The first edition of Brigada popped into 25 or so inboxes exactly 25 years ago this week. It was January 1995 — a high-energy time for missions mobilization. Were you there? What are your best memories? Click the title to hear/share more of the story in the comments for this item. Happy Birthday Brigada.
1) Happy 25th Birthday Brigada!
Luis Bush was building momentum for the AD2000 & Beyond Movement. I (Doug) was on a quest to figure out how we get information out to those who were trying to mobilize and resource others. Brigada, like many things in life, came more out of necessity than out of a master design. In some ways, it has changed very little. 1,300 weekly editions later, here we are.
When did YOU sign up for Brigada? Can you remember those early editions? You can still read them today. Just click “Archives” in the top menu here in the web version.
I believe I may have been one of the first 25 to receive Brigada. I was living in Colorado Springs serving with the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse. I was working on what then was called the Unreached and Adoptable Peoples database which was the precursor to Joshua Project. I wish to thank you for 25 years of faithfulness in Kingdom ministry and expansion.
Terry! I remember you! And I remember your work with those 11 full-size, four-drawer filing cabinets! Thanks for being a survivor! : )
I think I have been with you for most of those 25 years while we lived in Zaire, Kenya, England, Canada and now the USA.
Bless you for the incredible role you have had in offering materials to be used in sharing the Gospel around the world.
Grateful and thanks Doug,
Doug
Doug – you are a survivor!
I was definitely “around” in 1995, doing pre-field training for Wycliffe and others…writing books on Missionary Care…doing a good bit of international travel, awakening many to the “rest of the team” participation in the missions process. I am not sure I caught your first editions of this excellent bulletin, but have been reading it for a long time! Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord in all you do in His Kingdom work.
Neal! I think we first met up when you did the first edition of your book. Thanks for your faithfulness!
Felicidades, Brigada, from Los Cabos, Mexico! What wonderful resources you offer to those of us who love the Lord and His Church. I have used or passed on scores of your posts. You folks are a great blessing to us!
Bless you for your kind words, Vicki!
I heard about Brigada from our missions weekend speaker in 1995 . John ? Who was with World Vision? Talked about this new network for missions. As the head of our church missions team and later as the missions pastor for the next ten years I used resources from Brigada constantly to educate the team and the church. Having been on a different ministry path for the last 13 years I am no longer a missions person but still read Brigada and appreciate it. Thanks Doug and all for this great endeavor for the last 25 years!
Wow Dennis. That wouldn’t have been John Robb would it? He was in that original group of 25 recipients! Whoa. You *do* go all the way back. You’re a survivor!
Thanks for the reminder, It was John Robb. I could see his face and the cover of his book except for his name We shared a meal together and he told me all about Brigada but it was very new to him and he though it would be a great resource for our missions effort and it was!.
John is a special friend. Thankful for his life.
I remember receiving the first Brigada mewsletter. I think I also received an email from Doug about the fact that there was no subscription charge for the newsletter. At that time I had just retired from WorldVenutre as Asia Ministries Director, but I have continued to receive Brigada ever since the first issue.
Wow. You’re a survivor, Leonard.
I was not one of the initial 25 but joined within the first year or two. At the time my family was serving as pilot/mechanic with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Irian Jaya (now Papua), Indonesia. I don’t remember how I heard about Brigada but signed up and have been loving it ever since. I now serve as the Director of International Church Multiplication for the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (office in Ft Wayne, Indiana) and have passed on the Brigada link to many of our workers and contacts through the years. Thank you for the commitment and faithfulness to keep up with the great variety of mission topics.
Bless you Hal! Thanks for encouraging! Appreciate you. You’re a survivor! : )
I might have been one of the original 25. If not, I joined soon thereafter. I remember being convinced that Brigada was the real deal when I met Doug in Korea that summer. Didn’t we end up rooming together in Seoul? My memory is fading. Anyway, what has not faded is Doug’s commitment to Jesus and his global labor of love. Thank you Doug for your long-suffering service to the global Body of Christ. You are a wonderful role model, godly leader, and humble servant. One of my lifelong regrets remains that we have not lived closer so we could hang out together. You encourage my soul!
Snow soccer! : ) Yes — you were in the original few months of Brigada, brother! Thanks for responding. YOu’re a survivor!