In this issue…

  1. MISSION INNOVATORS
  2. CONFERENCE FOR CHURCHES REACHING MUSLIMS IN AMERICA
  3. CONFERENCE ON WORK IN TURKEY
  4. SOUND SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR EVANGELISTS/MISSIONARIES
  5. AIDS/HIV RELATED MINISTRIES HAVE A NEW PARTNER
  6. TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS!
  7. DO YOU LOVE MISSIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK?
  8. CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THE WORMS IN OUR EMAIL?
  9. UNCONFERENCE COMING IN OCTOBER TO VIRGINIA
  10. MK CAREGIVER TRAINING WORKSHOP
  11. CLOSING STUFF

  1. MISSION INNOVATORS — Mission Innovators is an intensive 4-day course in creative missiological thinking “guaranteed to change the way you understand and engage in mission work.” This session’s trainers include William R. O’Brien, Daniel Carro, Bob Sjogren, Lillie Brock (creator of the “Change Cycle,”) John Upton, Earlene Jessee, Jerry Jones, and Christopher Richardson. The course will begin on October 17- 18, 2003 and continue on February 27-28, 2004. It will take place at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond, Virginia, and is limited to 30 participants. The deadline for registration is October 1, 2003. Tuition of $499 includes materials, refreshments, lunch, and dinner on all 4 days of the course. Lodging and transportation are the responsibility of participants. Full information and a downloadable brochure are available online at http://www.vbmb.org/innovators.htm To register, or for more information, contact Christopher Richardson at chrisr@vbmb.org .

  2. CONFERENCE FOR CHURCHES REACHING MUSLIMS IN AMERICA — You’re invited to Oasis 2003, Indianapolis, IN on October 23-25. Your church can have a wonderful role in introducing Muslims to a relationship with the Savior. Oasis ’03 is designed specifically to help churches like yours get involved. Sponsored by Crescent Project, Arab World Ministries, Caleb Project and Pioneers. For more information contact info@oasisamerica.org or phone Crescent Project at (888)446-5457 or see the website at http://www.oasisamerica.org

  3. CONFERENCE ON WORK IN TURKEY — The North American Conference on Turkey set for November 5-7, 2003 in Mesa, Arizona. Turkish church and worker leaders will be present. Organizers are planning tracks for those new to the work in Turkey and for those with long-term strategic involvement. For more information write or The International Turkey Network: mail@itnet.org or call (in the USA) 480-464-3983.

  4. SOUND SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR EVANGELISTS/MISSIONARIES -– Sound Communications Inc. (SCI) of Louisiana builds portable sound systems for those “on the go.” The Communicator is the latest model that brings a unique “All Weather” capability to a very versatile, durable, self- contained, over the shoulder type system that offers mobility as well as quality sound. Contact them about a package price ideal for missionaries and outdoor evangelists. Also check out the Power T12V which is reportedly the number one system in schools and recreation departments in the state of Louisiana. Check details, pricing and endorsements at: http://www.scipower.net or via email scipower@bayou.com . You can call toll-free from the USA or via Net2Phone 1-866-846-4036. Their office phone in the USA is 1- 318-396-7221.

  5. AIDS/HIV RELATED MINISTRIES HAVE A NEW PARTNER — Missions by Modem International is a Faith Based Organization providing resources for free help & distribution to those with AIDS. They distribute resources to anyone, anywhere, as God provides funding. For more information, see http://www.mbmiaids.ole.net . Once on the site, click on the document, 1_Welcome_to_MBMI_HIV-AIDS.rtf You can call them in the USA at 248-545- 7340. For more information contact Archie aids@mbmintl.org

  6. TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS! — Need a transportation solution for your Christian ministry? Check out MATS. They obtain new field units for mission agencies built for the respective country, insured, and delivered to port. They can acquire all the major manufacturers, new and used cars, suv’s, mini-vans, club wagons, church vans and busses. Their sole objective is to save you money when your need is a vehicle for ministry. Find them on the web at http://www.mats.org or email car@mats.org

  7. DO YOU LOVE MISSIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK? — Action International Ministries has an immediate need for a business administrator to serve in Manila, Philippines. This position is open immediately for someone who loves the Lord, loves people, is skilled in administration, and is willing to trust the Lord for their support. To see a job description and learn more about this position, check our website: http://www.actionph.org or email Mary Ann at maryann@actionintl.org

  8. CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THE WORMS IN OUR EMAIL? — The sudden upsurge in successful emailed “worms” has caused some web-savvy columnists to prophesy that email will eventually be rendered completely worthless. Another contributor to its demise, according to these doom-sayers, is spam. I’ll have to admit, it’s getting completely ridiculous. I log on and there will be 60 new messages, 45 of which are either viruses or spam. Here’s Doug’s “words to the wise” about all that: Don’t post your email address on the web; don’t give it out in chat rooms or news groups. Use Symantec Antivirus and make sure it’s kept up to date (like, within 24 hours). Upgrade to Windows XP and turn on the “fire wall” feature … or use a router, even if you only connect via dial- up. (Previously, you always thought your email address was safe because you have dynamic IP assignment with your ISP. Not so any more. Get a firewall.) Never, never, never, never click on an attachment — if you can at all avoid it. Send all your documents via PDF files so nobody can fool with them. If someone tells you they got an email from you and it was virus-laden, don’t assume you’re infected. Some viruses and worms now “harvest” email addresses, then plug them into the “From:” box, then send them smartly to email addresses associated with the harvested address. Devious. And one more thing — ditch that letter offering to give you 24 million dollars if you hand over your bank account number. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. :-)

  9. UNCONFERENCE COMING IN OCTOBER TO VIRGINIA — New Way Missions will hold UnConference 2003 in Richmond, Virginia, October 10-12. What’s an “Un” Conference? It’s like none other you’ve ever seen. No famous names. No long lectures. Just a lot of good, interactive learning about short-term missions from folks who’ve “been there, done that” and want to help you avoid lots of pitfalls Here’s a way for you to learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about short-term missions and more. Speakers will cover the basic and practical aspects of fielding and screening a team as well as equip you with creative, cross-cultural ministry ideas. Want to know more? Call New Way Missions at (804) 798- 6730 or send them an email mllaird@earthlink.net or check out their web site http://www.newwaymissions.org Save the dates and join them. Bring a friend too! Registration closes September 25.

  10. MK CAREGIVER TRAINING WORKSHOP — Sponsored by Interaction International, 17-19 November 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this workshop will help caregivers & personnel directors with a sending agency, pastors to people in ministry, school counselors & chaplains, and laypersons desiring to work with MKs. Designed to provide practical ideas, skills, strategies and resources to enhance your efforts, the seminar will help MK caregivers to sharpen their skills, enhance their program, clarify their goals and set new priorities in providing crucially needed services to children and parents. For further information about the seminar or to register contact Andrea Riedner (719) 599-8889 or office@tckinteract.net and she will promptly respond. They are nearing capacity; as of the last we heard, they only had 8 more registration slots open!