19990905 Brigada Today

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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.]

In this issue….

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS BRIGADA?

Brigada, pronounced “bree-GAH-dah” (rhymes with armada), is the rough equivalent of a “brigade” — in Russian, Spanish, Portuguese (Thanks David!), and even Filipino! The idea is to stand side by side to pass buckets of hope for those most in need of Christ’s eternal message! Check out nearly 5 years of weekly back issues at https://brigada.org. See recent back issues and links at http://www.eGroups.com/list/brigada-today. Brigada Today is compiled by Doug Lucas DLucas@teamexpansion.org, Louisville, KY.

WE GET SUPPORT FROM…

This past week, Brigada received a very kind support check (for $200!) from Taylored Communications International, Inc., which operates International Hospitality and Tourism Services, including Hotels, Call Centers, Pay Phones, Tour Operators, and Intl Telcoms. In the USA, dial 719-687-6818 or toll- free at 800-488-0995, or fax 719-687-3694, or simply write to Gary@operatorservices.com. You can also visit them on the web at http://www.operatorservices.com. They’ll be added to the sponsors’ page at https://brigada.org/sponsor.html ! Thanks to Taylored Communications, for helping make Brigada Today a free service for all. If you have needs in Taylored’s area of expertise, we hope you’ll contact them directly!

AD2000 MOMENTUM JUST KEEP ON GROWING…

Check ’em out…

The 10/40 Window: Getting to the Core of the Core
The Unfinished Task: It Can Be Done Joshua Project 2000
To the Uttermost Part: The Call to North India
The Arabian Peninsula: An Opening at the Heart of the 10/40 Window
The Horn of Africa: Challenge and Opportunity
The Maghreb: Ancient North Africa Yearns for Rebirth
The 35/45 Turkic Window: A Gateway to the Muslim World

These last couple of brochures (on North Africa and the Turkic Window) are simply breathtaking! Well worth the meager investment it’ll take to post them in the tract racks at your church and give your vestibule some real color and class. But don’t miss the in-depth content too — filled with needs and resources to meet them! Heartily recommended! Order for 50 cents each from info@ad2000.org or go to: http://www.ad2000.org And speaking of AD2000, the countdown continues. According to the researchers at AD2000’s Int’l Office in Colorado Springs (headed by Dan Scribner, the incredibly consistent, never-say-die numbers cruncher), here’s the current scoreboard:

Peoples on active JP list – 1594
Peoples on active JP list no Church of 100 reported – 1116
Peoples on active JP list no reported on-site Church Planting team – 542
Peoples on active JP list not targeted or “claimed” – 186

To “claim” an untargeted group, visit http://www.ad2000.org

DYNAMITE VIDEO INTRODUCES YOUR KIDS TO UNREACHED PEOPLE

Okay… homeschoolers, Sunday-schoolers, youth-groupers, Junior churchers, VBSers, and especially pray-ers, HERE is a video you need to order. Caleb Project’s new Kids Around the World video on the 10/40 Window is a dynamite introduction to world religions and unreached peoples. It’s fast-paced and yet filled with content. Tonight, we watched the 10-minute video for our family devotions and my 10-year-old and my 13- year-old were riveted to the whole thing. (You think I’m kidding, right?) I think it would work equally well for a 4-year-old too, because it’s a fun video, as well as an informational one. And for $15, you won’t beat it — especially since it comes with a curriculum supplement for the educational-types.

You can even specify PAL format if you like! So browse today at: http://www.calebproject.org/reso.htm or email orders@cproject.com or even phone them at 303-730-4170 ext. 332. You’ll be glad you did. What a great way to kick off your October “Praying Through the Window” emphasis! Three cheers to Caleb Project!

When I grow up, I want to work for those guys.

HAVE YOU SEEN IGIVE.COM?

If you work with a non-profit, you’ll probably want to. Eric was the guy who tipped us off this past week — from Sweden I think. You register, then search for your favorite charity and if it’s not there, you’re given the option to add it. iGive confirms that indeed, the charity is a non-profit (with a verifiable office in the USA or Canada, I think), then you set about to shop ’til you drop! For example, if you’re going to buy a computer from the Dell website, why wouldn’t you go to iGive first, then use it as your gateway into Dell. First, your favorite charity gets 4 cents when you just stop by the iGive home page, then when you buy the $3000 machine from Dell, your charity gets $15 more. Now granted, $15 isn’t all that much but, hey, you were going to pay the same price either way — so your charity might as well get $15 out of it, eh?

I tried it out, registered Team Expansion, and . . . it was painless! You can do the same for your mission or cause — then advertise it to your web shoppers. So if someone in your family buys their flowers now over the Net, why not do it via iGive!? Check it out… http://www.igive.com. Thanks Eric.

GRAFTING TOGETHER A LONG URL

Remember that if you receive an extra-long URL (which has broken apart into separate lines in your email client’s viewing screen), you’ll have to paste it back together in your browser’s URL box if you expect to get there successfully. For example, if the URL is:
, you’ll have to first copy the line that begins with “http://111…” all the way through the section of 3s. Then paste that line in your browser’s URL blank. Next, copy the line that begins with “444555…” and paste that entire line onto the end of the 3s, making sure that you leave no spaces in between them in the URL box. Once it’s pasted in, you can hit enter and finally get to see the long-awaited page. Several readers had trouble with a site mentioned last week, even though the URL is accurate: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=teamexpansiononl&path=ts/browse-books/12290 If you were one of the unlucky ones, try again, using the approach mentioned above. But if you still have trouble, just go to Amazon.com and search for their new Christian bookstore. Remember, the long version automatically helps Team Expansion if you buy . . . but the price of the book doesn’t rise an inch over what Amazon.com would normally charge. (See the next item for more about that.)

CONFLICTS OVER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Two people wrote in to caution me about reviewing products or directing people to sites related to the mission organization with which I work (Team Expansion). So… I pledge to be very cautious when there is ever any kind of possible benefit for the mission with which I work — and I’ll be open and forthright about it when and if future situations arise. Thanks for the feedback to keep me honest.

TRY THE CUBE AGAIN

If you had trouble clicking on the URL for the Evangecube (“NEW TOOL FOR PRESENTING THE GOSPEL: EVANGE-CUBE” last week), try adding the “//” that I neglected: http://www.evangecube.org. (How do you spell “egg on my face?”

)

SPEAKING OF CHRISTIAN BOOKS…

One Brigada participant wrote in to say, “Good to hear about Amazon.com developing a Christian site. But Brigada readers should also know about CBD — Christian Book Distributors — as well. For years, CBD has been serving Christians and really caring about our “market” ! During those years when most Christian bookstores were pricing things at “retail” (or above), CBD was providing true discount prices. If you haven’t gotten one of their catalogs, call (in the USA) 978-977-5000 or check their website at http://www.christianbook.com. (note there is no “s” after christianbook). There are other websites with VERY similar addresses, but CBD is the real thing!” Thanks Claudia & Stayton!

OVERSEAS INTERNET GROWTH SOARS

Although it was invented in the USA, the Internet is rapidly becoming a global entity. International Data Corp. (IDC) has now predicted that before 2003 nearly one half of all Internet spending will be from outside USA borders. IDC estimates that 60% of the online population will live outside the USA by the end of 1999. Western Europe is the fastest growing market segment, with an astonishing annual growth rate of 138%. (Infoworld, Sept.6, 1999)

CATCH THE KOSOVO PRAYER-SITE AT…

What an unforgettable visit: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~sjhop/pe-intro.htm.. to pray for Kosovo and other global needs.

PROTECT YOUR MODEM

… from high-voltage telephone jacks. Check out: http://www.macbuy.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MacBuy.woa/wo/hu5000MO300nq600Qq11/4.0.9.3.0.13.1.3.23.0.6

The Modem Saver Plus tests phone jacks for compatibility with modems and notebooks. It also acts as a guard against power surges. Lists for just $99. Rod says we need it. He wouldn’t lie.

NEED MISSIONS TRAINING?

The Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) can help! Write GeorgeSchultzJr@compuserve.com for more information. The CIT was founded as an east coast regional training partnership of interested mission agencies, local churches, and other training organizations mutually committed to equipping effective cross- cultural workers. The member organizations have joined together in the development and delivery of non-formal missionary training useful to the needs of each organization, in order to enhance the quality of training and reduce duplication of training programs and associated costs. Check it out!

WEBWATCH – WHOA – CHECK OUT EVERYPEOPLE.NET

Whoa! I just noticed http://gpd.everypeople.net. Wow.

Nicely done and very functional. From this page you can check out seemingly every possible entry that Global Prayer Digest has ever produced, with the permission of the Frontier Fellowship, I might add. Plus . . . what’s more, they even have a link to Brigada!

Thanks to Mike and all the guys at everypeople.net for raising the bar just a little bit higher! Great work!

TRYING TO GET A BRIGADA PUBLICATION AT XC.ORG?

Sorry. You’ll probably end up with a frustrated inbox. Instead, jump over to the web at: https://brigada.org Everything is backed up there… even the archived documents. Plus, our unflappable volunteer (who has been with us through thick-and-thin, since nearly the very first month in 1995!!!) is churning through back web pages to update all the text to reflect present realities. In case you find something from an earlier era, remember you can no longer write to <hub@xc.org>

for anything in Brigada-Today.

DYNAMIC EQUIPING OF THE CHURCH

Veritas College offers Integrated Leadership Development teaching using a self-study Interpretation of the Bible. The course is not run from a building. It is affordable, costing only $40/year. According to the organizers, it was successfully field tested in Romania with a result of 17 churches being planted. It’s based on semantic discourse analysis and the sections used for exegesis were designed by the editor of the Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. It is currently operating in 10 countries, some being majority world. The curriculum has been translated into 6 languages. For more information, see http://www.veritascollege.com or e-mail nicoe@umfolozi.ntech.ac.za.

USE YOUR MEDIA SKILLS!

Recognizing that the skills of media professionals can help missionaries produce dynamic media materials to reach the two-thirds world for Christ, a new networking ministry was founded. MediaPOST serves to qualify and match skilled individuals with short-term overseas service opportunities. Visit http://www.mediapost.org today for a listing of 18 opportunities in television, radio and graphics. A Symposium on Media Mission opportunities will be held in Nashville the last week of January. Information will be posted on the web site and you can also sign up for a e-newsletter online! If you lack the web and want more info, write Mediaprof@bigfoot.com.

A REPRINTED RESOURCE FOR TENTMAKERS

Worldwide Evangelization for Christ, http://www.hwcn.org/link/wec/index.html , has just reprinted Avoiding the Tentmaker Trap. It is a book written by a WEC tentmaker and deals with tentmakers’ problems faced before, during and after their careers. Though not an academic work, TV Thomas wrote of the first edition: “I wish I would have read the book before I prepared and presented my paper at Strategy ’97 in Calgary.” Price (postpaid) is CAD$15.00 to Canadian addresses, US$11.00 to US addresses. To order email WEC at af126@hwcn.org.

ALL THE TURKISH RESOURCES FIT TO PRINT

… and listen to and view and just about everything else! That’s what Ken has compiled! Wow…

What a great resource. If you’d like a listing of videos, books, tracts, and booklets in Turkish, just send an email message to: turkish-resources@brigada.worldchurches.org Thanks again Ken!

MEDICAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE AROUND THE CORNER

It’s a rising star on the horizon of medical missions . . . and it’s coming to a city near you. The 1999 Medical Missions Conference will be held Nov. 12-13 at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. For full information, see their website at http://www.medicalmissions.com. You can also request information by emailing medmissionsconf@brigada.worldchurches.org But their website is prettier.

NEED MORE HARD-DRIVE SPACE, OR TO EXCHANGE FILES?

Look no further than: http://www.xdrive.com/cgi-bin/signuptoc.cgi?referee=15583 to sign up for free hard-drive space on the Internet with X-Drive. Jon says it’s a great deal!

PATTERN-MATCHING

At Team Expansion, we had always resisted writing “policies.” Thankfully, we still resist writing policies. But we’re starting to see some patterns . . . some trends that are reoccurring time and time again. You know the type. Missionaries who start out working on language learning seem to adapt more effectively than those who don’t. Those who settle in with translators for the long haul seem to never make time to learn to speak effectively. And so on. So we’re looking for these patterns and we’re starting to make some recommendations and, after nearly 20 years of being in business, it’s about time! If we haven’t learned something after 20 years, then we’d have to be nuts! So does that mean we have more structure? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Yes… in that we’re asking new missionaries to start out in the field with language first before anything else. But at the same time, when it comes to shaping a strategy that works, we still rely heavily on the team in the field to set the stage. We help them by providing input through visits by consultants, or “coaches” (probably Frontiers coined that term in the missions world, don’t you think?). And we even get together our team leaders for a regular “summit” in one key location every 18 months. (Probably Frontiers invented that concept too.) But we still resist a highly structured approach, preferring instead to keep things relatively “flat.”

How ’bout you and your mission agency or church? What kinds of shifts or patterns are you seeing out there on the shifting sands of organizational culture? If you’ve got an opinion, send it to brigada-responses@egroups.com (you might have to join first by sending a note to brigada-responses-subscribe@egroups.com). We’ll review the responses in a future issue. Thanks!

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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 <brigada-today-subscribe@egroups.com>.”
IMPORTANT: To copy or reproduce Brigada Today for any other reason is illegal and is not permitted.

DISCLAIMER — Please note that there’s no way we can possibly screen all the text on all the web sites or items we recommend. We try to check them out first… but if we miss something, please don’t assume that the opinions on those sites are identical to those of the Brigada family of networks. “Eat the corn, leave the cob!”
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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.
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Emphasis is placed on items relating to unreached peoples and challenges faced by those reaching them cross-culturally.

PLEASE 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!

WARNING 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.

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!