In this issue…

  1. DOWN TO THE LAST MONTH FOR SUPPORTING BRIGADA
  2. YWAMMER FROM MALTA PICKS UP THE CHALLENGE
  3. GREAT INTERNET FILTER
  4. EXPANDED BOOK FROM ASI
  5. CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MISSIONARIES
  6. CONFERENCE ACCEPTING REISTRATIONS
  7. TRAINING FOR MISSIONARIES
  8. SUBSCRIBE TO CHRISTIANS IN GLOBAL BUSINESS EZINE
  9. GETTING RID OF SPYWARE
  10. PARTNERSHIPS: WILL WE WORK TOGETHER?
  11. MISSIONS DVD AVAILABLE
  12. MISSIONPREP “SHORT” SEMINAR IN 2005
  13. NEW CHRISTIAN RESOURCE WEB SITE & BLOG
  14. NEPAL AND AFGHANISTAN: MEDICAL OUTREACHES 2005
  15. CALLING ALL MASONS
  16. TEACHERS NEEDED
  17. CLOSING STUFF

  1. DOWN TO THE LAST MONTH FOR SUPPORTING BRIGADA — If you’d like to help provide for our Brigada-sponsored secretary, please speak up now! We received on anonymous gift this past week for $25 (Thanks!). To learn more, click here (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 13711 Willow Reed Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. Thanks! 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.

  2. YWAMMER FROM MALTA PICKS UP THE CHALLENGE — In response to last week’s challenge that YWAM missionaries around the world each pitch in toward our Brigada-sponsored Secretary, Brian, a YWAMmer from Malta stepped up to the plate. Along with his sponsorship of $40, he wrote, ” We have been enjoying and using Brigada info for a long time here at YWAM’s Church Planting Coaches. I wanted to take the opportunity of the challenge from the Holland YWAMer and give some back. Thanks.” Learn more about their work at http://www.cpcoaches.com where you’ll find tons of church planting resources for free. Thanks Brian!

  3. GREAT INTERNET FILTER — Is there anyone out there looking for a great Internet Filter Plus? Faithful reader, Eric, wrote this past week, “We have found one that we really like at our house. If you are, we recommend the Bsafe filter! It’s a great filter that blocks Internet pornography and other objectionable content. It has Anti-Virus options, Pop-Up Blocker, Spam Filter, and other stuff too. We love it. Our teenage sons enjoy safe internet surfing while doing their homework and while e-mailing their friends. It was easy to download. It’s easy to use. And it *works*! To find out more and get your own free 10-Day Trial, please click on this link: http://www.bsafeonline.com?154701

    (Thanks again, Eric. [Disclaimer: Eric will get a commission from this, out of which he’s promised to give an offering to Brigada for every person that signs up.])


  4. EXPANDED BOOK FROM ASI — Audio Scriptures International (ASI) is offering first-time donors an autographed copy of the expanded version of Dr. Hoekstra’s inspiring book, “Honey, We’re Going To Africa.” During the month of December, in exchange for a donation of $30.00 or more. The expanded version is the captivating personal account of a pioneer missionary family’s years in Africa and beyond. The expanded copy includes special chapters like “From Knotted Strings” and “To Talking Bibles”, over 40 photos, and a total of 472 pages. The most common reader response is, “I love that book. I just couldn’t put it down.” Visit ASI’s website to read the reviews. Dr. Hoekstra’s new book makes an ideal Christmas gift and is a valuable resource in every church library. Your contribution requesting the book is a great way to help ASI provide non-readers with Talking Bibles. Visit http://www.audioscriptures.org or call 1-800-318-7262 for more details. Just ask for Dori.

  5. CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MISSIONARIES — Need a great idea for a Christmas gift for the missionary you love! Just click here to see the compilation assembled by Larry! (Great job, Larry!)

  6. CONFERENCE ACCEPTING REISTRATIONS — The Next Step is now accepting registrations for its annual “National Missionary Training Forum” conference at the IMB Headquarters in Richmond, VA. The conference is for those involved in missionary training either in the church, educational institutions, or mission agencies. Nine different workshops will be led by experienced trainers focusing on best practices in critical areas identified in its “Missionary Training Assessment” tool (available at website). The conference is preceded by three forums: 4-Mat, DiSC, and Situational Leadership II. Pre- conference begins January 12; conference begins the evening of January 13 and concludes at noon on January 15. For more information, and to register, go to http://www.thenextstep.org .

  7. TRAINING FOR MISSIONARIES — CIT’s time-tested training package has a unique four-fold focus: The Missionary to the Culture; The Culture to the Missionary; The Missionary to the Missionary; and the Heart of the Missionary. For a moderate time and cost investment, CIT students are anchored with skills to help them survive the storms of cross-cultural entry and move toward long-lasting and effective ministry. The next program begins in early February. Visit http://www.cit-online.org for more information or call 800.887.1786.

  8. SUBSCRIBE TO CHRISTIANS IN GLOBAL BUSINESS EZINE — Since 1999, EC Institute has been published a free monthly ezine for entitled “Christians in Global Business.” Globalization is happening largely on the back of economic forces. Join this ezine to learn about conferences and resources that equip global professionals and executives with models of cross cultural faith integration in this rapidly changing global marketplace. To sign up, either email info(at)ec-i(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or sign up online at http://www.ec-i.org

  9. GETTING RID OF SPYWARE — Some pop ups can also be due to spyware programs installed on the system. If you believe you may have spyware on the system read the below information. Visit http://www.lavasoftusa.com and go to the “Ad-Aware Personal” link on the top left. Download and install the free (personal) version of Ad- aware, then run the program and click “check for updates now” to ensure the program is updated. Then click Start to scan your computer. (or, when you first install the program it should prompt you to perform an update and a full system scan, which you can also do). Remove any items it finds (right click the list, select all objects) (Thanks Eric!)

  10. PARTNERSHIPS: WILL WE WORK TOGETHER? — A new web site http/:www.powerofconnecting.net has been launched to assist the Body of Christ to develop methods and strategies for working together. The founder of InterCristo and Interdev, Phill Butler, along with other associates has launched this new site to provide hope and encouragement. This site seeks to (1) provide resources, (2) identify strategic intersections and (3) serve as catalyst, and coach for leaders.

  11. MISSIONS DVD AVAILABLE — International trainer and consultant, Paul Borthwick, speaks on the “Role of the West and Rest: Where do Western Churches and Missions Agencies Fit Within the Context of Global Christianity.” This 4-hour DVD will help you to help your church become more mission minded. Special Christmas Price! http://acquirewisdom.com/g.o/brigada

  12. MISSIONPREP “SHORT” SEMINAR IN 2005 — SHORT stands for “Short- Termers Holistic Orientation & Training For Short-Termers”, and it happens January 6-7, 2005, in Toronto, Ontario. The SHORT seminar is designed for the Christian seeking to serve short-term overseas (less than 12 months). SHORT seminars can be tailor made to the church or mission team needs. Seminars can be brought on site to the church or mission location if requested. Topics include Cultural Perspective, Personal & Interpersonal, Language Acquisition. Write info(at)missionprep(dot)ca [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or lot on at http://www.missionprep.ca

  13. NEW CHRISTIAN RESOURCE WEB SITE & BLOG -– A new Christian resource Web site and Blog has recently been launched by Dr. Andrew Jackson andy(at)smartchristian(dot)com) at http://SmartChristian.com It contains extensive references and resources on Bible, world religions, cults, theology, world missions and much more.

  14. NEPAL AND AFGHANISTAN: MEDICAL OUTREACHES 2005 — Medical Boomerang, a ministry of YWAM Perth, is for any Christian medical professional. These teams have a brief orientation of 2 days and are then thrust out like a Boomerang for 2 to 3 weeks. In 2005 teams are going to Nepal and Afghanistan. For more information and updates go to http://www.ywamperth.org.au or email info(at)ywamperth(dot)org.au [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].

  15. CALLING ALL MASONS — Looking for an exciting way to use your masonry knowledge? Mission Vision International has a short-term mission trip to rebuild a fallen church steeple in tribal Gujarat India. This historic church is nearly 100 years old and the mother to over 60 tribal churches. Bricklayers, masons, and concrete workers are invited to join them. The trip is planned for the last week of March 2005 and is for nearly 2 weeks. You will need to raise $1799 in support. Mission Vision also plans time for open-air campaigns in villages in the evenings and some work in the slums of Bombay during your STMT. This is a chance to see and minister in parts of India few people ever see. For more information contact Howard HLH(at)MissionVision(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].

  16. TEACHERS NEEDED — Christian International Academy(CIA) is seeking elementary teachers. (2nd Grade Teachers) If you are interested in working among the unreached and untargeted tribes, this may interest you. If you love children and love to teach, this is for you. They are reaching Muslim nation of Guinea in Africa. Dates: August 4, 2005 – June 1, 2006. Please contact CIA(at)TeachusMission(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].