Mustard Seed International
About Mustard Seed International
Mustard Seed International is for the places where a good school can change what a child sees as possible. It plants Christian schools, trains local teachers, and supports children through youth outreach and children’s homes, with local leadership at the center of the work. In 2025, 4,780 children participated in education programs and 5,355 people were connected through the MSI network.
What sets MSI apart is how closely it ties Christian education to local leadership. Schools, teacher training, children’s homes, youth outreach, and alumni-led schools are all part of the same work, so the people serving remote Indonesian communities are also the people who can carry it forward.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Christian schools
Provides pre-K through K-12 Christian education in remote and underserved Indonesian communities, including village schools and partner schools.
TransformNation Teacher-Training Program
An 8-year Christ-centered teacher-training program that equips young men and women to become teachers and leaders.
Elevate Teacher-Training Program
A three-month course at the Lab School that equips village teachers with skills and knowledge to serve their communities effectively.
Youth Outreach
After-school and youth-center programming that includes small groups, sports clubs, tutoring, music lessons, creative art, mentorship, and life skills development.
Children's Homes
Residential care that provides shelter, food, education, emotional support, and spiritual guidance for vulnerable children.
Lay leaders and church planting teams
Christian education and ministry support through lay leaders and church planting teams.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Mustard Seed International is connecting isolated communities with the education that every child deserves by training quality educators with the capacity to change the future.
Who they serve
Children, youth, vulnerable children, and local teachers in remote and underserved communities in Indonesia.
Their impact
- 4,780 children participated in education programs in 2025.
- 5,355 people were connected through the MSI network in 2025.
- 109 Indonesian youth have been trained and empowered since TransformNation started in 2011.
- 3,702 children were impacted in 2024 through TransformNation.
- 52 schools operate across nine Indonesian islands.
How your donation helps
- Provide a child a loving home with nutritious food, an education, a warm bed, and caregivers.
- Provide a child with Christian resources and a trained mentor.
- Support two children in a sport or music club.
- Send a teacher to a remote village.
- Equip a school and classroom with chairs, tables, essential supplies, and learning tools.
- Fund support where the need is greatest.
Our story
Mustard Seed International grew from Lillian Dickson’s founding work in Indonesia into a ministry centered on Christian education and care for children. Its educational work began in the Papuan Highlands in 1976 and in Borneo in 1977, then expanded through schools, teacher training, youth outreach, and children’s homes across Indonesia.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
We teach. We love. They lead.
What began as a “mustard seed”—just 50 children and 5 national teachers—has grown into a network of Christian schools now educating thousands of Indonesian students.
Now we have four classrooms, four teachers, and 46 students.
Being a child of God is not about being perfect. It is about trusting in God’s plan.
Events
Go the Distance Challenge
annualAn annual fundraiser that supports Christian education across Indonesia.
MSI Partners Gathering
2026 eventAn evening of connection, impact, and vision that brings supporters together to hear stories from the field.
Charis Teachers' Conference
annualA gathering of educators at MSI's Lab School in Java.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Mustard Seed International has shared.
Current needs
- Support for remote-village teachers
- Funding for classrooms and school supplies
- Support for children's homes and daily care
- Support for the 2026 Go the Distance Challenge
Volunteer opportunities
- Become a prayer partner
- Become an ambassador
- Host a group
- Invite MSI to a church meeting
- Become a fundraiser for the Go the Distance Challenge
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Accredited membership with the American Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
- Accredited membership with the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities
- Lab School in East Java is described as having high accreditation
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What does TransformNation do?
TransformNation is an 8-year Christ-centered teacher-training program that equips young men and women to become teachers and leaders.
What do Mustard Seed children's homes provide?
The children’s homes provide safe housing, food, education, emotional support, and spiritual guidance for vulnerable children.
What is included in Youth Outreach?
Youth Outreach includes small groups, sports clubs, tutoring, music lessons, creative art, discipleship, and life skills development.
How does MSI support schools in remote communities?
MSI establishes schools, sends educators where teachers are lacking, and trains local youth and village teachers to serve their own communities.
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