In this issue…

  1. TRAINING ON MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
  2. NORTH AMERICAN UNREACHED PEOPLE’S NETWORK ESTABLISHED
  3. SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT LONG-TERM HARM
  4. CHILD SAFETY GROUP CONVENES
  5. OPPORTUNITIES TO TEACH ENGLISH IN QINGDAO, CHINA
  6. RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT ONE-WEEK MODULES
  7. WANT TO SUBMIT AN ITEM TO BRIGADA? SEE THE GUIDELINES PLEASE
  8. FOCUS ON POVERTY, REFUGEES, HIV/AIDS AND OTHER SOCIAL ILLS
  9. NONPROFIT AND CHURCH LEGAL TRENDS MEMORANDUM POSTED
  10. PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR TEACHING ENGLISH
  11. LEARN DISASTER AND CRISIS RELIEF OPERATIONS
  12. FOCUS ON THE MBALANTU PEOPLE
  13. HATS OFF TO THOSE WHO MAKE POSSIBLE OUR WORK
  14. LET YOUR GIVING HAVE A GLOBAL VOICE
  15. THE BACKPAGE: TAP INTO THE TRUE ENERGY SOURCE
  16. CLOSING STUFF
  1. TRAINING ON MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Develop 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 to 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 next offering is scheduled for Oct. 1 – Nov. 16, 2007. It also will be offered on Jan. 7 – Feb. 22, 2008.

    The prerequisite for the 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 Aug. 20 – Sept. 14, 2007. It also will be offered on Oct. 22 – Nov. 16, 2007.

    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

    http://www.chalmers.org

    When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-06/07.

  2. NORTH AMERICAN UNREACHED PEOPLE’S NETWORK ESTABLISHED — 32 lay people and ministry leaders recently met in Minneapolis to brainstorm and plan for a new network that hopes to help infuse new energy into unreached peoples networks reaching out from North America. Dubbed the North American Unreached People’s Network (NAUPN), its leadership team of 9 visionaries hope to stage its first major consultation in Dallas, Nov. 27-29. (Rats; I’m supposed to be in Europe that week. :-( Maybe I can change my travel plans — or send an associate.) Included in the group are representatives of Mission America, visionSynergy, Impact, Antioch Network, and others. If you’re interested, jot a note to info(at)powerofconnecting(dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  3. SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT LONG-TERM HARM — In addition to its distance learning courses on economic development, the Chalmers Center also offers a low-cost 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 and 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 next offering is scheduled for Oct. 29 – Nov. 16, 2007. It also will be offered on 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

    http://www.chalmers.org

    When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-06/07.

  4. CHILD SAFETY GROUP CONVENES — On May 8-10, 2007, fifty-five people from twenty mission agencies/faith-based NGOs met on the lovely grounds of Campus Crusade for Christ in Orlando, Florida, for the Second Joint Consultation on Child Safety and Abuse Response. As had been hoped and prayed for, a collaborative network of mission agencies and faith-based NGOs are intentionally and strategically addressing the issues of child protection within the broader US-based mission-sending community. The response across the board has been enthusiastic and heart-felt.

    The results include the following: The third meeting, geared toward mission leaders/decision makers who will formulate and resource policy for each agency, is tentatively scheduled for February 2008. In the meantime, the attending organizations are committed to sharing resources and partnering in prevention and response when possible. They are also working toward a common set of definitions, best-practice standards, and prevention and response protocols that would provide a high level of confidence for their staff, along with consistency and partnership in this critical area between organizations.

    Further updates regarding the third meeting, including specifics on whom to contact, will be forthcoming on Brigada within the next few months. Keep reading.

  5. OPPORTUNITIES TO TEACH ENGLISH IN QINGDAO, CHINA — The Baishan School is looking for native English speakers with an education degree or teaching experience to teach English to Chinese children in kindergarten through grade 9 beginning August 1. The school is operated by like-minded local friends looking to impact Chinese society. Salary, airfare, housing, and local medical insurance is provided during the eleven-month contract. Committed Christian teachers desiring to teach English in this city by the sea should contact Cindy at Cindyf(at)ldius(dot)org
  6. RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT ONE-WEEK MODULES –- The SWORD training course offers one-week modules on Aquaculture, Micro-Finance & Business-as- Mission, and water & other community technologies. It all begins April 7, 2008 (Jordan), followed by a field assignment to selected countries on June 30, 2008. Both the 12-week lecture phase and the one-week modules are available. The Field Assignment is spearheaded by the Beijing Olympic Outreach. After the Beijing Olympics, a team will remain in China to finish their Field Assignment.( The Olympic outreach within the SWORD course is optional). The rest of the teams / candidates will proceed to their target countries in the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans and other Asian countries for their respective Field Assignments. And then, get the opportunity to work with our dispatches in some parts of the world! For more info, email streams7(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 .]
  7. WANT TO SUBMIT AN ITEM TO BRIGADA? SEE THE GUIDELINES PLEASE — Just click “submit an item” in the top line menu. There you’ll find 25 tips that help you find your way into Brigada Today effortlessly and efficiently.
  8. FOCUS ON POVERTY, REFUGEES, HIV/AIDS AND OTHER SOCIAL ILLS — Get it at the SWORD training course, along with info on the current situation in some of the poorest countries in the world. Learn the strategies. Find out where God is leading you to serve. It starts April 7, 2008 (Jordan), followed by a field assignment to selected countries on June 30, 2008. Both the 12-week lecture phase and the one-week modules are available. For more info, email streams7(at)juno(dot)com.
  9. NONPROFIT AND CHURCH LEGAL TRENDS MEMORANDUM POSTED — The latest issue of the Nonprofit and Church Legal Trends Memorandum is now online. Be sure to note the new location.

    http://www.nonprofitchurchlaw.org

    In this issue, learn about legal restrictions as to the nature and/or extent of fundraising solicitations that may be used outside the U.S. such that will jeopardize US donors tax deductions, read the latest stats on number of nonprofit organizations, see info on new governance practices posted by the IRS, learn how to substantiate business expenses, and much much more.

  10. PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR TEACHING ENGLISH — Invest three weeks in hands-on TESOL training and ensure that your teaching is effective and your ministry with students is enhanced. There are still a few slots left in Essentials of TESOL, July 9-27, 2007, at Biola University in southern California. You will: learn methods and techniques for teaching English language skills, be introduced to the sound and grammar systems of English, discover teaching materials, explore cultural issues, and learn appropriate ways of being a Christian teacher. You will also get supervised experience in teaching non-native speakers. Non-credit tuition is only $525. Dorm space may still be available. Learn more at

    http://www.biola.edu/sics/academics_tesol.cfm

    or call 562/903-4844 or contact kitty(dot)purgason(at)biola(dot)edu for an application. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

  11. LEARN DISASTER AND CRISIS RELIEF OPERATIONS — Catch one-week modules on Disaster & Crisis Relief Operations, Light Search & Rescue, and Disaster Health Care at the SWORD (Strategic Seminars-Workshops on Relief & Development), April 7, 2008 (Jordan), followed by a field assignment to selected countries on June 30, 2008. For more info, write streams7(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 .]
  12. FOCUS ON THE MBALANTU PEOPLE — This people of northern Namibia in Africa would be *hard* to reach, perhaps, but should that mean they are unreachable? Not so much. Needing a Savior? Yes. Driving through the northern areas of Namibia, a Christian worker asked our guide where were the majority of the Mbalantu people. He said “far west.” The worker asked him, is there any one ministering with them. His reply, “We have some preaching points to the west, but they are too far west.” God has put these people in Namibia and He did not put them too far west! Please pray that someone will see the need of the Mbalantu. Pray that someone will feel God’s desire to reach these people that are too far west! Pray for the Mbalantu people, a Forgotten People, but not forgotten by God! To adopt the Mbalantu people for prayer or for more information, please e-mail forgottenpeoples(at)telkomsa(dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  13. HATS OFF TO THOSE WHO MAKE POSSIBLE OUR WORK — Thanks to the YWAMmers from the far North who sent $50 to enable more work from Brigada! We appreciate you and the fact that you wanted to remain anonymous… but we’re forever grateful for your sacrificial service long-term in the field. Another partner from Topeka sent $50. Shew. We appreciate you. Thanks to the other friend who sent $100 — same story – – long-time Brigada reader who just wanted to say thanks. What an honor to serve him. Another $100 came from Alameda, CA. Praise be to God. And finally, thanks to the missions-oriented church on the East Coast who sent $500 to undergird our work here and keep Brigada going out the door. Inspirational and humbling — that’s what that is. They added that they had been getting Brigada since nearly the very beginning. What an encouragement. Thank you so much.
  14. LET YOUR GIVING HAVE A GLOBAL VOICE — Help make Brigada happen. Just click “Sponsor/Donate” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a 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.
  15. THE BACKPAGE: TAP INTO THE TRUE ENERGY SOURCE — In my spare time (ok, I confess: not so much :-) ), I enjoy reading Astronomy Magazine, even though the cosmology articles are often off-base. Take the one by Scott Dodelson in the May 2007 issue (p. 43), entitled “Seeing The Red Limit.” He’s the Dir. of the Center for Particle Astrophysics at the Fermi National Accelerator Lab in Batavia, IL (sounds important enough). He wrote the book, _Modern Cosmology_ (Academic Press), 2003. And his quote looked promising, actually, at least at first: “Ordinary matter … can’t produce an accelerating universe. … Whatever causes this cosmic acceleration, it’s truly an exotic form of energy that isn’t diluted as the volume enclosing it expands. Physicists have dubbed this ‘dark energy.'” How do we tell these guys in a nice way that not only have we located the source of that “dark energy,” but that we also tap into it *daily*?

    Colossians 1:15-17 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” So there you have it: the true energy source.

    Just make sure you’ve tapped in tonight.

    Want to write a response? … express your own opinion on energy sources? Just click over to

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