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In This Issue

TOUCHGLOBAL CRISIS RESPONSE IN THE PHILIPPINES - TYPHOON DURIAN

In the fall of 2006, a volcano erupted in the Bicol region of the Philippines leaving large amounts of mud and boulders stuck around its slopes. The heavy rains of Typhoon Durian last November 30, 2006, flushed mud and boulders down to surrounding villages causing heavy damage to lives and property. What used to be a large residential area is now declared "unsafe for living." The Bicol region suffered the most destruction and the highest number of casualties. Survivors are now housed in jam-packed evacuation centers around Albay province. Bicol is widely agricultural, and it will be years before land and farms can be used again to supply the agricultural needs of the region and its surrounding provinces.

Situation Update (12/10/06)
- Affected persons: 875,710
- Evacuated persons: 32,133
- People at evacuation centers: 32, 584
- Totally damaged houses: 88,639
- Partially damaged houses: 56,232
- Missing persons: 417
- Injured persons: 757
- Dead persons: 533

TouchGlobal is partnering with local chruches of the Evangelical Free Church of the Philippines who are engaged with a project called "BICOL EXPRESS" enabling them to assist with direct aid to crisis-affected areas.  For more information about current needs and phases of relief distribution, visit the TouchGlobal website at http://www.touchglobal.org/philippines-durian.html

To donate to the Philippines Crisis Response fund using our secure server, go to https://www.efca.org/apps/giving/?designation=Philippines%20Crisis%20acct.%2021709-3973  You can also call our donor services team at (800) 745-2202 or mail in a donation. To mail in your donation, please make checks out to EFCA TouchGlobal and send them to:
EFCA TouchGlobal
Attn: Philippines Crisis Response, Account #21709-3973
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300

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. 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! Gather. Share. Celebrate God's handiwork across the EFCA! Email stories to Godsightings@efca.org (Please attach related pictures whenever available, and be sure to advise if the story should be communicated anonymously.)

Our mission team committed to sharing the Gospel in some of the poorest villages in Calcutta, India.  We paired with Indian translators who volunteered their own time, excited to share with other Indians, the freedom and forgiveness that comes in Jesus Christ.  Our mission was simply to tell the Gospel, and trust God to work in people's hearts.  Some Indians were not so sure at first, some were resistant, and others couldn't believe what they were hearing.  In a culture where most people are Hindu and worship gods out of fear of destruction, they didn't know what to do when they heard God's truth of love, forgiveness, grace, and most of all, hope. To a person living in such poor conditions, hope is amazing. We saw over 750 people accept Christ in just four days, and another 450 were counted as seekers. One woman, after accepting Jesus, took her Hindu god and threw it in the river, and then ran around the village, telling other people about this God who saves!  God taught us many things in India about serving, humility, and joy.  Several churches were planted, and follow-up teams are currently forming fellowships with new believers and ministering to the seekers.
- Brian

HIGH IMPACT CHURCH BOARDS BY TJ ADDINGTON

Special pre-release offer
"For too long, church leaders have waited for a practical, biblical and governance-friendly strategy for doing ‘leadership' in the local church.  Not any more!"  High Impact Church Boards, a new book by TJ Addington, can help your church board revolutionize the effectiveness of its leadership - and at the same time discover how to make church leadership easier and more fulfilling.  Building upon years of consulting experience with churches, and his own long experience in church leadership, Addington addresses three high impact areas that every church leader must grapple with: What are healthy leaders; How do you do intentional leadership; How do you develop empowered leadership structures in your church.  Visit http://www.nsresources.com to reserve your copy at a special pre-release price, or use the following link: http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=8842

 

MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE

The Midwinter Ministerial Theological Conference: "Inerrancy, Hermeneutics, and Eschatology" will be hosted at Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis, IN January 24-26, 2007. Go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/ to download the conference brochure. Early bird registration has ended.  You may still register - but do so today!  Limited space is available on a first come basis. Please contact ministerial@efca.org if you have not received by email your registration confirmation.                     

NATIONAL MINISTRIES UPDATE

Please check out the winter edition of the National Ministries Update. Go to http://www.efca.org/national/ to access this helpful and informational newsletter.  There are articles on Church Planting, Church Health, and Family and Children's, Student, Women's and Men's Ministries.

 

BUMP

Picture this: 
- Your junior high students teaching Arab, Chinese & Latino children about Jesus during Bible story time at VBS.
- Your high school students running a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for urban junior high students.
- Your youth group setting up carnival games and grilling hot dogs for a block party in an inner city neighborhood.
- Your student praying with a child to receive Christ as their Savior.

See this in real time by joining us at BUMP - Bridging Urban Mission Project - the Urban & Intercultural Mission's summer youth missions weeks.  Check it out and view the video/brochure at http://www.efca.org/bump

TAX TIME RESOURCES

Save 23% on Zondervan Tax Manuals during the month of January!
Zondervan 2007 Minister's Tax and Financial Guide for 2006 Returns by Dan Busby, CPA
For years, ministers have trusted this handy resource to save them time and money. This easy-to-understand workbook simplifies the tax code, provides a line-by-line explanation of the 1040 Form, supplies sound retirement planning helps, offers dozens of tips to reduce your tax bill, and much more.
Regular price: $15.99
Save 25% - NSR price: $11.99
 
Zondervan 2007 Church & Nonprofit Guide Tax and Financial Guide for 2006 Returns by Dan Busby, CPA
This annual reference remains one of the few resources offering tax and financial advice to churches and nonprofit organizations. The 2007 edition contains a thorough description of tax laws affecting churches and other nonprofit organizations, including changes made in 2006 and much more. An invaluable resource packed with timely information!
Regular price: $15.99
Save 25% - NSR price: $11.99

CHURCH PLANTING EVENT

Do you want to launch large? Don't miss this one-day church planting event!
"Starting Churches on Purpose: Strategies for the 21st Century"
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
8:30am - 5:00pm
Trinity International Divinity School - Hinkson Hall (Main Campus)
Spend the day with Ron Sylvia, Director of Purpose Driven Planting, as he shares with you:
- the proven effectiveness of the PD Model
- how to design & develop your new church
- how to launch large
- how to break through the growth barriers
- strategic leadership principles in your church
 
To register use PROMO Code - EFCA - for a savings of $13.  Your registration cost will be reduced from $25 to only $12 (box lunch included)! For more information, go to http://www.pdplanting.com or to register go to https://www.regonline.com/EventInfo.asp?EventId=110609

CHAPLAIN MINISTRIES

Continue to support with prayers those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Particularly hold up those ministering directly to our troops and sailors:
Ch (LTC) Phil Wright, USA - Fort Drum, NY
Ch (MAJ) Charles Causey, USAR - Hugo, MN
Ch (MAJ) Roy Myers, USA - Fort Hood, TX
Ch (LCDR) Pat Niemeyer, USN - Bonita, CA
Ch (CPT) Tom Strong, USA - Fort Lewis, WA
Ch (CPT) Jason Tobin, USA - Eagle River, AK
Ch (LCDR) Ray Bailey, USN - MCAS, Cherry Point, NC
 
For churches and pastors seeking to better assist families of military members in their church, an excellent resource is the book While They Were at War by Kristen Henderson (wife of a chaplain), published by Houghton-Mifflin Company, 2006.
 
For more information contact Chaplain Ministries at roy.bebee@efca.org.

40 DAY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO A MORE GENEROUS LIFE

This Lenten/Easter season, help teach your church about generosity. Give every household in your church a copy of the 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life for their daily personal or family devotions. Over 34,000 devotional booklets have been ordered by churches across America - including a number of EFCA congregations.

Special Bonus Offer
Order your booklets by January 31 and receive $500 of additional downloadable generosity resources at no extra charge! For more details and ordering information go to http://www.kluth.org/efca.htm.

 

   

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

Since 1959, Christian Investors Foundation has helped hundreds of Evangelical Free Church congregations realize their dream of buying, building, or remodeling their church facility.  Our mission is to serve your congregation by providing the loan you need to make your building project a reality.  If your church is considering expansion or renovating, call or write today for a free church loan packet.  For more information and a church loan packet, call us today at (800) 995-8574, visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org or email admin@christianinvestors.org

SHORT TERM YOUTH TEAMS

How can a small church produce a whole series of quality short-term youth teams in one summer? Mililani Community Church, an Evangelical Free Church in Mililani, Hawaii, is a congregation of about 130. The church meets in a rented school cafeteria and does not have their own building, but they are producing multiple teams of well-trained youth to do effective ministry in many different settings! Last year they taught VBS for EFC missionaries in Fukuoka, Japan. To learn how they do it - and how you can too - see the latest edition of "Synergy Newsletter" at http://www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/synergy-newsletter-efca-1106.pdf.

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP

Do you desire specific leadership training in ministering to women? 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. Registration deadline is January 15. For more information call Natalie at (800) 745-2202 ext. 765 or email natalie.bartelme@efca.org

LONG TERM DISABILITY OPEN ENROLLMENT JANUARY 2007 - Repeat

The EFCA offers affordable Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance to EFCA pastoral and support staff.  Participating churches offering the insurance to their employees as a payroll deduction must inform employees that have waived coverage that the month of January is open enrollment time.  This is the only time of the year when they are able to come on the plan if they have previously waived coverage or failed to enroll during the first 30 days of employment.  To download an enrollment packet, go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/disability/ or call (952) 953-1773 or email benplan@efca.org for more information.