this trip. That I will be able to dodge germs, viruses, injuries etc. before stepping onto a jet.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father be with you all…
Scott

30/12/2025

I am preparing for an incredible journey from February 13-26, 2026, to teach pastors and students in Myanmar and Nepal. Alongside my colleague, Dr. John Owen Butler, we will be sharing vital theological knowledge, focusing on Reformed Worship & Sacraments and Old Testament Biblical Theology. This is a unique opportunity to support emerging ministers in these countries, and we need your help to make it happen. Your donations will cover essential expenses like flights, visas, and accommodations. Please like, comment, and share this post to help us reach more people who can support this mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact for the Gospel. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Hi, my name is C. Scott Kroeger and I am on my way 13-26 Febr… Clifford Scott Kroeger needs your support for My ITEM Teaching Trip To Yangon, Myanmar & Hetauda, Nepal

30/12/2025

Prayer requests
Please join us in praying for …:

1. Praise the Lord for a successful class taught in Latvia November 14-21 by Dan Ragusa, the class taught in Romania by Carl and Lori Leep November 17-20, and the class taught by William Koopmans November 26 – December 12, in Kenya.

2. Please pray for the family of Rev. Dr. Joel Nederhood as they grieve his passing. Dr. Nederhood received the first invite to teach in the former Soviet Union in what became ITEM.

3. Ask for intercession for Regional Director Perry Tinklenberg’s ongoing health issues.

4. Call upon God for Dr. Warren Lammer’s wife, Jobje, as she battles pancreatic cancer.

30/12/2025

Did You Know?

Did you know that a generous investor has offered to match all donations for first-time givers to ITEM up to $10,000 given before December 31, 2025? If you or a friend were ever considering giving a gift to ITEM, a gift between now and then will double your impact.

30/12/2025

Looking forward to 2026...

As ITEM welcomes 2026, we do so with great encouragement that the Lord will continue to provide everything for where He guides His people. ITEM continues to look forward to seeing how the Lord might use us to meet the needs of those who reach out to us for biblical and theological instruction and training in Christ-centered Preaching.

In 2026, ITEM will add a Region in the U.S. in the Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas area. In 2026, ITEM will look to expand to more nations and deepen our networks in the countries where we now serve.

Please continue to pray for the board of directors, the executive committee, the regional directors, the administrative staff, and the executive director. We are fully aware that apart from Christ we can do nothing. We seek to abide in Christ so that we might bear much fruit for God’s glory.

30/12/2025

Looking back


As 2025 is about to pass into history, it is a good time to look back at how the Lord has blessed ITEM. In 2025, ITEM experienced several “first-time” events in the ministry's history.

For the first time, ITEM seated a truly international Board of Directors with three new directors born in India, South Africa and Guyana. This significantly impacts our ability to consider a global perspective as we discern the will of the Lord.

For the first time, ITEM hired an international employee, Florence Wambua, our Africa Scheduling Coordinator from Kenya.

For the first time, ITEM expanded its ministry to Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines.

For the first time, ITEM sent multiple instructors from Australia and New Zealand to teach.

The basic work of training future pastors and leaders around the globe continued throughout 2025. This year, ITEM trained about 3,000 students from 20 different nations. This was accomplished on a budget of less than $500,000.

Of course, none of these results would be possible without ITEM’s individual investors and partner churches. If you or your church prayed for or shared with ITEM this year, please know that you were part of the work the Lord is doing around the globe for His glory. THANK YOU! Your prayers and giving are having an impact. Thanks for being a partner.