20001015 Brigada Today

In this issue….

MISSIONARIES CAN RECEIVE SUPPORT THROUGH IN JESUS DOT COM

There’s a new website that offers missionaries a way to receive donations from their supporters via the Internet. As opposed to most other websites that rely solely on credit card transactions, InJesus.com offers online checking (or Electronic Fund Transfers–EFTs). The enrollment process to SEND money is quick and simple–just have your checkbook in hand. The process to RECEIVE money is a little bit trickier (only because of government regulations on tax-deductible organizations), but InJesus.com handles a lot of the administrative stuff for you (like sending receipts for tax-deductible gifts to the donor) so it’s worth a little extra effort. See them at http://www.InJesus.com. Get this — they apparently already have over 4200 ministries using the service, with a total of 27,000+ people online in community! Whew! The only hitch (and granted, it’s only a small one) is that they ask $2 per transaction (this transaction fee drops with volume), but I figure that’s minimal compared to not getting the donation at all!

Just for fun, see the Brigada page at http://www.brigada.injesus.com.

IN JESUS DOT COM’S “COMMUNICATIONS ENGINE” WORKS FOR MISSIONARIES

InJesus.com gives missionaries a “communications engine”. It’s quick and simple to use. To make the “engine” work, missionaries fill out a form to set up a “website”, add their email list, then use another form to publish updates, news, requests, etc. Those updates are posted to the “website” AND delivered to the missionary’s email list. The benefit is combining long-term exposure of a document on the Internet with the immediacy of an email. InJesus.com is extremely interested in serving missionaries better in the areas of communications and giving and would welcome your input, suggestions, and constructive criticisms. Contact them via email at feedback@InJesus.com. I tried the page. It wasn’t that hard to register. (When asked for my checkbook information, I clicked “cancel” since I just wanted to browse and I had no problem just viewing the information without giving my checking account number.) Just for fun, see the Brigada page at http://www.brigada.injesus.com.

FAMILYNET MISSION CONFERENCES STILL GOING STRONG

a few years ago there was the snet.misc group of mission conferences, gated to the FamilyNet BBS network. They disappeared for a while as mail and news, but the BBS conference continued, and is now also available as mail, news and on the web. It has been joined by several other mission- related conferences. For details see http://www.geocities.com/missionalia/lists.htm or log in directly from your browser at http://www.family-bbs.net – and if some of the sub- groups need reviving, let’s talk about it! Contact steve at: methodius@bigfoot.com

GET QUICK ACCESS TO MISSIONS ARTICLES ONLINE

I really like http://www.missionreview.com for getting quick access to articles on specific people groups or topics. Just set your filter then click on “search” and you’ll likely find at least one archived article relating to your quest. Tip: the “search” button might be located off to the right of your screen. Just click on the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of your browser to bring it into view. Great resource.

THE LOCAL CHURCH IN MISSION

is the theme of the annual congress of the Southern African Missiological Society (SAMS), to be held in Pretoria, South Africa on 24-26 January 2001. For more information see http://www.geocities.com/missionalia/congress.htm or e-mail missionalia@bigfoot.com

WHAT’S UP WITH THIS HALLOWEEN STUFF?

So . . . is this Halloween thing strictly a USA tradition . . . or do other countries have to deal with this mess as well? Thankfully, Ken Wes has put together one of his famous resource files for us, which you can now grab — if you’re interested — by sending an email to halloween@brigada.org. In this file, he’s listed all kinds of addresses and links for Halloween ideas, including how to learn more, how to make great hand-outs, where to order tracts, and more. I know this one is just a tad far afield from the typical Brigada Today fare, but hey . . . ’tis the season.

FREE PRAYER GUIDE FOR NORTH INDIA MUSLIMS

Membership has its privileges.

Respond now if you’d like the free book, “30 Day Focus on Northern India Muslims.” Multiple copies will be shipped COD, single copies mailed free. Electronic copies are abbreviated to 10 days. For more information, write to hanindia@hotmail.com or to 211 Melvin Drive in Malvern, AR 72104. (Remember not to send credit card information over the open web. Instead, use something like PayPal or an equivalent service.)

MEMORIAL WALL FOR MISSIONARY MARTYRS

The International Missionary Center would like to create a wall, much like the Vietnam Memorial, with the names of missionary martyrs engraved in granite, honoring the price they paid to preach the gospel of Christ. So if you know of a missionary martyr, they’re requesting that you please send the first and last name, date of death, country of death, and source of information no later than Oct. 27 to marymanes@missionary.net. See their website at http://www.missionary.net or call 918-459-0431 to learn more.

HOW TO BUILD BETTER ADVOCACY RELATIONSHIPS

You and your team want to build good relationships with prayer supporters and advocates. So how do you do it? There is an article on newWway.org that will help your team get a perspective on ways to plan for and realize good relationships with your advocates. Also, learn how to reach more people using proven strategic communication principles. You can also link up with tons of Christian resources there too. http://www.newWway.org

NEW AUTORESPONDER: OUTREACH-TO-WOMEN

Are you interested in reaching out to women? Send an email message to outreach-to-women@brigada.org to learn more. Thanks to Ken Wes for compiling this helpful resource list!

VOLUNTEER BRINGS COMPUTERS TO THE BEDOUIN

Are you searching for ideas to feed your plans to help provide computing solutions to the people group for which you’ve been praying? While in Jordan, Sean Osner set up a community center with 10 Intel 486 computers and five Pentium IIIs for the local residents – mostly Kazakh shepherds and goatherds. To see for yourself, check out http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?id=343560
(Source: Computerworld . . . and a tip from Brad. Thanks Brad!)

ALTERNATIVE INFO FOR CHINA INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Several have complained that the link for more information about the Chinese Institute (“FOR THOSE CHINA-BOUND“). to provide cross-cultural workers with the basic linguistic and ministry skills to function efficiently and effective chineseinstitute@email.com

FOR THOSE IN USA: FREE 2-MIN. LONG DISTANCE

If you live in the USA, forget searching for a quarter at payphones, as long as you can condense your phone message to 2 minutes or less. Just call 800-555- TELL then say “phone booth.” In exchange for listening to a 7-second ad, you get a free phone call to any location in the USA. This service should also work for those using Net2Phone or Dialpad, since you can now use TellMe as well. It works great for letting a spouse know you arrived with no problem, or clueing someone in on your contact phone number once you’ve arrived at your destination. No more excuses.

25% OFF DISCIPLELAND MISSIONS/BIBLE CURRICULUM FOR KIDS

DiscipleLand, for elementary and preschool children, integrates missions into regular Bible training. It communicates God’s heart for the world to kids and calls them to reach unreached peoples. DiscipleLand is a full-color resource with world-class illustrations and graphics, with great appeal to children. The curriculum is multi- platform for churches, home schools, and Christian schools. To learn more about DiscipleLand, go to http://www.ThroughTheBible.com, or email Ron rforseth@ThroughTheBible.com or call 800-284-0158 or 970-484- 8483. Sample lessons, hidden people profiles, and articles are available. This fall, Through the Bible has offered a 25% discount for Brigada Today readers trying DiscipleLand with new classes. Mention this when you inquire.

FREE MP3 AUDIO BIBLE

The website http://www.AudioTreasure.com offers the World English Bible in mp3 audio, real audio, and windows media audio for free download and online listening. The Bible audio files can be freely copied and used for ministry. The site also offers a comprehensive links page to Bible audio in the Web in many translations and languages. http://www.audiotreasure.com/audiolinks.htm. The site gives out over 100,000 audio downloads per month to 100+ countries. For info contact Dave@audiotreasure.com.

GET HELP IN UNDERSTANDING PEOPLES

The Australian Centre for Advanced Studies (ACAS) especially encourages research into unreached peoples. ACAS addresses the urgent questions of how to adjust approaches to increase receptivity and openness from people of other cultures. People who seem highly resistant might actually be quite receptive. Whatever your skills in working with people, you’ll learn to use them with people who are culturally different from you. For more info, email ross.woods@mounties.org.au. Ask about their Diploma in University Admissions Studies if you want to gain entrance into an elite university.

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