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News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
On the WorldWide Web, browse https://brigada.org
Compiled by Doug Lucas, Louisville, KY
[Pass this issue to a friend! To subscribe, see instructions at end.]
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In this issue….
* TOP SECRET TOOL IN THE WORKS FOR PEOPLE GROUP ADVOCACY/RESEARCH
* A WAITING WORLD, A WILLING CHURCH
* NEW SERVICE FOR BRIGADA READERS – “A ROOM WITH A VIEW”
* ANOTHER LOOK AT FORWARDING SERVICES
* WHAT’S THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF SPEAKING ENGLISH?
* PREPARE FOR SHARING CHRIST WITH MUSLIMS AT CIU!
* CONFERENCES ON THE FAST TRACK
* GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE AIR WAVES
* USING COMPUTER LITERACY AND ESL?
* ARE YOU A COMPUTER PRODUCTS VENDOR? WILLING TO SET UP TENTMAKERS?
* WEBWATCH
* GATEWAY TO THE GATEWAY
* EVER HEARD OF INTERNATIONAL DEAF MINISTRY NETWORKING?
* RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE PENDING
* GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
* TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY
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TOP SECRET TOOL IN THE WORKS FOR PEOPLE GROUP ADVOCACY/RESEARCH
We’re not allowed to give the details yet… but over the past few months, developers have been putting together what appears to be a very effective tool for creating networks and obtaining good information on least reached peoples. It started in back rooms at the _____ People Consultation at the US Center and it’s still in process… but it’s far enough along to know that it’s really going to happen, and probably it’ll be released by October 1st, if not before. So — hold onto your seats. Help is coming! :-) (Please don’t write and ask for more details. I’m serious when I tell you I’m not at liberty to share details at this time. I will tell you
1. it’s an elegantly simple solution
2. you won’t need web access
3. it’s Brigada based
4. there’s no charge or subscription fee
5. I didn’t think it up. :-)
Those are five bells that ring my chimes!!! :-) )
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A WAITING WORLD, A WILLING CHURCH
Been waiting for the right opportunity to find out how to adopt an unreached people or how to begin an outreach to a least reached group? Your wait is over. Learn how at Pit-stop Raleigh on September 19th and 20th. Friday night opens with mini profiles of ongoing efforts to touch targeted peoples with the Gospel. This will be followed by a time of worship and singing, culminating in a challenge by Ajai Lall of Central India Mission. Following this dynamic speaker, the group will approach the throne in a Concert of Prayer together. On Saturday the group walks step-by-step through the PACE process — with some 250 action steps to be presented by folks who are out there doing missions mobilization and local church leadership. Church leaders will walk through steps in the PACE outline (Pray-Activate-Commit-Enlist), then take it home to their respective church bodies and organizations. Saturday’s speakers include Doug Lucas (Brigada) and Eric Derry (Team Expansion, just back from leading a presearch trip to a restricted access Asian nation) and Todd Allen of the US Center for World Mission. For more information, e-mail psraleigh@aol.com, or call 919-467-9159 and ask for info on Pit-Stop Raleigh from the hospitality/planning team at Cary Christian Church in Raleigh.
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NEW SERVICE FOR BRIGADA READERS – “A ROOM WITH A VIEW”
Here’s a great idea spurred on by visionary jhuggins@gmi.edu, who is willing to compile a list of folks with room to host traveling missionaries and mobilizers ‘in route’ during furlough, home service, and vision-building trips. Send your name, email address, and city/state to jhuggins@gmi.edu, with 5-line description of your opportunity for housing. Jim will summarize and keep us up to date with a “get” file that you can download — and thereby save big hotel bucks on your latest furlough!!! Yahoo, Jim!!!!!!!!!!!! Great idea.
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ANOTHER LOOK AT FORWARDING SERVICES
Last week we took a punch at how missionaries can shift back and forth from a field email address to a “sending side” address (e.g., from a local address in a city in the former Soviet Union, and an AOL or CSi address in the USA or Europe). We suggested that you’d keep you email buddies (and online conference owners) a lot happier if you never had to change addresses, so we suggested a “forwarding service” that redirected your email to the address of your choice at the time of your choosing. We suggested Inet, reportedly “free for life.” But this past week, one Brigada participant wrote in with the surprising comment that Inet (see last week’s item, ” FREE FOR LIFE EMAIL ADDRESS (VIA A FORWARDING SERVICE)” might not remain free after all. After one year’s use of the “free” service, Inet sent him “several membership offers, including a lifetime ownership of your email name which cost approx. $40-$50, US.” This particular user judged that it was worth it. In fact, he wrote, “It’s still a steal! I bought it!” [If this is true, I would be tempted to call it a steal for other reasons. :-) ] To me, free for life means free for life. So… if you want to avoid the whole scenario, one user reminded us of NetAddress. We’ve profiled them before — but I forgot that I even have an address there too! (You guessed it… DougLucas@usa.net You can arrange to have your NetAddress mail forwarded to any email address, or arrange to check it on the web itself in a nifty web interface (complete with rules & filters, and address book and folders). And unlike Inet, users of NetAddress say it really is free for life. In all these cases, you must already have an email account with an Internet Service Provider (or at least have web access) in order to use them. Check out other free forwarding services at http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/8015/free.html. Thanks for the Brigada tipster (who wishes to remain anonymous) who provided that URL.
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WHAT’S THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF SPEAKING ENGLISH?
… as a part of your church planting effort, that is. Ken Warwick EFCM_I_Net@compuserve.com asked, “Currently our team is discussing the role of English language ministry in the context of a church plant. We are particularly interested in the long-term implications for the culturally-indigenous foundation of a church when English is used in the initial stages of evangelism.” ( Yikes. He’s got me spooked. If the survey turns sour, I fear I’ll have to switch native languages just to be effective! :-)) If you or someone you know has thought or written about this topic, give Ken a jingle. He’ll send us a report on anything he gathers, . . . . eso es correcto, ?verdad Ken? :-)
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PREPARE FOR SHARING CHRIST WITH MUSLIMS AT CIU!
Columbia Biblical Seminary, the graduate division of Columbia International University, Columbia, South Carolina, now offers ministry preparation through a master’s degree with a concentration in Muslim Studies. Graduates with Bible training can complete a Muslim Studies concentration in just ONE year — and there are other options if you’re from a different background. For more information, those in the USA can call 1-800-777-2227, extension 3326, and anyone can e-mail the Muslim Studies program adubois@ciu.edu.
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CONFERENCES ON THE FAST TRACK
Maybe you hadn’t noticed that two other Brigada conferences have crossed the thousand mark. First there’s brigada-us-prayertrack, moderated by Eddie Smith eddiesmith@xc.org with a whoppin’ 1284 prayer warriors, and then there’s the ever growing brigada-pubs-missionfrontiers, led by Rick Wood at rickwmf@aol.com with 2312 mission leaders from around the world. This last conference distributes the electronic version of World Mission Frontiers as well as special “back office” mailings from Rick, the Editor-in-chief of WMF. It has been one of the primary organs for fueling Brigada’s growth. Rick is always so faithful about suggesting that readers subscribe to Brigada, we were trying to think of a way to say thanks… when all of a sudden we realized that perhaps the best way to say thanks was to suggest you walk on over and subscribe to WMF-OnLine!!! To subscribe to this (or any other Brigada conference), just send email to hub@xc.org with only the line,
subscribe brigada-pubs-missionfrontiers
in the text of the email message. You’ll receive a table of contents for each Mission Frontiers edition (prior to the printed version even hitting the Post Office!), complete with instructions on how to download each respective article — and web access isn’t necessary to get the whole enchilada. So — don’t delay, subscribe for free today!
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GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE AIR WAVES
Christian radio is being met with resistance in some parts of the world. Short-wave broadcasters H-C-J-B have been trying to “plant” more local Christian stations, but the group’s President, Ron Cline says that has some groups feeling threatened. “[Some] Muslims are pretty upset with our broadcasts because so many people are coming to know Christ and they realize that Christ is more than a prophet and so they leave the Muslim system. And that is a crime in many countries of the world.”
(Source: Mission Network News, Tuesday, August 5, 1997, http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/news/news.html )
Global Glimpse is compiled each week by People Group Advocacy guru John Hanna, Caleb Project, Littleton, CO.
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USING COMPUTER LITERACY AND ESL?
Bob Wahlen Bobwahlen@aol.com would like to know. If you have information on how to best use computer literacy classes to teach English as a second language and thereby do cross-cultural ministry, write Bob and share your time lines, expectations, objectives, and course outlines (especially as they relate to teaching keyboarding, Windows based computer literacy and MS Works and/or MS Office). Don’t forget to send us a summary, eh Bob? :-)
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ARE YOU A COMPUTER PRODUCTS VENDOR? WILLING TO SET UP TENTMAKERS?
If so, Ken bradley@superonline.com would like to know. Ken’s wanting to represent a computer supplier/vendor in a cross-cultural setting and all he needs are the products to sell! This could turn into a hot list of resources, names and addresses. So… send your info to Ken and I’m sure this will be one hot download… so don’t forget to send us a summary listing of key contacts for others who might be in your situation, okay Ken? Thanks!
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WEBWATCH
If you’re interested in evangelism on the web, Tony has a site for you to examine…. http://www.soon.org.uk provides ideas for evangelism on the web, links to other sources. It’s set up as an online magazine about Britain and a wide variety of topics, but has a “Bible page” and other areas that might attract someone’s attention toward the Savior. Check it out. Also, don’t forget about http://www.frontiermissions.org, which lists over 1,700 mission agencies, and the countries in which they work. It also provides hot links to a majority of these sites, as well as addresses and phone numbers. There is space available for current project listings and information on how you can become involved. Weekly polls and surveys too. Aims’ site at http://www.aims.org is growing too! If you haven’t been by lately, better check it out again. Lots of Praying Through the Window info., as well as other features on networks, least reached people, etc.
And have you seen World Vision’s site? http://www.worldvision.org. In addition to containing extensive information about the world’s largest faith-based relief and development organization, this fully searchable site also highlights news related to humanitarian emergencies and community development programs, updated on a weekly basis. Reportedly, some thirty separate content providers from within the organization push new content to the site daily, ensuring that it stays fresh and current. The site also contains information about volunteer opportunities in domestic ministry here in the U.S., as well as job opportunities internationally.
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GATEWAY TO THE GATEWAY
The gateway to the West is preparing a party… the Gateway MissionsFest, November 13-15 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Gateway MissionsFest is a regional missions conference with 24 workshops focusing on involvement in cross cultural missions both here and overseas. Rev. Russell Cephas will share on involvement of African-Americans in missions and Dr. David Shibley, founder of Global Advance will challenge the local church to reach for the nations. Contact Judy Lindow or Ken Shirkey at ks4gateway@aol.com or call 314-863-5503 in the USA for more information.
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EVER HEARD OF INTERNATIONAL DEAF MINISTRY NETWORKING?
Now you have! Earl and Shirley Eearl2@aol.com have been networking with deaf ministries in several countries around the world. However they have noticed a seeming complete lack of interest among most mission minded periodicals and agencies. Earl and Shirley write, “For example, Did you know there are Deaf missionaries teaching in Bolivia? That Korea recently celebrated 50 years of deaf ministries? That in Japan the Bible is being translated on to Video in Japanese Sign Language? That Wycliffe is encouraging Deaf to join their sign lang translation teams? That Deaf Churches are sending deaf to Russia? That Deaf Christians are going into many sensitive countries to witness? …countries that hearing Christians would have great difficulty getting into? That Campus Crusade has put the JESUS video into at least 5 sign langs.?” (Ed. Note: Yikes. I’m convinced. I haven’t heard any of that stuff!) Earl & Shirley continue, “A lot is happening in deaf missions. We have been compiling a list of deaf ministries and sharing with those interested. The ministries listed are reaching out to just about every country. Our vision is to encourage deaf ministries to network with each other. What I would like to see happen would be a Deaf version of Operation World, i.e. a prayer partner diary type book that includes vital info of deaf ministries in each country . We have the info to get started — anyone want to take up the idea.? There are over 100 deaf ministries, i.e. deaf mission organizations or hearing organizations that relate to the deaf.” If you’d be willing to help Earl and Shirley put together such a book, or if you want to provide more networking ideas for them, write them today!
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RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE PENDING
John Charlier, of MAF in Moscow, writes, “As you might well know Yeltsin did veto the purposed law to restrict religious freedom, but the law is in the Duma (Parliament) waiting for a 2/3 majority vote to override his veto. When the Duma returns from it’s summer recess, in a few weeks, it will be one of the first items to be acted on. Even though Yeltsin vetoed it because of a few unconstitutional items, it could be passed in the Duma. There still is a need to be in much prayer for this law to be done away with.” To see an English translation of this law and newspaper articles see the web site http://members.tripod.com/~russian_rf or if you’d like to see the originals Russian Language version see web page http://www.glasnet.ru/~mafrus.
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GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Did you hear that international telephone call connection time rates should be headed down? Mercury Mail (now changing its name to InfoBeat) reported this past week, “Federal regulators Thursday approved rules to slash the price of overseas phone calls in a move aimed at saving American consumers and businesses billions of dollars a year. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed Hundt predicted his agency’s action will cut the average price of an international call from the United States to 20 cents a minute from the current 88 cents within five years. The FCC order takes effect at the start of next year and will be phased in over five years.” Chris Hart was one Brigada Today reader who celebrated that news story — and tons of others will be joining him, I’m sure. That’s the good news. Bad news? I couldn’t think of any. :-)
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TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY, send email to hub@xc.org with only the following message:
subscribe brigada
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unsubscribe brigada
At https://brigada.org on the web, you can see tons more.
(This issue of Brigada Today is Copyrighted © 1997. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute provided that such redistribution is to those who will help the Good News of Christianity to reach the unreached. But please tell your readers where you learned about the item, and if it’s not asking too much, include the 3 lines on how to subscribe — see above.
IMPORTANT: To copy or reproduce Brigada Today for any other reason is illegal and is not permitted.)
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BRIGADA TODAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING TEAM OF REGULAR VOLUNTEERS:
*Global Glimpses: John Hanna, Caleb Project, jhanna@cproject.com
*ADVANCE: Mark A. Kelly, Kainos Press, 70420.1057@compuserve.com
*Brigada Website: Bob Mayhew, Brigada Volunteer, mayhew@xc.org
*Technical Development: Jonathan Marsden, MAFxc jonathan@xc.org
*Brigada Customer Service Manager: Revis Ann Massey, RevisAnnMassey@xc.org
*Brigada Coordinator: Doug Lucas, Team Expansion & Brigada, DLucas@TeamExpansion.org
*and many other occasional contributors too numerous to mention!
But thanks for working together! That’s the dream of Brigada!
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