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News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
On the WorldWide Web, browse https://brigada.org or http://www.eGroups.com/list/brigada-today
Brigada Today is “the missionary helper newsletter!”
Compiled by Doug Lucas <dlucas@teamexpansion.org>, Louisville, KY
[Pass this issue to a friend! To subscribe, see instructions at end.]
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In this issue….
* EASTER GREETINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
* PARKLAND CHRISTIAN! THANKS FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP TO BRIGADA
* NEW UNREACHED PEOPLES VIDEO SERIES LOOKS VERY PROMISING!
* NOW PRAYING THROUGH THE WINDOW IV IS ALREADY GEARING UP!
* FOR THOSE MISSIONARIES AMONG US WITH MONEY TO COUNT
* ADOPT-A-PEOPLE CONFERENCE AT US CENTER
* FOR YOUR WILD AND WOOLY [COMPUTER] VIRUS INFECTIONS
* THE BIBLE VS. THE QUR’AN: THE GREAT DEBATE
* BIBLE SCHOOL TRAINING VIA VIDEO
* NOMINALISM – HO-HUM
* SECTS EDUCATION IN YOUR CHURCH
* TOOL TIME FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS
* GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE SKIES
* IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR INTENT
* LOOKING WHAT THE GERMANS ARE COOKING UP
* BUDDHISTS: “THE CHRISTIANS ARE COMING!”
* HERE’S THE JOB OPPORTUNITY OF THE YEAR
* AD2000 WORSHIP & ARTS NETWORK FIRST NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
* ARE YOU A TECHY OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST FOR YOUR MISSION?
* PERSPECTIVES STUDENTS AND UNREACHED PEOPLE PROFILES
* TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY
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EASTER GREETINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Catalin Popa catalin@jps.net and Brigada readers came through for us. Using this list of Easter greetings, you could give your Sunday morning sunrise service a new international look and feel . . . or spice up your communion service on Easter morning! Thanks Catalin! Great idea. You’ll have to improvise on the pronunciation. Maybe next year we can provide the audio files! :-)
Afrikaans: Jesus Christus het opgestaan! (Hy’t opgestaan!)
Arabic: Al MeseeH Qaam! Haqqan Qaam! Yasuua Qaam! Haqqum Qaam!
Balochi: Isa murdegan che chist buteg! Pe rastia chist buteg!
Bambara: Ala ka seli dia! (West Africa)
French: Bonne Fete!
Isaan: Pra yaysu song ben kun jak kwam die! Pra ong ben kun y lee! (Lao-speaking Thai)
Italian: E’ risorto! E’ veramente risorto!
Latvian: Kristus is augsamcelies! Vins patiesi ir augsamcelies!
Philippines: Maayong Adlaw sa Pagkabanhaw! (“good resurrection day”) Si Kristo nabanhaw! (“Christ is risen”) (Ilonggo/Cebuano)
Romanian: Cristos a inviat! Adevarat a inviat!
Spanish: Feliz Pascua; Felices Pascuas; Semana Santa; Feliz Dia de la Resurrection!
Turkish: Isa olulerden dirildi! Dogrusu dirildi!
Ukrainian: Christos vaskres! Vahistinu vaskres!
Urdu: Yisu murdon mense ji utha! Zarur ji utha!
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PARKLAND CHRISTIAN! THANKS FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP TO BRIGADA
We just wrote a check this past week for nearly $500 to cover web hosting expenses at MAFxc. And just a day later out of the blue comes a wonderful sponsor’s check from Parkland Christian Church, 12305 Spanaway Loop Road, Tacoma, WA 98444, tel. 253-531-0757. If you live anywhere in the Seattle/Tacoma area and you’re looking for a missions-minded church to attend, I hope you’ll consider Parkland Christian. They’ve apparently got some very globally minded people there! Now here’s my simple request: Would you be kind enough to send a one-line thank-you note to Lee Higley higtac@juno.com Maybe he’ll pass it along to their missions committee . . . and while you’re at it, would you utter a prayer of thanksgiving for their gift, which has helped keep Brigada an absolutely free service for the whole world to utilize! Parkland will earn a spot in the sponsors page on the Brigada web site!
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NEW UNREACHED PEOPLES VIDEO SERIES LOOKS VERY PROMISING!
movie camera Wow! blinking1eyes This looks like great stuff. Today we’re introducing a New Unreached People Group Video Series THE WAITING WORLD. We are living in a flash-point of spiritual history unlike any other! The fields are ripe for harvest, especially in the 10/40 Window, where response rate to the Gospel is an explosive 30 to 40 times higher than in the already “Christianized” parts of the world. It is time to add fuel to this fire for the Gospel. YWAM Strategic Frontiers is now offering a high quality unreached people group video series entitled The Waiting World, designed to engage the imagination and ignite the prayer of viewers. The series is packed full of fast moving, colorful footage of the people most in need of Christ today. Professional voice-overs augment the images to give the best possible information for prayer. Each edition is only 3 minutes long, suitable for a church service presentation or as an introduction for a prayer group. A premier subscription to The Waiting World includes these twelve people groups, produced in cooperation with several ministries and producers: the Turks of Turkey, the Khmer of Cambodia, the Riff Berber of Morocco, the Uzbeks of Uzbekistan, the Kazaks of Kazakstan, the Minangkabau of Indonesia, the Mongols of Mongolia, the Pushtuns of Afganistan, the Punjabis of Pakistan, the Miao of China, the Amdo of Tibet, and the Maratha of India. A 12 month subscription to this dynamic series is only $120, and will be available June 1, 1998. Contact:
YWAM Strategic Frontiers
The Waiting World Videos
P.O.Box 25490
Colorado Springs, CO 80936 USA
Phone: 719.527.9594
Fax: 719.527.2680
Orders in the USA or using Net2phone: 1-800-871-1488
e-mail: videos@sfcos.org
web: http://www.sfcos.org/
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NOW PRAYING THROUGH THE WINDOW IV IS ALREADY GEARING UP!
Praying Through The Window I in October 1993 targeted the 62 countries of The 10/40 Window, mustering over 21 million intercessors worldwide. Praying Through The Window II in October 1995 mobilized prayer for the “Gateway Cities” of this region, with over 36 million intercessors supporting this initiative in daily prayer. Then Praying Through The Window III, culminating in October 1997, focused on the unreached peoples of The 10/40 Window. Christian Information Network’s director, Beverly Pegues expects the latest company of intercessors to match or exceed the size of the previous one. Now Praying Through The Window IV is gearing up for the last such initiative of the millennium in October 1999. Titled “Light The Window,” it returns to a focus on the nations of The 10/40 Window, while incorporating the strategic prayer information of the other efforts. For information on how to take part, contact the
Christian Information Network
11025 State Highway 83 North
Colorado Springs, CO 80921-3623
Phone: (719) 522-1040
Fax: (719) 548-9000
E-mail: CIN10_40@compuserve.com
Website: http://www.christian-info.com/
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FOR THOSE MISSIONARIES AMONG US WITH MONEY TO COUNT
The recent software compilation turned up a pretty strong review on Membership Plus and Money Counts. I checked it out . . . downloaded a sampler help file and indeed it looks like it might work for missionaries. Check it out at http://www.parsonstech.com/. (The sampler can be found at http://www.parsonstech.com/infocentral.) To get one user’s opinion, write NoelHyde@xc.org who says he’s VERY satisfied. Les’ other items are listed in a special document.
Thanks Les!!! You carried through!
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ADOPT-A-PEOPLE CONFERENCE AT US CENTER
Keith Butler, Director of the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse, tells us that they’re co-sponsoring (with the US Center’s Adoption Campaign) a conference designed specifically for agency adoption leaders on May 28-30. Speakers include Ralph Winter, Bruce Camp, and a host of others. Cost is $75 (before Apr. 24th). Housing will be at the Aylward House at the US Center ($50). Workshops include Role and History of the Adopt-A-people Movement, Back to the Basics – Terms and definitions, Agency/Church Partnerships, Steps to a Successful Adoption, Review of Available Resources, What do you and Your Agency Need from the AAP?, What will it take to Succeed in Your Agency, and tracks for various subgroups. You can register via (626)398-2163 or, for more info., email Keith at AAPC@xc.org.
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FOR YOUR WILD AND WOOLY [COMPUTER] VIRUS INFECTIONS
virus Dan Scribner of AD2000 was kind enough to point out that McAfee & company have moved their virus site to the company with which they’ve merged: http://www.nai.com/services/support/hoax/hoax.asp So this one is one to jot down. Thanks Dan!
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THE BIBLE VS. THE QUR’AN: THE GREAT DEBATE
Check out http://debate.org.uk/topics/history/bib-qur/intro.htm — if you want apologetics on the Bible vs. the Qur’an.
Thanks John!
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BIBLE SCHOOL TRAINING VIA VIDEO
Milton Fauss mrfauss@verena.ro highly recommends “International Curriculum” by Good Shepherd Ministries goodshepherdmin@compuserve.com. He writes, “They have an excellent approach to Bible School training using video cassettes and manuals. I am a missionary in Sibiu, Romania with Calvary Commission, where we have begun a Bible School in our local church. These courses are professionally translated and the teachers are well recognized in their fields of specialization. I think they have about 25 languages translated now. The director’s name is Berin Gilfillan. Milton feels this curriculum would help local churches train their own people for local service or for missions. Check it out!
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NOMINALISM – HO-HUM
:-) Heather 100616.1657@compuserve.com from the Lausanne Mov’t sent this note in to Brigada Today this past week: “Nominalism is an issue which is growing in significance around the world, although it is most relevant in Europe. In Britain for example, 65% of the population call themselves Christian, of whom 10% are regular churchgoers and 5% church members who do not attend. This leaves 50% of the population who call themselves Christian but neither attend church nor are members. Nominal Christians raise questions for those of us who are active Christians. Who are they? Why do they not now go to church? If they used to go, will they come back? If so, what would make them do so? Is nominalism a problem or is it sometimes part of the cyclical nature of the Christian journey? The Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization is holding a major Consultation in December to look at this subject. It will bring together near London, England key speakers from around the world from 6-12th December 1998. If you would like to join them, please email Christian Research, 100616.1657@compuserve.com They will send you details and booking information by post, so please include your mailing address.” Thanks Heather!
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SECTS EDUCATION IN YOUR CHURCH
Isn’t it about time you developed a Sects Education program for your church??? Ted tbourdon@missionpark.com thinks so. He just showed The Mormon Puzzle and his church loved it, in part because it was presented in such a balanced fashion. Got any good videos or resources that Ted can compile for the Brigada Today audience? Send them to him and he’ll report back here in a couple of weeks.
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TOOL TIME FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS
Speaking of the influence of the Internet, an industry pundit recently wrote, “Driven by the realities of global commerce, and supported by the ever-widening reach of the Internet, it is inconceivable that our grandchildren will live in a world where the citizens of all developed nations won’t be able to speak with one another….as much as some die-hard cultural chauvinists despise the idea, it’s obvious the language we’ll all share will be English.” Whether fueled by the Internet or not, the ever increasing demand for English language skills create a wonderful opportunity for ministry. Want to find out how you can leverage the interest in conversational English for your ministry? Check out the Adventures in English materials the EFCM International Network has put together. With a focus on developing conversational English in a small group setting, these newly revised materials have been developed through 6 years of actual cross-cultural use by short-term teams of non-professional ESL teachers. For more information or a sample of the 1998 material visit the EFCM web site at http://www.efcm.org/adventur.html or contact Don Erickson at 72066.2020@compuserve.com.
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GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE SKIES
world globe Sat-7, the Arabic Language Satellite TV receives an avid response from viewers. An isolated Christian woman in Algeria wrote “I found your channel by accident and, at first, could not believe it! I thank God for you because I was, and still am, very lonely and in need of such programs to encourage and strengthen me.” A man wrote from Syria, “Am I dreaming or is it true? Today I was surfing the channels and found a soap opera where Egyptians were quoting the Bible! Is there really a Christian channel I can watch?! I cannot describe my happiness with this wonderful news!” This month viewing hours are being increased to 9 hours per week.
(Source: Sat-7 Web site http://www.sat7.org/latest.htm and Mission Network News http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/.)
Global Glimpse is compiled each week by John Hanna, Caleb Project, Littleton, CO, as a labor of love.
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IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR INTENT
INTENT’s ’98 National Conference, “MANY JOBS; ONE TASK – Networking Professionals for Global Impact” will convene May 15-17, 1998 at the Divine Word International Techny Towers Retreat Center located 12 miles north of O’Hare Airport. If you are intentional about tentmaking, this conference is for you! INTENT ’98 is a place where organizers bring together the experience and expertise of practitioners, enablers, and sending institutions with Kingdom Professionals. Plenary speakers include J. Christy Wilson (tentmaking in Afghanistan), Norman and Jacquelyn Friberg (also from Afghanistan and Turkey), Ruth Siemens, (founder of Global Opportunities) and Ron George (International Director of World In Need) from the UK. Workshops and other items round out the program. Call INTENT at 1-800-478-2598 (from the USA or via Net2phone) or write dorothyblaha@msn.com to register and to reserve a room at the Conference Center.
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LOOKING WHAT THE GERMANS ARE COOKING UP
Want to be featured in a German cookbook? Here’s your big chance to be a galloping gourmet “Berlin style”! Kerstin 100711.2622@Compuserve.com wants your recipes! Send her…
1. one typical easy to cook recipe (no ingredients that are too exotic — and preferably make it a tasty one for Europeans) – could be anything – a typical drink, lunch or sweet;
2. short info on the people group with which you work (half a page — or ask Kerstin to improvise on your group if it’s a commonly known one);
3. something special about their culture (one interesting custom etc.);
4. 2 – 4 specific prayer requests (preferably things that can be prayed for the next few years, not something that will be outdated in a few weeks time).
What a great idea! I love to eat :-) . . . so I’m hoping that this resource will be ready by the time I visit Munich in July!!! :-)
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BUDDHISTS: “THE CHRISTIANS ARE COMING!”
Did you see Dan Henrich’s DanHenrich@xc.org report that Buddhists are starting to get “spooked” about the growth of Christianity around the world? Apparently, they’re concerned that they’re losing members to Christian work too quickly! Dan was commenting on the “First World Buddhist Propagation Conference” which met recently in Kyoto, Japan. Reportedly, leaders from 15 Asian countries gathered to discuss an identity crisis among Buddhism’s followers and the fact that Buddhism is “. . . losing its following to the more aggressive missionary efforts of Christians.” The Malaysian High Priest, K Sri Dammananda Maha Thera said, “Every day we are losing our youth to Christianity.” He also commented that Buddhism is on the decline in South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan.
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HERE’S THE JOB OPPORTUNITY OF THE YEAR
Dennis Fahringer photo@uofn.edu is looking for someone who knows the Lord and cares deeply about training missionaries from around the world. (More than half his students are internationals.) He needs a person who can teach at his school July 13-18 on a particular technical topic: color printing from negatives and slides, as well as a bit of color theory. Ideally, the person should have professional experience, but that’s not absolutely essential. He can cover airfare, room and board, and $100/day honorarium for the guest teacher. The person needs to be email-accessible. Here’s the catch: The school is YWAM’s University of the Nations at the Kona campus in Hawaii. NOW I regret that when I used to be a newspaper photographer in Southern Indiana, I only shot B&W!!! :-) So . . . if you’re interested, write Dennis at the address above. Surf’s up! (Seriously — the number one criterion is a passion for training world evangelists . . . not a desire for a great tan.)
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AD2000 WORSHIP & ARTS NETWORK FIRST NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
The AD2000 Worship & Arts Network would like to email you a sample copy of the new email newsletter (Global Worship Report). It will regularly survey events, people, resources and issues pertaining to the arts and worship from various places around the globe. They reportedly will “follow the very popular “Brigada” format using mostly one paragraph summaries.” (Hey — since they put that in their press release, we couldn’t afford to pass up the item! :-)) For your sample copy or to receive this newsletter regularly, please contact Frank Fortunato fort@usa.om.org, Coordinator, AD2000 Movement Worship and Arts Network.
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ARE YOU A TECHY OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST FOR YOUR MISSION?
Then you might like to take in the Ninth Annual International Conference on Computing and Mission, June 5-9, 1998, hosted this year by Abilene Christian University. See the details on the web at http://www.iccm.org/.
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PERSPECTIVES STUDENTS AND UNREACHED PEOPLE PROFILES
Did you see Marti Smith’s msmith@cproject.com thoughts on Brigada-peoples this past week? She works in Caleb Project’s advocacy department and I thought her comments were VERY interesting. Check it out: “… It would help if Perspectives coordinators stopped billing the unreached people project as “your opportunity to write something brand new that will help lots of other people pray,” and instead described it as “your opportunity to gather information, apply what you’re learning about culture & strategy, and allow God to motivate you to pray.” … I had a good conversation last weekend with Meg Crossman, editor of the “Worldwide Perspectives” text now being used by many Perspectives on the World Christian Movement classes. She said she thought the day of writing UPG profiles for Perspectives was waning; suggested more classes accomplish the project goals by interviewing members of their local ethnic communities, some of whom are members of unreached peoples. You’d be surprised what you can learn about someone else’s culture if you are willing to give of your time, learn to ask questions, and listen. (I could recommend books and articles if you’re interested in learning more about ‘ethnographic interviewing.’) Write Marti if you’re interested!
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COPYRIGHT — This issue of Brigada Today is Copyrighted © 2001. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute these materials, including those available through email autoresponders, provided that such redistribution is to those who will help the Good News of Christianity to reach the unreached. But please include this phrase: “For a free subscription of Brigada’s weekly missions publication, write
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SUBMITTING CONTENT — To submit content or ideas to Brigada Today, first please get a copy of “Guidelines for submitting items to Brigada” Then, once you’ve composed your item in keeping with those guidelines, send your item for Brigada Today to DLucas@teamexpansion.org.
Thanks to
Emphasis is placed on items relating to unreached peoples and challenges faced by those reaching them cross-culturally.
not symbolPLEASE DON’T SUBSCRIBE US TO YOUR LIST — It’s always better to ask before manually force-adding anyone to your list-serve or mailing list. Recently, tons of well-meaning people have been subscribing Doug to their lists. Since he often travels overseas, he doesn’t join many of those, for obvious reasons (like being charged big-time for overseas access). So as a general rule, please don’t bulk-mail us! See the note above if you’d like to submit items for Brigada Today. Thanks for understanding. Bottom line: We will never create Brigada Today items from bulk mail. Bulk mail gets deleted immediately — sorry. Nothing personal. We suggest you apply the same standard to everyone. Ask first!
OPCWARNING ABOUT FORWARDING EMAILS — Please, before forwarding any kind of request (even if it says “please send this to all your friends”), please check to make sure it has a VERIFIABLE ORIGIN, a VERIFIABLE PURPOSE, and a VERIFIABLE CLOSURE (OPC). By following this simple approach, many “email viruses” could be nipped in the bud… at least in the Brigada family. More information about the full Brigada OPC protocol is available. Thank you.
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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
*Brigada Website: Bob Mayhew, WebServant@brigada.org
*Brigada Customer Service Manager: help@brigada.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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