19980524 Brigada Today

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News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
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Brigada Today is “the missionary helper newsletter!”
Compiled by Doug Lucas <DLucas@teamexpansion.org>, Louisville, KY
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In this issue….

REMEMBERING 3 YEARS AGO: “GCOWE 95 NOW HISTORY”

Three years ago this week, Brigada Today carried the following story. We print it here as a tribute to the fact that Luis Bush and AD2000 & Beyond probably figured it right — “If we build it, they will come!” It worked. Churches and organizations from all over the world have adopted and continue to adopt the world’s least reached peoples, at least in part, because of the promotion provided by GCOWE 95 and the events that followed it. So as you read this 3-year-old document and tread back into the twilight of 1995, join us in looking toward the future, when Dec. 31st, 2000, comes breaking upon us . . . when we can truly celebrate the new open doors and the new open fellowships of churches because of those who have picked up the baton. Here’s the 1995 article: “They came together from all over the world — 186 nations to be exact. It was called the Global Consultation on World Evangelization — and global is right! Our count revealed 3293 delegates plus a total of 827 guests, intercessors, staff and volunteers resulted in 4120 individuals gathered for one and only one purpose — to glorify God and hasten the evangelization of the world in which we live. May 17-25 won’t be soon forgotten, whether in Korea or in parts far flung. What themes will be remembered??? Among them will be …

Reconciliation — Japanese with Koreans, Arabs with Jews, Russian Orthodox with evangelicals, denominations with other denominations.
10/40 Window — From the sermons and presentations to the planning and even the singing… we won’t forget the imaginary rectangle stretching from ten to forty degrees North of the equator, from West Africa to East Asia, where the greatest concentration of unevangelized people reside.
Int’l participation — Not only were two-thirds of the participants from Africa, Latin America and Asia, but the majority of the consultation’s funding came from those nations as well. Western missionaries took notes as African, Asian and Latin American leaders presented their successful methodology. They had become full partners in the task.
Prayer — At the great evangelical consultations (Lausanne I, Lausanne II in Manila, etc.), prayer has always been an ingredient. But some — even the “old-timers” — said they couldn’t remember a time when prayer permeated every component so thoroughly. Who can forget the Cities Track closing, where Viv Grigg organized separate, targeted prayer for each region being reported on? Who will ever forget the Concert of Prayer during the plenary? Prayer in the hallways, prayer in the national meetings, prayer here, prayer there…… prayer as a major weapon or tool in our confrontation with the enemy. It was clear that prayer had finally “arrived” — and was seen as a superior “weapon” in the international worker’s tool box, along with less powerful tactical strategies or scientific church growth approaches.
Networking — Some said that the most valuable times came not during a main plenary session, or even the tracks, but rather in the hallways, over the dining tables, and on the buses, where international workers from around the world met up with mutually helpful contributors from continents around the globe.
Promise — From all the media accounts and reports from the International Office, you’d think this would be the consultation to end all consultations! Well it just might be! As strategies are completed and partnerships gel, God just might raise up international forces that would reach parts of our world that have never been reached before.

In the end, however, what was GCOWE 95 not about? From all appearances, it was not about a global plan. Perhaps it was never meant to be. At one point in the conference, I wrote, “Today, I’ve been sensing a special burden for the fact that there are only four days left of this conference. I’m only one participant — but as for this participant, I was very concerned about the fact that to me, it seemed we hadn’t been told exactly what part we were all supposed to play in this giant tapestry that is supposed to be called, the AD2000 & Beyond movement. In other words, how will we honestly pull it off…. the goal of “A Church for Every People, and the Gospel for Every Person by the year 2000.” I was feeling that there was no “global master plan.” I was feeling as if it was being left to chance. I was asking myself, “Can it be done by Dec. 31, 2000?” I was answering, “Unless someone spells out a strategy in the next four days, I’m not sure there would be any earthly means. It would be totally in God’s hands.” Then it occurred to me, maybe that’s exactly what the leaders of this conference want us to realize. They’re hoping we’ll take this goal and apply it to our own network, be it country-wide, region-wide, or wider. They’re hoping we’ll carry it to our ‘track’ — be it “Saturation Evangelism”, “Denominational Leaders”, or whatever. As a result, it feels…. less “organized.” (OM Director George Verwer says “Where two or three are gathered together, there you have a mess!”) It feels kind of as if we’re leaving something to chance. On the other hand, the AD2000 & Beyond movement’s leaders are probably asking themselves, “How can we presume to forge a global plan among so many varying participants?” And you know what? They’re probably right. Even if they tried… it probably would never work. Maybe the world is too complex to divide up into a mosaic of people groups and expect various parts to “claim” various segments of the tapestry. Maybe it won’t feel as tidy — but maybe it’s for the best. ……… And, after all is said and done, maybe they’re thinking that we toss out the bold goal that would be impossible through man’s efforts — then we all go to our knees knowing that it all depends on God. If God accomplishes it, we will celebrate. But even if He doesn’t, we will still have formed a church that looks more like his prayer in John 17. And maybe that, in and of itself, is worth all the energy invested!”

MISSION FRONTIERS MAKES YOU AN OFFER THEY HOPE YOU WON’T REFUSE

Mission Frontiers (MF), the bulletin of the US Center for World Mission which goes out to over 100,000 Christian leaders in 150 countries with a call to reach all of the unreached peoples, is asking for the help of all Brigada participants. They are asking for your help in distributing printed copies of MF to your friends, family, co-workers, students, pastors, teachers and church members. If you are interested in helping to distribute MF, please contact Rick Wood at Rickwmf@aol.com. When you do, please provide your complete mailing address and how many copies you want as a one time quantity or as a regular quantity each time it comes out. Rick is especially interested in enlisting the help of Bible School, Seminary and college professors in distributing MF to their students.

STAT CAMERA FREE FOR THE ASKING

Ken Smith has a graphic arts friend, Tom Kauffman, who lays out the TIE newsletter. Apparently this guy has a “stat” camera, a fairly large unit used to create internegatives necessary for making metal printing plates. It’s a nuArc, Vertical Vic. Model: VV1418-BL. If you’d like to apply to receive this unit free of charge, write Tom directly at tbk0629@fly023.ca.boeing.com. Keep in mind that you might have to cover/provide transport.

BRITISH AIRWAYS A BIT AGGRESSIVE ON CARRY-ON LIMITATIONS?

Robert Dutton rdutton1@juno.com thinks so. He wrote this past week complaining about Brit-Air’s stance on insisting that passengers check anything beyond 6 kilos, regardless of their size. He reported that overhead storage space was abundant in the cabin… but flight personnel still wouldn’t allow it. Great. And on Wednesday I fly Brit-Air to Africa. Yikes.

Maybe I can pack everything into a 6-kilo bag???

BRIGADA EXCLUSIVE ON SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE

“AudioVision” is a complete teleconferencing, telephony, video email package that is, according to the author, “far superior to any thing out there.” This software allows you to use a digital, analog, or video camera. Imagine a missionary able to report directly from the field to his home church on a Sunday morning. Or sending a 1-minute video prayer email to supporters that is only 400k. One-way counseling could be done from the home office. Parents and grandparent would feel a closer bond with their families overseas. Churches and supporters could actually see the progress of a project they are part of. It even has a feature that allows you to record a video answering machine message (20 mins is only takes up 10megs!) The software is designed to even work on a 14.4 modem over older phone lines. It even comes with a multi-license. Says author Howard Hertzberg, “I would like to see this in as many hands as possible.” It retails for $149.99 in stores, and $99.99 directly from the publisher (http://smithmicro.com). However, Howard, the author, wrote, “But with the Brigada discount I like to offer it to ALL readers for $29.99.” That is 80% off or less a $120. If you’re interested, contact Howard directly at Pioneers@juno.com.

From the same guy you can also request “Accent Express,” a thirty language word processor. Many readers are probably familiar with this product and may have paid the $79.95 it sells for. This would be great for TESL, Bible Translators, Bible School teachers, pastors, and evangelists. It has the capability to import and export to all of the most popular word processors. I like to offer it to the Brigada readers for $19.95. That is 75% off. This is the jewel case version published and imported from Denmark. There is a $4.00 S&H in the USA and $10 outside on both products. Anyone interested in ordering can email me at Pioneers@juno.com.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE ON THE MARCH

Global March for Jesus, the world’s biggest street celebration, would make seven circles of the Equator. More than ten million Christians from many different church groupings thronged the streets of over 2,000 communities in 130 nations yesterday, May 30. No other street event unites so many with a single purpose on a single day. The events ranged from the giant Sao Paulo march which drew over 1.5 million, to tiny and low-key gatherings in nations where Christianity is suppressed. Prayer this year will focus on areas where Christians suffer for their faith.
(Source: Global March for Jesus News Release, May 22, 1998. For more information: http://www.gmfj.org).
Global Glimpse is edited each week by John Hanna, Caleb Project, Littleton, CO.)

SOMEBODY READS BRIGADA

Just rec’d this email from Howard: “Several months ago you ran a blurb for our “Fisher’s of Men” reentry devotions resulted in about 60 contacts, and 30+ orders for samples (many from all over the world). I was amazed at the readership and the actual response that came from the little note you ran. Thanks.” Somebody reads Brigada! Yahooo!

ALL FRONTIER MISSIONS CONFERENCES

If you’re sponsoring or if you’re even aware of a frontier missions conference from now through 1999, drop Jeff a line at jd_Parker@hotmail.com. He’ll assemble a compilation that we can later publish here on Brigada. As a minimum, please give dates, location, purpose, sponsor and contact person for the conference. Thanks for pulling this together, Jeff!

THOUSAND ENCOURAGEMENTS FROM THOUSAND OAKS

Thanks to Pam, from Thousand Oaks, CA, for submitting this great anonymously written poem. She writes, “Encouragement: The Difference of ‘One’; May this remind you of the great difference your life makes. Praying that He lights your path in a new way in the days ahead and that He renews your spirit like the wings of an eagle…

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to YOU!

[Don't ever forget how very important YOU are.
Anonymous]

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