- TRAINING ON MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
- HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF MISSIONS
- TRY THIS FREE BOOKLET FOR NEW WORKERS
- SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT LONG-TERM HARM
- NEW SITE THAT RESPECTS AND WITNESSES TO MUSLIMS
- RECOMMENDED SHIPPER
- SOURCE FOR SWAHILI BIBLES
- OPPORTUNITY IN CENTRAL ASIA
- THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP
- UNDERGIRD BRIGADA
- CLOSING STUFF
- TRAINING ON MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center for Economic Development offers low-cost email-based distance learning courses on how to minister to the poor without creating dependency. This training “helps the church to help the poor help themselves.” A course called “Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development” gives you an overview to microenterprise development and microfinance and orients you to the selection and design of a holistic intervention appropriate for your ministry context. Cost of this seven-week course is $199 (USD) plus the cost of separately ordered course material. The course will be offered on Jan. 7 – Feb. 22, 2008.
The prerequisite course is called “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry.” It helps you understand appropriate goals and strategies for conducting Christian development in poor communities. Cost of this four-week course is $75 (USD) plus the cost of separately ordered course material. The next offering is scheduled for Oct. 22 – Nov. 16, 2007. It also will be offered on February 4 – February 29, 2008.
Because the courses are email-based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. Also note that you may spend 8-10 hours per week on course work.
To learn more, including information about a discount for Two-Thirds World participants, or to register, visit
or call 1-706-419-1805. When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN- 09/07.
- HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF MISSIONS — Having a hard time convincing your fellow church members that mission trips are worth it? Help them see what you see by taking them on a short-term missions trip. With the help of the book Equipped for Adventure, designed to help someone lead a short-term missions trip, you can see your church’s mission focus transformed! This book is available for $12.99, and is available online at:
http://www.wmustore.com/product.asp?sku=N064143
To order by phone call: 800.968.7301 (toll-free). If you live outside the US or Canada, call 205.991.4933. You never know who God could call to missions.
- TRY THIS FREE BOOKLET FOR NEW WORKERS — Chris, a missions minister at a large church just outside Indianapolis, recently recommended the booklet called, “Traveler’s Companion.” It is produced by Berna Products. You can find them at
Just click on “Educational Materials”. The brochure is really a 12-page booklet that covers a number of aspects of health and international travel. It is well done and the best part – it is free. (Thanks Chris!)
- SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT LONG-TERM HARM — In addition to its distance learning courses on economic development, the Chalmers Center also offers an email-based distance learning course on the issues surrounding short-term missions (less than one month) in the context of the socio-economic poor. This course presents frameworks for considering these issues so that the benefits of missions projects are maximized and potential harm is minimized. It is designed for those involved in short-term missions to locations in the U.S./Canada and throughout the world. The training is appropriate for: 1) sending churches and denominations, 2) host churches and missionaries, 3) missions project leaders, and 4) missions team members.
Cost of this three-week course is $55 (USD) plus the cost of separately ordered course material. The November offering of this course is full. The next available offering is scheduled for March 10 – March 28, 2008.
Because the course is email-based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. Also note that you may spend 6-8 hours per week on course work.
To learn more, including information about a discount for Two-Thirds World participants, or to register, visit www.chalmers.org or call 1- 706-419-1805. When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-09/07.
- NEW SITE THAT RESPECTS AND WITNESSES TO MUSLIMS — Glance at:
It is a new website that is directed to Muslims around the world. The site asks the seeker “What does the Qur’an say about Jesus?” and then answers many questions Muslims have. (Thanks for the anonymous tip.)
- RECOMMENDED SHIPPER — A good friend recently recommended a shipping company and, although the company is not a Christian Owned company, the sales representative with whom she had worked (Karen) is a believer. She mentioned that the company gives discounts to non-profits (especially churches, missions, etc.) on shipments within the U.S. They also ship abroad; however they cannot offer the same discount. The company can be found at:
http://www.freightquote.com
Or call Karen directly at 800.323.5441, x1548. They apparently allow the user to see multiple shipping avenues, thereby finding the best rate.
- SOURCE FOR SWAHILI BIBLES — Do you know a source for purchase of Swahili Bibles or New Testament? A search has been made through the International Bible Society but it appears that the only option is online through Bible Gateway. Right now the only other alternative that has been found is through the British Bible Society but it would be best if it were from a source in the states. If you have any other leads or suggestions just post a comment with the source at:
- OPPORTUNITY IN CENTRAL ASIA — Here’s a person wanted as a Project Manager for Central Asia. They’re ideally looking for a couple, mid-30’s and above. Projects include water well drilling, water system delivery, build and repair schools. Engineering skills are not necessary, but the person must be able to manage people and make decisions or know how to find answers. Some financial management will be involved. The individual should be gifted or trained in discipleship. Contact travelwaterman(at)yahoo(dot)com if interested and for more details. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP — A Missions Minister wrote, this past week, “I’m a missions minister that is very grateful for the wonderful service you provide through Brigada. I find items in at least every third issue that is helpful to me. Thank you for your efforts for the kingdom.” He enclosed a check for $25. Thanks!!! In addition, thanks to PureSpring Int’l Ministries, Johnathon, Kathleen, Ruth, and First Baptist of Junction City who all bought their travelers’ insurance via , thereby resulting in a sponsorship gift of $47.75! If you’re going to buy traveler’s interruption insurance anyway, (or, for that matter, any other kind of insurance) why not give them a try at:
http://www.missionaryhealth.net/brigada.htm
Thanks, too, for the $20 donation from Golden Rule Travel
http://goldenruletravel.com/missionary.asp
a Christian travel agency that specializes in missionary, adoption, and humanitarian travel. They have special contracts to get the lowest price and extensive knowledge of our industry to give you the best service. Their 24/7 cell phone customer service is unprecedented and industry- leading. Please take a look at them.
- UNDERGIRD BRIGADA — Want to help? Just click “Donate.” You can pull the money from your PayPal account or from any major credit card. Or if you prefer, send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 13711 Willow Reed Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. (Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so for USA citizens, your checks made out to Team Expansion are tax-deductible.) 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 thank you in advance for helping.
- THE BACKPAGE: THE MEANING OF “CAMARADERIE” — To me, it’s a good word: “camaraderie.” It hails from an old French meaning “roommate,” and it carries with it, built in, not only a sense of friendship, but also a *positive* friendship. It goes beyond teammate by implying a sense of laughter, fellowship, and enjoying the challenge.
I have to admit, I’m drawn to camaraderie. It just seems that any job or challenge feels easier when there’s fellowship among those accepting their various roles.
Last night was a good example. I moonlight as a coach for the boys soccer team at a fairly large Christian high school. We were playing a team that had consistently beaten us. But on Labor Day, we did an optional practice where we even named the activities after their players. Drill #22 was the one where the defense sends a ball over the top of the opponents’ defensive line (just like #22 does on the team we were going to confront). When it happened during the game, our players were not only prepared for it, but they were kind of chuckling to themselves while they executed our strategy. They were enjoying camaraderie. Not only did they have a good time, but they also won! We beat our rivals 3-0, even though we had lost to them 3-0 earlier in the season. One reason? We took heart from the camaraderie we experienced with every player faithfully carrying out his role.
How ’bout you? Do you have more fun when you’re serving on a team with camaraderie? Got an example of camaraderie in your own life? Just click comments on the web version of this article to share your testimony and/or life lessons. Find the web version here:
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