20010408 Brigada Today

In this issue….

YAHOO TO OFFER PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS – THEN MAYBE NOT

If you’re a regular participant in a YahooGroup (formerly eGroups) then maybe you’ve caught wind of the rumor that the service’s management recently decided to offer pornographic materials in a larger, more visible “company-sponsored” way. (To see the original release, have a look at: http://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,5537,00.html ) However, after receiving numerous complaints from customers after revelations that the company had already been peddling x-rated materials anyway, Yahoo announced about a week later that it will no longer be selling pornographic videos period. “We consistently strive to act responsibly and constantly evaluate our policies based on what our users tell us,” said Yahoo president and chief operating officer Jeff Mallet. He added that the company will no longer sell banner ads to the pornography industry. (Source: CNSNews.com — thanks for the tip, Kirk!) Want an alternative to the whole situation? Try out StrategicNetwork.org’s new email conferencing software at: www.strategicnetwork.org It’s free . . . and becoming more powerful all the time. And what’s more, it’s run by Christians for global Christian purposes. So you know the management… (or at least we here at Brigada Today do!). Will Brigada Today switch over? Well… it’s always a possibility… but for now, we’re thrilled that YahooGroups took a stand. So… for the time being, we intend to ride the wave of good will following a decision for the good!

SATELITE EMAIL FROM ANYWHERE (ALMOST)

Want to e-mail without phone service? For $3500 (plus shipping) you can purchase one of VITA’s four remaining Portable Ground Stations http://www.vita.org/leo/pgs.htm to tie your laptop into one of two low earth orbit satellites for an email-to-Internet connection at 9600 baud @ ~50 KB transfer per day, and no phone connection needed. Toward the end of the summer a new version of the ground station will be available in quantity, but the price has not yet been set. Watch for more info then. As a beta service, right now there’s no usage fee, but VITA expects an annual charge of $500 when the system is complete. See http://www.vita.org/leo/vitasat-online.htm or email Gary Garriott garyg@vita.org for more information.

NEW PEOPLE RAISING RELEASE: SHORT TERM/SUMMER SUPPORT MANUAL

Now there is fundraising help for those going on short term/summer missions trips through a specially designed People Raising support manual by William Dillon author of People Raising: A Practical Guide To Raising Support. This manual captures the nuts and bolts of People Raising and puts it in a way to be the most help to short termers. It is concise and offers 7 key steps that will walk anyone quickly through the support raising process. It is designed to reduce the fears many people have as well as dramatically reduce the time needed to raise the funds. To order multiple copies for your ministry go to http://www.peopleraising.com or e-mail Mr. Dillon bill@peopleraising.com.

EARN YOUR MA WHILE MAINTAINING YOUR PRESENT MINISTRY

Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri http://www.covenantseminary.edu has recently announced that they have been approved to offer their MA (Theological Studies) degree through their Extension studies program. The MA includes 1:1 tutoring (by phone or email), internet-based discussion groups, and three one-week residencies in St. Louis. For more information send an email to admissions@covenantseminary.edu or call 314-434-4044 (800-264-8064 if you are in the States.)

FREE LISTING OF DEVOTIONAL BOOKS FOR MISSIONARIES

Thanks to Paul michalik@texas.net for keeping his word. He’s assembled a great little listing of devotional books and links for missionaries as a result of the item in the March 23rd Brigada Today. Get your free copy by sending a blank email to devotional-books@brigada.org. Way to go Paul!

COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO OFFER “BRIGADA SPECIAL”

Columbia International University (home of Columbia Bible College and Columbia Biblical Seminary & School of Missions) is offering a “Brigada Special” for Brigada Today subscribers between April 16th and June 30, 2001 on its extension courses and materials. Columbia Extension has received numerous awards for their more than 60 undergraduate and graduate courses in Bible, Missions, Theology, Church History and more. You will receive 20% OFF on Study Guides and Tapes PLUS the year round Missionary Discount of 10% OFF Tuition with a credit enrollment. One of the caring faculty assistants (of pastors, missionaries, etc) will be assigned to mentor you through the course. You can check it out and even enroll online at http://www.ciuextension.com. Remember to use the special Brigada Promotion Code: 589-BR8MZ when ordering. If you prefer, you can call there friendly staff at 800-777-2227 extension 3710 in the US or 803-754-4100 from outside the US or e-mail them at extoff@ciu.edu. Thanks Columbia! We appreciate you!!!

WHY MUSLIMS CHOOSE JESUS

Here’s a survey of Muslim-background believers gives the Christian community an opportunity to hear what fellow Christ-followers found attractive in Christ-centered faith. Key article from Mission Frontiers. (Thanks for raising it to our attention Tony!) http://www.missionfrontiers.org/2001/01/muslim.htm

MOTIVATING COMFORT-MINDED ADULTS FOR MISSIONS

Joseph labtoes@juno.com is looking for recommendations on an adult Sunday School curriculum that is very introductory, motivating, on God’s heart for the world. He’s searching for something inspiring, with visionary stories on what God is doing around the world — and something that doesn’t require extensive research and pulling together of materials for the teacher. What do you recommend? Write Joseph for ideas . . . and we’ll ask him to assemble a report for a future autoresponder here in Brigada Today. Thanks!

DEAF MINISTRY RESOURCE LIST UPDATED

Thanks to Ken kennethwes@aol.com for substantially updating the deafministry file on the Brigada autoresponder server. To get your free copy — about 20K — just send a note to this address: deafministry@brigada.org

BE A DISCIPLE

Youth With A Mission (Lebanon, PA. USA) is offering a Crossroads Discipleship Training School, October 25, 2001 to January 11, 2002 with an eight-week outreach immediately following. The cost of the lecture phase is $2,595.00 USD per person plus a $35.00 USD per person registration fee, while the Outreach adds on approximately $2,000.00 USD more. For more information contact call 717-272-3153 or e-mail davidbbauman@cs.com.

BIBLES IN 140 LANGUAGES

“Bibles in Your Language” is a new site that makes it easy to find online, print, or audio Bibles in 140 languages. It’s produced by Ethnic Harvest, on the web at: http://www.ethnicharvest.org/bibles/. If you know of additional foreign language Bibles available in the USA, please write Barb at barb@ethnicharvest.org so she can add them to the site.

FREE NETWORKING SITE: “MISSIONARIES FOR THE LORD”

Check out the new “Missionaries for the Lord” portal for missions and missionaries. It’s organizers are seeking missionaries and organizations to link up completely free of charge. They need writers, researchers, and other volunteer staff since they’re hoping to provide information on locations, religions and beliefs around the world, articles on how to get started, fundraising ideas, etc. as well as book reviews, organizations links, and missionaries listings. They already have a message board area, a newsletter, and a chatroom. For more information, write Trisha trisha@mftl.net.

DRAMATISTS NEEDED

“Spread The Word Dinner Theatre” (Wycliffe Bible Translators) needs acting enthusiasts to travel the Western USA to take part in a Colombian drama with Colombian food (Hispanic actors encouraged to apply). Its organizers need technicians, a stage manager, a restaurant/house manager and a kitchen manager, too. Room and board are provided plus a small honorarium per showing. The fall tour runs September-November and the Spring Tour is February-May. Call Mark 800-269-2007 in the USA or via net2phone or write mark_eaton@wycliffe.org for details.

LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Youth With A Mission, (Lebanon, PA, USA) is offering a TESOL course September 24, 2001 to October 19, 2001. This intensive and highly academic course qualifies the graduate to teach English as a second language nearly anywhere in the world. For more information, call 717-272-3153 or e-mail davidbbauman@cs.com.

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