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In This Issue

EFCA GODSIGHTINGS TELL YOUR STORY

When families gather, it is stories of the past and present celebrated together in laughter and tears that unify their hearts. Sharing stories--whether small or great, heart-touching or Aha!, personal, family, church or community in scope, from next door or across the globe--GodSightings are the evidence of God's hand in action touching our lives. The goal of the GodSightings campaign is to unify the hearts of the EFCA family!
 
Beginning with this broadcast, GodSightings will be told through various EFCA media--with the goal of bringing our family closer together. Tell your congregation, tell your families, and share your story! Simply email stories to Godsightings@efca.org.  (Please attach related pictures whenever available, and be sure to advise if the story should be communicated anonymously.)
 
Gather. Share. Celebrate God's handiwork across the EFCA!
Three weeks before our daughter, son-in-law and three grand-kids arrived back from three years of missionary work in Romania, I came across this passage in Isaiah 60:4-5a, "Lift up your eyes and see! For your sons and daughters are coming home to you from distant lands. Your eyes will shine with joy, your hearts will thrill..." On July 3, 2006 they arrived and we had this passage printed in large letters for them in their home. (We also printed up a copy for our home.)
-- Anonymous

Calvary EFC in Indiana, PA is a church of about 100 people with great potential. Pastor Jack Kelly from McKeesport called asking how his church could come alongside their efforts. After learning that Calvary EFC was without a pastor, Pastor Kelly shared, "You now have a pastoral staff of seven."  The pastoral staff at McKeesport is filling the pulpit at Calvary EFC and offering their resources. Calvary EFC has allowed McKeesport EFC to join with them to search for a pastor. At this time they have a potential candidate and all is going well.

In the past six years, our church has attempted to sell our current three-acre property and move across town. In 2005, the Lord took one of our bright-14-year-old youths to heaven. Sarah was a wonderful student and athlete. Her testimony of love for Christ was very strong. We soon had the idea of designating the property across town as "Sarah's Field," - investing in ball fields for the community to use. Church members stepped-up to the plate and voted to take on this project. The ball diamonds, fences, bleachers, concession stand, restrooms, sidewalk and parking facilities will be completed in phases as we trust God for the finances. Through this effort, we are able to show our love to the community, and remember a teen whose love of God made her life a testimony. Sarah's story will be engraved in a plaque for all to see.
-- Pastor Jerry Classen - Minden, NE

FREECHURCHPRINTING.COM NOT EFCA AFFILIATED

The EFCA national office has received email advertisements from an organization called freechurchprinting.com.  Most recently, this information has included an introduction to something called pastorsplace.com.  In case your church is receiving this information, we want you to know that this organization is not in any way affiliated with or endorsed by the EFCA.  The EFCA national office does have an offset printing and copy shop, and we would be happy to assist your church with print and copy services.  To learn more about services and pricing from the EFCA, contact Terry LaPlante by email at copycenter@efca.org or call (800) 745-2202, ext 784.

MISSIONS RESOURCES

Are you looking for new ideas for your church missions program?  ReachGlobal (EFCA International Mission) has a partnership with DualReach, an organization that will provide new missions resources to EFCA churches free of charge.  These resources will help your missions program think strategically and creatively about the role of missions in your church.  The below link is the most recent issue of the "Synergy Newsletter" and is on the topic of reaching out to missionary children. To learn how one church is caring for children, click here http://www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/synergy-newsletter-efca-e.pdf

NEW BOOK WRITTEN BY EFCA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

E3: Effective Empowering Elders by Rick Thompson
Where will you find trustworthy leaders in your church? How should elders direct the affairs of the church? How will you know if they have fulfilled their responsibilities and are worthy of "double honor?"  Rick Thompson takes an in-depth look at what makes an effective, empowering elder. He gleans many helpful insights on leadership practices from some of the best contemporary books written on this subject and weaves those insights into a solid biblical understanding of the important work of elders. He takes what Paul says to Titus (1:7) very seriously: "An overseer is entrusted with God's work ..."
NextStep Price: $9.60 each
To order, go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=8545

Monthly Email Newsletters
Sign-up for a free monthly email newsletter in any of the following categories:

  • Pastoral
  • Bible Studies
  • Children & Family
  • Youth

Go to https://secure.windborne.net/nextstep/email_list.php to sign-up.

WE ARE THE BODY

What does it mean for the church - not simply individual Christians - to be the body of Christ? EFCA Today will be exploring that question in a future issue and would like your input. If you have a story to tell specifically about:
- How your church body acts as the body of Christ in your service toward a watching community, OR
- How you emphasize love and unity within your church body when faced with a tough decision

Let us know! Send an e-mail with details to the EFCA Today editor at dianemc@journeygroup.com by Tuesday, November 14.

VISION TRIP TO CONGO

Last chance to join us!
Several months ago we announced a Vision Trip to Congo for senior pastors and medical personnel.  Due to presidential elections in Congo and civil unrest, we rescheduled the trip for the end of January and we now have a few places available. 
 
We are looking for two senior pastors who would like to teach in the Bible Institutes of the Congo Evangelical Free Church and two physicians of any specialty to work in the hospitals and help teach Congolese physicians and staff.
 
The trip is scheduled for January 24 - February 11.  Those going will have the opportunity to teach African pastors and seminary students; medical staff will be able to work in the Tandala and Bau hospitals.  The purpose of the trip is to help EFCA churches find ways to partner with the work in Congo in the future, both in training of church leaders and in medical ministry.  We will also see some of the initiatives being taken to help orphans and widows.
 
The group will fly to Europe, on to Kinshasa the capitol, and then up country to Gemena.  From there the group will divide and go to the several sites where we will work.  The time-line is short for getting reservations and travel documents; we will not repeat this announcement.  For a brochure and more information, please contact Dr. Tom Cairns at tcairns@efca.org

DONOR E-NEWSLETTER

The EFCA Foundation now provides a helpful resource to aid individuals and families with gift and estate planning.  Please consider signing up yourself and encourage others from your church to do so, as well.  To view a sample newsletter go to http://www.giftlegacy.com/sample_email.jsp?WebID=GL2005-0497  To sign up, email Lanny Harris at foundation@efca.org and state "e-newsletter sign up" in the subject line.

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP

Do you desire specific leadership training in ministering to women? Would you like to see up close a healthy model of women's ministries serving in the context of the local church? If so, the Women's Ministries Leadership Internship is for you! The next Women's Ministries Internship is January 29-February 3, 2007 in Redlands, California hosted by former national Women's Ministries Director, Elizabeth Inrig and Trinity EFC. Registrations are now being accepted and information can be found by visiting http://tinymce.moxiecode.cp/mce_temp_url  Register early as space is limited. For more information call Natalie at (800) 745-2202, ext. 765 or by email at nbartelme@efca.org

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

While the money you invest with Christian Investors Foundation earns an attractive rate of return it also helps to build Evangelical Free Churches.  Effective September 1, 2006, you can purchase Investment Certificates with rates and terms such as:
- 6.0% simple interest for Two-Year Investment Certificates and a yield to maturity of 6.14%.*

For more information on this and other investment products, call us at (800) 995-8574, or visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org.

This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of Investment Certificates in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized.  The offering is made solely by the OFFERING CIRCULAR.

* EARLY REDEMPTION PENALTY: (i) 90 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is one year or less, (ii) 120 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over one year to two years and (iii) 180 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over two years.  Christian Investors Foundation reserves the right to discontinue offering these Investment Certificates at any time.  AN INVESTMENT IN THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE OFFERING CIRCULAR, INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION TO REDEEM THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES PRIOR TO THEIR FINAL MATURITY. THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES ARE NOT FDIC INSURED.

2007 MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION - Repeat

Please join us at Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis, IN January 24-26, 2007 for the Ministerial Association's Midwinter Theological Conference: "Inerrancy, Hermeneutics, and Eschatology." Registration opens Friday October 13. Go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/ to download the conference brochure.