Brigada » discipleship

6) Good Soil Seminars: Training for Worldview-Relevant Evang/Disc —

brigtoday — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:54:51 +0000

We’re living in a time when people have little to no knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith, whether they are from the other side of the world or the house next door. The next Good Soil Basic Seminar will be held Oct. 26 & 27, 2011 in Harrisburg, PA. Here you will be equipped to share God’s story of redemption as it is revealed chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, so that people can clearly understand the Gospel, sincerely embrace the Gospel, and firmly hold on to the Gospel, no matter what their starting worldview is. For more info on GoodSoil E&D and this seminar, visit…

http://www.GoodSoil.com

or email

InfoGoodSoilcom

8) The future of the global church is Open —

brigtoday — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:52:39 +0000

Did you know that releasing discipleship resources (like the Bible and training materials) from copyright restrictions using open licenses can greatly increase their usefulness to the global church? Find out more about what the “open” future of the global church is like by watching the short video at

http://www.dsmedia.org/intro

Check out the Door43 project that puts this idea of “open” into practice.

http://door43.org

Door43 is an open-access, web-based platform where anyone can join for free and work together with others to create, translate and distribute unrestricted discipleship resources in any language. You can think of it as something like “Wikipedia for discipleship resources” but with a strong focus on multimedia, oral cultures, mobile phone technology and quality control. Resources in Door43 can be legally used by anyone, for any ministry purpose, without needing to ask permission. You can help make this vision come true: “unrestricted discipleship resources, in every language, and on any mobile phone”.

7) Get Training to Use the Performing Arts for Missions —

brigtoday — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:53:26 +0000

The Performing Arts Discipleship Training School is a 6-month missions training course with a focus on the performing arts. If you would like to grow in your relationship with God and see the nations change through performing arts, then this is the place for you! The school includes a 3-month lecture phase in Hong Kong where you will hear teaching from experienced speakers about topics like the character of God, evangelism and missions, spiritual warfare, the performing arts and much more. This is followed by a 6-8 week outreach phase to several countries where you will share God’s love to others through the powerful tool of the arts.

The school starts this July 2011, so apply soon! Contact the school at

partsasiayahoocom and/or visit their website at:

http://www.mastersbeauty.org/

7) New Book by Willis/Snowden tells the “Truth that Sticks” —

brigtoday — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:53:32 +0000

NavPress has published “Truth That Sticks” by Avery T. Willis, Jr., and Mark Snowden, to address making disciples of those who might be able to read, but don’t. Today in America, half of the people won’t or don’t read that much. Avery died July 30 just as this book arrived from the printers, so it has become a legacy edition. Although the book is co-written, it is set in Avery’s voice, telling his story. Included in the book is Real Life Ministries, a church in Idaho that infused Bible Storying into their home groups with remarkable results. Learn to…

• Use Bible Storying to effectively make disciples at all levels

• Unite families by using fun methods to disciple children

• Revitalize small groups

• Develop a disciplemaking church

Order at…

http://www.navpress.com/product/9781615215317

8) Evangelistic or Disciple-making Books at Low Price —

brigtoday — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:52:52 +0000

Prayer Fellowship Intl. has published devotionals…

1. 31 Days of Meditation – Enjoy Him Forever, 72 pages.

2. No man spoke like this Man – His Words and Teachings, 112 pages.

3. 31 Days of Miracles – Enjoy His Deeds, 72 pages.

Written and Compiled by a key leader of India Missions Assn. in Hyderabad for 12 years, it’s edited by a lady from Scotland. It’s just

$1 per e-book or paperback (postage extra). For more details or sample pages, please email to

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5) Global Launch of DNA-21 Discipleship Revolution –

brigtoday — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:55:16 +0000

This new approach to discipleship is different from the dozens of other discipleship models in that it models love in community. With the Holy Spirit’s gifting and empowerment, Jesus’ plan for discipling all nations is to raise up discipleRs (Robby’s term) to multiply discipleRs who reflect Jesus in the way we disciple our families and friends in community, as the means through which He disciples His body and all nations. To see a local launch of this approach, check out…

http://reallifeministries.com/association_immersion

for a list of monthly opportunities to come experience this. At that link you can also listen to or download an excellent 20 minute overview of their model. The early registration for the August 25-27th “Global Launch” of “DNA-21 Discipleship Revolution” is July 26th. Learn more at

http://NavPress.org/DNA21

Only 150 participants will be permitted. If you want in on this, better apply *immediately*. (Thanks for the tip, Robby!)

11) The BackPage: Let’s Give Credit Where Credit is Due

brigtoday — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:49:19 +0000

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how cool it is to give credit to others. First, it’s the ultimate chance to practice humility (which we all need to do, by the way). Second, it encourages the other guy. And third, it lets everybody else know the truth about where we acquired the cool resource or truth that we’re sharing. People see that and they are immediately encouraged because of the unity and cooperation that is oozing out of us.

So tell me — how did it become so fashionable to be so silent about giving credit. Was it because we wanted to make ourselves look better in everybody else’s eyes? Did we somehow think it would make us look smarter? Hogwash. The ultimate wisdom of all is to recognize our own inadequacies.

So go ahead — shamelessly point out the actual source of that new idea, that new resource, or that new direction you’re heading. You’ll be glad you did. It will feel less like thievery… and more like Jesus.

6) CDTS: Be Discipled To Reach The Nations

Editor — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:53:00 +0000

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Lebanon, PA, USA is offering a Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) to help students grow in their faith and equip them to reach the nations with the Gospel. The school is designed for older students and families and includes a 12-week lecture phase, including topics such as hearing God’s voice, spiritual warfare, and the character of God, and a 2-month foreign outreach. They offer day care as well as a school-aged children’s program that follows the CDTS school topics and teaching. The dates of the school are June 1 – October 21, 2009. More information and/or an application can be found online at

http://www.ywampa.org/

or email:

or phone: 717.274.9010.

6) DTS: Be Discipled To Reach the Nations

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:15:00 +0000

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Lebanon, PA, USA desires to equip, train, and challenge students to reach the unreached! They are offering a Discipleship Training School (DTS) to help students grow in their faith and equip them to reach the nations with the Gospel. The school includes a 12-week lecture phase, including topics such as hearing God’s voice, spiritual warfare, and the character of God, and a 2-month foreign outreach. The dates of the school are January 5-May 27, 2009. More information and/or an application can be found online at:

http://www.ywampa.org/

or call +1-717.274.9010 in the USA or email

7) New Book Escaping the Devil

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Here’s a new book, “Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom: Sex trafficking, global prostitution and the Gospel’s transforming power” by Dawn Herzog Jewell. The sex industry enslaves millions of women, children and men, but churches and individual Christians are fighting back. The author weaves the stories of individual victims with a careful examination of the realities that propelled them into prostitution in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Available on

http://www.amazon.com

Contact

http://www.kregel.com or

http://lionhudson.com for discount bulk rates. Check out the author’s book blog:

http://www.escapingthedevilsbedroom.com

Seeking Sources for Audio/Video Discipleship Material

Editor — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Tony recently wrote, on behalf of a friend, asking for possible sources for discipleship material — especially audio or video material — in French and/or Arabic. Apparently the friend was trying to help a new immigrant from Burkina Faso. She had spent her teenage years in Saudi Arabia as a virtual slave. She is now free, is married to an American, and is eager to learn more about her newfound Savior. Unfortunately, she has received little formal education, and is virtually illiterate. She speaks English well (and also speaks French, and a bit of Arabic) but cannot read or write beyond her letters and basic sounds. In particular, the church is seeking material that would help her understand and bridge the gap between her indoctrination as a Muslim and her new life as a Christian. Are there downloadables (MP3s) that might help her? I was thinking of all the “storying” stuff that’s being developed. If you have an idea, just click to this item on the web and leave a comment. (Feel free to leave it anonymously if you wish.) Thanks!

20060702 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 02:17:00 +0000

In this issue…

“PARTNERSHIPS THAT TRANSFORM” CONF: CDs/MP3s NOW AVAILABLE — The 2006 COSIM conference, held June 12-14 at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, Illinois, advanced the theology and practice of cross-cultural ministry partnerships. COSIM stands for Coalition on the Support of Indigenous Ministries. Speakers included: Dick Robinson: “Partnerships that transform our understanding of . . . mission, the gospel, and the world / Gary Edmonds: “From missions-TO . . . to missions-WITH” / “Faisal” — “Partnering with indigenous ministries for transformation: A non-Western perspective”. Dr. David Kasali’s address, “Will the African Church be ready?” was the high-point of the conference for many. Also, how-to workshops on: accountability — short-term mission trips for long-term transformation — assessing your cross-cultural partnerships — etc. Recordings of all sessions are now available as CD or MP3 download. Visit the COSIM web site:

http://www.cosimnet.org

LINKING LITERACY AND ORAL COMMUNICATION — Nearly 4 billion people cannot read. But what about the millions who are learning to read but continue to read too poorly to understand? There is a very simple way to help turn poor, struggling readers into good readers. It is the Talking Bible in that reader’s own language. The advent of the talking Bible now offers a wonderful new way to help poor readers become good readers. A poor reader with a talking Bible can open the printed Bible and follow the text while listening to the narration of that text in audio. The new solid state, digital Talking Bible will make it easy to select the exact passage in the printed text. Talking Bibles International says it will have its revolutionary, new solid-state, digital Talking Bible available by summer’s end. An exciting new era is dawning. For more information visit:

http://www.talkingbibles.org or contact: info(at)talkingbibles(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

SO BY NOW YOU MUST HAVE HEARD… CALEB PROJECT & ACMC WED — It’s not too late to send a wedding gift (joking). But seriously, Caleb Project and ACMC are merging. See the details at…

http://www.calebproject.org/main.php/about_us/looking_to_the_future

See links there for more information. We’re all on the edge of our seats to see how this will shake out in practical details.

CHECK OUT THE ALPHA TEST OF THE “MONITOR” — This is a database of events, trends, analysis, statistics, photographs, reports, etc. that Justin Long, Senior Editor of Momentum, is maintaining to use to build each issue of Momentum Magazine. It is now a web-based database. Each entry has a single brief comment and a link to the website where the article is found. I’m liking this page a *lot*. You can check it out at:

http://www.momentum-mag.org/monitor.htm

THE RESULTS: WHICH CAMCORDER IS THE BEST? — [drum roll] OK, thanks too all those who gave input on the question, “Which camcorder is the best?” We’ve combed through the input, and here are some over all themes. First, as Ed pointed out, this is a market that moves fast, so it’s important to figure out your needs based on work process, the user’s technical capabilities, local servicing available, etc. He urges users to see the reviews at web sites such as (in no particular order):
http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ **** This one in particular is great

http://www.dvspot.com

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/photo_and_video/ click on camcorders

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorders/

http://www.videomaker.com

http://www.amazon.com

Second, don’t assume you have to spend $3000 to get something that works for you. Bob, one of our good friends at Good News Productions (gnpi.org), recently looked at camcorders with a view toward high image quality, manual functions (for aperture, shutter, focus, white balance), ease of use for novices, external audio input, firewire port (for connection to computers), cost, and manufacture track record. Using these as our guide, we chose the Panasonic PV GS500, a 3 CCD DV tape camcorder for around $800. Interestingly, Brad, another Brigada participant, settled on a similar model, the GS-250, as his favorite.

Bob pointed out that there are multiple options out there in terms of video recording formats (tape, disk, hard drive) and each has its own pros and cons, requiring the smart shopper to consider how and where the camcorder will be used. Also, some features that one camera user insists on having would intimidate others, as in manual controls versus total automation. Image quality ranges from small, single CCD (the image capture device) to 3 CCD models, multiple digital video formats, wide screen, high definition, and a host of other considerations in how different camcorders record the image. The bottom line is truly that you have to pay more for higher quality, so at some point the buyer has to set a limit and choose a camcorder that fits within the budget. The good news is that competition among manufacturers keeps the costs reasonable and the features constantly evolving into better bang for your buck.
MORE ON LATEST GUIDANCE ON TRAVELING/CONNECTING TO THE ‘NET — We continue to feel good about using MS Outlook and a secure email account, or at least a secure webmail provider. (Thanks for giving your two cents on this, Justin.) Another Brigada participant, Todd, recently pointed to evidence that maybe Hotmail.com wasn’t so “country neutral” as was originally thought. (For example, he has personally experienced regionally targeted ads which seem country aware.) Also, don’t forget about using a web interface like Hushmail,
http://www.hushmail.com

which offers encryption built-in from the server… and you can install an Outlook plug-in that let’s you access your Hushmail messages via Outlook, so you can compose offline and save online minutes (which is probably going to be important if you’re connecting via a remote dial-up). Finally, whatever you use, be sure to try it out in advance. The worst time to be experimenting is when you’re on the road already, under the gun. If at all possible, try out these connections in advance.
THE HERERO PEOPLE — Find these people in central and eastern Namibia in Africa. In the traditional Herero village, the village head is the link between the living members and dead ancestors of the family. He is responsible for keeping the holy fire burning at the main hut of the village. This fire symbolizes continuous contact with the deceased ancestors. In the event the fire should go out, it is a slight or insult to the ancestors and endangers the spiritual security of the offender as well as the other members of the family. If the village head should die, the living link between the village and ancestors is dead. What results is tremendous grief and mourning for long periods of time, until a new head is established. Pray for the Herero people of Namibia, that they may come to know the true intercessor for all people, Jesus Christ. Pray that they come to know the One who will never die and that they will no longer feel the grief that comes with lostness! To adopt the Herero people for prayer or for more information, click to…
http://www.forgottenpeoples.info

or email lynchdp(at)iafrica(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

GET PRE & MID FIELD RUSSIAN LANG. TRAINING THIS FALL/SPRING — Studying at the Institute of Strategic Languages and Cultures (ISLC) (formerly Russian Language Ministries) will give you a good head start in learning the needed language and culture. Their experienced staff is called by God to equip you in the Russian language & cross-cultural skills you will need to be effective in ministry. Courses are tailored to your learning needs and offer an intensive and focused experience with, gradual effective immersion in the language, communicative learning methods & flexible duration for all programs. Their U.S. based courses are taught in an encouraging spiritual atmosphere with a focus on future ministry. Classes now forming for their 16 week fall course 2006 (Aug. 28- Dec. 15). Spring 2007 (Jan. 22 – May 11) US toll Free: 1-800-799-7976 or 1-803-333-9119. or click to

http://www.russianlanguage.org

or email RLMoffice(at)juno(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

MINISTRYHOME.ORG — The free online social network for ministry! MinistryHome allows you to promote your ministry, raise funds, build teams and network with like-minded individuals, all for free (Note that some packages are for sale there too… but the $15/mo. cost seems reasonable.) This has the potential to radically change the way missions teams are built and resourced. Joining the MinistryHome community only takes a few minutes. For more information, visit

http://www.MinistryHome.org

FREE PAPERS ON RUSSIAN YOUTH MINISTRY — Dr. Mark Harris has made available a set of seven papers based on the research he did a few years back among Russian young people. In addition, there are four papers to help you understand Russian Baptist churches, and a few other miscellaneous papers on ministry in Russia. These are free for the downloading at

http://www.markharris.us

SPECIAL ARTICLES ON DISCIPLESHIP — Here is a whole series of discipleship articles and training materials all available on the web! Some people think of discipleship only at its beginning stages. But that is only the start! The Flow maps out the progress of discipleship from the beginning right to the end: the beginner, the intermediate and the advanced. There are even articles on how this advanced stage connects to leadership training. Also please notice BFF’s special offer. Full-time Christian workers overseas, 4 from each country can get a free BFF CD 2.2 mailed to them. See the homepage for details. The CD has many of these materials in eBook form with lots of Powerpoints, maps and handouts. Printed material can be purchased. BFF has a liberal copy policy which enables a teacher to share the materials with the ones he serves. Learn more at

http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS — Thanks to the folks at Reignbridge for their gift of $50. Don’t miss their “Kids Praying for Kids” DVD… Learn more at:

http://www.reignbridge.com

Want to join them? Just click on “sponsor” 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), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. 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. In any case, thanks for considering Brigada in your estate giving, your monthly church missions fund, and/or your own personal giving for this calendar year.

THE BACKPAGE: LEARNING FROM THE HOMETOWN OF “HOOSIERS” — You’ve probably seen the 1986 movie, “Hoosiers.” If not, it’s definitely worth the rental. Sites like ESPN and the American Film Institute frequently rave about it (#4 of the “Top 20 Sports Movies of All Time”, #13 on the list of the “100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time”). USA Today found it to be the best sports movie of all time. So over these next three weeks, I’d like to draw some lessons from my personal visit to the “hometown” of Hoosiers… the place where it actually happened. (You’ll actually get more out of these entries if you’ve seen the movie, so if you don’t mind, pick it up and review it again so the lessons will be fresh. Tune in next week, once you’ve done that, for more about my visit to Milan, Indiana, where the *real* Hoosiers story begins.

20060205 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 03:32:00 +0000

In this issue…

COST-FREE RENEWAL RETREATS FOR GLOBAL WORKERS — ELIM Retreats, a ministry of Barnabas International, is offering 7 spiritual formation/re-entry/renewal retreats for missionaries in 2006. The Retreat site is a 1400 acre private, gorgeous family property on the shores of Lake Huron, 2.5 hours north of Detroit, Michigan. The emphasis is on personal spiritual assessment and growth, interacting in small groups around the Word. The Retreat affords lots of unscheduled time. Each Retreat is 6 days. 16 participants of multiple cultures and agencies have their own bedrooms, sitting rooms and in most cases, private baths. Adult couples and singles only. Find pictures, faq’s, dates and registration at

http://www.barnabas.org/elimretreats

or email hstewart5(at)juno(dot)com. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] (Just one thing I noticed: You’d better be serious about retreating: I notice they ask that we not bring our computers. Gulp. Now there’s a serious retreater. :-) [I think I'd go into convulsions. :-)])

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BIBLE TRANSLATION — From hard drives to saved lives! Learn how your Information Technology skills can advance God’s Kingdom through Bible translation. Wycliffe Bible Translators is hosting two-day conferences on February 24 and 25, 2006 in San Francisco, CA and on March 3 and 4, 2006 in Pasadena, CA. One is also planned for the Seattle area in May. Wycliffe urgently needs over 200 seasoned IT professionals in order to complete the task of Bible translation for millions of Bibleless people. IT professionals are needed in the US and abroad for everything from exciting cutting edge language applications to enterprise systems, business analysis, electronics, management, software development, consultation and training. The “Check IT Out” conference costs $65 and includes 4 meals, materials, and snacks. Housing is available. For more information or to register, go to http://jaars.org/checkitout or you may write to Norm Purvis at: mobilization_wsw(at)wycliffe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

MEMBER CARE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS — Wycliffe Bible Translators International and Missionary Care International will join forces to offer the 2006 Member Care in Crisis Situations Workshop, June 19-23, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The first half of the workshop will deal with a variety of topics, including: What constitutes a “crisis situation?” How can we expect people to respond in times of personal or group crisis? What populations are most vulnerable? How can we respond as an organization? How can we use “Peer Responders” to care for people in crisis? The last half of the workshop will focus on debriefing skills for “peer level” debriefing. Participants should plan to attend the entire workshop, 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. A registration fee of $100.00 is due upon registration. Room and board fees for the workshop are $145.00/person, due upon arrival. For information or reservations contact Wycliffe International Member Care at:

member_care_intl(at)Wycliffe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

INTERNATIONAL CHURCHES REACHING UPGS — At no time in history have expatriate international churches had more potential to impact the world than today. International churches are filled with unique resources – talented people, money, and know-how. The Missional International Church Network (MICN) models and teaches how international churches can dynamically engage in God’s transformational work. The third MICN Conference will be 24-28 April 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand. Speakers are all experienced international church leaders. For information contact: conference(at)micn(dot)org or on the web at:

http://www.micn.org

[As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

DISCIPLE-EQUIPPING MATERIALS TO ORDER — In the new year it is typical to attempt some well-intended organization for more meaningful ministry in 2006. What is always needed is a fresh look at accepting and applying truly Biblical leadership. Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel has prepared an essential tool for a clear, scriptural vision of leadership, called “Biblical Leadership.” Evangelical Training Association

http://www.etaworld.org

has just published this new resource for $11.99. Learn about it and other disciple-equipping materials by accessing the website or by calling at 800-369-8291 or 630-540-7840. You can write Mark Simpson, ETA’s Global Training Consultant, at

Mark(dot)Simpson(at)etaworld(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

FUND RAISING CONFERENCE — The People Raising conference is designed to Double your effectiveness in raising individual or organizational funds. Attend the People Raising basic conference March 24-25. Move beyond the fear factor and raise more funds in half the time. Implement 10 key habits for success. Network with other Christian leaders. Arm yourself with tools needed for effective fund raising. You can’t afford to miss this breakthrough 2-day conference. Ask for the $100 spouse discount. This conference is essential for those raising personal support, coaching others or raising organizational funds. Tap into the more then 35 years of experience Bill Dillon brings to fund raising. Register by February 24th and receive the early bird special pricing. For more information or to register on-line go to

http://www.peopleraising.com/conferences.cfm

or e-mail Bill(at)PeopleRaising(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

BOAT BASED CHRISTIAN TRAINING — Marine Reach, YWAM’s ship ministry, has announced its second Bluewater Discipleship Training School (DTS). After the success of last year’s Bluewater DTS aboard the 90ft schooner, Genevieve Challenge, it was necessary to look for a larger sailing vessel to accommodate more students. The hope is to develop the Bluewater DTS into a long term ministry that not only disciples young people, but also reaches out within the sailing community and beyond. As a part of creating this ministry it was decided to hold this year’s Bluewater DTS in a sailing community. Therefore the next Bluewater DTS will take place in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK, a place that offers good sailing, effective sail training and involvement in the local community. It will begin April 14th and ends October 14th 2006. You can get full details including the application form at

http://www.marinereach.com/dts_bluewater or by email to bluewaterdts(at)marinereach(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

ACU SUMMER SEMINAR IN MISSIONS — Abilene Christian University’s Halbert Institute of Missions is hosting its annual Summer Seminar in Missions May 15-June 2. There will be a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate courses available for credit or audit: anthropological studies, intercultural competency, evangelistic strategies of Bible translation, evangelism in a post-modern world, history of missions, campus ministry, spiritual formation in missions, and more.

http://www.acu.edu/missions/summerseminar contact

guild(at)bible(dot)acu(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

BECOME AN ENGLISH TEACHER — In the town of Kailua Kona on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, University of the Nations offers a wonderful opportunity to become a certified ESL teacher in six weeks. At the beginning of every quarter this TESOL course uses state-of-the- art curriculum and an emphasis on technology to interweave theory and practical application, giving students intensive well-rounded training. For more info call 808-326-4400 ext. 4178 or write to tesol(at)uofnkona(dot)edu.

MISSIONS FOCUS — Abilene Christian University’s Halbert Institute of Missions is hosting its annual Missions Focus 3 day program May 23- 25. Presenter- Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, D.Min., of Wycliffe Bible Translators on “Missionary Care.” There will also be training modules on the role of the church in the care of missionaries and services for missionaries on furlough: eye exams, dental work and blood tests.

http://www.acu.edu/missions/summerseminar contact

guild(at)bible(dot)acu(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

TORONTO SEMINAR: PLANTS — Principles of Language Acquisition: Natural Techniques and Skills is a proactive approach to learning a new language. Before you are field-tested you can be language lab-tested. You can evaluate your language learning strengths and weaknesses, learn the principles and skills of language acquisition, practice with national speakers of your target language, and actually grow in your target language. All within two weeks in the world’s most multi- cultural city – Toronto. April 2-14, 2006. Register on-line:

http://www.missionprep.ca

EMERGENCY FOOD SHIPPING CONTACTS NEEDED — Children of the Nations (COTN) is seeking shipping contacts to send containers of emergency food and supplies from Minnesota and Washington State to Malawi, SE Africa. If you have shipping contacts that can help COTN meet the needs of the COTN Orphan homes, school and feeding centers in Malawi, please email Dave Schertzer ASAP at daveschertzer(at)cotni(dot)org For more information on COTN, please visit http://www.cotni.org Thank you.

INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, PACE-SETTING FRIENDS — They’re daring you to step up to the plate. Setting the pace at the head of the pack. And they’re the object of our deepest gratitude. Thanks to Caleb Project (the Training Department, and especially Marti Smith) for the $30 help. Learn more about them at:

http://calebproject.org/

And thanks to DialAbroad

http://www.dial-abroad.org/brigada.htm

for the $90.17 from this past month’s long distance sponsor-ers. Finally, we also really appreciate the two anonymous donors who chipped in $25 and $5 each. Never thrown anything into the pot before? That’s ok. You can start any time. Been reading for 10 years? Now’s as good a time as any. And the whole thing is — Brigada is free . . . so you’ll always be able to keep reading. Chipping in toward our expenses is just a way of saying thanks. Either way, we’ll still show up next week. Just go to “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. 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… thanks.

THE BACK PAGE: THE POWER OF THE OVERCOMER — Night before last, as I was watching the Olympics, I was struck by the courage of Zhang Dan (and her partner, Zhang Hao – both from China) in her willingness to get back up and finish her routine. She took a nasty fall while implementing a move that had never been attempted before in competition, an unprecedented throw quad Salchow. (Don’t ask me to describe it; I only know it involves spinning around maybe 4 times up in the air.) She kind of did the splits when she landed, only it involved painfully smacking her knee directly on the ice. Ouch.

The USA — and indeed, the world — loves an overcomer. Well the funny thing was, in spite of the fact that she didn’t stick the quad, because she came back out there and kept skating, they gave her the credit for finishing a *triple* throw. Granted, one could ask all kinds of questions about how they still managed to take the silver medal in spite of the fact that they broke their routine with the 5-minute medical leave. Maybe the judges, in the end, had a heart for them. After all, it’s the Olympics, not the Superbowl. It’s amateur athletics, not professional hockey. It’s young ladies that are 18 and 19, not hardened criminals. So, it would seem — give ‘em a break. Some would argue that they deserve it.

Either way, is there a lesson hiding somewhere here for all of us? I think so.
*** First, if we fall flat on our faces (or smack our knees), let’s get back up again. Who knows, we might still win — or at least come in 2nd. And no matter what, we’ll be showing gallant effort & unceasing commitment to the calling.
*** Second, if someone extends grace to one of our peers (or enemies, for that matter), forgiving them for something that we believe should be punished, we’ve got to somehow overcome the tendency within us to question or challenge it. Somewhere in Italy, there’s a skater that’s whining about the fact that this girl complete washed out but still earned a silver medal for it. Jesus spoke to this on more than one occasion. Take, for example, Christ’s parable in Matt. 20:10, where the workers hired at the beginning of the day expected to receive more than those hired in the final hour. In the end, like the judges at the Olympics, the answer comes back, “It’s up to the judge alone to decide.” So let’s quit our whining.
*** Third, and finally, let’s never let the good grace of the judge become a license to disregard the challenges, thus arriving ill- prepared. In other words, if we are granted grace, we’ll celebrate it. But let’s don’t *presume* grace. Romans 6.

I guess there’s a corollary: We need to be working as if he’s coming tomorrow, while *planning* as if he’s coming in 20 years. We’ll certainly enjoy the journey a whole lot more.