In this issue…

  1. JUST UNDER $4000 TO GO FOR 2003 SPONSORSHIPS
  2. INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES REACHING UPGS
  3. USER FROM CHAD AGREES: PLAXO TO THE MAXO IS WILL TAXO
  4. STUFF YOUR STOCKINGS WITH A FUNNY MISSIONS BOOK
  5. A HOOT OF A MISSIONS BOOK JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
  6. OPERATION IMPACT: MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
  7. FREE DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE
  8. THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF RECONCLILIATION STUDIES
  9. GROW YOUR CHURCH GOD’S WAY
  10. INTERDEV CALLS IT A DAY
  11. GLOBAL PASSION 2
  12. THE BACK PAGE: MISSIONS IN A CONNECTED WORLD
  13. CLOSING STUFF
  1. JUST UNDER $4000 TO GO FOR 2003 SPONSORSHIPS — Can you believe it? We are over 3/4 of the way there. Would you consider clicking over to: https://brigada.org/sponsor.html to register your partnership with Brigada Today. All proceeds go to pay for a Brigada Secretary. Sponsors get preferential fast-track listings in Brigada Today, links on the Sponsors page, real “human” help with subscribing, plus — once we reach our goal, we won’t have to mention the need for sponsors again for the entire year! :-) So please check with your church, group, or agency, or just jump in with both feet as an individual to pitch in $50, $100, or $1000 toward the accomplishment of our mutual goal, thereby helping Brigada Today continue on schedule. Thanks for your partnership!!!
  2. INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES REACHING UPGS — Can international churches serve as more than places of fellowship? They sure can! The Missional International Church Network (MICN) models and teaches how international churches can reach three focus groups: 1) expats; 2) English-speaking locals; and 3) UPGs. Several churches have begun creative indigenous UPG ministry in the limited access countries in which they are located. The first MICN Conference will be 8-11 March 2004 in Jakarta, Indonesia. For information contact: conference@micn.org or on the web at: http://www.micn.org
  3. USER FROM CHAD AGREES: PLAXO TO THE MAXO IS WILL TAXO — Here’s a Brigada reader from Chad: “Just wanted to say a big *Thank you* for the paragraph about why you opt out of Plaxo – I quote it in reply to every Plaxo ping I get, and a few people have written back to say that have reconsidered and uninstalled it. Note: If you’re going to do this, make sure you don’t just hit the reply button, cuz that just goes back to Plaxo, send it to their personal address!” Well said! (We’ll leave your name unmentioned for sensitivity’s sake, but thanks for your input! We couldn’t agree more!)
  4. STUFF YOUR STOCKINGS WITH A FUNNY MISSIONS BOOK — “Siberian Shivers” is a collection of true anecdotes told by Bill Harris, a missionary serving in Siberia. Each story is humorously told, then wrapped up with insights of practical use to newcomers to the foreign scene, whether or not they are headed for cold climates. So get a real eye opener to culture shock issues. Order Siberian Shivers in time for Christmas! You can read the first story “Uaz Adventure” for free by going to http://www.geocities.com/HarrisesInRussia/sibshivers.htm or order immediately by writing dick@sleeper.us . Cost is $7 for your first copy; $6 for the second up to infinity!
  5. A HOOT OF A MISSIONS BOOK JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS — “The Great Siberian Rail Adventure” is the hilariously heart-stopping story of the Harris family’s journey by car, ship, and rail across Russia. Come along and you’ll find a dragon, an axe-wielding conductor, a supersonic clothes washer, and a van with a death wish. Packed with cultural insights, order by writing dick@sleeper.us. $7 for your first copy; $6 for the second up to infinity. Climb aboard!
  6. OPERATION IMPACT: MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE — Azusa Pacific’s Operation Impact was apparently a life-changing experience for one Brigada participant: “The program was challenging and extremely useful in helping me to focus my vision and develop the program of ministry that I was involved in,” wrote SK. “The assignments and projects were designed to help me in my current ministry, to help me make my program even better.” Azusa Pacific University stages Master’s Degree classes in Social Science in the Philippines every June. Cost is 1/3 of on- campus prices! The upcoming session is May 31-June 11, 2004, at which time they plan to offer: Ethics in a Changing Organizational Environment, Leader as an Agent of Change, Current Issues in Leadership, Group Dynamics and Conflict Management. For more information contact Melody kzkuka@jmf.org.ph or call 632-658-3807.
  7. FREE DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE — A software developer (turned missionary) has developed Windows-based Distance Education Course Development software for the typical user. This *free* software will: * let you or indigenous Christians develop courses using the 10 *free* “Clip-lib” pop-up scripts he’s written to use with a *free* HTML editor, * provide for dialup Internet access only when the student sends and receives emails from other students or the instructor, or * allow the student to study online using his own PC’s email program to save his course work, using the *free* JavaScripts, or * work completely online using any PC – at an Internet cafe, library, using the same courseware, just switching to different *free* JavaScripts, etc. You can try it online and download it from: http://agape-biblia.org/index01.htm [then click on “Lesson Template S”]. (Thanks Robert!)
  8. THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF RECONCLILIATION STUDIES — In association with John Dawson’s International Reconciliation Coalition, registration is now open for the new web-based, self-paced, 9 month, school for leaders, the International School of Reconciliation Studies. Comprised of a world-class gathering of scholars and storytellers, this school seeks to multiply creative, Biblically-anchored, multi-cultural reconcilers throughout the world. The journey begins January 7th, 2004. To discover more go to http://www.reignbridge.com/?page=school or write schools@gracebridge.org
  9. GROW YOUR CHURCH GOD’S WAY — Sharing Christ Ministries is seeking to equip Christians to live and share the victorious Christian Life. For a limited time, as a part of the National 40 Days of Purpose, take advantage of time tested, Bible based curriculum and tools. You’ll receive a complete system and over-all strategy to equip Christians to grow and share Christ as a way of life. Contact Sharing Christ Ministries with complete contact information for your church ministry for your free information packet. All responses received within 30 days will receive a special bonus. http://www.sharingchrist.net or email ministry@sharingchrist.net
  10. INTERDEV CALLS IT A DAY — Guess you’ve heard about Interdev. You’ll recall that they were the high-flying partnership-developing agency in the 80s. Then AD2000 & Beyond helped propel them into *tons* of additional partnership conferences in the 90s. The press release included this paragraph: “Arriving on the missions scene twenty years ago with an innovative strategy for collaborative ministry, Interdev has brought together over 500 partner agencies and churches, and has invested time, energy and resources in almost 300 partnerships working to birth the Church among the world’s least reached peoples. Thanking God for these remarkable years of facilitating the birth of the partnership movement, the Board has recognized that the ‘idea’ has outgrown the need for the organization.” I have to wonder how much the economic down-turn contributed to this unfortunate end.
  11. GLOBAL PASSION 2 –- Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With a Mission, will join other speakers at Global Passion 2 ‘It’s For You’. The 2-day conference aims to energize, equip and empower delegates with God’s passion for His world. Global Passion 2 is being held in Liverpool, UK on 20th – 21st Feb 2004. For more information, see: http://www.ywamliverpool.co.uk or email globalpassion@ywamliverpool.co.uk
  12. THE BACK PAGE: MISSIONS IN A CONNECTED WORLD — This past weekend, our mission organization called together our team leaders from around the world. They came from every continent, representing the majority of our 53 projects in 35 countries. Many of these men and women have been “at it” for 15 or more years. But some are starting literally in the next 90 days. What were the hot topics that seemed to resonate most?
    *** How do we start a church-planting movement that will multiply?
    *** How can we “start from scratch” in a new field?
    *** How can we maintain security in sensitive, creative-access lands?
    *** How would we handle a crisis, should it develop among one of our team members? As I listened to these team leaders brainstorm, share stories, and give testimonies with one another, the thought occurred to me… Just think how much more “connected” our missions world is these days, compared to William Carey’s era. Several of these team leaders send Instant Messages to their families while they’re away from home. For some, I wonder if they ever really sense that they’ve parted at all. It’s quite a contrast from William Carey packing his clothes in his coffin. More than anything else, the weekend reaffirmed to me the value of gathering together representatives of each team, who will then carry back encouragement, resources, and new ideas to their respective teammates. I give praise to the Lord that He permits us to work as a part of the over all family of God, and in concert with like-minded believers who help carry the load. May God bless your own ministry as you seek to reach the people to whom you are called.
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