In this issue…

  1. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE (THANKS TO MT. SCOTT!)
  2. TRAINING IN CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  3. NEW PRAYER-SHARING WEBSITE
  4. LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH: TESOL TRAINING
  5. STRATEGIC FRONTIERS TRAINING IN NASHVILLE
  6. YWAM CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL
  7. SHORT-TERM LEADER’S TRAINING IN HAWAII
  8. CAN SHORT-TERM WORKERS DEDUCT GIFTS FOR THEIR OWN TRIP EXPENSES?
  9. OPEN SOURCE: SUREFIRE WAY TO BEAT SOFTWARE LICENSING
  10. NEED VIDEO PROJECTORS?
  11. NEW COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY NEWSLETTER
  12. NEED MANUAL TYPEWRITERS?
  13. CLOSING STUFF
  1. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE (THANKS TO MT. SCOTT!) — This past week, we received a donation (to help cover the costs of the Brigada- sponsored secretary) from the Mt. Scott Church of God in Portland, Oregon. See their website at: http://www.mtscottchog.org What a great encouragement it was to see the way the church is using Brigada. What follows is their own (completely unsolicited) note: “Our Global Ministries Action Team has approved sending via check, $250 from our missions budget to help with funding the Brigada Secretary for 2004. Our church’s missions efforts have been greatly enhanced through the resources that Brigada has brought to our attention since sometime in 1995 when John Robb was here and told us about this new ‘E source’ based on some Russian term or some such. Anyway, thanks Doug for all that you do for missions world wide especially through Brigada. Glad we could help. We really have gained from Brigada.”

    As I was thinking about their gift, which put us over the $2000 mark, by the way, I realized — maybe there are other churches that could pitch in like this. It would only take 56 churches, giving $250 each, to complete the $16,021 our Brigada-sponsored secretary needs for 2004. Interestingly, Dennis (the much-appreciated Brigada participant who requested that his committee consider the gift) added, “The cool thing is that I brought the proposal before our missions team and was asking for $200 but they said make it $250 and we’ll do it. I argued and argued for my proposal but finally gave in.” :-) We appreciate you Dennis! And thanks loads to the committee! If you happen to live in the Portland area and you don’t already have a home church, and if you’d love to throw your hat into the ring with a church that has a global vision, I hope you’ll consider Mt. Scott, 10603 SE Henderson St. Portland, OR 97266 (Tel:503.771.1195). And if nothing else, please join me in praying for them right now, giving thanks, and asking God to bless their leadership, their focus, and their growth.

  2. TRAINING IN CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College (a 2004 Brigada sponsor!), in partnership with Food for the Hungry International and World Relief, is offering training in Bangkok, Thailand, May 24 – June 2, 2004 and at Lookout Mountain, GA, USA from August 2 – 11, 2004. This training is designed for missionaries, churches, or ministries working in the countries of the Two-Thirds World or in Transitional Economies. By the end of the training, you will be equipped to effectively implement strategies in the areas of microenterprise development or microfinance. Courses offered for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. See http://www.chalmers.org for details about email-based distance learning, DVD/Video courses. For costs and schedule email CEDI at covenant.edu (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  3. NEW PRAYER-SHARING WEBSITE — If you have something you need prayer for, here’s a new site: visit http://www.prayforthis.com and post your prayer request. You can pray for others who have posted and submit brief comments of encouragement. (The site was created by Justin Long. Way to go Justin! By the way, when we asked Justin what language he used to create this, his answer was “PHP”, his favorite.)
  4. LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH: TESOL TRAINING — Receive training and practice in order to become an effective teacher, and earn a TESOL certificate to open doors of opportunity. Attend this four-week training course at Youth With A Mission, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. The next class begins May 2, 2004. See their website http://www.ywampa.org for details and application forms, or contact YWAM Lebanon, PA ywampa at comcast.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  5. STRATEGIC FRONTIERS TRAINING IN NASHVILLE — YWAM-Nashville is offering a School of Strategic Missions to be held on its campus in September 2004. Experienced missionaries will train you in cross- cultural communication, ethnographic research, church planting, community development and more! Then join teams in China, Morocco, Sudan, Turkey and beyond on a six-month field assignment leading to placement among a targeted people group. The only prerequisite is successful completion of any YWAM Discipleship Training School. For more information, visit http://www.ywamnashville.org or email ywamregistrar at ywamnashville.org or phone 615-696-3096 ext. 3055. (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  6. YWAM CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL — Are you looking for greater intimacy with God and a taste of cross-cultural missions? If you are age 30 or more, or a family with children, consider taking the Crossroads DTS at Youth With A Mission, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. This 20 week program includes weeks of lectures, with speakers who focus on such topics as the father heart of God, how to hear God’s voice, intercession, spiritual warfare, relationships, and more. It also includes weeks of outreach ministry in Ukraine, providing practical cross cultural ministry experience. School begins June 20, 2004. See the website http://www.ywampa.org for details and application forms, or e-mail ywampa at comcast.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  7. SHORT-TERM LEADER’S TRAINING IN HAWAII — It’s not too late to sign up for the ServantPrep Short Term Mission Leader’s training April 22 – 24, 2004 in Honolulu, HI. This is a comprehensive, interactive session designed to teach any cross-cultural team leader how to prepare, lead, and debrief team members effectively so that short term experiences will result in long term passion and commitment to reach the nations. But…. you must register soon! Download a brochure with all the cost and travel details at http://www.commitministries.org/STML_HI2004.pdf To get more information on the material contact Ray xctrainer at aol.com . To register, send an e-mail to Greg at ucommit at juno.com (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email addresses, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  8. CAN SHORT-TERM WORKERS DEDUCT GIFTS FOR THEIR OWN TRIP EXPENSES? — Sounds dubious at first, doesn’t it. We recently featured an item on this topic (March 19th issue) and it has generated numerous replies. Evidently, the jury’s still out. Some “accounting types” said the donation *was* tax-deductible if it is turned over to the non-profit organization with no strings attached. Some took the opposing view. Our suggestion: Consult your CPA or tax-advisor before banking on it. Either way, you could definitely deduct the donation as “expenses while performing charitable activities.” (Thanks “FM”!)
  9. OPEN SOURCE: SUREFIRE WAY TO BEAT SOFTWARE LICENSING — We recently featured an item on software licensing. After seeing the item, Brigada participant “Scott” wrote to remind us that Open Source software is a surefire way to escape most licensing fees. For more on that topic, read his thoughts at: http://www.hknet.com/~light/swaysum.html Thanks Scott!
  10. NEED VIDEO PROJECTORS? — Equipping The Saints has supplied over 500 to ministries worldwide. Prices are dropping and quality is improving. Call ETS at 540-234-6222 or send email questions to: ets at rica.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
  11. NEW COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY NEWSLETTER — Enjoy up-to-date articles on media and communication strategy, orality and literacy, and events affecting our world today. Take advantage of free downloads on evangelism and church planting strategies, as well as on developing effective communication and media strategies. Participate in discussion groups and network through the numerous links listed. Subscribe to the Communication Strategy Network electronic newsletter by logging on to http://www.communication-strategy.net To subscribe, click on “newsletter” and sign-up.
  12. NEED MANUAL TYPEWRITERS? — Equipping the Saints has hundreds available, ready to ship anywhere in the world. Call ETS at 540-234- 6222 or email your questions to ets at rica.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)
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