Now with over 1200 Participants!
(Praying today for Kathmandu, Thimphu, and Colombo)

News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
[Pass this issue to a friend! To subscribe, see instructions at end.]

-------------------
In this issue….

--------------------------------------

HOW ONE CHURCH IS TURNING “PRAYING THROUGH THE WINDOW” INTO ACTION

Thanks to Judy Johnson and the folks at the Clovernook Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, who are putting legs on their prayers! They meet tomorrow… on what will probably be the coldest day of the year yet in Cincinnati (weathermen say 43 degrees will be the high) to walk through “Over-the-Rhine” inner city section of the “Queen City”. As they “prayer walk”, they’ll focus on the people, the needs, and the opportunities they see. Clovernook maintains a ministry especially geared toward this area of Cincinnati… so the prayers won’t be landing on deaf ears. Many members of the congregation will turn right around and be back out into the area in coming days to lend assistance and share hope. Meanwhile, many of Clovernook’s members are involved in praying for the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window. The front page article in their Sunday Evening Post weekly newsletter was entitled, “Making a difference… In the world… in Cincinnati… and You!”
--------------------------------------

USA TO HOST NATIONAL CONCERT OF PRAYER

Clovernook won’t be the only church praying tomorrow! According to Dave and Kim Butts 73764.3051@compuserve.com , “On Oct. 21 at least 200 US cities will be simultaneously joined in prayer through a National Concert of Prayer. Taking place from 7-9 pm in each city, these Concerts of Prayer will focus on world evangelization. The theme is “Together for Revival.” Since October is also “Pray through the Window” month, each US city will be linked with a nation in the 10/40 window.” David is secretary for the Denominational Prayer Leaders’ Network, which works closely with the AD2000 & Beyond Movement. Wow.
--------------------------------------

FOLLOW UP ON “WANT TO BUY A SMALL COUNTRY?”

Oops. Our source made a correction in last week’s article on the Kuwaiti government wanting to “buy” Malawi. The article did appear in The Malawi Times, as we wrote last week, but it was not the front page on June 9th, ’93. It was the front page on June 9th, ’95! Just a bit more timely than previously reported. Gulp.
--------------------------------------

FOLLOW UP ON ‘FROM “THE HONEYMOON’S OVER” DEPT., UZBEKISTAN’

Thanks to Dave Moody DM@xc.org for the following response to last week’s note from Justin Long on Uzbekistan.

“UZBEKISTAN: WHAT? THE HONEYMOON’S OVER? BUT, WE’RE STILL INVITING FOLKS TO THE MARRIAGE FEAST!

  • Is it difficult for believers in Uzbekistan? Yes!
  • Have several churches been unable to register officially with the government? Yes.
  • Have there been instances of deliberate, premeditative persecution of believers? Yes.
  • Have some foreigners been asked to leave because of their activities?
  • Have people died for the Kingdom in Uzbekistan? Yes!
  • Does this concern foreigners and nationals alike? You bet!

All of this is true and quite sobering, but it is also inaccurate! [sic]

  • Are churches multiplying? Yes!
  • Are Uzbeks coming to the Lord? In historically unprecedented numbers! Not to mention Russians, Koreans and other ethnic groups!
  • Are foreign workers hopeful for a movement of the Holy Spirit? Like never before! Actually, most are concerned that there aren’t enough men (and women!) to haul in the nets, when the Lord brings harvest (sorry for mixing two metaphors!).
  • Are most workers planning on leaving anytime soon? Not until their roles are unnecessary, and their jobs complete!

Nobody knows what the future holds but let’s remember who holds the future! God has given his saints the power and privilege of causality in Prayer. The only inevitability in the universe is the absolute and complete dominion of Christ. Somehow, some way our prayers are playing into this manifest reality. Let’s pray this way for Uzbekistan! Ephesians 1:17-23.” Thanks Dave!

--------------------------------------

ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR SETTING UP SUB-SAHARAN MED.WORKSHOP & NETWORK

There is a workshop taking place on appropriate medical technology for 3rd world situations in sub-Saharan Africa in August 1996. Assistance is needed to get contacts for the workshop. There are currently 34 participants from 17 countries of the at least 47 countries in this part of Africa. A follow up/help network over the Internet is also being planned. Contact addresses for this are also needed. If you can help please contact Tom Judd JUDD104W@wonder.em.cdc.gov .
--------------------------------------

YOU SAY “SIKH” AND I’LL SAY “SEEK” :-)


Thanks to David Householder DavidHousholder@XC.Org who actually conducted a straw poll at the North American Council for South Asian Christians (NACSAC) in Chicago. (Can you believe this guy? :-) He was actually walking through the convention, asking people “man-on-the-street-reporter” style, “So, what’ll it be: (pronounced) “sick” or “seek”?”!!!) (In case you’re still curious, apparently one delegate from Uttar Pradesh insisted it was “seek”… but then followed up by saying that in the mixture of Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu used in much of Northwest India, it’s “sick”! So… sounds like you’ll be right somewhere no matter what pronunciation you use! :-) The funny thing was the plenary session that followed! Dave wrote that in the middle of his message, the speaker explained, ‘Jesus told us to turn the other cheek,’ but pronounced ‘cheek’ as ‘chick.’ Aha!” It’s never as simple as it seems!
--------------------------------------

MORE “WHAT’S AFTER OCTOBER”

So you weren’t able to arrange travel to Cincinnati for tomorrow? Never fear… there’s still hope. Nate Wilson NateWilson@XC.Org informs us that there are several similar workshops lined up for other cities. Take your pick: Denver November 3 ($15), NateWilson@XC.org (303) 730-4170; Tulsa, OK, Oct 30 6-10pm 656-4533@MCIMail.com , (918) 587-1947; Wichita SteveAIMS@AOL.com 316-942-8293; and Los Angeles, Nov. 18 (try NateWilson@XC.Org for more info). Evidently, according to Nate, The “What’s After October” workshops are designed to help church leaders follow up on the “Praying Through The Window–100 Gateway cities” prayer campaign in October. “We want to give creative ideas and helpful strategies that will help bring mission more into the heart of the local church all year long,” Nate explained. “The “Make A Difference” package (described last week, available from Proclamedia at 76551.2032@compuserve.com or tel. 719-380-0505) has the same information we’ll cover in the “What’s After October” workshops for the benefit of those who were not able to attend a “WAO” workshop and for those who want to share the “WAO” material with others!” Thanks Nate!
--------------------------------------

“GOOD TIMES” VIRUS IS ACTUALLY A BANDWIDTH THIEF!

That’s the truth. The hoax about the “Good Times” virus (making the rounds on a couple of Brigada conferences this past week) is not all that funny. Because we all care about our friends on “The Net”, we end up forwarding the “Good Times” warning to others, unknowingly wasting lots of the INTERNET’s time and resources. Rest assured… it’s a joke. If you receive a warning about a “Good Times” virus, just ignore it… or request that the sender re-send an apology to those on the distribution list of his/her original message. “Good Times” doesn’t exist.
--------------------------------------

GLOBAL GLIMPSE: MOROCCAN BELIEVER IMPRISONED

Jamal, a young Moroccan man, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment for witnessing about his Christian faith. When asked what he had to say in his defense an eyewitness said Jamal simply declared, “I am a Christian, but I respect the Islamic religion” and sat down. He had no lawyer to defend his case since he could not afford one. This is the fourth conviction of Jamal, who boldly witnesses to his faith in Jesus Christ. Freedom of religion is supposedly guaranteed by the Moroccan constitution.
Source: 10/16/95 — source withheld.
Contact John Hanna jhanna@cproject.com
Caleb Project for authentication information.
John Hanna, Caleb Project, Littleton, CO
--------------------------------------

INTERESTED IN MEDIA… AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION????

Don’t miss Dan Henrich’s message on the Brigada-strategy-tv-film conference. The possibilities are awesome. It involves reaching Muslims through friendship evangelism by interweaving media and workshops… and maybe getting paid for it! For more information, contact Dan DanHenrich@XC.Org or join the conference by sending email to hub@xc.org with only the following line in the body of the message text:
subscribe Brigada-strategy-tv-film
--------------------------------------

PUT ON THE FRONT LINES ON YOUR FRONT BURNER

Thanks to Kevin Guttman 74562.3305@compuserve.com for bringing On the Front Lines to our attention. Kevin wrote, “It contains 12 short faith building stories of national Christian leaders. Each story is 3-4 pages long & tells about the dramatic ways that God has protected, provided & used these front line leaders to advance His kingdom. These “unsung heroes” are from places like China, North Africa, India, Liberia, etc. The book is FREE & would make a good reading for people of all ages! To order contact the publisher,

Partners International
P.O. Box 15025
San Jose, CA 95115

or call 1-800-966-5515
or Email Kevin Guttman at 74562.3305@Compuserve.com .”

--------------------------------------

COMIC BOOKS ARE COMIN’ TO A MISSION FIELD NEAR YOU

According to planners of an international conference set for January, “Comic books have zoomed into the missions field in a big way.” (See Brigada Today, Sept. 1.) Conference organizers wrote to report that “January 22-26, 1996, a team of professional comic book artists and writers, who are all Christians, will teach a four day course in the Philippines, training missionaries and Christian nationals how to create credible comics with a powerful message for specific cultures.” One planner, Len Cowan, stated, “People all over the world read comics, and innovative missionaries have been putting the medium to work in evangelism and discipleship materials.” Len is a communications coordinator and originator of the idea to bring comics pros and missionaries together. “It’s a great idea which has worked pretty well, but the missionaries found out how hard it is to create a quality comic book!” That led Cowan to contact Nate Butler, a well known industry professional, who offered to assemble the faculty which would teach a special course on how to do comics right. The format will include instructional sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops in writing, illustration, editing & art directing, promotion & marketing, communication theory, and evangelism strategy.” Cool.
If you’re interested, email Nate NateButler@aol.com or Cathleen (conference administrator) at Cathleen@XC.org
--------------------------------------

FOR AN UPDATE ON BRIGADA CONFERENCES

Don’t forget that you can, at any time, get an update on current Brigada conferences by sending email to hub@xc.org with only the following word in the body of the message text:
conferences

This will cause our INTERNET server to generate a reply to you that lists for you all conferences and a brief, one-line description of what they seek to accomplish.

-------------------

Have a great week!

TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY, send email to hub@xc.orgwith only the following message:
subscribe brigada

TO UNSUBSCRIBE (How ridiculous!), send email to hub@xc.orgwith this line in the text:
unsubscribe brigada

-------------------

BRIGADA TODAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING TEAM OF REGULAR VOLUNTEERS: