Brigada – 2024-03-31

We’re not sure how long this will last, but for right now, Logos Bible Software is giving away “Logos 7 Basic” with no strings attached, and no credit card required. Logos is known by many as THE definitive Bible study software. It’s quite possible that it offers the most thorough collection of translations, study books, and commentaries of any Bible software on the market. It’s available across multiple devices and is quite intuitive, whether you’re viewing on your phone, iPad, website, or laptop app. If you’ve ever wanted to check out Logos Bible Software, now is the time. Get it while it’s free:

http://www.logos.com/brigada

Your ministry outreach must have a social media plan. This requires a radical rethinking and a new approach of entering into deeper conversations and disciple-making. To get the tools you need, join Mission Media U for its five-week online mentored experience. Sign-up with your team. The course, Foundations of Media Strategy, starts Feb. 15. For course details, instructor bio, and comments from previous students, go to:

http://www.missionmediau.org/courses/foundations-of-media-strategy/

It might seem odd — to suggest that this week is the very BEST time to order from Harvest Prayer Ministries’ online bookstore,

http://www.prayershop.org

Why odd? Because the store is actually closing during their move, from Jan. 25 until late afternoon, Jan. 31st. But during this physical (location) move, their online bookstore will remain open. And the new physical address at The Meadows Shopping Center is reportedly giving them three times the space for hundreds of dollars less rent per month. (What’s more, by ordering during this time, we all can help boost them through the expenses of their move! : ) ) Either way, until January 31st, you can still use the special code that they sent us (AchingBack) to get 25% off most books and resources. So — order up! And good luck to our friends, David, Kim, JoLyn and others at Harvest Prayer Ministries and PrayerShop!

Prayer

If you’ve been following the news in Bolivia, you are probably already praying. Take, for example, this story from our friends at Christianity Today:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/january/bolivia-makes-evangelism-crime.html

Here at Brigada, we obviously aren’t in the political activist world. God can work through politics and/or in spite of them. But still… our heart goes out to the many believers and churches in Bolivia who are enduring what is perhaps the biggest test of faith in modern history. We have personally visited their land and seen the richness of their faith. Their pastors, missionaries, and members were and still are very bold and passionate. But for a government to turn around and go back… to make it illegal even to teach one’s own children about faith in Jesus Christ, after having experienced such a profound national level of faith previously… it just seems like something that only Satan could script, honestly. But we know God is still sovereign. We know that in the end, He still reigns. However, if you’re one of those missionaries, pastors, or faithful members in Bolivia, reading Brigada tonight, please know — you are not forgotten. The entire world is praying for you. We just … don’t know how to help other than pray.

Would you like to make a difference in North Korea? Not sure how to get started? Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do today is pray. Now, there’s an app to help you do that with greater information. The Pray for Korea Prayer app was developed to give Christians a way to glorify God by praying daily for Korea in accordance with a comprehensive, strategic, and specific plan. “Comprehensive” means that all provinces, major cities, and many sub-units of both North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and South Korea (Republic of Korea) are included. “Strategic” means that items cover society’s major institutions, e.g. the church, family, workplace, government, schools, prisons, orphanages, etc. “Specific” means that the daily items name an individual or group in the designated area along with a Bible reference, so that God’s Word will be the foundation for daily prayer. Available for iOS devices at…

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pray-for-korea/id1325453399?mt=8

and Android…

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mdyearofprayer.PrayForKorea&hl=en

Our friends at Joshua Project apparently has had a part in creating this app. Well done! (Thanks for the tip, Allan!)

Thrive is hosting a special get-away at the Westin in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for U.S. and Canadian women who live and work cross-culturally. Organizers promise they will be refreshed, renewed and encouraged April 23 -26, 2018. The value of the retreat experience is approximately $720. However, the only cost to participants is a registration fee of US $125.00 and any travel expenses to and from the Retreat.

https://thriveministry.org/retreats/2018/mexico

The retreat will include many opportunities for self care, fellowship with women working cross-culturally, worship and praise, encouragement through the teaching of the Word (all in English) and connecting with new friends in discussion groups.

A great hit at Perspectives classes, praying Scripture is praying “God’s way.” Unlike many resources with demographic data or prayer points, this 24-page full-color booklet (entitled, simply, “Scripture Prayers for the Peoples of the World”) allows you to insert a UPG name into scripted prayers oriented in the Biblical text. Visit

http://reverbnetwork.org/spftpotw

for FREE PDFs in several languages (English, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian). Order printed copies in English with up to 50% off on bulk orders. Declare & pray truth over peoples living in falsehood.

Learn how to successfully prepare, plan and stay organized for your mission trip. Online course program includes blueprint with simple timeline and robust resources. A must-have for anyone involved in missions.

http://missions.thinkific.com/courses/mission-trip-academy-participant

Lisa Ennis and Lori Bryan have put together a new book called, “Receiving Them Well: A Guide On How To Support Your Loved One Returning From Humanitarian Aid Or Missionary Work.” It is designed to offer advice on ways in which you can provide support that will benefit both the returning traveler and the welcoming friends back home.

https://www.amazon.com/Receiving-Them-Well-humanitarian-missionary-ebook/dp/B078BH85JN

The authors hope to help “by offering personal stories, useful questions, practical advice and foundational knowledge.”

[Now — it’s the elephant in the middle of the room… this title does sound similar to another book on reentry (published in 2015 and reviewed positively here in Brigada on multiple occasions)…

https://www.amazon.com/Returning-Well-Thriving-Serving-Cross-Culturally/dp/0986342602

We aren’t in the book titling business, but we know that sometimes, authors write books with similar titles and both books do well for decades to come. We’ve at least dropped a note to the authors of the new book (Receiving them Well) to make sure they were aware of Melissa’s book, which has been acclaimed as “an essential resource for anyone returning from cross-cultural service.” Perhaps this topic (reentry) is such a critical theme that it deserves BOTH books – so perhaps every church and agency should read BOTH resources to prepare to receive them, and perhaps every traveler should look at BOTH volumes because, in that epoch, there is no more critical theme for life than returning well. Either way, just to clarify, both books seek to offer help for both the cross-cultural traveler AND the parties receiving them in their homeland.]

…for the $15 gift from our friends at Oasis of Peace, a new restoration/member care ministry in Montrose, CO. God bless you!
…for the $25 gift from our friends at Harvest Seekers International. Thank you!!!

Want to partner with Brigada so that all may hear in order to hasten the coming of Jesus? Just click “Donate” at www.brigada.org, or mail a check payable to Team Expansion (Brigada), 13711 Willow Reed Drive, Louisville, KY 40299. Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so, for USA citizens, your gift to Christ by writing a check to Team Expansion is tax-deductible. Thank you, in advance, for your partnership!