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In This Issue

HEAR THE MIDWINTER MINISTERIAL THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION LIVE

The teaching sessions of the 2007 Midwinter Conference, "Inerrancy, Hermeneutics, and Eschatology" will be broadcast live from Indianapolis on Wednesday and Thursday, January 24-25.  A daily schedule can be downloaded on the Pastoral Care Ministries website at http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare  To listen to the live broadcast, go to http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=13569 and click on "Listen Only." Speaker notes and other resources can be accessed at http://equip.efca.org and follow the instructions to create an EFCA EQUIP account.  To enroll in the Midwinter Ministerial event, go to http://equip.efca.org/course/view.php?id=60 or log into your account, open the "all courses" list and scroll down to the EFCA Event, Midwinter Ministerial.  The enrollment key is MTD07.

AMAZING GRACE SUNDAY

On Sunday, February 18, join churches around the globe in singing the treasured hymn, Amazing Grace.  The significance of this occasion is to commemorate the work of William Wilberforce, a courageous evangelical who two-hundred years ago faced down the powerful men of his day to facilitate the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.  His mentor was John Newton, the slave-trader-turned-song-writer, whose words influenced Wilberforce, and continue to resonate today in the lyrics of Amazing Grace.

Today the fight to end slavery continues. It's estimated that 27 million people are currently in slavery around the world.  From forced child labor to bonded labor and sexual servitude, millions are suffering and need evangelicals to speak out on their behalf.  On February 18, Amazing Grace Sunday is a wonderful opportunity for the church to make our voice heard.

We ask that you set aside a few moments of your worship service on February 18 to sing Amazing Grace and to commit once again to speak for the oppressed. The Amazing Grace Sunday website (http://www.amazinggracesunday.com) offers several valuable resources including an opportunity to register your participation, lyrics to a new arrangement of the hymn by Christian artist Chris Tomlin, and a bulletin insert download about the hymn. Please feel free to contact the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) with any questions at (202) 789-1011.

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.)


During a visit from friends, we prayer walked together here in Poland asking for barriers to be removed in building relationships, and that hearts would be softened and desirous of the gospel. God answered very quickly!

While awaiting the teacher's arrival at my son's school, I noticed another mom trying to engage him in conversation with her son. As I joined them, the mother told me they were new to the school. She was trying to help her son get to know some of the students in the class.  I shared that we were also new to the school and it would be nice to get the boys together and play.  After sharing introductions with Lydia and her son Kacper (say kats-per), she explained that she was not married and had four sons from 7 to 22 years of age. (I think she was worried I would not want to continue the conversation.)

Lydia also told me that she is a hair stylist. That afternoon she had to cut her 6th grader's hair to demonstrate her skill to get a job in the center of the city.  I told her that I would pray for her.  She stopped and looked at me funny and said, "What did you say?"  I repeated I would pray to God on her behalf--that she would have peace in her demonstration. She reached up with one hand and covered her eyes, then reached out and grabbed my arm and thanked me.  She walked off clearly moved, shaking her head and covering her eyes.  Recently, my son played postman for me giving Kacper a note inviting his mother to tea at our home. In the God-timed encounter at my son's school, Lydia's heart was softened. Continue to pray for the building of relationships!
- Kathy Lahr (edited for length)

OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS JANUARY 31 - LONG TERM DISABILTY INSURANCE

The EFCA offers 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.

IMMEDIATE MISSIONS NEEDS IN LEBANON

ReachGlobal is seeking professional medical personnel to serve the Evangelical Free Church of Lebanon as they recover from war. Dates for the two mission trips are March 18 - April 1, and April 29 - May 12. Needed are 3-5 professionals per team, preferably a medical doctor and supporting nurses or EMTs. The work will be general medicine. The cost is $963/individual, plus international travel expenses. Teams can be individuals from across the country or groups from single churches. For more information, contact Dagney Pitts at (715) 309-2224 or email dagney.pitts@efca.org  For information on the relief effort, go to http://www.touchglobal.org/middle-east-crisis.html

 

FAMILY MINSITRIES

Do you or someone in your church minister to families?  The National Association of Family Ministries is sponsoring the Family Ministry Summit 2007 - February 27 to March 1, 2007. The summit will provide an environment for establishing and enriching your family ministry through an open forum format.  Participants will discuss challenges of family ministry in today's world, and develop strategies for the Next Generation. Go to http://www.familymin.org for details and to download the registration form.  Lodging and meals are included in the registration cost!

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRAINING

EFCA IM Team Leader Training will be held in St. Louis, MO on March 2-4 and again March 30-April 1, 2007. Designed to equip team leaders and other short-term mission leaders, the training covers aspects of how to prepare a team for effective cross-cultural ministry. Registration deadlines are nearing so don't delay! Please register by February 1, 2007. For a brochure or to register, contact Gary Reedy by email at garyreedy@efcaim.org or call (515) 432-9175.

NEW AFRICAN-AMERICAN MINISTRIES RESOURCE

A new African-American Ministries DVD, The African-American Fellowship - Building Bridges in a New Season, is now available from UIM.  This DVD tells the story of how the Lord is raising up and developing black leaders within our movement and how God is connecting black leaders with the broader EFCA family.  View it today at http://www.efca.org/urban/africanamerministries/index.html or contact Dante Upshaw at dante.upshaw@efca.org to request a copy of the DVD.

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM MISSION AND MISSION IN THE HISPANIC AND LATIN AMERICAN WORLD

February 3, 2007 - Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL
Trinity International University is sponsoring Short-Term Mission and Mission in the Hispanic and Latin American World, a missiology conference with presentations by leaders with experience in Hispanic ministries, youth ministry, missions, and mission studies focusing on dual themes of short-term missions and mission in the Hispanic and Latin American world.  This conference is an excellent resource for youth pastors, mission pastors, mission committee chairs, missionaries, and short-term team leaders with an interest in Hispanic ministries in the U.S. and across Latin America.  EFCA Director of Hispanic Ministries, Alejandro (Alex) Mandes, will be one of the presenters. To learn more, go to http://www.tiu.edu/divinity/academics/phd/ics/conferences

MISSION UPDATES AND LINKS

Would you like to stay informed about what is happening in the EFCA International Mission?  You can do this by subscribing to two different email publications.
 
ReachGlobal News Update: This update is for mission pastors and mission leaders of local churches.  This update keeps you informed of leadership changes, new ministry updates and opportunities, as well as helpful resources for leaders to do global ministry effectively in the local church.  Subscribe to the ReachGlobal News Update by going to http://moodle.efca.org/mailman/listinfo/efcaimnews 
 
Sand Castles: Sand Castles is an update sent once every two months.  This update includes stories and pictures from international fields.  If you would like to subscribe to Sand Castles, please go to http://moodle.efca.org/mailman/listinfo/sandcastles  
 
Other common EFCA International Mission links:
For information on LIVEº, go to http://www.powerofnothing.org/  
For information on TouchGlobal, go to http://www.touchglobal.org/  
For information on CONNECT, go to http://ww.efca.org/connect  
To go to the EFCA International Mission website, go to http://www.goreachglobal.com/ or http://www.efca.org/international  

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

What are you doing for 2007 Vacation Bible School?
NextStep Resources has created an exclusive FREE VBS Preview DVD that highlights what's new for 2007.  It will allow you to host your own VBS preview, in your own church, on your own time, with your own staff.  Call (800) 444-2665, check out the website at http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?cPath=440&products_id=9106 or email nextstep@efca.org for your FREE copy!

Once you have received the DVD and decided on your curricula interests, call NextStep Resources. We will ship your starter kits (free shipping) and allow you to preview the kits for 30 days and send back what you do not need.  NextStep can also save your church money on VBS supplemental materials by offering a 10% discount on all orders and free shipping on orders over $75. Give us a call!  We look forward to helping you with your VBS curriculum!

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.

HIGH IMPACT CHURCH BOARDS (Repeat)

Special pre-release offer
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BUMP (Repeat)

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