- NEW MISSIONS AWARENESS TOOLS
- GO ONLINE, DOWNLOAD, LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS
- BUILDING A MISSIOPEDIA
- MISSIONARY VIDEO CHANNELS
- TWO ACMC CONFERENCES GOING FORWARD AS PLANNED
- CORRECTED CONTACT INFORMATION FOR “MORE MISSIONS DRAMAS”
- AND *MORE* DRAMAS
- TRAINING IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
- RESOURCES FOR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS
- LAUNCHING A CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENT AMONG AN ORAL CULTURE?
- DO YOU PLACE OVERSEAS CALLS FROM YOUR USA-BASED CELL PHONE?
- HELP ALAN GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
- UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERS
- LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS
- ONLINE MAGAZINE CORRECTION
- INDEBTED TO PARTNERS
- KEEP BRIGADA PUMPING
- THE BACKPAGE: MANY MOURN, SOME MOBILIZE CALEB PROJECT/ACMC
- CLOSING STUFF
- NEW MISSIONS AWARENESS TOOLS — Good News Productions, International has two new missions awareness tools to get youth excited about missions. The first is an exciting new children’s program called GNPI Kids Live that will work in conjunction with any VBS program. It is a five-part digital DVD presentation of missions from a kid’s perspective. It is fashioned after a talk show in which the presenter is a puppet character named Rocky Surface. … To preview this material, go to
The second tool is a movie called All Things New. It is being marketed as a fundraising tool for youth to raise funds for missions trips or Christ In Youth conferences, while also raising funds for Good News Productions, International and Christians’ Haven (The ministry in the Philippines on which the movie is based.). As Matt Proctor, President of Ozark Christian College, put it, “This movie will call viewers to risky obedience and the need to put hands and feet on their compassion.” To view the trailer and get other information on this film, go to
http://www.allthingsnewmovie.com
You can also get more information on these tools by calling 800-457- 4674 and asking for Amber.
- GO ONLINE, DOWNLOAD, LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE — If you have a broadband connection and a computer, you have access to a world of foreign language instruction — for free. And if you have an MP3 audio player, you can even carry lessons around with you to listen on the bus, in the car or anywhere else you listen to music. All kinds of language lessons are available in free “podcasts” (which are like radio programs you download from the Internet.) In his Chicago Tribune column “On Language” this week, Nathan Bierma lists the web sites for learning a major foreign language with the best quality, free language podcasts he could find. It is available at:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0701230287jan24,1,5624467.story
If that URL is too long, you can access the same web page with this link:
Nathan includes resources to learn Mandarin Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, Greek, Latin and English as a Second Language. (Thanks to the anonymous friend who tipped us off to this item!)
- VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS — High school youth around the world have a chance to learn the video production process from start to finish, creating programs with powerful Christian content in the process. Good News Productions, International is leading this innovative program called Media Challenge as a way to engage techno- savvy youth around the world in the process of reaching their peers using the tools of the media. The goal is to challenge Christian youth to speak out about issues of faith and practice, using the specific cultural context in which they live as the background for their programs. The workshops offer more than technical training; significant time is devoted to script development and writing to assure the content is on target and effective. For 2007, two USA based workshops will be held; one on the campus of St. Louis Christian College (July 1-7) and a second at Cincinnati Christian University (July 8-14). Two international workshops are scheduled; one in Zakosciele, Poland (July 22–August 4) and another in Chiang Mai, Thailand (June 17-23). Information about the USA workshops, including the curriculum and application process, can be found online at
Information about the International workshops can be obtained by writing to director(at)mediachallenge(dot)org. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Churches and missionaries who would like to host and/or sponsor an international workshop are also encouraged to contact the director, Bob Sartoris, at the address above. If you’d like to be involved in the workshops this summer, better hurry. There’s an end-of-March deadline coming up quickly.
- BUILDING A MISSIOPEDIA — It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 7 years since the 2nd edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia was published. What’s the next generation of mission dictionaries, encyclopedias and atlases? Is it possible to do for mission reference works what Wikipedia did for human knowledge? Will we know unless we try? Justin Long has launched an experimental Missiopedia at
http://www.momentum-mag.org/wiki/index.php
If you have something you think should go in an encyclopedia about missions – an article about a country, a people group, a province, a city, a denomination, a ministry, or what have you – then now is the time for you to step up to the plate and participate.
- MISSIONARY VIDEO CHANNELS — Recently Justin Long asked if anyone was doing missionary videocasting on YouTube or Google Video. Justin got a few responses and, in order to make it manageable, he’s added a relevant page on the new Missiopedia wiki that he is developing (which might be blank so far, but let’s grow it). Anyone can add to the list by clicking to the page and clicking ‘edit’ at the top. See it (and the whole Missiopedia) online at
http://www.momentum-mag.org/wiki/index.php/Missionary_Videocasting
- TWO ACMC CONFERENCES GOING FORWARD AS PLANNED — Here are at least two conferences on March 15-17 in Delaware and Detroit that are still going forward as planned. Perhaps they represent historic “last conferences” of ACMC. Though the conferences will not be, for legal reasons, under the banner of Initiative360, the content, speakers and resources will be the same as listed in the brochures. (Note that the Austin, TX conference on March 3 was cancelled.) Organizers reported that after last week’s Brigada, “People began calling in like crazy,” asking for information. For info on the Detroit Conference go to
For the Delaware Conference, see the brochure at
http://www.gracextensions.org/files/ACMCWilmingtonDE07.pdf
or call 800-959-3523 (Tom Telford) or 410-561-8424 xt 210 (Joe Steinitz).
- CORRECTED CONTACT INFORMATION FOR “MORE MISSIONS DRAMAS” — [We recently featured an item “MORE MISSIONS DRAMAS” (Jan. 19th edition), but apparently the contact information was faulty. Here’s the item again, but the contact person has now provided us with a working email address.] As a follow-up to the BACKPAGE in the Brigada Today of January 5, Wycliffe Bible Translators also offers a series of 20 mission-themed skits called “World Class Missions Dramas” written by Blackie Blackwell and Amy Jung, edited by Ron Binder. These were specifically written to accompany Perspectives on the World Christian Movement lessons, so they are short, don’t need elaborate preparation in terms of set or props, and are dialogue-driven like a readers’ theater. They are available as an email attachment, on CD, or hard copy from Wycliffe Southwest in Temecula, CA. Contact Media Resources by phone at 951-719-1105 or email: media_resources_wsw(at)Wycliffe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- AND *MORE* DRAMAS — Get even more ideas for dramas over at…
where organizers seek to cater to those involved in missions and outreach and have many non-verbal dramas among the 1600+ scripts in their database.
- TRAINING IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY — Want to do some serious study to be equipped to help others utilize their heart music? Attend the graduate- level courses in Ethnomusicology at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, Texas. Three courses will be offered this summer: Applied Ethnomusicology (June 11-22), Field of Ethnomusicology/Anthropology of Music (June 25-July 13), and Analysis of Non-Western Music (July 19 – August 15). Learn more about them at:
http://www.gial.edu/courses/ethnomusicology.htm
or e-mail ethnomusicology(at)sil(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- RESOURCES FOR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS — You can find materials to help Christian teachers, including parents, relate everything they teach to God and the Bible at
http://www.transformingteachers.org
Check out the Visual Valet, online articles, and downloads. The site has links to Christian teacher and school organizations around the world. If an organization you know about is not listed, please send suggestions to hklassen(at)janzteam(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- LAUNCHING A CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENT AMONG AN ORAL CULTURE? — Scriptures In Use
is holding two workshops this spring that you should consider. March 30-31 will be an Orality Awareness Workshop at Word of Grace Church, Mesa., AZ that starts at 7 p.m. Friday night and ends by 3 p.m. Saturday. They’re asking $25 for lunch and materials. Contact briannah(at)wordofgrace(dot)org to register On May 10-12 “Communications Bridges to Oral Cultures” will be offered at First Christian Church, Phoenix, AZ. Sessions will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The class is designed for CPM Coaches and trainers. $75 for lunches, breaks and materials. Cindy(at)fccphx(dot)com to register. For more information on SIU and the training — jimbowman(at)siutraining(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- DO YOU PLACE OVERSEAS CALLS FROM YOUR USA-BASED CELL PHONE? — If so, check out Nickel Talk, if you haven’t already.
It’s pretty straight-forward — 5 cents per minute, with no connect fees, on all mobile calls to Europe, Latin America, Asia & Australia. No monthly fees, no prepayment, no contracts, no phone cards, no pins, and keep your existing service. What could be simpler? (Note that we’re not referring this to earn some kind of sponsorship or affiliate bonus. This is just one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.
- HELP ALAN GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE PERSECUTED CHURCH — Got a video or a recorded testimony on the persecuted church? Alan is a Missions Minister from Indiana who would like to get the word out. If you have a resource or a referral, click on over to…
http://www.momentum-mag.org/wiki/Persecution#Get_the_Word_Out
Let’s build a great list of interview footage, stats, worksheets, hand- outs, websites, … anything and everything that will help him get the word out about the persecuted church. [What’s the use in duplicating Justin’s great wiki! :-) Let’s ride the wave! ]
- UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERS — OM Ship’s new vessel, the Logos Hope, is close to being ready for full-time service bringing knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. They are looking for volunteers, who can join them for two weeks or more, to complete the last projects required to get the ship out of the shipyard. Volunteers are asked to cover their travel, health and insurance expenses but food and lodging after arrival are provided.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit:
or you can contact OM Ships at info(at)omships(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS — Simplified dental care can open many doors to evangelism and relationship building among the unreached. No drills, injections, electricity, or sophisticated equipment are involved – only simple hand instruments, a compassionate heart, and two weeks of your time. Now you can bring greatly needed dental care to your community. Courses offered monthly in Texas.
http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com
or email dentaltrainingformissions(at)yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- ONLINE MAGAZINE CORRECTION — Catch INTERLIT Magazine, which helps those publishing Christian literature in the non-western world, at:
In the Feb. 12th edition, the contributor’s original submission had left out a strategic “n”. Please pardon any inconvenience. (Thanks Tim!)
- INDEBTED TO PARTNERS — Thanks to those who make Brigada happen through their prayers and financial partnership. This past week, Good News Productions stoked the fire with a $100 gift. Learn more about their ministry of media development and distribution at:
Insurance Services of America added fuel by sending sponsorship gifts in the name of Jason and Jon, who each had purchased insurance with them. So ISA promptly sent $20.95 in their name. It’s that simple. Purchase an insurance policy or trip interruption insurance with ISA and they’ll immediately help Brigada. Learn more at:
http://www.missionaryhealth.net/brigada.htm
Note that you must use this link or *tell* them in order for the sponsorship to happen. Thanks!
- KEEP BRIGADA PUMPING — Want to help Brigada pump out weekly editions to mobilizers, church members and mission professionals around the world? Just click on “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.
- THE BACKPAGE: MANY MOURN, SOME MOBILIZE CALEB PROJECT/ACMC — This past week, I felt as if I were standing in a visitation line at a funeral home. Countless fellow-strugglers identified with last edition’s “BackPage” item about the passing of Caleb Project and CMC (and the associated “Initiative 360″ merger). One Brigada participant from San Jose, CA, wrote ” I, too, was stunned when I went to the i360 site and found that message. … I was especially concerned about them personally. … Let’s keep praying and pushing–can’t let the Devil have a good day!” A reader from Plano, TX, shared, “I read today’s issue of Brigada quickly when I saw the subject line. I was an advocate for ACMC since I can remember attending a conference in the 1970’s. Initially, individual members received a copy of every publication they created. … Why is it a surprise to you that ACMC had trouble making ends meet when it takes an entire year for you to raise $17K per year for Brigada? You are reaching how many people via email regularly? I will attempt to restrain myself from my soap box speech. Everyone thinks that ‘someone else’ will support the ___ ministry. (And, I’m guilty of this also.) Thank you for your continued faithfulness to the Lord, and your efforts to help keep the global Christian community updated with Brigada.” This friend’s note reminded me how vulnerable… how fragile our respective ministries all are. We all need to constantly work hard to keep them fueled. Gulp.
Another participant from Oregon wrote, “I so appreciated your ‘eulogy’ about ACMC/Caleb Project. I went to my first ACMC conference in the early 90’s. That’s where I first learned about missions, the Perspectives class, met great people like Paul Borthwick and David Mays, and where I learned my first steps in ‘doing missions’. … I began using Caleb Project materials at about the same time. I was able to use them as a resource for our children’s pastor to teach missions to kids. They have been a great resource on unreached peoples materials. … All I learned from ACMC … I’m still using and always will. I remember doing conferences in my area and having people remark over and over how they didn’t know ACMC had such a great network of resources and people. … I too don’t understand what took place, even from the folks that were a part of it but God’s still in control.” Well said. One Caleb Project staffer wrote, “I just want to express my appreciation for the letter in Brigada yesterday. This has been a very difficult time for all of us, made more difficult by frustration and confusion and the speed with which things happened. … Thanks for the note Doug. I appreciate your heart. Thanks for speaking plainly and passionately. We do hope others can learn from our experience.” David Mays, a long-time ACMC consultant wrote, ” Thanks much Doug. You are a great encourager.” He has filed his own take on the ill-fated merger at
http://www.davidmays.org/i360.html
(I asked for and received permission from him to share the URL.)
Throughout these and many other notes, there was one common theme — a flood of memories of all the great services these two incredible organizations had provided down through the years. Another theme: trying to make sense out of their passing. So far, there were few answers.
However, all is not lost. Bravo to organizations like Pioneers and Team Expansion who are doing their best to provide options for former staff from both agencies. Pioneers, in particular, is trying to create a semi-autonomous working unit that would pick up employees and dreamers from both networks. Watch future Brigada Todays for more news as these and other developments unfold. And above all, keep praying for these precious — and hurting — souls.
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