Brigada » leadership

4) Pick up a Masters of Arts in Leadership without Leaving China –

brigtoday — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:56:52 +0000

Here’s a Masters degree in Leadership, taught in cohort format, starting in April. It’s designed especially for folks in Asia and the deadline for registration is March 15. Learn to…

* Practice value-based servant leadership

* Produce high morale and productive employees

* Resolve conflict and create effective teams

* Create high performance organizations

* Lead for results based change

* Make strategic and ethical decisions

For more info, see the Mandarin page at…

http://www.twu.ca/academics/graduate/leadership/emal/chinese/

or the English version at…

http://www.twu.ca/academics/graduate/leadership/emal/english/

7) Mission Leadership Training Online —

brigtoday — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:53:46 +0000

LeaderLink has been known as the most comprehensive leadership training designed specifically for missions. For over 16 years CrossGlobal Link has been providing this specialized leadership training to field missionaries and home staff. Now, you can join a web workshop from anywhere in the world. These interactive 75-minute workshops are held once every Wednesday over a six-week period where participants are instructed and guided by a recognized expert. The next session, Essentials of Leader Development, facilitated by Dr. Steve Hoke, is Feb. 2 – March 9. Go to

http://www.CrossGloballink.org/webinars

to learn more and register.

6) Church Planting + Leadership Development + Mentoring —

brigtoday — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:54:15 +0000

That’s what you get from these sites:

https://trainandmultiply.com

http://paul-timothy.net/

We’ve mentioned them before in Brigada, but it’s been a while. Allan, one of the guys in our Equipping Dept. at Team Expansion, sent out a note to our staff about them this past week and it reminded me it had been too long since we mentioned them here. Last we heard, the Paul-timothy materials are free and available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and various languages of India. Train & Multiply comes with a fee and, in Allan’s words, “is also in a bazillion languages.” (That must be a scientific number/term because, if I recall, he has his Ph.D. in Chemistry or Physics. :-) Thanks Allan.)

5) ACMC is cranking up the regional conferences –

brigtoday — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:55:57 +0000

It is not uncommon for the missions leadership in a church to turn over about every 3 years. Finding ways to train them quickly is key. ACMC conferences are a quick, easy, and accessible way to do that. Typically they deal with topics such as leading your church in missions well, mobilizing your congregation, choosing and preparing goers, and issues on the field. There is always something new to learn and we all need to get our jets recharged, don’t we? This fall there are conferences offered in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Washington, DC. Check out

http://www.acmc.org/conferences

to download a brochure or register.

8) Leadership And Partnership Book

Editor — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Working in partnership in a cross-cultural context can be quite a challenge. Often different leadership styles can cause misunderstanding and friction. Here’s a new book by Ralph Schubert that features a dialogue between Western and Tanzanian Christian leaders on their leadership styles and their impact on cross-cultural partnerships. Entitled, ” Leadership and Partnership. A dialogue between Western and Tanzanian Christian leaders,” it lets us see how leaders from both societies discover the similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses of each leadership style in terms of character, relationships, power and conflict and what they can learn from each other. The author proposes practical action steps how to move towards a truer Christian leadership style and more genuine partnerships.

The book can be purchased through Amazon.

1) Close-up on Evangelism Resources

Editor — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:58:00 +0000

Evangelism Resources focuses on four major themes. In summary, E.R….

*** Brings people to Christ
*** Makes them into disciples
*** Unites them in the body
*** Sends them to the nations

They raise the cost to train workers, create schools of evangelism for them, then send them out nationwide and worldwide. Indigenous leadership is a top priority. Most recently, they have become a “True Fan” of Brigada by sending a $100 gift, as noted below. (Thanks!) With their headquarters in Wilmore, KY, you can learn more about Evangelism Resources at:

http://www.erinfo.org/
http://www.er-coursesonline.org/
and
http://www.er-worldonline.net/

15) The Backpage: Biblical Leadership In Your Country/Homeland

Editor — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:44:00 +0000

What are cultural tendencies that sabotage Christian leadership? What about Christian followership? This past week, a Team Expansion team leader asked us for insights on this question in hopes of understanding these things and dealing with them more effectively. To get the ball rolling he nominated the idea of democracy. He wrote, “It’s a beautiful thing in many scenarios but the fact that you never see it used on sports teams points out that it has its limits. Doing everything democratically on a mission team might not always be possible.” What can you add? Just click “Comment” below.

The BackPage: Don’t Miss the Discussion On Leadership

Editor — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0000

In case you haven’t noticed, last Brigada’s question about leadership (and how you find it or forge it) brought out some great guidance. Examine it at:

http://www.brigada.org/2008/06/backpage-how-does-one-recognize.html

There you can find out how to discern leaders, read white papers, examine leadership paradigms, discover traits leaders need, along with a lot more.

Just in time: Monday night is our first game. I have to decide this weekend about captains. Shew. Thanks Brigada. :-) Feel free to leave a comment there about leadership, too. Good stuff.

10) The Backpage: How Does One Recognize Leadership Potential?

Editor — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:00:00 +0000

In the Kingdom of God, there’s a place for everyone, but I suppose not all of us are comfortable in leadership positions. Lately I’ve been asking myself, how does one recognize leadership potential? This is coming up in my life this week because I have to oversee the process of appointing captains of the soccer team I coach. One approach is for me to just assign them. Another would be for me to pick one and let players vote for another. A third would be to just boldly allow them to vote on all 2 or 3 captains’ positions.

The same thing comes up on mission teams. Do we just set it up so that the team members vote for someone as team leader? Or do we just let the regional guy *appoint* a team leader. (Our organization currently does the latter.) What’s your protocol… or, if you had it to do over again, what would you recommend for others.

But beyond mere *practice*, what are the qualities you look for in budding young leaders? Steadfastness under pressure? Ability to handle stressful situations without panic? Intelligence? Sensitivity? Diplomacy? Ability to grasp the vision? What are your favorite “top five” characteristics for leaders? Just click on “comment” below this item and have at it. Please help us assemble a body of knowledge, links & pointers, and life lessons. Thanks!

Doug

20070923 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:29:00 +0000

In this issue…

CUTTING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS — Cutting health insurance costs for home base staff and overseas workers is always challenging. One solution might be to consider a Self-Funded plan. Now groups as small as 11 employees can get self-funded (StopLoss) quotes. One key advantage of a self-funded plan is that you keep more of your health insurance premium in your organization. For more information contact jeff(at)gninsurance(dot)com or call 480/813-9100. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Toll free in USA: 866/636-9100. Visit

http://www.gninsurance.com

ATTEND REGIONAL MOBILIZATION MEETINGS (SAMPLE IN PITTSBURGH) — Are you located in the Pittsburgh area? Here’s a sampling of a couple of major missionary mobilization meetings you can attend. Wouldn’t it be cool of there were more of these kinds of meetings all around the world? As for Pittsburgh, “The Pittsburgh Network for the Great Commission” Breakfast meeting is about to cover “Native American Awareness.” The’ll also interview a Cuban Pastor, all on Saturday, Oct.13,2007, 8:30- 10:30am at West Ridge Community Church.

http://www.wrccc.org

or call 724-695-7500 RSVP to slonchka(at)comcast(dot)net

You can also catch “Praise & Prayer over Pittsburgh”, 7:00pm, Oct.13, 2007 at West End Overlook Park. Special Guests include Richard Twiss and Darrell Fields, & Michael Duncan Project, Prayer led by Pittsburgh area Pastors. A coordinated effort by the Pittsburgh Prayer Network

http://www.prayforpittsburgh.org and the Pittsburgh Network for the Great Commission

http://www.pngc.org (website under construction)

(Truth in publicizing notice: Hats off to this network for sending in a check to support Brigada! That just makes me doubly want to ask that you’ll be there! :-) )

FREE WEBSITE OFFERS HELPFUL RESOURCES — Looking for info on leadership and leadership training. Check out…

http://www.teal.org.uk/index.htm

The best part? It’s all free.

PRE-FIELD TRAINING IN ASIA FOR ASIA MINISTRY — For anyone planning to minister in Asia, an excellent nine-week program is conducted once a year in Malaysia. The Malaysian Cross-Cultural Mission School (MCMS) will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur, beginning January 7 and continuing through March 16, 2008. It is an intensive program that covers the practical challenges of cross-cultural ministry. MCMS faculty includes missionaries and mission leaders from many parts of the world who are involved in the real life of a missionary. This is no “Ivory Tower” theoretical pastime; it’s the real thing! For more details, talk with Peter, the director. E-mail:

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

THE ‘EASY’ TANZANIAN LANGUAGES TEAM NOW HAVE THEIR OWN WEBSITE — This site is

http://easytanzanianbibles.googlepages.com/home

and it is totally Tanzanian as regards authorship, checking, field- testing, copyright and ownership. The leader is Revd Samuel Mpanilehi at smpanilehi(at)gmail(dot)com , who works in close fellowship with

http://www.easyBibles.com

where over twenty such projects are developing.

OMF BC EVENTS IN OCTOBER — OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) in B.C. invites you to the following events: 1. Saturday, October 13 (1:30 – 6:00 pm ending with a Chinese supper), Heart for Asia Conference in Victoria, 2. Friday night, October 19, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm, OMF together with Fujian Evangelical Church (FEC) present Youth and Missions. 3. Saturday, October 20, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Heart for Asia Conference to be held at Peace Mennonite Church (PMC). The theme for the events is: Passion for the Impossible – Reaching the Neglected Frontiers. For more info, including themes and speakers, email:
pacificregion(at)shawlink(dot)ca or call 604.278.1208.
GLOBAL MISSIOLOGY “ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY” EDITION — Global Missiology is a free quarterly online publication with original research and contributions from practitioners and scholars of international representation with global perspectives. The third quarter English language issue is focused on the subject of “Islam and Christianity” and has just been made available. Chinese and French editions are also available with articles that are not translations of the English, but rather original contributions from specialists working in those language contexts. All versions can be found at
http://www.globalmissiology.org

as well as a complete searchable archive of more than 4 years worth of articles. email editor(at)globalmissiology(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

THE COMING REVOLUTION — Because, according to at least one author, Status Quo Missions Won’t Finish The Job. Check out this new book just released by R. Mark Baxter. After some stories and shocking statistics, Mark shares reasons for the present state of missions, the potential that exists to see the Great Commission fulfilled, and ways to personally get involved. More information on The Coming Revolution is available at

http://shop.blessthenations.com

Also, you can email Mark at missionsconsultants(at)yahoo(dot)com

OMF REACHING CHINA — International has been reaching East Asia with the gospel since Hudson Taylor founded the organization as China Inland Mission in 1865. If you would like to get involved in a work that includes more than 1,500 workers from 20 countries with a focus on more than 400 unreached people groups throughout East Asia, visit

http://www.omf.org/us

WHAT’S THE RATIO OF YOUTH WORKERS TO YOUTH IN THE FIELD? — Would anyone happen to know about how many young people there are in any cross-cultural settings? … and how many Christian workers are serving primarily for their benefit? In other words, what’s the ratio of youth workers per youth? Got an idea to post? Just navigate to:

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=37

And click “Comment” below the item. Thanks!

HATS-OFF TO BRIGADA SPONSORS — Thanks to the West Ridge Christian Church

http://www.wrccc.org

for their innovative and encouraging support of regional missions mobilization meetings. May God bless their $100 gift to Brigada. We appreciate you! Thanks, too, for the anonymous donors who gave $100 and $25 this past week, along with the prayer coordinator who gave $25. Thanks, too, to Blessed Hope who gave $15.47 in sponsorship gifts. Learn more about their great phone plans at

http://www.lowermyphonebill.com/brigada

Thanks to the Kingdom Come Training worker who gave $20. May God bless their training outreach for His glory.

Finally, may God bless the radio ministry workers who just sent $100. We’re so thankful for their love for you, for your work around the world, and for getting the message out via radio.

WOULD YOUR CHURCH CONSIDER A ONE-TIME GIFT TO SPUR ON BRIGADA? — Here’s how: Just click on the “Donate” page. You can pull the money from your PayPal account or from any major 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. (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 BACK PAGE: EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER — This past weekend, I was fortunate to have the privilege of leading a couple of sessions for some adult children of missionaries (MKs). One referred to a quote by Mark Twain about sails. I looked it up when I got home. Twain was reported to have said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” It’s important to note that no one can find the source of this quote, so it’s likely that Mark Twain never actually said it. Regardless of who said it, it got me thinking.

And in the process of thinking about it, I came across something that Twain *did* actually say, in “Innocents Abroad”: “What is it that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man’s breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery! To know that you are walking where none others have walked; that you are beholding what human eye has not see before; that you are breathing a virgin atmosphere. To give birth to an idea-an intellectual nugget, right under the dust of a field that many a brain-plow had gone over before. To be the first–that is the idea. To do something, say something, see something, before anybody else–these are the things that confer a pleasure compared with other pleasures are tame and commonplace, other ecstasies cheap and trivial. Lifetimes of ecstasy crowded into a single moment.”

When it comes to mobilizing missionaries, we haven’t talked much about discovery and adventure — even though much of evangelistic missionary work involves it. I think it’s because we’re afraid we’ll breed only missionary-tourists. But there is a sense in which the pioneer spirit is not only preferred, but actually *required* by some missionary opportunities. Some call it an “apostolic gift.” Call it what you want, but when Paul forged on through shipwrecks & stoning, the truth is, he was pioneering. When he believed so strongly in the Cause that he traveled on foot throughout the known world of his day, he was pioneering. Paul’s musing about going where no man has gone before (Romans 15:20) is enough to cause me to believe Twain was on the right track. We probably need to talk some about adventure, dreaming, thinking big. We need some big thinkers today. Thinkers that will dream, then *do*. After all, Twain also is reported to have said, “There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Doug

20070610 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:46:00 +0000

In this issue…

OPENING FOR A SENIOR DIRECTOR — The Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Development is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Director. The Chalmers Center,

http://www.chalmers.org

a research and training initiative of Covenant College, equips churches and missionaries to declare the Kingdom of God in word and in deed by bringing economic development and spiritual transformation in the context of poor communities around the globe. The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director and is the primary person responsible for managing the Chalmers Center’s human and financial resources in order to maximize the Chalmers Center’s impact. … For a complete job description including the job requirements, visit:

http://scots.covenant.edu/employment/all/jobs/expanded.asp?ID=215

Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Send a resume and a testimony of Christian faith and experience to: Director of Human Resources, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Georgia 30750; 706-820-1560; Email address:

employment(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]. The application deadline is August 15, 2007.

PALTALK MIGHT WORK FOR YOU? — This past week, I heard about a new service along the lines of Skype, but apparently it allows multiple video-conferencing (chat-room or conference-room style) with greater ease than Skype. (A cursory review indicated that it does not install spyware on one’s system, but still, one can’t be too careful these days, so watch carefully.) Try it out at:

http://www.paltalk.com

If you form an opinion of this product, please leave your notes in a comment form at:

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=18

so that all can immediately see your opinion before they walk down the same road.

WHY ARE BRIGADAS SOMETIMES RELEASED IN JULY WITH JUNE DATES? — Honestly? :-) Because we get behind. :-) Lately, high school soccer season has started up — so I coach 3 hours per night, 5 nights/week now, after a full work day at Team Expansion. But never fear. We always eventually catch up. Just please keep praying. :-)

BIBLE SOFTWARE: SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR BRIGADA SUBSCRIBERS –- When you hear the words “Bible Software” what comes to mind? Complicated searches and advanced Hebrew word studies? Or simplified research techniques that make Bible study easy for anyone? Logos Bible Software was created to help everyday people dig deeper into the Word of God. And these aren’t just books on your computer screen. Logos gives reports and search results that will make in-depth Bible study easy. Logos is now offering 25% off to subscribers of Brigada Today. As an added benefit, part of the proceeds from your purchase will go directly to Brigada.

http://www.logos.com/brigada

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

This is a great opportunity to support Brigada and receive a great tool for Bible study. (Thanks for your plans to help Brigada, Logos!)

US POSTAL SERVICE RADICALLY CHANGES “M-BAG” RATE — This is sad news for those that have relied on this discounted service. We heard from one worker in Botswana and another in Italy, both informing us that shipping books is now *radically* more expensive — like 2 1/2 *times* as much! If you have an alternative solution… one that can offer a cost-savings for those still seeking discounted shipping rates like the old “M-bag” rate, please click here and leave a comment at

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=19

Those interested in finding solutions need only log on at the Brigada Brigade site above to see ideas from other readers in the 10,000-strong Brigada base.

COULD YOU HELP GROW THE BRIGADA FAMILY? — If you could help put readers in touch with Brigada’s free services, just send this note to them in your regularly newsletter, report, or other publication. “For some time now, I’ve subscribed to a more-or-less weekly email called, ‘Brigada Today.’ It’s free and I find it often contains nuggets of information about missions resources, travel, conferences, and more, that I then forward to others. They’ve been in business for over 10 years and they’ve never signed anyone else up without permission, nor do they sell or release subscribers’ email addresses to anyone — so no spamming whatsoever. For a free subscription to Brigada’s weekly missions publication, write brigada-today-subscribegooglegroupscom and/or visit Brigada on the web at www.brigada.org.” We’d appreciate you helping us get the word out so we don’t have to buy ads in slick magazines. :-)

LEARN TO TALK WITH MUSLIMS ABOUT JESUS: PILLARS AND PROPHETS — Here’s a book by Carl Medearis that will help you learn to talk freely about your relationship with Jesus to a person of the Muslim faith. Written in a humorous and provocative style, Pillars and Prophets is an engaging quick read that leaves an indelible impression. The book is time well spent, from an author who has lived amongst the Muslims for over a decade, that calls him not only brother and friend, but also a true followers of Jesus. Carl builds relationships, based on the heart of the Jesus, not on religion or rules. To get prices, email your shipping address and how many books you would want to purchase to: Info(at)internationalinitiatives(dot)net

“SERVING GOD AS ALONE” — The International Centre for Excellence in Leadership (ICEL), a leadership development ministry of the IMB, has published a new self-study course for singles entitled Serving God Alone: Singles Serving Cross-culturally for the Glory of God. Serving God Alone is the result of many months of research, drawing heavily on interviews with single cross-cultural workers. The course is designed to help singles and those who work with them understand at a deeper level the unique perspective, strengths, and needs that single missionaries bring to the mission task. To order, email imb(at)imb(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] In the USA, call 1-800-999-3113, option 3. Check the ICEL web site for more details:

http://www.icelonline.com/Available_Courses.html

MISSIONARY JOURNALIST WEB SITE —- Ken, who writes about mission activities around the world but particularly from Latin America, has developed a web site with almost all of his writing from the past ten years or so. He’s posted there hundreds of articles from Latin America and other regions, plus other articles grouped by subject such as Children at Risk, International Congregations/Union Churches, media and radio, ministry, missions and opinion. Check it out at

http://www.missionaryjournalist.org

and then check back from time to time to see the latest updates.

THANKS FOR THE READER WHO GAVE $10 — We appreciate the anonymous donor from Oklahoma who sent $67. That was an incredible encouragement. Thanks, too, to the anonymous Brigada participant from Oregon who just set up a $10/month regular gift for our expenses here… and to encourage us on into tomorrow. We put the money toward webhosting, some small marketing projects, secretarial costs, as well as projects for world evangelism. Nothing is wasted. So when we receive $10 from a fellow from Oregon, it can accomplish a lot at Brigada. To set up a regular monthly gift for Brigada, simply go to

http://www.brigada.org/donate.html

You can pull the money from your PayPal account or from any major credit card. Just click on the icon that says, “PayPal subscribe”. In the next (resulting) page, type in a unit price — for example, $10.00. Then click on the button “Update totals”. If you already have a PayPal account and would rather use it, type in your PayPal account’s email address and password in the box on the lower right. If you’d rather use your credit card, click on “Continue” on the lower left of the page. If you click “Continue”, you’ll get a page asking for the typical credit card information. Thank you so much for spurring us on.

THE BACKPAGE: LITTLE DECISIONS, BIG RESULTS — Have you ever heard that story about the French guy who kept planting trees? It’s pretty fascinating. All the online illustration versions seem to point back to the original story by Jean Giono. See it still being offered by the original publisher here:

http://www.chelseagreen.com/2005/items/manwhoplantedcloth

for $14, or get it at Amazon for $6 here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570625387/teamexpansiononl

Read a summary at

http://home.infomaniak.ch/~arboretum/man_tree.htm

As they say at Amazon, it is not a detailed how-to guide to planting; it is a touching story of Elzéard Bouffier, who devoted his entire life to reforesting a desolate portion of Provence, in southern France. He single-handedly planted 100 acorns each day before, through, and after two world wars, and transformed a sorrowful place into one full of life and joy. Jean Giono’s words offer a tribute to how much good one person can accomplish in a lifetime and advise on how to live life with deep meaning. It is simply written but powerful and unforgettable.

Granted, I’m a tree-hugger. But one doesn’t have to be a lover of trees to appreciate the patient determination exhibited by a shepherd with a bag of acorns… and some time on his hands. A lot of time, in fact. *Years*, as a matter of fact. Some estimate that by the time he died in 1947, he had single-handedly planted tens of thousands of trees.

Is it a true story? Many present it as such. Wikipedia says no at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Planted_Trees

But regardless, the spirit of the story is the same — a motivated person, with a selfless spirit, determination, creativity, and long-term goals can take on a big problem and make a huge difference.

How ’bout your own life. What are you tackling today? Maybe reforesting an entire valley seems overwhelming. Why not start with rebuilding the relationship with your son or daughter, renewing the friendship with your spouse, or healing a conflict in your local church. Start a mission project. Adopt an unreached people. Dream big. Find a guy with a bucket of acorns for inspiration and jump in to help him. You just might create a legacy that outlives your own life.

Interested in giving feedback on this item? Just click on the Comment block at:

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=20

20070128 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:05:00 +0000

In this issue…

MINISTER TO THE POOR WITHOUT CREATING DEPENDENCY — Learn how through an email-based distance learning course called “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” offered by the Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Development at Covenant College. The next course offering is scheduled for May 7 – June 1, 2007.

The “Foundations” course is designed for those doing ministry and community outreach among the poor. It is appropriate for an individual as well as for members of a team who minister together. The course lays the foundation for understanding appropriate goals and strategies for Christian economic development in low-income communities. It is an e-mail based guided reading program with written (e-mail) assignments and peer-to-peer interaction with other course participants. Because the course is e-mail based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. The course will require an average of 8-10 hours of work per week. The Chalmers Center also offers other distance learning courses on microfinance and microenterprise development.

To register, visit

http://www.chalmers.org

When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-02/07. If you have questions, send email to chalmers(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE TRYING GOODSEARCH! — We’d love to thank those who have tried searching at…

http://www.goodsearch.com

All those pennies are adding up. Thanks to your combined help, the total contribution (that Goodsearch will make to our mother organization, Team Expansion) is up to $100 for 2007! :-) “Poco a poco, se va lejos.” Someone pointed out that only USA-based non-profits can receive “search-pennies.” As a result, he said, he won’t be able to register his own agency, so, he said, he’d keep searching for Brigada! Remember, all you have to do is type in “Team Expansion” in the “Who do you Goodsearch for?” box. Then click “Verify”. Click on the “Amount raised” button to find out how many pennies have been raised so far. Team Expansion tries to keep Brigada afloat when donations don’t quite make budget. (So far, donations to Brigada have never met budget. :-) ) (Thanks Team Expansion! Thanks Goodsearchers!)

HOW TO DO SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT DOING LONG-TERM HARM — The Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Development at Covenant College has added a new distance learning course to its curriculum on ministry to the poor that does not create dependency. This course, called “How to Do Short-term Missions Without Doing Long-term Harm,” is scheduled for April 16 – May 4, 2007. It is designed for: 1) sending churches and denominations, 2) host churches and missionaries, 3) missions project leaders, and 4) missions team members.

The course provides an understanding of the issues surrounding the execution of short-term missions (less than one month) in the context of the socio-economic poor. Short-term missions have the opportunity to produce important benefits, but also have the potential to do significant harm, particularly to the poor. This course presents frameworks for considering these issues so that course participants can strengthen their missions projects and the benefits of their short-term missions are maximized and any harm is minimized.

This training course is an e-mail based guided reading program with written (e-mail) assignments and peer-to-peer interaction with other course participants. Because the course is e-mail based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. The course will require an average of 6-8 hours of work per week.

To register, visit

http://www.chalmers.org

When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-02/07. If you have questions, call 1-706-419-1805 (U.S.) or send email to chalmers(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

CHRISTIAN HIV/AIDS RESOURCES — R.E.A.P (Resource Education For AIDS Prevention) is a complete AIDS/HIV education program that provides biblical, morally based hope in the crises of human tragedy. A 278-page manual is available as well as individual chapters, overhead transparency masters and PowerPoints. Materials are biblical, positive and practical include teaching tips and hints. These materials were developed by (the South African based) Vern & Esther Tisdale of Africa.. Operation Whole. You may freely use these materials in your ministry. The materials are now available for free download at:

http://aibi.gospelcom.net/reap/

US POST OFFICE SENDS PRAYER LETTERS — Thanks to Wayne who recently wrote to remind us that prayer letters can be printed and mailed through the US post office itself. Wayne wrote, “We have used them for the past year. Full color letters are mailed for .88 using presort first class postage. The minimum is $2 and so as few as three prayer letters can be made. We like the control and options that we have in the mailing process. The most we have had to wait is one extra business day.” To learn more, visit…

http://www.usps.com/netpost/welcome.htm

FREE SYNERGY NEWSLETTER — Here’s a communiqué that is a missions mobilization ezine published on the Internet by DualReach. It features stories and ideas from churches who are successfully involving their people in cross-cultural ministry. “Synergy Newsletter” also introduces readers to the resources of the expanding DualReach electronic resource centre, including ready-to-use tools that DualReach develops, and examples of best practice they collect from a wide array of dynamic missions churches. Recent topics included short-term youth teams and educating children in missions. Subscribe by visiting the DualReach website

http://www.dualreach.org

or writing info(at)dualreach(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 SERVICES IN BUDAPEST — The Budapest Care Center offers professional Christian counseling services for adult missionaries serving throughout Europe and Eurasia. Their primary work is short-term intensive counseling for adults and couples seeking help for themselves. Depression, trauma, anxiety, marriage conflict and burnout are among the more common concerns that bring people to the Care Center seeking help. The Care Center staff also provides training on understanding how personal and family problems develop, training on how to help others and seminars on marriage and family relationships. Contact them at:

http://www.budapestcare.com

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

EQUIPPING CONFERENCE FOR MINISTRY AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS — ACMI’07, at St. Olaf College near Minneapolis, May 31-June 3, 2007, marks 25 years of equipping, resourcing, and networking staff and volunteers involved in or interested in starting, international student ministry (ISM) in the U.S. and Canada. ACMI’07 is one of the broadest gatherings of ISM workers from campus ministries, mission agencies (including returned and retired missionaries), denominations, local churches, and individuals, and offers rich cross-training via 40+ workshops by veterans. Participation is limited to North American residents and missionaries returning from the field. The “early-bird” discount registration deadline is March 31st. Find them on the web at

http://2007.acmi-network.org

or email osbu0001(at)umn(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

TRAIN A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS FOR K’STAN — …At Kazakhstan International School, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Founded in 1993 by two godly men who had a vision to use education as a pre-evangelism ministry to reach the people in Central Asia for Christ, the school needs godly teachers in grades 1-8 for the school year 2007-2008 and k- 12 for year 2008-2009. They have begun to use the International Baccalaureate Curriculum, and are committed to be a continuous learning community preparing young people to be skilled knowledge-workers with high moral standards, great social skills, strong academic backgrounds, and, God willing, knowledge of the Lord. For more info, email spotty4(at)aol(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

UNDERGIRD BRIGADA, BUILD MISSIONS FIRE — Want to help undergird Brigada in its global ministry of resourcing and mobilization? 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), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. (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: CALEB PROJECT & ACMC (INITIATIVE 360), 1978-2007 — When 5pm came on Feb. 13th, Initiative 360 closed the doors on a newly- merged team of people formerly referred to as ACMC and Caleb Project. Together, they held a whole lot of promise. But together, they did not survive.

When the board of Initiative 360 closed the shop that day, they laid to rest a marathon-length history of outstanding missions mobilization on college campuses, at local church missions fairs, and in resource centers of all kinds. ACMC equipped churches for effective involvement in world evangelization through conferences, consultation, and resources. Caleb Project created life-changing materials, programs, and curricula for individuals and churches that built vision and enabled involvement in God’s kingdom work. See the press release at

http://www.takeitglobal.org/

but don’t go looking very deeply for details because they aren’t there. From the looks of things in this short press release by I360′s board, the two groups together must have overextended somehow during their merger. Apparently, the board felt they had gone past the point of no return.

I started using ACMC training materials in 1980, best of my memory. They already seemed mature and effective by that time. And as for Caleb Project, Brigada has probably chronicled *hundreds* of new releases thanks to their hard-working staff down through the years. Folks, let me shoot straight: These were (and still are) some of the best people in the world. They worked long hours, were paid little, but had boat- loads of fun. They turned-on folks to the Great Commission. They analyzed, they mobilized, but above all things, they praised and worshipped.

Unfortunately, I still don’t get it. The board has made it obvious that none of the leaders are accused of anything dishonest. Nobody did anything immoral or unethical. Apparently, the board figured the merged organization just didn’t have a financial future. Well folks, please hear me well: somewhere, someone needs to help us all learn the costly lesson of this loss to missions mobilization. To the I360 board, I openly share that I so wish this could have been done differently. Surely there was a way to process these difficult steps with greater grace; surely there could have been more exchange; surely the community of Christ could have helped you step through these difficult moments without ending things so abruptly. But now, by all appearances, it’s done. And to all the people who are now struggling to process the events of the past 2 months, our hearts and our prayers are with you. As we seek to deal with our confusion, you also seek to find new jobs, new avenues of service, and new means of feeding your families. We are all so very grateful for your *decades* of service, your long days and nights of selflessness, and your incredible energy spent to the glory of God. Yikes. I can’t imagine church missions apart from ACMC. I can’t possibly imagine missions mobilization without Caleb Project. I don’t even *want* to.

I’m sure there were long prayers. I’m sure there were painful tears. There must have been sleepless nights by the board members. I just wish the greater community of missions advocates could have somehow shared a bit more in that process. Because to me, this feels like somebody died, was buried, and there was no funeral. Only five cold lines in a press release. “Too many bills. Couldn’t make it. Closed up shop.” Who does that? What about some kind of reorganization? What about asking the CEO to do an appeal letter to tell how critical things are? Or how ’bout at least separating back into Caleb Project and ACMC again to see if either side could make a go of it separately? Even as I ask those questions, I hurt for the board members themselves, because I can only imagine how carefully they must have considered these steps. At least, I hope they did. Unfortunately, few, if any of us, can know. Because it was done — it was over — in what seemed like an instant.

I called Caleb Project’s office on the morning after. It was Valentine’s Day. I spoke to the small team of staff people who had been given the task of cleaning up. My heart went out to them. My heart still aches for them and all the others. We don’t even know where to write. We don’t even know if they’re getting this. But our prayers go to the Father on their behalf. We join them today, praying for them, lifting them up. May the Lord somehow bring hope and healing, in a way that sudden closure could not.

Yikes. There’s nothing more to say. Except, may the Lord help them all.

20060521 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 22 May 2006 02:21:00 +0000

In this issue…

SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES FOR SPECIAL TASKS — God raises up unique ministries for special tasks in Christ’s mission. Talking Bibles International trains and equips people from other churches and missions to help them provide Talking Bibles for non-readers and the blind. If you or your ministry could use help from a Talkingn Bibles representative, perhaps to shape strategy or plan outreach, visit: http://www.talkingbibles.org or write 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 .]

CATCH TESOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA — Now you can study TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, October 2-27, 2006 . This TESOL is a four-week course to teach people how to teach English as a second/foreign language. This course is registered with the University of the Nations, Kona, the international training body of Youth With A Mission and is accredited through Sea English Academy International in Australia and carries with it an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV. Upon successful completion of this course, the TESOL graduate will be qualified to teach ESL or EFL in almost every country in the world. The class size is limited so early inquiries are recommended. Application and reference forms will be sent via email. Contact chiangraitesol(at)gmail(dot)com for further information or for an application. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

GREAT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC CALLING RATES FROM US — Get great calling rates for domestic (starting at 1.9cents/min to continental US and Canada) and international calls (200 countries for less than 10cents/min …UK 3cents, France 3cents, Russia/Moscow 2.5cents, Israel 3.2cents, Colombia/SA 4.2cents, South Africa 9cents). Call from any touchtone phone including cell. Prepaid service. No contracts. No monthly, activation, or connection fees. No need to switch carriers. Up to 470 FREE minutes on signup. Lots of convenience features. For more info go to: http://www.tel3advantage.com/?agentnumber=837371 An agent affiliate program with good income potential is also available at no cost to sign up. (By the way, thanks to Judy and her crew for the recent sponsorship $14 gift to Brigada based on those of you that had signed up for long distance with her. It’s a great system. Have at it!)

PROFESSIONAL COACHING TRAINING TO MULTIPLY YOUR IMPACT — Don’t tell people what to do, help them to think better! Transformational leadership requires new ways of communicating with those you work with. Coaching skills are essential. Introducing the 65-hour Core Coaching Skills Certificate Program. A first of it’s kind, this program is for leaders who wish to gain coaching skills and take on a part-time or full-time coaching role in their ministry. The “beta” course will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand October 30 – November 3, 2006. For complete details go to: http://www.mcoaches.com or e-mail for an alternative web site with little Christian language keith(at)asiacoaches(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

PARTNERSHIP TRAINING THAT REALLY WORKS — If you are called to faith ministry and terrified of raising support, this training can work for you. It gives you the thorough communication training, coaching and relational skill development that will equip you for a lifetime of ministry. The secret for results is two-way, live, interactive video conferencing that builds skill and confidence over a three week period. They send you the video conferencing unit which is easy to plug in and use. You meet on line for two or three hours a week and work on practical assignments in between sessions. All you need is high speed internet and a TV monitor. It is low cost (especially if you can get four to six people together) and results are guaranteed. Check out the website:

http://www.kingdomcometraining.com

Or send an e-mail:

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

ANOTHER WAY TO GEAR UP FOR TEACHING ENGLISH — Can’t wait ’til October? Thailand not in your travel plans? Try TESOL Training in Hong Kong, July 18-21, 2006 by Tony Mendoza of Jesus Is Supreme Global Outreach Society. It is a program of Project Light International, a U.S.-Accredited TESOL Certificate Training Program from that will be held at Shepherd’s Heart Family Christian Church, Longos, Bacoor, Cavite (just right after the Las Pinas and Bacoor Boundary at Coastal Road). The course contents are 1) Nature, culture and context, 2) Essential language teaching theories, 3) Lesson planning, assessment and instructional material preparation, 4) Team and individual teaching activities, 5) CD-ROM tutorial training, 6) Tentmaking and Missions, 7) Observed teaching component. There will also be TESOL Trainers Training Course during the afternoon sessions. For more information email shemfamily(at)yahoo(dot)com or call or text Carol at (63)928-3416817. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2006 — From September 22-26, 2006 about ten international speakers will meet about 140 participants to discuss development issues from a Christian perspective. Main topics include “The role of local Christians in Community Development (Focus on HIV/AIDS and Reconciliation)” and “Linking Relief and Development”. Keynote addresses, practical workshops, and tracks are offered to help participants in aspects of their work and life. More information at http://wwww.ccd-network.net While there, pick up a CD of the last conference containing all speeches (mp3, ppt) and lots of additional material for just $20. See the content at

http://www.ccd-network.net

Send your request to ccd(at)awm-korntal(dot)de [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]”

MISSION COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE AT CONFERENCE — South Africa will mark a leadership transition during the Mission Commission’s 10th International Convocation, June 18-24. At this global consultation for mutual encouragement, common work and greater understanding of the mission enterprise around the globe, participants examine global issues and challenges, plan their joint work and strategies, and foster the in-depth relationships without which the MC could not function. This will be a special conference, because after twenty years at the helm of the MC, Dr. William (Bill) Taylor will hand over the direction of the MC to Dr. Bertil Ekstrom. Learn more at http://www.wearesources.org

GREAT CALLING RATES FOR BROADBAND USERS — VoIP service is now available using a small adapter unit on cable or DSL connections with unlimited calling to US and Canada for $19.95 per month (and very low international rates). Check out details at http://www.voipnetadvantage.com/?agentnumber=837371 This service can be used to call from international locations as long as they have compatible cable or DSL connections, and a US or Canadian address for credit card billing and shipping of the phone connection adapter unit. There is a one time setup and shipping charge of $46.90 for this service, but the first month of calling to US and Canada is currently free to offset some of the initial costs. A portion of every new subscription will allow Judy to pitch in on Brigada costs here… so please … let’s all get talking! :-)

TESOL TRAINING IN EUROPE! — YWAM Latvia is running a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification course this summer! So if neither Thailand nor Hong Kong will work, maybe Latvia will do it. They’ll cover topics such as basic theories and methods of teaching English, intercultural communication for teachers, classroom management, how to work with different learning styles, testing, principles of language acquisition, as well as the how to use English as a ministry tool. The certificate you will receive at the end is an internationally recognized TESOL certificate and will be accredited through the University of the Nations. It will be a 4-week course with an optional 5th week of English camp/outreach at the end. It will be held at the YWAM base in Valdemarpils, Latvia, and will run from July 23 – August 18 (or to the 23rd for camp). The cost is only $995 which includes all teaching, room & board and materials. (To stay for camp will be an extra $100.) For more information, contact Lydia at tesol(at)ywamlatvia(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] and/or find more info at http://www.ywamlatvia.com

INVEST IN BRIGADA’S FUTURE — Want to help Brigada spread the news about missions resources, unreached peoples, and outreach conferences all around the world? 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.

WHERE DO YOU TURN TO FIND MISSIONS PASTOR OPPORTUNITIES? — Mark’s wondering where you go for Missions pastors’ openings. He’s visited ChurchStaffing.com but sees almost nothing from churches looking for a missions pastor or director or outreach pastor or director. Now he’s wondering if there’s a better option somewhere. Is there a site that is more focused on finding missions personnel? If you have an option, write Mark mark_simpson53(at)hotmail(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

THE BACKPAGE: TODAY I SHOT A MOLE — That’s right. I’m a murderer. :-) Last week my wife complained that a mole was tearing up our front yard. Those new runways were for him, I’m sure, shopping aisles for all sorts of snacks. But for her, they were ugly cracks in the new lawn we had just re-seeded last fall. And her flower bed was nearly vaporized by the little guy. I felt sorry for Penny, but didn’t know how much good I’d do. I scattered the obligatory white grubworm poison — instant death to the mole’s favorite party menu items. No dice. He still kept nosing around our yard, in search of other tidbits. Next I scattered some castor-oil-type powder, guaranteed to annoy him. I guess the stuff is supposed to taste, to him, about like onions do to me. Sadly enough, our unwelcome guest seemed all the more determined to haunt our front hard like a devious ghost from a bad science fiction movie.

Today it was time for desperate measures.

As I returned the ladder to the garage after mounting a wall hanging for her, I saw the sod had been pushed a little farther than it had been earlier in the morning. Quietly, I just stood there watching the grass, frozen in my tracks. Sure enough, in a few moments, the ground started quivering. I was witnessing “mole at work” in real-time. This was an amazing moment… surreal… almost religious in nature. :-) Ever so gently, I laid down the ladder and retreated to the basement for my Ruger .22 Mark III Hunter handgun, complete with standard fiber- optic sights. Yes we live in a subdivision, and yes today was a holiday with *lots* of neighbors of all ages outside…. and yes I held the gun pointed at the ground, kind of like a federal agent stalking a mole at CTU. (Remember, I’ve just finished watching 5 seasons worth of “24″ in 5 weeks. :-)) I paused just long enough to try to imagine where his head might be. (Well you didn’t think I was going to aim for his knee did you? I was trying to *stop* him, not interrogate him.)

That’s when it happened. As the shot rang out, I pictured every housewife (and househusband, for that matter) within a 10-block radius calling 911 with a report of a madman stalking something in the sod. The good news was, the kill was swift. All it took was 1 round and, I suppose you could say the little critter then had quite a headache. I parted the sod with a shovel I had retrieved from the garage. There he was. (Right through his skull. And he would have made such a nice mount, otherwise. :-) ) Well, you can guess my glee when my wife proclaimed me her hero… and my 16-year-old added that I was, “Cooler than ever.” Later, as I buried the little guy in strip of woods behind our backyard, I wondered what one says at a graveside service for a mole. Surely there are certain prescribed words expected at all such events. And in fact, as I pondered the moment, I began to draw some hard-earned lessons from the day’s events — some of which just might apply to missionaries, as they enter new cultures. Let’s see…

*** First, find a way to bring value: If, when we enter someone else’s yard, we only focus on our own interests, some host, somewhere, is bound to eventually become annoyed by *something* we break or abuse. We’ve got to bring something of value if we expect to survive in life. Leave the world better than you found it. In the mole’s case, some might argue he brings air to the roots. My wife thinks otherwise when the mower chokes on his runways and mine shafts, spewing out dirt in all directions. So — lesson learned… find a way to bring some value to your host country’s lives. Keep your nose clean.

*** Observe, like the bunny: Of all things… my wife *feeds* the bunny rabbits. They’re somehow cool and furry. Meanwhile, she hires hit men for the moles. These dirty guys are like… in their own world. But the bunnies sit there quietly, across the yard, taking everything in — learning about their environment, carefully aware of their surroundings. So observe; listen; inquire. Be a bunny.

*** Finally, don’t dare be caught sneaking around: Part of the reason my wife was so quick to take out a contract on this guy was because he was nameless, faceless, invisible — yet troublesome. So make friends. Establish relationships. It was ok for E.T. to be an alien, but it won’t work for you. It sure didn’t for this mole. You’ve got to forge *friendship* with your new world. And not just with anybody. Find the people in charge. (In this case, my wife. :-) ) Engage. Build bridges, not tunnels. You’ll be glad you did.

With the graveside service complete, I turned the last spade of dirt and headed for the house. Supper tasted extra good tonight. I was a hero. Order was restored… for everyone but the mole, that is. Now it was time for debriefing. Sigh. Oops. Forgot to clean the gun. Gotta run.