In this issue…

  1. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
  2. URBANA 03
  3. SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
  4. ONLINE VISION CASTING TOOL AVAILABLE TO MISSIONARIES
  5. GREAT TEACHING ON MARRIAGE AND PARENTING
  6. INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHING OPPORTUNITY
  7. LOW COST CROSS CULTURAL MISSIONARY TRAINING
  8. WANT TO GIVE A NEW TRAVEL AGENT A TRY?
  9. TESOL SCHOOL IN HAWAII
  10. WINTER MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL IN COSTA RICA
  11. TRAINING FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS LEADERS
  12. GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND WITNESSING TO BUDDHISTS
  13. CLOSING STUFF

  1. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS — This week, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to an anonymous donor from Louisville, KY ($100 — Whoa… thanks!!!) and to Bill Berry (of Berry Publishing), Pasadena, CA, ($135). Bill was standing good for his special “Brigada offer” of “SEND ME!” books. (Thanks Bill!) About $3500 to go!

  2. URBANA 03 — Register now and receive a $50 scholarship! Urbana 03 is InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s 20th Student Mission Convention. From Dec. 27 – 31, 2003, over 20,000 students, missionaries, and campus leaders will converge on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for five days of seeking their place in God’s mission. The convention consists of general sessions that incorporate worship, theater, and missionary testimonies, as well as small groups, 300 seminar options, various special tracks, and more than 350 mission agency and seminary exhibits. Since the first Urbana in 1946, more than 200,000 people have heard the challenge to participate in God’s global mission. Register now and receive a $50 scholarship! For details, visit http://www.urbana.org If you have questions, call (608) 274-7995 or email urbana03@ivcf.org

  3. SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS — International Training Partners offers Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills Workshops in different parts of the world. These five-day, highly interactive workshops focus on biblical application of skills in relating to one another and to the host people. An workshop hosted by The Evangelical Free Church International Mission will be held near Minneapolis, Minnesota February 8-13, 2004. Contact Gloria Van Den Bosch at gdvandenbosch@efca.org for information. Go to http://www.itpartners.org for details on all of the workshops and information on ITP. If your mission is interested in sponsoring a SYIS workshop, contact Paul Lere at itpartners@earthlink.net

  4. ONLINE VISION CASTING TOOL AVAILABLE TO MISSIONARIES — CastYourVision.net is a new tool that allows ministry leaders to present their ministry vision online, using only their browser. Easily create impressive presentations, add your own images, and even update your content as often as you like – from anywhere in the world. Visit http://www.CastYourVision.nethttp://www.itpartners.org Or contact info@castyourvision.net to learn more Receive 50% OFF between now and January 1st, 2004. USE Coupon Code: Brigada.

  5. GREAT TEACHING ON MARRIAGE AND PARENTING — Intermin is an excellent, free source of lessons on marriage and family issues especially written for the international audience. The Intermin Community includes a monthly newsletter with stimulating ideas for improving relationships and a discussion board to interact with others about the topic. Visit Intermin and Intermin Community at: http://intermin.org Request the newsletter by emailing subscribeICN@intermin.org

  6. INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHING OPPORTUNITY — Crossroads Christian Academy, Panama City, Panama, needs elementary and secondary teachers at their K3 – 12th grade international school. CCA educates international, Panamanian and MK children. It is a great opportunity to serve. For more information contact Crossroads Christian Academy at cca_panama@hotmail.com

  7. LOW COST CROSS CULTURAL MISSIONARY TRAINING — WEC International offer a one year or a two year training programme in English in the Netherlands. The college, which is called Cornerstone, has a holistic approach to training. Students from different countries live in community, putting into practice their theoretical knowledge. There are facilities to accommodate families. Check them out at http:// www.cornerstone-mtc.com Or e-mail administration@cornerstone-mtc.com

  8. WANT TO GIVE A NEW TRAVEL AGENT A TRY? — Try Ted at 800-337-6658, or email him at info@rivertrav.com. He’s pledged to be very competitive, and to work hard to meet your needs. He’s a former missionary with Youth for Christ, Int’l.

  9. TESOL SCHOOL IN HAWAII — The next TESOL Course ( Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages ) at The University of The Nations in Kona, Hawaii, will begin February 16, 2004. This course will equip you to teach English & open doors for you anywhere in the world you may be led to go. This is a four week academic curriculum with a two week practicum following immediately. The exact schedule is from February 16, 2004 thru March 26, 2004. For more information & application forms contact admissions@uofnkona.edu

  10. WINTER MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL IN COSTA RICA — Emercy and Palmas de Mamre are partnering again this winter to offer their 5th semi-annual Missionary Training School. The school dates are January 12 – March 21 and the cost is $800, which covers everything except airfare. Students at the school will learn how to teach, preach, perform drama and mime, coordinate children’s ministry, administer medical treatment, and more. The focus of this missions training is tuned toward going into unreached areas and first hand experience is a part of the curriculum. Additional information on the school is available at http://www.missionarytraining.net If you wish to apply, please visit the website to download an application or call toll free from the US at 877-875-4483. International callers may reach Emercy’s HQ at 205-391-9867 or e-mail info@missionarytraining.net . For more information on how Emercy supports missionaries, you can visit their website at http://www.emercy.org

  11. TRAINING FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS LEADERS — Leading a short-term missions trip? Want to help your team have a long-term impact? Attend Boot Camp for Short Term Missions Leaders in San Diego, CA Jan. 7-9 or in Dallas, TX Feb. 2-4, 2004. This training is conducted by Global Missions Fellowship. GMF has helped thousands of North Americans work with tens of thousands of national believers around the globe doing evangelism and discipleship to plant new churches. For more information about these Boot Camps, email jennifer.bankhead@gmf.org To learn more about the ministry of GMF, click over to http://www.gmf.org/

  12. GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND WITNESSING TO BUDDHISTS — Based on first-hand experience, “Sharing Your Faith With A Buddhist” offers clarity and culturally-sensitive pointers to believers seeking to better understand and reach out to the more than 360 million Buddhists around the world. More information and an excerpt is available at http://www.bethanyhouse.com To order, email orders@bakerbooks.com or call 1-800-877-2665 or (616) 676-9185