- COST-FREE RENEWAL RETREATS FOR GLOBAL WORKERS
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BIBLE TRANSLATION
- MEMBER CARE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS
- INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES REACHING UPGS
- DISCIPLE-EQUIPPING MATERIALS TO ORDER
- FUND RAISING CONFERENCE
- BOAT BASED CHRISTIAN TRAINING
- ACU SUMMER SEMINAR IN MISSIONS
- BECOME AN ENGLISH TEACHER
- TORONTO SEMINAR: PLANTS
- EMERGENCY FOOD SHIPPING CONTACTS NEEDED
- INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, PACE-SETTING FRIENDS
- THE BACK PAGE: THE POWER OF THE OVERCOMER
- CLOSING STUFF
- COST-FREE RENEWAL RETREATS FOR GLOBAL WORKERS — ELIM Retreats, a ministry of Barnabas International, is offering 7 spiritual formation/re-entry/renewal retreats for missionaries in 2006. The Retreat site is a 1400 acre private, gorgeous family property on the shores of Lake Huron, 2.5 hours north of Detroit, Michigan. The emphasis is on personal spiritual assessment and growth, interacting in small groups around the Word. The Retreat affords lots of unscheduled time. Each Retreat is 6 days. 16 participants of multiple cultures and agencies have their own bedrooms, sitting rooms and in most cases, private baths. Adult couples and singles only. Find pictures, faq’s, dates and registration at
http://www.barnabas.org/elimretreats
or email hstewart5(at)juno(dot)com. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] (Just one thing I noticed: You’d better be serious about retreating: I notice they ask that we not bring our computers. Gulp. Now there’s a serious retreater. :-) [I think I’d go into convulsions. :-)])
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BIBLE TRANSLATION — From hard drives to saved lives! Learn how your Information Technology skills can advance God’s Kingdom through Bible translation. Wycliffe Bible Translators is hosting two-day conferences on February 24 and 25, 2006 in San Francisco, CA and on March 3 and 4, 2006 in Pasadena, CA. One is also planned for the Seattle area in May. Wycliffe urgently needs over 200 seasoned IT professionals in order to complete the task of Bible translation for millions of Bibleless people. IT professionals are needed in the US and abroad for everything from exciting cutting edge language applications to enterprise systems, business analysis, electronics, management, software development, consultation and training. The “Check IT Out” conference costs $65 and includes 4 meals, materials, and snacks. Housing is available. For more information or to register, go to http://jaars.org/checkitout or you may write to Norm Purvis at: mobilization_wsw(at)wycliffe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- MEMBER CARE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS — Wycliffe Bible Translators International and Missionary Care International will join forces to offer the 2006 Member Care in Crisis Situations Workshop, June 19-23, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The first half of the workshop will deal with a variety of topics, including: What constitutes a “crisis situation?” How can we expect people to respond in times of personal or group crisis? What populations are most vulnerable? How can we respond as an organization? How can we use “Peer Responders” to care for people in crisis? The last half of the workshop will focus on debriefing skills for “peer level” debriefing. Participants should plan to attend the entire workshop, 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. A registration fee of $100.00 is due upon registration. Room and board fees for the workshop are $145.00/person, due upon arrival. For information or reservations contact Wycliffe International Member Care at:
member_care_intl(at)Wycliffe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES REACHING UPGS — At no time in history have expatriate international churches had more potential to impact the world than today. International churches are filled with unique resources – talented people, money, and know-how. The Missional International Church Network (MICN) models and teaches how international churches can dynamically engage in God’s transformational work. The third MICN Conference will be 24-28 April 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand. Speakers are all experienced international church leaders. For information contact: conference(at)micn(dot)org or on the web at:
[As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- DISCIPLE-EQUIPPING MATERIALS TO ORDER — In the new year it is typical to attempt some well-intended organization for more meaningful ministry in 2006. What is always needed is a fresh look at accepting and applying truly Biblical leadership. Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel has prepared an essential tool for a clear, scriptural vision of leadership, called “Biblical Leadership.” Evangelical Training Association
has just published this new resource for $11.99. Learn about it and other disciple-equipping materials by accessing the website or by calling at 800-369-8291 or 630-540-7840. You can write Mark Simpson, ETA’s Global Training Consultant, at
Mark(dot)Simpson(at)etaworld(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- FUND RAISING CONFERENCE — The People Raising conference is designed to Double your effectiveness in raising individual or organizational funds. Attend the People Raising basic conference March 24-25. Move beyond the fear factor and raise more funds in half the time. Implement 10 key habits for success. Network with other Christian leaders. Arm yourself with tools needed for effective fund raising. You can’t afford to miss this breakthrough 2-day conference. Ask for the $100 spouse discount. This conference is essential for those raising personal support, coaching others or raising organizational funds. Tap into the more then 35 years of experience Bill Dillon brings to fund raising. Register by February 24th and receive the early bird special pricing. For more information or to register on-line go to
http://www.peopleraising.com/conferences.cfm
or e-mail Bill(at)PeopleRaising(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- BOAT BASED CHRISTIAN TRAINING — Marine Reach, YWAM’s ship ministry, has announced its second Bluewater Discipleship Training School (DTS). After the success of last year’s Bluewater DTS aboard the 90ft schooner, Genevieve Challenge, it was necessary to look for a larger sailing vessel to accommodate more students. The hope is to develop the Bluewater DTS into a long term ministry that not only disciples young people, but also reaches out within the sailing community and beyond. As a part of creating this ministry it was decided to hold this year’s Bluewater DTS in a sailing community. Therefore the next Bluewater DTS will take place in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK, a place that offers good sailing, effective sail training and involvement in the local community. It will begin April 14th and ends October 14th 2006. You can get full details including the application form at
http://www.marinereach.com/dts_bluewater or by email to bluewaterdts(at)marinereach(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- ACU SUMMER SEMINAR IN MISSIONS — Abilene Christian University’s Halbert Institute of Missions is hosting its annual Summer Seminar in Missions May 15-June 2. There will be a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate courses available for credit or audit: anthropological studies, intercultural competency, evangelistic strategies of Bible translation, evangelism in a post-modern world, history of missions, campus ministry, spiritual formation in missions, and more.
http://www.acu.edu/missions/summerseminar contact
guild(at)bible(dot)acu(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- BECOME AN ENGLISH TEACHER — In the town of Kailua Kona on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, University of the Nations offers a wonderful opportunity to become a certified ESL teacher in six weeks. At the beginning of every quarter this TESOL course uses state-of-the- art curriculum and an emphasis on technology to interweave theory and practical application, giving students intensive well-rounded training. For more info call 808-326-4400 ext. 4178 or write to tesol(at)uofnkona(dot)edu.
- MISSIONS FOCUS — Abilene Christian University’s Halbert Institute of Missions is hosting its annual Missions Focus 3 day program May 23- 25. Presenter- Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, D.Min., of Wycliffe Bible Translators on “Missionary Care.” There will also be training modules on the role of the church in the care of missionaries and services for missionaries on furlough: eye exams, dental work and blood tests.
http://www.acu.edu/missions/summerseminar contact
guild(at)bible(dot)acu(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- TORONTO SEMINAR: PLANTS — Principles of Language Acquisition: Natural Techniques and Skills is a proactive approach to learning a new language. Before you are field-tested you can be language lab-tested. You can evaluate your language learning strengths and weaknesses, learn the principles and skills of language acquisition, practice with national speakers of your target language, and actually grow in your target language. All within two weeks in the world’s most multi- cultural city – Toronto. April 2-14, 2006. Register on-line:
- EMERGENCY FOOD SHIPPING CONTACTS NEEDED — Children of the Nations (COTN) is seeking shipping contacts to send containers of emergency food and supplies from Minnesota and Washington State to Malawi, SE Africa. If you have shipping contacts that can help COTN meet the needs of the COTN Orphan homes, school and feeding centers in Malawi, please email Dave Schertzer ASAP at daveschertzer(at)cotni(dot)org For more information on COTN, please visit http://www.cotni.org Thank you.
- INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, PACE-SETTING FRIENDS — They’re daring you to step up to the plate. Setting the pace at the head of the pack. And they’re the object of our deepest gratitude. Thanks to Caleb Project (the Training Department, and especially Marti Smith) for the $30 help. Learn more about them at:
And thanks to DialAbroad
http://www.dial-abroad.org/brigada.htm
for the $90.17 from this past month’s long distance sponsor-ers. Finally, we also really appreciate the two anonymous donors who chipped in $25 and $5 each. Never thrown anything into the pot before? That’s ok. You can start any time. Been reading for 10 years? Now’s as good a time as any. And the whole thing is — Brigada is free . . . so you’ll always be able to keep reading. Chipping in toward our expenses is just a way of saying thanks. Either way, we’ll still show up next week. Just go to “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 13711 Willow Reed Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous. And… thanks.
- THE BACK PAGE: THE POWER OF THE OVERCOMER — Night before last, as I was watching the Olympics, I was struck by the courage of Zhang Dan (and her partner, Zhang Hao – both from China) in her willingness to get back up and finish her routine. She took a nasty fall while implementing a move that had never been attempted before in competition, an unprecedented throw quad Salchow. (Don’t ask me to describe it; I only know it involves spinning around maybe 4 times up in the air.) She kind of did the splits when she landed, only it involved painfully smacking her knee directly on the ice. Ouch.
The USA — and indeed, the world — loves an overcomer. Well the funny thing was, in spite of the fact that she didn’t stick the quad, because she came back out there and kept skating, they gave her the credit for finishing a *triple* throw. Granted, one could ask all kinds of questions about how they still managed to take the silver medal in spite of the fact that they broke their routine with the 5-minute medical leave. Maybe the judges, in the end, had a heart for them. After all, it’s the Olympics, not the Superbowl. It’s amateur athletics, not professional hockey. It’s young ladies that are 18 and 19, not hardened criminals. So, it would seem — give ’em a break. Some would argue that they deserve it.
Either way, is there a lesson hiding somewhere here for all of us? I think so.
*** First, if we fall flat on our faces (or smack our knees), let’s get back up again. Who knows, we might still win — or at least come in 2nd. And no matter what, we’ll be showing gallant effort & unceasing commitment to the calling.
*** Second, if someone extends grace to one of our peers (or enemies, for that matter), forgiving them for something that we believe should be punished, we’ve got to somehow overcome the tendency within us to question or challenge it. Somewhere in Italy, there’s a skater that’s whining about the fact that this girl complete washed out but still earned a silver medal for it. Jesus spoke to this on more than one occasion. Take, for example, Christ’s parable in Matt. 20:10, where the workers hired at the beginning of the day expected to receive more than those hired in the final hour. In the end, like the judges at the Olympics, the answer comes back, “It’s up to the judge alone to decide.” So let’s quit our whining.
*** Third, and finally, let’s never let the good grace of the judge become a license to disregard the challenges, thus arriving ill- prepared. In other words, if we are granted grace, we’ll celebrate it. But let’s don’t *presume* grace. Romans 6.I guess there’s a corollary: We need to be working as if he’s coming tomorrow, while *planning* as if he’s coming in 20 years. We’ll certainly enjoy the journey a whole lot more.
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