LCTI first began training individuals in Russian language and culture back in 1993. Founded by Marc and Dale Canner originally as Russian Language Ministries, the new organization was established following church-planting experience in the Soviet Union in 1991 and 92.
As fluent speakers of the language who already had many years of experience working with Russian nationals, Marc and Dale recognized the acute need for Christian workers to acquire strong skills in the language and intercultural communication in order to make a lasting impact in that part of the world. A new concept in training for missions was born.
The early years: This early ’90s gospel message appeared on a wall in downtown Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. The authorities white-washed it the very next day…
From the very start, and similar to the military language training Marc had received, we were intent on an intensive approach to language learning. The needs cross-cultural workers had were far too great for us to mess around!
We began an intensive program that students would sometimes describe as hooking yourself up to a Russian fire hydrant and turning on the water!
A Different Kind of Language School…
By trial and error, further education in linguistics, research into what workers in the former Soviet Union REALLY need, and most importantly, inspiration that we believe could only have come from God, the new RLM team created programs that made a huge difference in the cultural understanding and language skills new workers find so vital in the Russian context. The school was relocated from Albuquerque, NM to Columbia, SC in 1996 where we partnered with Columbia International University for 18 years. From there we moved to work with Moody in Spokane, WA.
Today we are still located in beautiful Spokane, Washington, where we partner with Great Northern University to equip the next generation of missions professionals. Approximately 50,000 Russian speakers make Spokane their home. Students studying with us here have many opportunities to practice what they learn right in their own communities and in worship with Russian speakers.
LCTI continues to provide intensive training, but has also developed great online options for those students who are remote or who cannot relocate to Spokane, Washington.
